ASOM Pod

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) get into what eCommerce actually looks like in 2026, and spoiler: it’s not just “more ads and more AI.”The crew breaks down how financial modeling, privacy shifts, and AI are changing the way brands operate, while personalization goes from “nice to have” to table stakes. They talk about why websites are turning into loyalty hubs, why more DTC brands are opening retail stores and owning manufacturing, and what big moves (like a potential Chewy acquisition) could signal about where the market is headed.What you’ll hear:Why personalization is about to explode (and what powers it)How AI is reshaping both customer behavior and internal teamsThe future of DTC retail and why physical assets matter againWhy websites are becoming loyalty channels, not just storefrontsThe business model shifts brands need to be ready for by 2026If you’re building, operating, or investing in eCommerce, this episode is a fast, honest look at what’s coming next and what actually matters._____Big shoutout to our sponsor who makes this podcast possible!Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/Subscribe at https://asompod.com__00:00 Teaser Trailer03:49 Reviewing Last Year's Predictions04:31 TikTok and Social Commerce Insights09:25 Subscription Models and SaaS Trends19:06 Meta's Dominance and Social Commerce28:41 AI's Impact on eCommerce35:05 Discussing Predictions for 202635:29 The Shift in User Experience and AI's Role37:24 Personalization and Data Privacy Trends42:50 The Future of Retail and D2C Brands50:23 The Importance of Brand Assets01:02:04 The Decline of eCommerce and Rise of Loyalty Channels01:07:42 Predictions for the Pet Industry01:10:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts___Follow us on:X: https://x.com/TheAsomPodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) break down everything that happened across Black Friday and Cyber Monday and what it means for the future of eCommerce. From Shopify’s massive sales spike to unexpected wins in new customer acquisition, the crew digs into the consumer behavior shifts, platform performance issues, and emerging trends shaping the next wave of digital retail.What you’ll learn:How Shopify handled BFCM including the sales surge and the technical issues merchants feltWhy buy now, pay later continues to influence conversions (and the hidden risks most brands ignore)How AI is changing product research, shopping behaviors, and traffic qualityWhy AppLovin is quietly becoming a serious challenger to Meta for customer acquisitionHow retail expectations differ by channel and why brands must innovate fasterWhat AI means for SEO, marketplaces, and the future barriers to entry in eCommerceThe team’s predictions for where digital commerce is headed nextIf you’re trying to understand how AI and consumer behavior will reshape the industry, this episode gives you a sharp, actionable breakdown of what’s happening now and what’s coming._____Big shoutout to our sponsor who makes this podcast possible!Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/Subscribe at https://asompod.com__00:00 Teaser Trailer00:24 Welcome to the ASOM Pod00:53 Discussing Black Friday and Cyber Monday02:27 Amazon's Strategy and Consumer Behavior03:57 Black Friday Product Launches and Consumer Trends12:57 Retail Experiences and Consumer Preferences18:44 Shopify's Performance and Technical Issues34:20 Buy Now, Pay Later Trends36:14 Merchant Fees and Payment Structures36:40 Buy Now, Pay Later Risks and Benefits40:07 AI's Impact on eCommerce Traffic42:50 SEO and AI: The New Frontier46:46 AppLovin vs. Meta: A Data Comparison53:56 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Insights01:04:52 Predictions for the Future of eCommerce___Follow us on:X: https://x.com/TheAsomPodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) dig into one big question: are traditional eCommerce websites on their way out? With AI reshaping how consumers browse, shop, and make decisions, the conversation explores whether AI-driven commerce, mobile apps, and marketplaces like Amazon will eventually replace the classic online storefront.What you’ll learn:- Whether websites are becoming irrelevant in an AI-first world- How AI will transform search, personalization, and customer experience- Why apps, loyalty, and brand ecosystems may win over traditional storefronts- The evolving role of marketplaces like Amazon- How consumer behavior shifts between generations- Why logistics and operations may be the biggest benefactors of AIIf you’re building an eCommerce brand or planning for the next wave of digital retail, this episode gives you a clear, practical look at what’s next._____Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/Particl — the competitive intelligence platform built for eCommerce brands. Track real sales, inventory, and pricing