DTC POD: How The Best Brands Are Built

Ramon Berrios, Blaine Bolus
  • 5.0 (66)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

DTC POD is a podcast about all things direct to consumer. We cover everything for starting, growing, and optimizing eCommerce stores and DTC (or D2C) brands. We talk with founders, marketers, platforms, creators and marketing & growth agencies to cover topics like brand building, social media, influencer marketing, website conversion, paid media, Facebook ads, consumer trends, email marketing, and more. If you're interested in the stories behind your favorite consumer brands, this podcast is for you.

  1. #367 - The Insider's Guide to Supplements: What Every Founder Needs to Know About Compliance, Claims, and Scale

    12/24/2025

    #367 - The Insider's Guide to Supplements: What Every Founder Needs to Know About Compliance, Claims, and Scale

    Graham Rigby is the President and CEO of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the leading trade association for the herbal products industry. With 20 years of experience across startups and industry leadership—including serving as Chief Innovation Officer at Care/of—Graham has helped shape how modern supplement brands navigate regulation, formulation, and go-to-market strategy. In this episode of DTC Pod, Graham shares what it actually takes to launch and scale a supplement brand without getting burned by regulators. He breaks down exactly where the line is between claims that sell and claims that get you in trouble, why so many founders get blindsided by FDA and FTC enforcement, and how to work with contract manufacturers when you're just starting out. Graham also gets into the real opportunity in supplements right now—why clinical trials cost 90% less than they did two decades ago, how AI is changing the formulation game, and why a $70 billion market growing at 6.5% still has plenty of room for new entrants. Plus, his take on the brands that are doing it right, from AG1 to Ritual, and what founders can learn from their playbooks. Episode brought to you by Stord - 3PL for Commerce Episode brought to you by EMF Radar - Health Starts with EMF Safety in mind Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack. On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover: 1. The evolution and growth of the herbal supplement industry 2. Key regulatory milestones: DSHEA, GMPs, and FDA compliance for supplements 3. What founders must do to stay compliant when launching a supplement brand 4. The distinction between pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and nutraceuticals 5. Marketing, claims, and the importance of substantiation 6. Emerging opportunities with clinical trials and claim innovation 7. DTC, Amazon, TikTok, and brick-and-mortar distribution channels for wellness brands 8. The practicalities and risks of supplement retail (and when to scale beyond DTC) 9. Practitioner and non-traditional channels for supplement sales 10. How Ingredient AI, Infinite Garden, and other platforms are applying AI to supplements 11. Content creators, credentialed doctors, and the new face of trusted health advice 12. The role of diagnostics, wearables, and personalization in driving supplement trends 13. Growth outlook: Why the supplement market is just getting started Timestamps 00:00 Intro to DTC POD and Graham Rigby 02:25 20 years of supplements: Startup vs. regulatory side 03:00 The exponential growth of the herbal products market 04:44 Regulatory basics: DSHEA, FDA oversight, and GMPs explained 07:14 How AHPA helps brands navigate compliance and education 08:03 Launching a supplement brand: Key compliance steps and best practices 10:00 FDA’s post-market regulatory process and founder responsibilities 13:04 Supplements vs. pharmaceuticals: Safety, claims, and approvals 17:32 Telling stories and using clinical research for marketing claims 20:00 What marketers can and cannot say: Health vs. disease claims 22:04 Substantiating claims and the importance of compliance for growth 24:31 Label vs. online claims: How rules apply to different channels 27:02 DTC vs. Amazon, TikTok, and expanding to retail and practitioner channels 30:19 The risks and rewards of brick-and-mortar expansion 35:14 AI and technology’s role in supplement industry efficiency and safety 40:47 The rise of content creators and doctors shaping supplement education 46:34 Diagnostics, wearables, and the future of personalized wellness 51:13 Supplement industry outlook and advice for emerging brands 52:25 How to connect with Graham and AHPA, and upcoming founder programs Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.   Additional episodes you might like: • #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth • #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content • #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views • #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands • #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook • ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands ----- Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you. Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox? Check out our newsletter here. Projects the DTC Pod team is working on: DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internet Olivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplement Castmagic - AI Workspace for Content Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates! DTCPod Instagram DTCPod Twitter DTCPod TikTok Graham Rigby - President & CEO of American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

