Unboxing Ecommerce: Operations Behind Online Brands

By: James Marks and Jennifer Yates
  • Summary

  • In each episode, we order a product from the same brand, meticulously analyzing both the front and back end of placing an order. We then reverse engineer the storage, logistics, and packaging details to evaluate every step of its journey right to our doorsteps. And if we return a package, we'll dive into that process as well.

    Welcome to Unboxing Ecommerce, the brainchild of two longtime friends and entrepreneurs, James Marks and Jennifer Yates. We met over 20 years ago while running our own brick-and-mortar businesses, and today, we're combining our expertise to dissect and understand the online shopping and shipping experience.


    Join us for a comprehensive, 360-degree view of ecommerce. Whether you're an industry professional, an ecomm enthusiast, or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, we've got you covered.


    Episodes drop every other Tuesday. Let's get to that box!

    © 2024 Unboxing Ecommerce: Operations Behind Online Brands
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Episodes
  • Magic Spoon with Maggie Barnett, Esq
    Nov 5 2024

    On this episode of Unboxing Ecommerce, James and Jennifer order from Magic Spoon with special guest, Maggie Barnett, Esq. Maggie is the COO of ShipHero, overseeing operational, legal, managerial, and administrative procedures. She also founded ShipHero Fulfillment (LTV) in 2019, growing it to over $80M in revenue.

    Why Magic Spoon?
    Maggie chose Magic Spoon because she wanted a healthy cereal option that still offered the nostalgic experience of traditional sugary cereals. Inside the episode there is a twist on why she chose this brand specifically.
    Magic Spoon: www.magicspoon.com

    Research included these sources

    • Magic Spoon: www.magicspoon.com/pages/our-story
    • Wirecutter: www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/magic-spoon-cereal-review
    • Yahoo Finance: www.finance.yahoo.com/news/siddhi-capital-raises-135m-invest-111718550.html?guccounter=1
    • Crunchbase: www.crunchbase.com/organization/magic-spoon/company_financials
    • Forbes: www.forbes.com/sites/daveknox/2023/05/10/how-magic-spoon-brought-innovation-to-the-breakfast-table
    • Modern Retail: www.modernretail.co/operations/being-everywhere-that-people-buy-and-sell-cereal-how-magic-spoon-went-from-online-only-to-wholesale-in-six-months
    • Food Institute: www.foodinstitute.com/focus/85-million-to-the-clearance-bin-is-magic-spoon-done
    • Food Business News: ​​www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/23178-magic-spoon-goes-big-in-brick-and-mortar

    Curated Technology List

    • Segment: www.segment.com
    • Malomo: www.gomalomo.com

    Other Sites mentioned

    • FTID Fraud: www.startops.network/media/startops-guide-to-ftid-fraud
    • Offlimits: www.eatofflimits.com
    • Allulose versus Monk Fruit: www.thebalancednutritionist.com/allulose-vs-monk-fruit/

    Connect with Maggie:
    www.shiphero.com
    www.linkedin.com/in/maggiembarnett

    _______________

    Have a brand/shopping experience you want us to review? Send us a message at unboxingecomm@gmail.com

    Connect with James Marks:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jameslmarks
    www.withtrivial.com

    Connect with Jennifer Yates:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferayates
    www.workwithroux.com
    _______________

    Coverart imagined and designed by our friend, Melissa Dettloff
    www.melissadettloff.com

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    55 mins
  • Hugimals World with Christina Vanacore
    Oct 22 2024

    On this episode of Unboxing Ecommerce, James and Jennifer order from Hugimals World with special guest, Christina Vanacore. Christina is a Certified Launch and Business Strategist, who provides launch strategy, identifies hidden opportunities for growth, and helps increase revenue and profits through strategic planning. She has covered everything from product development to marketing and sales strategies to help start and grow businesses and increase revenue and profits.

