Customer Growth Sessions

Intergrowth
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Customer Growth Sessions, presented by Intergrowth. Join host Pat Ahern, Managing Partner at Intergrowth, as we discuss techniques to build and scale systems that boost profitability for up-and-coming ecommerce businesses.

  1. 3d ago

    S3 EP38: Customer Acquisition for Taboo Products with Viv Conway from Girls Get Off

    "Nothing bad comes from getting off!" — Viv Conway In this episode, Viv Conway, Co-Founder of Girls Get Off, shares a practical framework for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands navigating customer acquisition within highly regulated and taboo industries. Viv details how she and her team launched a sexual wellbeing brand for women during the 2020 pandemic, scaling the company without relying on traditional paid ad channels like Facebook or Google Shopping. From overcoming advertising restrictions through high-intent search engine optimization (SEO) and expert-led blog content to turning discreet shopping experiences into an extension of self-care, she outlines the core strategies for building trust and brand equity. We also discuss community management and organic social media strategy, examining how a 40,000+ member private Facebook group and an active Instagram presence drive real-time customer feedback, unique first-party data, and viral content hooks. Viv shares her approach to founder-led content, highlighting how putting her face behind a taboo brand normalizes the conversation, breaks pattern recognition on social feeds, and builds an irreplaceable brand moat. The conversation extends into creative PR strategies, detailing how to utilize cost-per-click and cost-per-acquisition media models, jump on trending news angles, and address fundamental customer objections around discreet shipping and billing privacy. To learn more about personal branding and putting yourself behind your business, check out our Traci Stumpf interview on personal branding. You can also explore Linkby for cost-per-click press features, or read about Intergrowth's Expert Commentary PR process to see how we build high-authority press mentions. Want to learn more about Girls Get Off and how Viv helps women embrace sexual wellness? Visit girlsgetoff.com or connect with her on Instagram, Instagram (Personal), and LinkedIn. Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Interested in seeing how Intergrowth could help you grow your business? Head over to intergrowth.com/cgs to book a complimentary strategy session with our team.

  2. Sep 23

    S3 EP37: SEO Shorts: Should I Use AI-Generated Content?

    "Google has stated very explicitly that they are not against AI-generated content. What Google and the other search engines are really against is having a massive amount of low-quality content that they have to sift through..." — Pat Ahern   In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, host Pat Ahern delivers a solo deep dive into a question top-of-mind for brand leaders: should you use AI to create content for your website? Timestamps from late August 2026 highlight recent developments, including Claude adding watermarks to AI-generated text and visual outputs, sparking renewed debate around search engine penalties. Pat clarifies Google’s official stance, explaining that search algorithms target low-quality "AI slop" rather than AI-assisted production. He outlines the risks established sites face when relying heavily on unrefined LLM outputs, including lost brand voice, surface-level information, and catastrophic organic traffic drops.   The episode details actionable strategies for incorporating AI without sacrificing standards. Pat outlines Intergrowth’s internal Claude-assisted workflow, demonstrating how combining subject-matter expert audio transcripts with structured prompts, multi-step outlines, and extensive human editing creates high-performing content that upholds brand integrity. Whether you are considering an AI-driven strategy or refining your existing publishing workflow, this episode provides a realistic blueprint for balancing speed with content quality. Explore Intergrowth's AI Content Decision Flowchart to determine if AI content fits your business goals, and read their Claude Content Generation Workflow & LLM Text File Case Study to see their full AI-assisted framework in action.   Want to learn more about Intergrowth and how Pat and his team scale organic search visibility? Visit intergrowth.com or connect with Pat directly on LinkedIn and Instagram.   Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!   Interested in seeing how Intergrowth could help you grow your business? Head over to intergrowth.com/cgs to book a complimentary strategy session with our team.

  3. Sep 16

    S3 EP36: Creating a Frictionless Customer Experience with Andrew Costaris from Partners Coffee

    "You have to look at what your AOV is, you look at what your CPAs are... at the end of the day, I would rather incentivize our own customers and incentivize the customers that people are referring than pay Meta or Google." — Andrew Costaris   In this episode, Andrew Costaris, VP of Digital over at Partners Coffee, shares a practical framework for CPG and consumable brands looking to transition from traditional B2B operations to a thriving, high-retention direct-to-consumer (DTC) model. Andrew explains how Partners Coffee rapidly pivoted its business model during the 2020 pandemic shutdowns, migrating to Shopify and leveraging owned marketing channels to turn physical retail presence into sustainable e-commerce growth. From building out early email and SMS collection flows to establishing an ecosystem where physical packaging and retail shelf placement drive repeat online orders, he outlines the critical strategies required to grow a brand in a crowded market. We also discuss the operational mechanics of customer retention, exploring why consumable brands under $40 must rely on subscriptions, low-friction checkout experiences, and generous customer-led referral systems rather than relying strictly on first-order ad profitability. Andrew shares his practical, no-fluff approach to tech stacks, detailing why less is more when eliminating site friction, how physical cafe locations serve as authentic brand billboards, and why real customer word-of-mouth far outperforms paid influencer campaigns or forced AI customer service automation.Tools discussed on the podcast include Shopify, Klaviyo, Okendo, and Attentive. Want to learn more about Partners Coffee and how Andrew helps drive digital growth and customer experience? Visit partnerscoffee.com or connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram to explore specialty coffee, retention strategies, and e-commerce innovation.   Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Interested in seeing how Intergrowth could help you grow your business? Head over to intergrowth.com/cgs to book a complimentary strategy session with our team.