    54 min
  2. #366 - 360° Brand Growth: How Premium Brands Crack the UK, Optimize Their Funnel & Scale Profitably

    12/11/2025

    #366 - 360° Brand Growth: How Premium Brands Crack the UK, Optimize Their Funnel & Scale Profitably

    Natalia Chappell is the founder of Natalia Chappell & Co, a UK-based consultancy helping luxury and lifestyle brands scale sustainably. Previously, she led marketing for THG's luxury division, working with brands like Coach and Ralph Lauren across price points from hundreds to thousands of pounds. In this episode of DTC Pod, Natalia breaks down what it really takes for US brands to win in the UK—and why so many get it wrong. She shares the full-funnel mistakes she sees premium brands make over and over, why some household US names thrived in Britain while others quietly retreated, and what's actually driving results on Meta right now. She also gets into how to connect with younger consumers who think differently about spending, and why the old playbook of polished content isn't cutting it anymore. Plus, her journey from corporate marketing leader to female founder, and what she wishes more people understood about building a business as a woman. Episode brought to you by Stord Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack. On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover: 1. Lessons from high-growth UK e-commerce brands  2. Creating sustainable, holistic marketing strategies 3. Using data and analytics to drive channel mix decisions 4. Optimizing for paid and organic synergy 5. Landing page and website audit best practices 6. UGC, influencer, and creator partnership frameworks 7. Onboarding and managing creators for conversion and brand fit 8. Navigating UK logistics, customs, and local expectations 9. How to adapt brand voice and content for UK consumer 10. UK cultural moments and how to plan campaigns around them 11. Success stories (Drunk Elephant, Ralph Lauren, Coach) and why some US brands flop 12. Digital-first approaches to brand building 13. Upcoming trends—partnership ads, authentic content, and Gen Z consumers 14. Supporting and growing as a female founder in e-commerce Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to DTC POD and episode with Natalia Chappell 01:18 Natalia’s background: fashion, digital marketing, luxury brand experience 03:26 Lessons learned building luxury and beauty e-commerce teams 05:16 Becoming a female founder and launching Natalia Chappell & Co 07:22 The type and scale of brands Natalia’s agency works with 09:07 Optimizing paid-to-organic mix for sustainable growth 12:12 Data, analytics, and the importance of first-party data integrity 13:33 Why understanding inventory and offer depth matters before scaling ads 16:26 Building a marketing flywheel that feeds itself 18:50 Audience segmentation, CRM, and conversion optimization 20:08 Attribution modeling and keeping data integrations clean 22:29 Organic growth: auditing website, SEO, landing pages, and reviews 24:03 Content strategy: authentic UGC, influencers, and the UK market 26:58 Equipping creators for conversion, not just reach 29:25 Structuring affiliate and creator programs, commissioning vs. flat fees 33:01 Logistics: Warehousing, customs, and UK delivery expectations 36:54 Adapting voice, copy, and calendar to resonate in the UK 38:34 Brand case studies: Drunk Elephant, Coach, Ralph Lauren 41:09 Why some US brands struggle in the UK (Forever 21, etc.) 44:21 Trends to watch: partnership ads, content authenticity, Gen Z targeting 47:25 Where to find and connect with Natalia Chappell Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.   Additional episodes you might like: • #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth • #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content • #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views • #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands • #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook • ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands ----- Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you. Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox? Check out our newsletter here. Projects the DTC Pod team is working on: DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internet Olivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplement Castmagic - AI Workspace for Content Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates! DTCPod Instagram DTCPod Twitter DTCPod TikTok Natalia Chappell - Founder of Natalia Chappell & Co. Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

    49 min
  3. 365 - From Clicks to Bricks: How Digitally Native Brands Go Massive in Retail

    11/28/2025

    365 - From Clicks to Bricks: How Digitally Native Brands Go Massive in Retail

    Martin Forde is the co-founder and partner at Highline Brands, a retail brokerage built for modern CPG and emerging brands. As the first sales hire at Dr. Squatch, he helped lead the brand's Walmart launch—which did over $50M in year one and set the foundation for a $1.5B exit to Unilever. In this episode of DTC Pod, Martin shares the full playbook for making the leap from DTC to retail. He breaks down how to evaluate which channels make sense, what buyers actually care about (hint: it's not your brand), how to pitch them, and how to choose the right brokerage partner. He also gets into the operational side: how deals are structured, why retail timelines take longer than most founders expect, and what actually drives velocity on shelf. Episode brought to you by Stord Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack. On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover: 1. When to consider retail (and when you're not ready) 2. Independent retail vs. major retailers: where to start 3. The old DTC-first playbook vs. the new hybrid approach 4. Understanding your consumer and choosing the right retailer 5. What buyers actually care about (hint: category growth, not your brand) 6. Three ways to reach buyers: cold outreach, inbound, or through a broker 7. Why and when to say no to a retailer 8. How brokers work: deal structures, retainers vs. commission, red flags 9. The 9-12 month timeline from first conversation to shelf 10. Merchandising and digital tactics that drive velocity on shelf Timestamps 00:00 Martin Forde’s background and experience in CPG 03:14 Launching and scaling brands into retail 04:20 Key lessons from Dr. Squatch retail rollout 07:30 Dr. Squatch’s early days and pent-up retail demand 09:39 Defining “why retail” and evaluating retail opportunities 10:38 Understanding independent retail channels and platforms 15:14 Retail supply chain basics: MOQs, case packs, and 3PLs 17:46 Testing and iterating supply chain through small-scale channels 18:56 Leveraging online marketplaces (Faire, Thrive, Bubble) 23:33 Deciding when to break into retail; timing and strategy 24:44 Comparing DTC-first and direct-to-retail playbooks 29:28 Raising capital, prepping for retail, and first retail sale process 30:57 How to approach retail buyers and pitch 34:03 Different ways to reach retail buyers: direct outreach, inbound, brokerages 39:51 Working with brokers: models, deal structures, and choosing a partner 50:29 Preparing retail pitch materials and buyer presentations 51:39 Identifying category white space and incremental value 54:53 Merchandising and digital tactics for retail success 57:06 Where to connect with Martin Forde and closing thoughts Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.   Additional episodes you might like: • #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth • #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content • #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views • #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands • #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook • ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands ----- Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you. Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox? Check out our newsletter here. Projects the DTC Pod team is working on: DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internet Olivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplement Castmagic - AI Workspace for Content Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates! DTCPod Instagram DTCPod Twitter DTCPod TikTok Martin Forde - Co-Founder of Highline Brands Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

    59 min
  4. #364 - Cracking the Code on Retention: Recharge CEO Reveals What Best-in-Class Subscription Brands Do Differently

    10/31/2025

    #364 - Cracking the Code on Retention: Recharge CEO Reveals What Best-in-Class Subscription Brands Do Differently

