eCom@One with Richard Hill

eCom@One

Unfiltered conversations with eCommerce owners, industry experts and more... Our podcast is raw, honest and damn right insightful, as we chat to some of the best minds in eCommerce. Welcome to the eCom@One Podcast. Hello there, So, you are a passionate eCommerce enthusiast just like us? Richard Hill, our CEO, interviews guests from a wide range of eCommerce related industries. On this weekly podcast, we interview store owners, marketers and those on the frontline of online retailing. Listen to their career stories, their tips for success and the challenges that they have faced in eCommerce. Each episode will have its own personal spin from, motivation, leadership to strategy.  Don’t get FOMO. Subscribe now!

  1. Jun 1

    E228: Kieran Wright & Damian Duke - Mastering AI for eCommerce Success Without Losing the Human Touch

    “What could’ve been a five-minute conversation with a human has now taken 30 minutes and made me angry.” In this episode of eCom@One with Richard Hill, the spotlight turns to AI’s real-world impact on the eCommerce landscape. Richard hands the reins to Kieran Wright and Damian Duke, who dive deep into where AI genuinely adds value beyond the hype. Listen in as they discuss how AI is speeding up processes, enhancing research and strategy, and revolutionising workflows, while also exploring its limitations, ethical considerations and the irreplaceable role of human insight. Whether you want to refine your operations, improve content, or simply make smarter decisions about AI tools, this episode is packed with practical advice and candid opinions, helping you cut through the noise and harness AI where it matters most.  And remember “The trick is: I actually don’t know what I’m talking about, but if I say it in this tone of voice…” We’re joking, kind of!  Hit subscribe, and let’s get started! Time Stamps:  00:00 Exploring practical AI in business 04:44 Skepticism about chatbots in retail 07:13 Using AI as a thinking partner 10:17 Discussing AI tool reliance 15:05 Discussing AI and ethical concerns 18:12 Caution with AI data privacy 22:20 Clients pushing for AI in reviews 23:16 Evaluating AI tools for clients 27:03 Shifting roles in agency teams 30:10 Recommending a YouTube channel

    32 min
  2. May 21

    E227: Alexandra Stephens & Eleasha Reay - Achieving eCommerce Growth Through Smarter PPC: Expert Insights on Campaign Structure and Feeds

    “PPC doesn’t stand for pay-per-click anymore… it stands for ‘please, please convert.’” Welcome to another practical and insight-packed episode of eCom@One with Richard Hill! In this episode, Richard hands the mic to two of our PPC pros, Alex and Eleasha, for a deep dive into what’s working right now in paid search for eCommerce brands. Drawing on years of hands-on experience across B2B and B2C accounts, they share actionable strategies on feed optimisation, campaign structuring, landing page testing and how to scale past revenue plateaus. Whether you're running campaigns in-house, working with an agency, or just looking to squeeze more performance from your PPC spend, this episode is loaded with expert takeaways, plus why channels like Microsoft Ads might be your next secret weapon. Hit subscribe and get ready for a conversation that gets right to the heart of driving better returns and smarter growth in eCommerce PPC. Time stamps:  00:00 Paid search tips for eCommerce 03:38 Starting out in the marketing field 07:35 Social media and branding strategy 10:23 Appealing to a younger market 13:27 Exploring diverse marketing roles 18:35 Optimising ad campaigns for profit 21:53 Changing product IDs impact feeds 23:48 Optimising Microsoft Ads Strategies 27:56 Trying Microsoft Ads for clients 31:57 Testing landing page effectiveness 32:46 Hitting the 3 million milestone 36:50 Book recommendation: Good Vibes, Good Life

    38 min
  3. Apr 27

    E226: Michael Duxbury - Balancing AI Automation and Human Creativity in Email and CRM

    "Maybe I’ll hear back from your AI Assistant… Sorry Michael is Busy” Welcome to another episode of eCom@One, today, Richard is joined by Michael Duxbury from Dot Digital, a true veteran with over 15 years of experience in CRM, email marketing and martech. In this insightful conversation, they dive deep into how AI is transforming the worlds of email and CRM marketing, from boosting segmentation and personalisation to automating content creation, reporting and campaign workflows. You’ll hear how AI can supercharge both seasoned marketers and resource-strapped teams, uncover the real adoption trends (and misconceptions), and explore the exciting future of cross-channel marketing, including the latest on WhatsApp and next-level list-building. Whether you’re trying to decode the AI hype or searching for actionable marketing tactics, this episode is packed with practical advice and forward-thinking strategies to help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Time Stamps:  00:00 AI in CRM and email marketing 04:25 Embracing AI in Business Operations 08:40 AI in consumer purchasing journeys 11:22 AI usage in email marketing 15:41 AI simplifies multi-channel marketing 17:02 AI's impact on marketing agencies 20:05 Using AI to Generate Emails 23:19 AI in customer segmentation 27:47 Using analytics and marketing tools 29:34 Using AI tools for digital marketing 35:03 Using WhatsApp for targeted campaigns 38:23 Introducing tone of voice feature 40:53 AI-driven marketing assistance 43:36 Email CRM marketing evolution 45:27 Discussing Steinbeck's Cannery Row

