Beyond The Now

Instant

Inside the minds behind today’s fastest-growing eCommerce brands with Liam Millward, Instant CEO & Co-Founder

  1. 10 HRS AGO

    Lessons from Mejuri & The RealReal: What Most DTC Brands Get Wrong About Retail

    Courtney Hawkins has spent 20+ years building and scaling retail at brands like Mejuri, The RealReal, Bath & Body Works, and Gap, and now building her own advisory group, CH Retail Group. Right now, many DTC brands are moving into physical retail. In this episode, we break down what actually makes retail work and why it’s far more complex than just opening stores. Courtney and Liam get into: Why you can’t “muscle” your way into retail success The biggest mistakes brands make when expanding into physical stores Why most retail problems aren’t store-level, they’re enterprise-level The gap between digital and in-store customer experience Why people, not data, are still the biggest driver of performance If you’re thinking about retail expansion or are already in it, this is a must-listen.

    39 min

  2. 2 APR

    How This Builder Used AI to Grow a “Sleepy” Business to $12M

    In this episode of Beyond the Now, Liam sits down with Jonathan Shroyer from Linda’s to break down how he scaled a “sleepy” ecommerce business from $2M to $12M in just two years. Jonathan shares how he identified a $6B market opportunity, and how AI became the unlock for rapid growth, driving 25% of revenue through automated, personalized marketing. They dive into: Why “boring” industries are some of the biggest opportunities today How AI is changing ecommerce, retention, and personalization The shift from funnels to “learning loops” Why most brands are already behind on AI adoption The exact playbook Jonathan used to scale Linda’s If you’re building in ecommerce, retention, or AI, this episode is a must-watch.

    40 min

  3. 26 MAR

    How Patagonia Grows Without Making You Buy More, with former Digital VP Angela Clark

    Patagonia is one of the most respected brands in the world. But their approach to growth breaks almost every traditional marketing playbook. Angela Clark, former VP of Digital at Patagonia, joins the podcast to talk about what it actually means to grow a business when your mission is to reduce consumption, not drive it. We get into: How Patagonia balances revenue growth with sustainability Why they avoid traditional “conversion tactics” like discounts and urgency What most brands get wrong about retention and customer relationships How AI is changing digital teams and what operators should focus on next Lessons from Angela’s career across brands like eBay, Levi Strauss, Pottery Barn, Eddie Bauer, and e.l.f. Cosmetics This episode is for anyone thinking about: How to build a brand that lasts, how to rethink growth beyond short-term revenue, and what the future of digital and eCommerce actually looks like.

    40 min

  4. 19 MAR

    The Real Reason Most eCommerce Brands Don’t Scale (and What the CEO of Blenders Does Differently)

    Most eCommerce brands don’t fail because of tactics. They fail because they never get clear on who they are. In this episode, the CEO of Blenders breaks down what actually separates brands that scale from those that stall. After 13 years at Adidas and now leading Blenders, Jack shares a different perspective on growth, AI, and what it really takes to build a brand that lasts. We get into: Why most brands are chasing trends instead of building identity The biggest misconception about scaling a brand today How AI is changing eCommerce and why most companies are thinking about it wrong The difference between brands that scale to $100M and those that disappear Why storytelling and culture matter more than ever If you’re building a brand or thinking about the future of eCommerce, this episode will change how you think about growth.

    48 min

  5. 12 MAR

    Cuyana CMO Max Lishansky on AI, Brand Growth, & What Actually Works in Modern Marketing

    In this episode, Liam sits down with Max Lishansky, CMO at Cuyana, to talk about what actually drives growth for modern brands. Max has spent nearly a decade as a CMO across direct-to-consumer companies. Earlier in his career, Max shares insights on aggressive brand growth, how companies can stand out in a crowded DTC landscape, and why many marketing “best practices” no longer work. The discussion also dives into the role AI is beginning to play in marketing and why it’s powerful but not a silver bullet. Topics covered include: • How brands find their unique growth edge • Why breakout growth usually comes from 1–2 outlier tactics • The importance of brand storytelling and creative differentiation• How AI is changing marketing workflows and experimentation • Why marketing ultimately comes back to human psychology This is a rare behind-the-scenes look at how top CMOs are thinking about brand growth, marketing strategy, and the role AI will play in the future.

    46 min

  6. 5 MAR

    How ANTA and Kyrie Irving Are Shaking Up the U.S. Sneaker Market

    ANTA is making waves in the U.S., and we go behind the scenes to show how. From signing NBA stars like Kyrie Irving to opening their first Beverly Hills store, ANTA is redefining sports marketing, community engagement, and global expansion. In this episode, hear from Christian Laursen, ANTA’s U.S. Head of Marketing, as he shares: * How ANTA went from 0 to 100 in just 90 days in the U.S. * The strategy behind celebrity partnerships and influencer engagement * Creating a loyal community that travels to events across cities * Innovative approaches to marketing, SMS, and AI for growth * Lessons from working with GOAT, Adidas, and iconic sports moments Whether you’re in sports, marketing, or business growth, this episode gives a blueprint for bold moves in competitive markets.

    34 min

  7. 26 FEB

    AI Is Rewriting Retention Marketing (And Growth Teams Aren't Ready)

    Retention marketing is changing faster than most brands realize.In this episode, Liam sits down with Eli Weiss, VP of Retention Advocacy at Yotpo, to talk about how AI is reshaping the future of eCommerce growth. Eli shares why he believes “growth marketing is dead,” why brands may soon never need to log into Klaviyo again, and how AI is transforming personalization, experimentation, and customer loyalty. They also dive into Eli’s experience leading customer experience and retention at brands like Olipop and Jones Road, what actually drives repeat purchases, and why many retention strategies fail when the product itself isn’t strong. The conversation explores: -How AI is changing lifecycle marketing -Why personalization is finally becoming real -The future of automated retention systems -Why experimentation will define winning brands -What marketing teams will look like in an AI-native world

    40 min

  8. 12 FEB

    Why You’re Already Behind if You’re Not Using AI in eCommerce

    In this episode, Liam sits down with Laura, former partner at Moustache Republic and one of the most influential voices in Australian eCommerce, to unpack what really drives growth for modern brands. Laura shares her journey from fashion design and eBay’s early marketplace days to scaling one of the region’s most respected Shopify agencies, and why she chose to step away to focus on advisory, board work, and a portfolio career. The conversation dives deep into marketplaces versus DTC, why Amazon is still critical for global expansion, and how Australian brands can successfully enter the US without waiting too long. They also explore the realities of AI in commerce. From bringing more capabilities in-house, to how agencies must evolve beyond execution, to the guardrails brands need when adopting AI at scale. Laura breaks down what the fastest-growing brands get right, the biggest mistakes retailers are making, and why so many businesses are stuck without a clear three-year plan.

    39 min
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About

Inside the minds behind today’s fastest-growing eCommerce brands with Liam Millward, Instant CEO & Co-Founder

Information

  • Creator
    Instant
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Instant
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Now