    Why Hugimals?
    Christina chose Hugimals because since their launch in 2022, they have seen tremendous success and have received incredible press and collaborations but at the time of choosing the brand was a DTC only brand which she personally finds intriquing.
    Hugimals World: www.hugimalsworld.com

    Research included these sources

    • Hugimals World: www.hugimalsworld.com/pages/company
    • Mojo Nation: www.mojo-nation.com/marina-khidekel-on-the-origins-of-her-award-winning-weighted-plush-range-hugimals
    • Time Magazine: www.time.com/collection/best-inventions-2022/6228865/hugimals
    • The Wie Suite: www.thewiesuite.com/post/marina-khidekel-founder-of-hugimals-on-how-to-launch-a-company


    Curated Technology List

    • Faire: www.faire.com
    • Zigpoll: www.zigpoll.com


    Other Sites mentioned

    • Deep Touch Pressure: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5612681
    • Benefits of Deep Touch Pressure: www.appliedbehavioranalysisedu.org/what-is-deep-pressure-stimulation
    • Hugimals on QVC: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK3OxTRcheY
    • Joyful Heart Foundation: www.joyfulheartfoundation.org
    • Ryder's unboxing experience study: https://www.ryder.com/en-us/insights/white-papers/e-comm/2024-ryder-e-commerce-consumer-study
    • J2K Logistics: https://j2kfun-gistics.com


    Connect with Christina:
    www.theproductdoula.com
    www.instagram.com/theproductdoula


    _______________

    Have a brand/shopping experience you want us to review? Send us a message at unboxingecomm@gmail.com

    Connect with James Marks:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jameslmarks
    www.withtrivial.com

    Connect with Jennifer Yates:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferayates
    www.workwithroux.com
    _______________

    Coverart imagined and designed by our friend, Melissa Dettloff
    www.melissadettloff.com

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Vida Bars with Luisa Salcedo
    Oct 8 2024

    On this episode of Unboxing Ecommerce, James and Jennifer order from Vida Bars with special guest, Luisa Salcedo. Luisa is a seasoned Fractional COO with over a decade of experience in Operations. She specializes in helping purpose-driven CEOs by implementing operational strategies that eliminate chaos, boost revenue, and empower leaders to innovate and thrive. Throughout her career, she has successfully distributed $3 billion in inventory across CPG and e-commerce, working with major retailers like Costco and Kroger.

    Why Vida Bars?
    Luisa chose Vida Bars because they offer a sustainable product, they are Latina owned, and she's been very impressed with their seamless e-commerce experience.
    Vida Bars: www.thevidabars.com

    Research included these sources

    • Vida Bars: www.thevidabars.com/pages/about-us
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/vidabars/about
    • Made in OK: www.madeinoklahoma.net/producer/vida-bars
    • Retail Boss: www.retailboss.co/interview-ana-nunez-founder-vida-bars


    Curated Technology List

    • Shopify: www.shopify.com
    • Revenue Hunt: www.revenuehunt.com
    • Wholesale Guerilla: www.apps.shopify.com/wholesale-gorilla
    • Smile: www.smile.io
    • Tolstoy: www.gotolstoy.com/ecommerce


    Other Sites mentioned

    • Biden-Harris Administration Cracking Down on De Minimis Shipments: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/09/13/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-to-protect-american-consumers-workers-and-businesses-by-cracking-down-on-de-minimis-shipments-with-unsafe-unfairly-traded-products/
    • Lighthouse Score: https://developer.chrome.com/docs/lighthouse/performance/performance-scoring
    • The Body Keeps the Score: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Body_Keeps_the_Score
    • Monique Benoit on Unboxing Ecommerce Ep 18
    • Mary Wiegand on Unboxing Ecommerce Ep 16


    Connect with Luisa:
    www.linkedin.com/in/luisasalcedo
    www.theefficiencymaven.com

    _______________

    Have a brand/shopping experience you want us to review? Send us a message at unboxingecomm@gmail.com

    Connect with James Marks:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jameslmarks
    www.withtrivial.com

    Connect with Jennifer Yates:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferayates
    www.workwithroux.com
    _______________

    Coverart imagined and designed by our friend, Melissa Dettloff
    www.melissadettloff.com

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins

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