    47 min
  4. Apr 14

    E225: John Brolly - Futureproof Your eCommerce Store: AI Innovations, Data Feeds,and Personalisation Tips

    There are seismic changes rocking the eCommerce world at the moment.  In this episode of eCom@One, host Richard Hill sits down with John Brolly, Head of Partnerships EMEA of Athos Commerce, for a deep dive into the seismic changes rocking the eCommerce world; driven by AI, product data, and new approaches to product discovery. With unique insights spanning thousands of retailers, agencies and brands, John reveals why great product data is now at the heart of visibility, conversion and profit online. From conversational AI search to data hygiene, merchandising strategies and operational efficiency, this conversation explores the tactics that are separating today’s most successful eCommerce businesses from the rest. If you're curious about leveraging product feeds, tapping into LLMs, or staying ahead of the latest digital transformations, this episode delivers real-world examples, actionable advice and a look into the future of eCommerce innovation. Hit subscribe now, it’s time to discover where the real opportunities are in the new age of eCommerce. 00:00 AI and product data in eCommerce 06:02 Improving the shopping experience 08:55 Using AI to read data 11:45 Improving product feeds with AI 14:40 Early challenges in AI partnerships 18:42 Improving site search and merchandising 19:59 Changing consumer habits 25:18 Managing end-of-year finances 26:54 Faster proof-of-concept development 29:42 The importance of communication skills 34:20 Exciting trends in eCommerce 35:57 AI's impact on agencies 40:04 Favourite dystopian author inspires name 41:59 Closing and subscribe reminder

    42 min
  5. Mar 10

    E224: Sophie Penny - Is Email Marketing Dead? AI, Segmentation and Revenue Tips for eCommerce Success

    Email Marketing isn’t dead.  We’re joined today by Sophie Penny, Senior Account Manager at EcomOne. In this insightful conversation, Richard Hill and Sophie Penny dive deep into the world of email marketing in e-commerce, tackling the big question, is email marketing dead? Spoiler: it’s not, but the game has definitely changed. Together, they discuss the powerful role AI now plays in email. Think predictive analytics, smart segmentation and hyper-personalisation that goes way beyond just using your customer’s first name. Sophie Penny shares the biggest shifts she’s seeing in how brands use email, including practical strategies for getting the most out of signup forms and automations, especially for driving revenue. This episode covers best practices for segmentation, how to keep your brand’s email campaigns engaging and relevant (without becoming “noise” in your customers’ inboxes), and why not every strategy works for every brand. You’ll also hear actionable tips specific to industries like automotive, outdoor, and B2B, not to mention creative ideas for building loyalty and community through email. If you’re ready to move beyond “blanket” marketing and tap into what really works today, this episode is packed with expert advice you can put into action right away. Let’s get into it! 00:00 "Email Marketing Isn't Dead" 06:06 Poorly Timed Marketing Emails 07:56 Sensitive Holiday Communication Strategy 12:42 Email Segmentation Boosts Engagement 16:07 Building Community Around Niche Brands 19:57 "Maximizing Post-Black Friday Gains" 22:11 "Evolving Email Strategies & Design" 27:19 "Thoughts on High-Value Purchases" 27:50 Maximizing Sales Through Maintenance 31:24 E-commerce Insights for Niche Catalogs 34:29 End-of-Year Buying Insights

    36 min
  6. Mar 3

    E223: Fran Gresswell - Overcoming £12,000 Loss to 400 Retailers Stocking Riviera Iced Tea: The Founders Story

    “I do think as a founder of a small business, if you can get face to face with someone, you sell them on the story, not the product”. On this episode of eCom@One, host Richard Hill sits down with Fran Gresswell, the dynamic founder of Riviera Iced Tea, a premium drinks brand she launched while still at university. Fran’s journey is nothing short of inspiring: from bootstrapping her business and overcoming a devastating £12,000 loss to a manufacturer, to landing her product in over 400 independent retailers and major venues, including the Co-op and prestigious spots like Chatsworth and Holcombe Hall. This conversation dives into the realities of building a brand in the tough world of physical products without the cushion of huge funding or sugarcoating the setbacks. Fran shares her honest experiences hustling for retail listings; literally walking into cafes and stores, selling her story face-to-face, and building relationships with buyers through persistence and timing. We hear how Riviera repositioned itself as a premium non-alcoholic alternative, leveraging TikTok and personal branding to drive growth and turn viral moments into wholesale success. Fran opens up about navigating tight margins in food and drink, the impact of rising costs, and the strategies she’s using to stay resilient as a founder including email campaigns, guerrilla marketing, and adapting to changing consumer habits. If you’re a founder or marketer navigating retail, D2C, or just curious about what it takes to build a brand from scratch in today’s market, this episode brings grounded advice, practical insights, and a hefty dose of real talk from someone who’s living it every day. 00:00 Local Spotlight: Riviera Iced Tea 04:15 Lessons from a Costly Mistake 06:29 "Overcoming Doubt in Business" 11:45 "Flavors Drive Iced Tea Success" 13:24 "Securing Retail Listings Journey" 16:16 "Festival Sales Strategy Insights" 21:06 "Expanding into Ideal Venues" 23:57 TikTok Boosted My Business 28:26 "Rewarding Loyal Customers First" 29:46 "Subscription Plan Discussion Insights" 33:10 Small Business Challenges Persist 35:57 "What Keeps You Up?" 39:09 Learn from Business Failures

    40 min
  7. E222: Lucie Macleod - How Hair Syrup Became the UK's Fastest Growing Beauty Brand

    Feb 15

    E222: Lucie Macleod - How Hair Syrup Became the UK's Fastest Growing Beauty Brand

    In this episode recorded live at our Live Uncut event, Richard Hill sits down with Lucie , founder of Hair Syrup, to unpack one of the most inspiring eCommerce success stories of the past five years. What started as a personal solution to hair problems in a Warwick University student kitchen has exploded into an 8-figure business that became the most viral hair care brand on TikTok globally. Lucie walks us through the moment she realized Hair Syrup was going to be massive, her unconventional journey from mixing oils with measuring spoons to managing 7 hours of meetings daily while staying creative, and why her Dragons' Den rejection turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her business. She explains how she reduced TikTok Shop revenue from 49% to less than 23% through strategic diversification, her unconventional hiring philosophy of not hiring people who've had traditional jobs, and why content creation should come naturally if you're in the right role. This episode covers the untold story of what really happened on Dragons' Den including footage that never aired, why Steven Bartlett's concerns about platform dependency were valid but the exposure was priceless, going viral for three consecutive weeks after the show and turning down 60 investors who reached out, shifting TikTok from revenue driver to brand awareness touchpoint, the power of Meta ads, email marketing, SMS campaigns, gift with purchase strategies, and in-person events for building a DTC brand, managing the balance between operational meetings and creative work as a founder, and why the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program transformed her business more than any book could. Lucie's story proves that sometimes the best businesses aren't meticulously planned, they find you. With no formal business training, no business books read, and starting with just a few hundred pounds, she's built a beauty empire that rivals established brands globally. Whether you're in eCommerce, building a DTC brand, managing social media strategy, or fascinated by modern entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with tactical insights on platform diversification, content creation at scale, viral marketing, and building a brand that resonates deeply with customers. Listen to the full episode now, and don't forget to hit subscribe. Listen to the full episode now, and don't forget to hit subscribe. Topics Covered: 00:00 Introduction and angel number synchronicity  01:14 How Hair Syrup started in a student kitchen  04:33 The viral TikTok that changed everything  08:11 Scaling from 10 bottles to 8 figures  14:36 Dragons' Den: the untold story  21:55 Going viral for 3 weeks and rejecting 60 investors  25:50 Unconventional hiring philosophy  32:15 Content creation strategy: 25 posts per day  39:57 Diversifying revenue beyond TikTok  41:37 Meta ads, email marketing and event strategy  43:50 Why Lucy's never read a business book  44:23 Goldman Sachs 10KSB program recommendation

    46 min

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Unfiltered conversations with eCommerce owners, industry experts and more... Our podcast is raw, honest and damn right insightful, as we chat to some of the best minds in eCommerce. Welcome to the eCom@One Podcast. Hello there, So, you are a passionate eCommerce enthusiast just like us? Richard Hill, our CEO, interviews guests from a wide range of eCommerce related industries. On this weekly podcast, we interview store owners, marketers and those on the frontline of online retailing. Listen to their career stories, their tips for success and the challenges that they have faced in eCommerce. Each episode will have its own personal spin from, motivation, leadership to strategy.  Don’t get FOMO. Subscribe now!