    Oisin O'Connor is the CEO and co-founder of Recharge, the leading subscription management platform powering 75% of all Shopify subscriptions. Under his leadership, Recharge has become a critical infrastructure partner for over 30,000 brands, reaching 100 million subscribers and $100 million ARR. In this episode of DTC Pod, Oisin pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to win with subscriptions in today’s DTC landscape. He shares insider strategies for subscriber growth, optimizing retention, and leveraging Recharge’s newest AI-powered tools to minimize churn. Oisin also shares specific benchmarks every brand should measure, real-world examples of subscription funnels that convert, and actionable experiments operators can run to unlock long-term profitability and scale. Episode brought to you by Stord Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack. On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover: 1. Evolution of subscriptions in physical product e-commerce 2. How to spot and create product-market fit  3. Differentiators that set Recharge apart from early competitors 4. The compounding power of subscriptions for long-term growth 5. Unit economics, LTV vs CAC, and why retention is king 6. What best-in-class subscription brands do differently 7. Optimizing conversion funnels for subscriber growth 8. Subscription benchmarks: churn rates, retention, and second order metrics 9. Reducing churn with data, cancellation flows, loyalty, and rewards 10. Automations and integrating Recharge with supply chain and 3PL operations 11. Leveraging AI Concierge for customer retention and support 12. Evolving customer experience and the need for seamless subscription management 13. How Recharge guides merchants with data, support, and innovation 14. Experiments and mistakes founders make launching subscription brands Timestamps 00:00 Oisin’s background, founding story, and early agency experiments 04:06 The rise of Shopify and the breakthrough with Recharge 05:19 The subscription model: initial skepticism and quirky early adopters 06:47 Technical challenges in enabling subscriptions on Shopify 09:00 First major subscription brand success story 10:15 Compounding growth through subscriptions 11:36 Legacy brands and decades-long customer retention 13:06 Building DTC businesses with sustainable unit economics 14:37 Lessons from TV advertising history and the narrowing of scalable models 16:29 Key traits of successful subscription businesses 17:09 Product, recurring need, and conversion strategy 18:27 Understanding subscriber value and optimizing acquisition 19:26 Retention: keeping customers post-acquisition   19:52 High-performing brands and funnel design 20:05 Subscription by default, offers, upsells, and cross-sells 21:39 Conversion tactics from PDP to post-checkout 22:38 Benchmarks for healthy churn and retention 23:06 How top brands reduce churn and track performance 24:58 Recharge tools: analytics, cancellation flows, Klaviyo integration 26:41 Rewards and automations to boost retention 27:33 Automate flows for backend fulfillment and logistics 28:20 Launching AI SMS concierge for subscriber experience 29:40 Reducing customer service friction and delighting shoppers 32:15 Customer experience as a core differentiator 34:04 The competitive subscription landscape: Recharge’s position 35:41 Product innovation, support, and actionable guidance 37:16 Data-driven product innovation and merchant success 38:04 The future of subscription, retention, and platform innovation 40:38 Biggest mistakes founders make with subscriptions 41:58 Experiments founders should run with Recharge 42:58 Where to connect with Oisin for advice and mentorship Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.   Additional episodes you might like: • #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth • #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content • #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views • #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands • #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook • ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands ----- Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you. Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox? Check out our newsletter here. Projects the DTC Pod team is working on: DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internet Olivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplement Castmagic - AI Workspace for Content Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates! DTCPod Instagram DTCPod Twitter DTCPod TikTok Oisin O'Connor - Co-Founder and CEO of Recharge Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

    44 min
  5. 363 - Creating a Category Leader: The Absorption Company's Rise to Erewhon's #1 Functional Health Brand

    10/21/2025

    363 - Creating a Category Leader: The Absorption Company's Rise to Erewhon's #1 Functional Health Brand