  4. Sep 9

    S3 EP35: Auditing Leadership Character to Level Up Your Business with Curtis Luke from Niche-Marc Consulting

    "Before you can fix operational issues, you have to really take time to make that self-assessment... because you can't scale under operational messiness." — Curtis Luke In this episode, Curtis Luke, Founder of Niche-Marc Consulting and Senior Executive Advisor at Knight Eagle Consulting (KECS), breaks down a practical framework for identifying and overcoming the founder-led bottlenecks that cap business growth. Curtis explains why small business leaders often become their own biggest ceiling by clinging to micromanagement, avoiding delegation, and creating operational bottlenecks out of fear or a lack of trust. He outlines why a thorough self-assessment—tracking decision patterns, approval wait times, and recurring problems—is essential for uncovering psychological barriers before attempting to scale.   We also discuss the practical steps leaders can take to break these bad habits, including executing a 10-day self-audit, conducting candid off-site reviews, and bringing in independent third-party advisors to gather unbiased employee feedback. The conversation extends into building high-trust leadership teams and strong gatekeepers, showing how active listening, humility, and clear delegation paths empower managers and prevent founder burnout. Want to learn more about Curtis Luke and how he helps companies audit leadership character, streamline workflows, and fix operational bottlenecks? Visit hellocurtis.us or connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about executive strategy and business growth consulting.   Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!   Interested in seeing how Intergrowth could help you grow your business? Head over to intergrowth.com/cgs to book a complimentary strategy session with our team.

  5. Sep 2

    S3 EP34: LLM Sentiment Analysis for Ecommerce with Pat Ahern from Intergrowth

    In this episode, host Pat Ahern takes the mic for a solo deep dive into a crucial Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and search strategy: Large Language Model (LLM) sentiment analysis. Pat explores why simply showing up in AI search queries isn't enough, explaining how being mentioned negatively or having key details misunderstood by LLMs can actively hurt brand growth. He breaks down the shift from quantitative visibility tracking to qualitative analysis, introducing a four-part framework brands can run to audit and improve how AI systems perceive, evaluate, and recommend their products. From conducting brand association and factual accuracy checks to executing negative sentiment analysis across third-party review platforms and Reddit, Pat outlines actionable steps to correct outdated information and protect your digital reputation. The conversation extends into product recommendation audits, detailing how to utilize query fanout analysis, refine niche positioning across social channels, and optimize website FAQ structures so LLMs can easily parse and surface your core value proposition.   Prefer the written version? Pat breaks down LLM Sentiment Analysis on the Intergrowth blog as well. Read more about Expert Commentary PR and learn more about query fan out analysis to deepen your understanding of AEO strategies. Want to learn more about Intergrowth and how Pat and his team help businesses scale through SEO, AEO, and content marketing? Visit intergrowth.com or connect with Pat on LinkedIn and Instagram to explore growth frameworks, articles, and agency services. Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Interested in seeing how Intergrowth could help you grow your business? Head over to intergrowth.com/cgs to book a complimentary strategy session with our team.

  6. Aug 26

    S3 EP33: Farmers’ Markets + Meta Ads for Customer Acquisition with Cameron Bignell from Eden Orchards

    "Stop thinking, start drinking!" — Cam Bignell In this episode, Cameron Bignell, Managing Director over at Eden Orchards, shares a practical framework for functional beverage and consumable brands looking to scale across international markets while keeping their marketing authentic and grounded in customer feedback. Cam explains how launching a 100% pure fruit juice line turned cosmetically imperfect cherries into a thriving business, leveraging grassroots local events to build customer education, gather real-time objections, and test high-converting marketing hooks. From expanding weekend presence at trade shows and farmers markets to turning in-person interactions into high-performing Meta creative, he outlines the critical factors every brand should consider when connecting offline experience with online growth. We also discuss the power of maintaining founder-led authenticity, explaining why raw, unscripted video content recorded directly in the orchard regularly outperforms highly produced agency campaigns. The conversation extends into creative workflows and ad management, where Cam details how dedicated seasonal batch-filming weeks provide a year’s worth of ad creative, and why managing paid social in-house allows brands to protect long-term customer relationships and refine target messaging. For a closer look at how they put this into practice, check out Eden Orchard’s active Meta ads breakdown to see their top-performing video creative in action. Want to learn more about Eden Orchards and how Cam helps bring 100% pure fruit juices to markets across New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore? Visit edenorchards.co.nz or follow along on Instagram to learn more about functional health benefits, sustainability, and brand growth. Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Interested in seeing how Intergrowth could help you grow your business? Head over to intergrowth.com/cgs to book a complimentary strategy session with our team.

