When it comes to start-up acquisitions, Touraj Parang is in a class of his own. He has helped companies exit and has been on the acquirer side of deals throughout his many years in Silicon Valley. On this episode, he talks about the lessons he’s learned along the way and gives acquisition advice to start-up founders who are just entering this playing field.
channelUp Next In Commerce
Join host Stephanie Postles as she sits down with eCommerce leaders on the front lines of digital innovation. With guests from established enterprise companies to D2C start-ups barely out of infancy to everyone in between - you’ll get the inside scoop on what’s Up Next in Commerce. New episodes release every Tuesday and Thursday.
Most Recent Episodes
Joining the podcast today is a very experienced leader in the food business, Bryan Freeman, whose previous posts include CEO at Better Bakery LLC and President of SnackWorks LLC. Now the Executive Chairman at the low-carb, high-protein frozen food maker Real Good Foods, Bryan talks about taking the company public and the recipe for lasting growth. Enjoy!
Buck Mason brings an enduring design flair to its products, but that’s not where its everlasting concepts end. Jim Davis, the Chief Customer Officer at Buck Mason, discusses how traditional marketing ideas like catalogs and direct mail can still be difference makers for DTC. Tune in as he also dives into what the future will hold for emerging brands.
What if you learned what you thought was your career passion was not your heart’s desire? Brian Seewald, the SVP of eCommerce at Express, reset and found a true affinity for retail generally and, ultimately, ecommerce. Tune in to hear from Brian about how Express offers its customers “personalization, [an] omnichannel experience, styling and fit, and community.”
Ellis McCue has a long resume that has taken her through the world of ecommerce, supply chain, and venture capital. Now, she is the CEO of Territory Foods, where she is trying to make the world better one meal at a time. Hear all about it on this episode.
The Faherty brand started as an idea in an essay. But twin brothers Alex and Mike Faherty turned it into a reality with strategic experience, experimental ideas, and the power of storytelling. Alex joins the podcast today to take us through the entire journey. Enjoy!
Hans Schrei and Luis Gramajo were told that the world didn’t need another cookie company, but they persevered and have found success with their brand, Wunderkeks. On this episode, they share how they went from Hans’ mother’s kitchen in Guatemala to exploding onto the scene in Austin, Texas, and becoming media and celebrity darlings.
Fatma Collins and Julie Rogers met while they were pregnant with their first kids and when they found they were both struggling to find products and resources for their children, they decided to do something about it. They began Ten Little based on one central conviction: “Parenting is hard, but shopping for your child shouldn’t be.” How did they create a platform that simplified the buying experience for parents everywhere? Find out on this episode!
Sure, Mint Mobile benefits from having the star power of part-owner Ryan Reynolds in its back pocket, but Kenny Smithnanic, AVP, e-Commerce at Mint Mobile, explains how the brand’s success goes far beyond Ryan’s charm. Tune in to find out how Mint Mobile is achieving exponential growth, and what role consumer psychology plays in Kenny’s methods and strategies.
Gushers in the metaverse and Dunkaroo NFTs? When it comes to DTC experiences, General Mills is not playing it safe. On this episode, Carter Jensen, the Senior Manager of Global eCommerce at General Mills, discusses how his small but mighty team is creating DTC experiences that go beyond simple transactions on a website.