    Zeke Bronfman is the co-founder and CEO of The Absorption Company, a brand pioneering highly bioavailable supplements engineered for optimal nutrient absorption. With a background in health and wellness entrepreneurship—including a previous successful beverage exit—Zeke leads a team on a mission to address a major gap in supplement efficacy by focusing on real, measurable impact for consumers. In this episode of DTC Pod, Zeke details the journey of building The Absorption Company from inception to rapid retail success in outlets like Erewhon. He talks about the science behind absorption, launching with a powerful community-driven strategy, and the importance of brand-led product innovation. Zeke also offers practical advice on supply chain management, leveraging celebrity co-founders, and lessons learned about optimizing e-commerce for long-term growth. Episode brought to you by Stord Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack. On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover: 1. The founding story of The Absorption Company 2. Why most supplements fail—and how absorption is the next frontier 3. Creating a viral pre-launch private Instagram community 4. Setting a brand apart with science-backed, lifestyle-driven design 5. Early product development and MVP lessons 6. Direct-to-consumer subscription as a growth engine 7. Amazon, TikTok Shop, and the online channel mix 8. The strategic approach to selective retail partnerships 9. Managing the supply chain: co-packers, fulfillment, and scaling ops 10. How to keep operations simple, resilient, and cost-effective 11. Lessons in traffic acquisition: organic, paid, and influencer mix 12. Celebrity founder advantages, limits, and effective deployment 13. Funding, initial capital requirements, and brand investment 14. Biggest founder learnings and operational takeaways 15. What’s ahead: innovation pipeline and future growth Timestamps 00:00 Intro to Zeke Bronfman and The Absorption Company 02:44 The absorption problem in supplements 04:40 Why bioavailability is the future of wellness supplements 06:11 Bringing the brand to life: Team, tech, and community-building 07:47 The private Instagram launch strategy and viral pre-sale 09:27 The power of exclusivity and early consumer engagement 11:12 Product MVP and standout branding decisions 13:26 Early sales strategy: DTC, Amazon, retail mix 15:04 Why big-box retail isn’t always the right move 17:57 Scaling DTC: Subscription, platform choices, and LTV 19:04 Driving traffic: Paid, organic, influencer, and celebrity co-founder impact 20:38 TikTok Shop: Affiliate, Live, and what works (and doesn’t) 22:36 Capital, startup costs, and launching with impact 25:32 Building a scalable supply chain and minimizing complexity 27:25 Fulfillment operations and splitting inventory 29:00 Entering boutique/strategic retail as a marketing lever 30:52 Biggest learnings and missteps scaling Absorption Company 33:13 Lessons using celebrity/influencer as a brand amplifier 36:10 What’s next: Upcoming innovations and business growth 36:50 Where to follow Absorption Company Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.   Additional episodes you might like: • #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth • #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content • #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views • #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands • #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook • ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands ----- Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you. Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox? Check out our newsletter here. Projects the DTC Pod team is working on: DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internet Olivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplement Castmagic - AI Workspace for Content Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates! DTCPod Instagram DTCPod Twitter DTCPod TikTok Ezekiel Bronfman - Co-Founder and CEO of The Absorption Company Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

    37 min
  6. Packaging Like the Pros: The Hidden Process Behind Your Favorite CPG Brands

    10/02/2025

    Packaging Like the Pros: The Hidden Process Behind Your Favorite CPG Brands

    Danielle Kidney is the founder of The Creative Pack, a Los Angeles-based agency specializing in packaging design for CPG and DTC brands. With over two decades of experience in the industry—including work with Tesco and a diverse portfolio of well-known consumer brands—Danielle brings a wealth of expertise in every aspect of packaging, from strategy and brand storytelling to materials and production. In this episode of DTC Pod, Danielle breaks down the behind-the-scenes process of creating packaging that not only looks great but also delivers on function, compliance, and scalability. She covers everything from the earliest stages of design and competitor audits, to the nuances of materials, regulatory requirements, and print production. Danielle shares practical advice on how brands can avoid costly mistakes, streamline their supply chain, and create packaging that stands out both online and on the shelf. Episode brought to you by Stord Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack. On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover: 1. The importance of packaging in brand perception and sales 2. Process: From initial idea to production-ready design 3. Building a design brief and establishing project scope 4. Competitive reviews and designing for hierarchy and function 5. Balancing creative innovation with must-have regulatory details 6. Collaborating with clients, manufacturers, and printers 7. Prototyping, mockups, and unboxing experience 8. Print technology, material choices, and cost management 9. Regulatory review, legal claims, and compliance essentials 10. Lead times, timeline planning, and pitfalls of rushing production 11. Early-stage packaging vs. scaling up for retail and DTC 12. Lessons learned: common mistakes and strategic tips 13. Pricing, form factor, and packaging design as sales levers Timestamps 00:00 Introducing Danielle Kidney & The Creative Pack 05:42 The Creative Pack’s client process: from idea to brief 10:50 Balancing branding vs. functionality for sales and conversion 18:03 Manufacturing realities: materials, dielines, and cost constraints 24:39 Colors, mockups, and bringing digital designs to life 26:22 Real-world costs of packaging mistakes and risk mitigation 29:27 Regulatory musts: nutrition facts, barcodes, legal pitfalls 35:10 Realistic timelines for packaging launches and scale 40:33 Strategies for startups vs. brands scaling up 43:23 Lessons learned and tips for optimizing packaging decisions 50:20 Where to connect with Danielle and The Creative Pack Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.   Additional episodes you might like: • #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth • #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content • #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views • #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands • #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook • ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands ----- Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you. Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox? Check out our newsletter here. Projects the DTC Pod team is working on: DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internet Olivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplement Castmagic - AI Workspace for Content Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates! DTCPod Instagram DTCPod Twitter DTCPod TikTok Danielle Kidney - Founder of The Creative Pack Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

    51 min
  7. #361 - From Ecuador to Your Table in 24 Hours: How UrbanStems Built a Time-Critical Supply Chain

    09/26/2025

    #361 - From Ecuador to Your Table in 24 Hours: How UrbanStems Built a Time-Critical Supply Chain

    Meenakshi Lala is the CEO of UrbanStems, an online floral gifting company that designs, sources, and delivers high-quality, curated bouquets and gifts across the U.S. She brings over two decades of operational experience from leading brands in fashion and retail such as Alice + Olivia, Juicy Couture, and Elie Tahari. Her expertise in scaling complex businesses and building operational excellence now fuels UrbanStems’ growth as a leader in the industry. In this episode of DTC Pod, Blaine and Meenakshi explore the complex world of DTC flower delivery: from sourcing stems globally, managing cold chain logistics, forecasting inventory, and reducing spoilage, to ensuring the end customer receives a high-quality bouquet every time. Meenakshi candidly discusses the challenges of seasonality, tariffs, international shipping, and why a robust brand and customer-centric approach are keys to thriving in today’s fast-moving e-commerce landscape. Episode brought to you by Stord Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack. On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover: 1. The complexities of the floral industry and perishability 2. The evolution of e-commerce in the flower business 3. Building a robust and agile international supply chain 4. Cold chain logistics and fulfillment center operations 5. Planning, forecasting, and reducing spoilage in inventory 6. Unique challenges: tariffs, customs, and unpredictable events 7. Customer experience: packaging, instructions, and communications 8. Curation, personalization, and expanding gifting moments 9. Driving growth through brand, loyalty, and education 10. Lessons learned in leadership and staying agile Timestamps 00:00 Meenakshi’s career journey and joining UrbanStems 04:49 Key learnings from legacy brands and focus on brand ethos 07:21 Operational challenges unique to the floral industry 11:00 The evolution of flowers in e-commerce and UrbanStems’ role 14:28 How Urban Stems’ supply chain is structured for freshness 16:37 International sourcing, design, and bouquet assembly process 18:27 Managing supply chain risks: tariffs and customs 21:45 Inventory planning, spoilage, and matching supply to demand 24:45 Supply chain as a business moat and high-precision operation 25:36 Customer fulfillment: hydration, packaging, and experience 28:34 Packaging complexities and spec sheets per SKU 30:08 Lessons from moving from COO to CEO 32:19 How operational expertise shapes strategic leadership 34:17 Customer feedback and new initiatives at UrbanStems 38:02 Growth channels: brand loyalty, curation, and gifting moments 41:58 Biggest CEO learnings and future outlook 43:51 Where to find Meenakshi and UrbanStems online Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.   Additional episodes you might like: • #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth • #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content • #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views • #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands • #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook • ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands ----- Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you. Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox? Check out our newsletter here. Projects the DTC Pod team is working on: DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internet Olivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplement Castmagic - AI Workspace for Content Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates! DTCPod Instagram DTCPod Twitter DTCPod TikTok Meenakshi Lala - CEO at UrbanStems Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