  7. Aug 19

    S3 EP32: Lessons from 20 Years of Product Ideation with Bill McHenry from Widgeteer

    "You just gotta keep going and you gotta not be afraid of change, 'cause things change... You just kinda gotta go with it." — Bill McHenry   In this episode, Bill McHenry, Founder and CEO of Widgeteer, shares a practical framework for e-commerce and housewares brands looking to navigate two decades of product ideation, evolution, and scaling without getting trapped by costly supply chain and currency pitfalls. Bill explains why building a sustainable product line starts with understanding real customer demand, cultural relevance, and operational readiness rather than relying strictly on initial assumptions or European market trends. From navigating shipping logistics and the impact of fluctuating exchange rates to pivoting from importing third-party brands to creating in-house lines like jeanne fitz, Toodles, and Hazelik, he outlines the critical factors every brand should consider when expanding their product footprint. We also discuss the often-overlooked operational and cultural side of running a family-owned business, including fostering cross-generational internal innovation, structuring candor-driven feedback loops, and delivering hospitality-grade customer service. The conversation extends into major retail partnerships, where he details how custom product adaptations helped Widgeteer land shelf space with major retailers, regional powerhouses, and even Disney. Want to learn more about Widgeteer and how Bill helps bring innovative housewares and entertaining products to market? Visit their site or connect with the team on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to learn more about product design, retail distribution, and brand growth. Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Interested in seeing how Intergrowth could help you grow your business? Head over to intergrowth.com/cgs to book a complimentary strategy session with our team.

  8. Aug 12

    S3 EP31: Amazon Listing Optimizations with Ilja Perov from AQUACADABRA

    What does it really take to stand out in today's crowded online marketplaces? In this episode, Ilya Perov, E-commerce Executive at Aquacadabra, shares the strategies behind building marketplace listings that don't just rank, but convert. From choosing between Amazon, eBay, and emerging marketplaces to creating product listings that sell an experience rather than just a product, Ilya breaks down the practical frameworks brands can use to grow sales while avoiding common marketplace mistakes. We also explore what separates average marketplace listings from top-performing ones, including SEO-optimized titles, compelling product imagery, A+ Content, and the growing importance of video. Ilya shares how Amazon's Creative Studio enables brands to create engaging AI-powered product videos without advanced editing skills, why strong visual storytelling improves customer trust and conversions, and how thoughtful listing optimization has helped products sell out repeatedly. The discussion also covers practical tactics for launching new products, earning authentic customer reviews through promotions, understanding Amazon FBA, and avoiding costly compliance mistakes when expanding into marketplaces. Whether you're launching your first marketplace product or looking to improve existing listings, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you increase visibility, conversions, and long-term marketplace success. Tools discussed on the podcast include: Amazon Seller Central, Amazon FBA, Amazon Creative Studio, Amazon A+ Content, Amazon PPC, eBay, Temu, Tesco Marketplace, and B&Q Marketplace. Resources mentioned in this episode: Amazon Aquarium Listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquacadabra-Aquarium-Aquascape-Opti-White-54L/dp/B0DB5WN3KK/ Amazon Cloverleaf FMG Listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cloverleaf-Treatment-Accurate-Controls-Distribution/dp/B0GTZGQPB4/ Want to learn more about Ilya Perov? Check out Aquacadabra to see how one of the UK's leading aquatic retailers approaches e-commerce and marketplace growth. If you're looking to improve your own Amazon or marketplace performance, visit MarginSaver to learn more about Ilya's e-commerce consultancy, or connect with him on LinkedIn:  Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to be the first to hear about future episodes, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Interested in seeing how Intergrowth could help you grow your business? Head over to intergrowth.com/cgs to book a complimentary strategy session with our team.

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About

Welcome to Customer Growth Sessions, presented by Intergrowth. Join host Pat Ahern, Managing Partner at Intergrowth, as we discuss techniques to build and scale systems that boost profitability for up-and-coming ecommerce businesses.

Information

  • Creator
    Intergrowth
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Intergrowth
  • Show Website
    Customer Growth Sessions