Jennifer Commins, founder of Pluck Tea and certified tea sommelier, shares her journey launching and growing her premium, eco-friendly tea business.

This is a must-listen for tea lovers as she explores:

• the journey of tea from leaf to cup
• the health benefits of matcha, and why it's different than other tea
• one surprising truth about tea most people don't believe
• using restaurants as a paid-sampling program to grow DTC sales
• how Shopify saved her business during the COVID-19 pandemic
• one game-changing business decision Jennifer wish she did earlier
• why brand storytelling through organic social is a priority

Brands and products mentioned during this episode:

• The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
• Fevertree
• Pluck Tea: use code HAPPYHOUR20 on your first order

Timeline:
00:00
Introduction to Pluck Tea and Jennifer Commins

03:07
The Journey of Matcha: From Leaf to Cup

05:59
Understanding Matcha Preparation and Quality

09:02
Health Benefits of Matcha and Green Tea

12:00
The Process of Tea Production

15:07
Tea Brewing Techniques and Best Practices

17:56
The Importance of Tea Bags and Sustainability

21:14
Personal Health and Fitness Journey with 75 Hard

29:25
Embracing the Challenge of 75 Hard

34:17
The Journey to Starting Pluck Tea

43:52
Building a Brand Through Relationships

49:51
Adapting to Change: The Shift to D2C

53:17
Lessons Learned and Future Strategies

Kevin O'Leary and Will Patch, co-founders of Cape Cod'r craft cocktails, share their journey launching a beverage brand made for those who crave memories of care-free summers.

In this episode we dove into topics including:

• using crowdfunding to raise cash for marketing and create raving fans
• why founders need to share their story over and over
• advice for anyone thinking about founding a CPG brand
• how to get sips to lips and cans in hands for a new beverage brand
• why speaking to the right investors and co-packers can get you to market faster with less risk

Brands, services, books and products mentioned in this episode include:

• Cape Cod'r
• Start Engine
• Burn the Boats by Matt Higgins
• Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
• Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough
• Nantucket Crisps
• Bezi Labneh

This episode of the Shopify Happy Hour features Drea Groeschel, founder of Better Than Booze, an award winning beverage brand that duplicates craft cocktail flavors for consumers seeking non-alcoholic options.

Drea shared TONS of insights and lessons learned from launching and growing Better Than Booze including:

• why early-stage brands need to KISS
• how she got into her first hundred retailers
• the value of face to face interactions and consumer feedback
• how to choose between marketing strategies
• why product quality matters
• what she would do if starting her beverage brand all over again

Plus, lots more!

Products mentioned during this podcast include:

• Better Than Booze
• Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
• Dafu Sauce

Aaron Nosbisch is founder of BRĒZ which creates microdosed cannabis & mushrooms in a can.

During this episode Aaron shared his journey launching one of the fastest growing DTC beverage brands. We dove into topics including:

• launch strategies using organic UGC amplified by paid ads
• why every brand should advertise on Meta
• navigating regulations in a new category
• DTC vs retail expansion
• new product development

And lots more!

Brands and products mentioned in this episode include:

• What Doesn’t Kill Us by Scott Carney
• Brass Monkey
• Blue Cube
• Nomad Sauna
• Almost Heaven Sauna
• Apple store
• Brez
• Zero to One by Peter Thiel

Episode 3 of the Shopify Happy Hour features Drew Sanocki, e-commerce veteran and CEO of PostPilot, the #1 direct mail app on Shopify.

During this episode Drew shared tips including:
- the most valuable direct mail campaign types
- why coupon codes aren't as important as you think
- how to "prove" performance through appropriate audience targeting
- Black Friday / Cyber Monday strategies that work
- what brands are doing to get ready for 2025

And LOTS more...all shared over a Bulleit Old Fashioned and Manhattan.

Products and brands mentioned during this episode:

• Bulleit Whiskey
• More Labs
• PostPilot
• Dr. Squatch
• Taylor Stitch
• How Brands Grow by Byron Sharp
• Top Grading by Bradford Smart
• Database Marketing by Kevin Hillstrom
• Drilling Down by Jim Novo

In today's episode we interview Greg Rollett, head of brand growth at Grommet and an Emmy® award winning producer and discuss:

• growth strategies for new Shopify brands and products
• an underrated content strategy all founder-led brands should use
• how to generate sales without paid advertising
• one type of asset brands should invest in
• coffee and nootropics
• and lots more!
  
  

Products mentioned in this episode include:

• High Brew Nitro
• Everyday Dose
• Macro Barista (IG)
• Return to Esperanza
• SubSafe
• Arete Shades
• Marketing to the Affluent by Dan Kennedy
• The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler

In today's episode we interview Paul Drecksler, founder of Shopifreaks, the internet’s #1 rated e-commerce newsletter and talk about:

• the biggest opportunities for Shopify businesses today, that didn’t exist a couple years ago
• most exciting Shopify apps
• underrated marketing strategies most Shopify brands should be doing, but aren't?
• what the future of e-commerce looks like in 5 years
• advice for new Shopify startups just getting going
  
  

Products mentioned in this episode include:

• Guayasa tea
• Design Packs
• Order Editing app
• Redo
• ASOS
• Depop
• Poshmark
• Throne
• Firework