    45 min
  8. #360 - Supply Chain Lessons from Building Seed, Liquid IV, and Celsius

    09/11/2025

    #360 - Supply Chain Lessons from Building Seed, Liquid IV, and Celsius

    Natan Bershtel is the Director of Business Development at Pelagic, a fractional supply chain partner for growing brands and CPG companies. Before Pelagic, Natan spent nearly 20 years as a public school teacher before joining and eventually running his family’s contract packaging business—where he worked with iconic names like Seed, Liquid IV, Celsius, and Element. After his company’s exit, Natan teamed up with John Morgan to help brands avoid common operational pitfalls and build supply chains that scale. In this episode of DTC Pod, Natan breaks down what it takes to build a resilient supply chain at every stage of brand growth. He shares practical strategies to avoid common pitfalls, tips on sourcing the right partners, and insights on how successful brands approach manufacturing, fulfillment, and logistics. Natan also highlights why supply chain is core to a brand’s success and how founders can create real competitive advantages by making supply chain decisions based on quality, relationships, and flexibility. Episode brought to you by Stord Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack. On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover: 1. Importance of supply chain in DTC and omnichannel brands 2. Key players: sourcing, manufacturing, co-packers, 3PLs, and fulfillment 3. Differences in supply chain needs for emerging vs. established brands 4. Supply chain pitfalls and how to avoid them 5. Vetting, relationship-building, and collaboration with your supply chain partners 6. Overlooked areas of supply chain where founders lose time/money 7. How to approach minimum order quantities and negotiations 8. When to outsource fulfillment vs. doing it yourself 9. Logistics of manufacturing, packaging, and distribution 10. The impact of scale on supply chain decisions 11. Using data and timelines to make faster, smarter choices 12. Leveraging agency and partner networks for supply chain speed 13. Why in-person vendor relationships are crucial 14. How truly great supply chains build brand moats Timestamps 00:00 Intro and the state of supply chain in DTC 01:40 Natan Bershtel’s background and path to Pelagic 02:24 Lessons from growing a contract packaging family business 04:11 Why supply chain is the backbone of every brand 05:28 The role of execution vs. creative vision in CPG 07:09 How to find and vet the best manufacturing/packaging partners 11:15 The agency advantage: getting reps and sharing supply chain intel 12:41 Core players in bringing a product to market 15:04 Aligning supply chain strategy with brand vision and goals 16:56 Two playbooks for scaling: bootstrap profit vs. capital-intensive growth 19:48 Timelines—how to ask supply partners the right questions 21:41 How and when to ask for what you need from partners 26:32 End-to-end product launch: manufacturing, packaging, and fulfillment 28:42 When to move fulfillment to a 3PL (and when to keep it in-house) 33:15 Tech and process innovation at leading 3PLs 35:14 Strategic decisions: packaging, location, and unit economics 38:58 Challenging assumptions and reviewing supply chain regularly 42:08 Supply chain as brand moat and advantage 44:13 Final tips: Always go in-person and build real relationships Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.   Additional episodes you might like: • #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth • #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content • #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views • #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands • #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook • ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands ----- Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you. Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox? Check out our newsletter here. Projects the DTC Pod team is working on: DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internet Olivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplement Castmagic - AI Workspace for Content Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates! DTCPod Instagram DTCPod Twitter DTCPod TikTok Natan Bershtel - Director of Business Development at Pelagic Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

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DTC POD is a podcast about all things direct to consumer. We cover everything for starting, growing, and optimizing eCommerce stores and DTC (or D2C) brands. We talk with founders, marketers, platforms, creators and marketing & growth agencies to cover topics like brand building, social media, influencer marketing, website conversion, paid media, Facebook ads, consumer trends, email marketing, and more. If you're interested in the stories behind your favorite consumer brands, this podcast is for you.

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