across thousands of products to see what’s selling, who’s winning, and where to move next. Get started at https://www.particl.com/Subscribe at https://asompod.com__00:00 Teaser Trailer02:23 Websites vs. AI Commerce03:55 The Future of eCommerce06:19 Consumer Behavior and Technology10:54 AI and Marketplaces13:38 Mobile Apps and eCommerce16:07 AI's Impact on Search and Shopping26:08 The Evolution of AI and Quantum Computing32:55 The Rise and Fall of Amazon's Shopping Innovations33:57 Target's Strategic Shopping Experience34:44 The Evolution of Online Shopping36:03 AI's Impact on eCommerce38:16 The Future of Websites and AI Integration40:29 AI in Logistics and Customer Experience44:28 The Role of Loyalty in eCommerce58:32 The Changing Landscape of SaaS___Follow us on:X: https://x.com/TheAsomPodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) break down one of the most debated questions in entrepreneurship: should you build a business based on passion or on skillset? From there, the crew dives into a no-BS analysis of the best and worst eCommerce business models to start in 2025, looking at the real factors that make or break a brand like margins, returns, customer support demands, marketplace competition, paid advertising performance, and evolving consumer spending trends.What you’ll learn:The difference between building from passion vs. building from your actual skillsetThe best and worst eCommerce businesses to start in 2025Which categories have the strongest margins and repeat potentialWhy some “trendy” product types are a financial and logistical nightmareHow returns, support, and ad costs are quietly killing certain industriesWhy the founder’s mindset, adaptability, and execution matter more than the idea itselfIf you’re thinking about launching a brand, pivoting your current business, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at the real economics of eCom, this episode is your reality check._____Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.comParticl — the competitive intelligence platform built for eCommerce brands. Track real sales, inventory, and pricing across thousands of products to see what’s selling, who’s winning, and where to move next. Get started at https://www.particl.com/Subscribe at https://asompod.com___00:00 Teaser Trailer00:30 Welcome to the ASOM Pod01:08 Meet the Hosts02:08 Game Time: Best and Worst eCommerce Businesses to Start03:52 High Margin eCommerce Categories05:45 Low Margin eCommerce Categories11:59 Marketplace Competition: Best and Worst Businesses21:45 Paid Advertising: Best and Worst Categories24:50 The Challenge of Selling Tumblers25:16 Returns and Customer Support Insights29:26 Trends in Consumer Spending33:09 Best and Worst eCommerce Business Models39:23 The Importance of the Founder in Business Success41:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts___Follow us on:X: https://x.com/TheAsomPodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) sit down with Kevin Tighe, Founder & former CEO of Beachly and now VP of Growth at BUBS Naturals.Kevin gets real about the transition from founder to employee, what it felt like to sell the company he built, and how he rebuilt his identity on the other side. The crew digs into leadership, delegation, the subscription model, and what today’s e-commerce landscape demands from operators.What you’ll learn:How Kevin built and scaled Beachly and what led to its acquisition.The emotional + operational realities of selling your business.How to transition from CEO to employee without losing your edge.Why delegation and team empowerment unlock real growth.The current state of subscription eCommerce (and what’s changing fast).How Kevin is driving growth today at BUBS Naturals.If you’re a founder, operator, or just curious what the “after” looks like post-exit, this one hits home._____Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.comParticl — the competitive intelligence platform built for eCommerce brands. Track real sales, inventory, and pricing across thousands of products to see what’s selling, who’s winning, and where to move next. Get started at https://www.particl.com/Subscribe at https://asompod.com___00:00 Teaser Trailer00:39 Welcome to the ASOM Pod04:25 Kevin Tighe’s Journey: From Founder to Employee04:53 The Birth and Growth of Beachly Brands07:46 Challenges and Successes in the Subscription Box Model16:04 The Acquisition Journey and Transition to Employee22:15 Discussing the Acquisition Details22:30 Transitioning to a New Market22:47 Joining BUBS Naturals24:44 Reflecting on Entrepreneurial Challenges28:48 The Importance of Delegation31:13 The Emotional Side of Selling a Business34:15 Current Role and Team Dynamics35:55 Future Plans and Reflections48:07 Closing Thoughts and Outro___Follow us on:X: https://x.com/TheAsomPodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips