In this final episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) sit down together one last time to say goodbye.

After almost two years of recording, debating, and laughing the guys talk candidly about the decision to end the pod. They get real about the time, money, and energy it takes to produce a show at this level, how it started to compete with their businesses and personal lives, and why it felt like the right moment to step away.

There’s a lot of reflection in this episode. The fun moments. The unexpected lessons. The friendships that came out of doing this week after week.

This isn’t a dramatic goodbye. It’s an honest one. A conversation about seasons, priorities, and knowing when to close a chapter, even when it’s been a good one.

Thank you for being part of the ASOM Pod. This is the final send, and it meant a lot.

And this isn’t the last time you’ll see us. We’re still very much a part of Commerce Roundtable. We’ll see you in Austin & San Diego!
Get your tickets at www.commerceroundtable.com

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsor who has supported us along the way and made this pod possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

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00:00 Teaser Trailer

01:30 Introducing the Hosts One Last Time

04:00 Reflecting on the Journey and Challenges

06:15 The Realities of Podcasting

13:16 Lessons Learned and Future Insights

15:04 The Financial and Time Costs of Podcasting

15:42 The Importance of Niche and Audience

18:26 Final Thoughts and Reflections

19:56 Difficult Decisions and Different Paths

22:02 Reflecting on Personal and Professional Growth

23:06 Acknowledging Contributions and Changes

25:14 Final Thoughts and Farewells

27:53 Gratitude and Future Endeavors

31:59 Closing Remarks and Memories

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#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox) and Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella) go straight at one of the most uncomfortable questions in eCommerce:

Should SaaS companies and agencies really be taking a percentage of your revenue?

This conversation gets opinionated fast. Here’s what they dig into:

• Why percentage-based SaaS pricing feels great early and painful later
• Whether agencies should earn upside or stick to flat fees
• When “we grow when you grow” turns into misaligned incentives
• The hidden costs of SaaS taking a cut without taking any downside
• Why cancel threats, discounts, and churn games are becoming normalized
• How brands should actually think about value, pricing, and long-term sustainability
  

If you’ve ever looked at your SaaS stack or agency invoices and thought “this doesn’t feel right anymore”, this episode puts words to that feeling.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsor who makes this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

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00:00 Teaser Trailer

03:15 Debate on Agency Pricing Models

16:32 Discussion on SaaS Platforms and Pricing

32:17 A True Story from the SaaS World

32:43 Debating Gross Margins in SaaS

33:12 The Cost of Processing and Technology

34:36 The Reality of SaaS Market

35:26 Examples from the Reviews and Loyalty World

36:24 Challenges in SaaS Implementation

37:39 Pricing, Positioning, and Product

47:47 The SaaS Subscription Hack

54:06 The Financial Reality of SaaS Companies

01:00:32 Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks

___

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Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) crack open the real recap of 2025 and get painfully honest about how they’re leveling up for 2026.

This one’s not polished. It’s wins, misses, hard lessons, and the kind of goals you only set after getting absolutely humbled by running real businesses in real markets.

Here’s what they dig into:

• Setting aggressive but actually achievable revenue and EBITDA targets (no delusion, just focus)
• Building stable teams and strong leadership without slowing momentum
• Moving toward sales-led organizations and using AI as a real service, not just a buzzword for decks
• Launching and scaling new businesses with $1M+ ARR potential
• Prioritizing health, family, and delegation without blowing up growth

They also get candid about why business success is wildly unpredictable, why delegation stops being optional as you scale, and why protecting family time eventually becomes a strategic decision, not just a personal one.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsor who makes this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

__

00:00 Teaser Trailer

04:08 Reflecting on Last Year's Goals

05:05 Bryan's Business and Personal Goals

27:06 John's Business and Personal Goals

39:46 The Unpredictable Nature of Business Success

40:49 John's Steady Leadership

41:18 Amer's Business Goals for the Year

41:39 Building a Sales-Led Organization

45:11 Personal Goals and Reflections

49:16 Goals for 2026

59:39 Jimmy's Reflections and Future Plans

01:09:11 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

___

Follow us on:

X: https://x.com/TheAsomPod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/

Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) get into what eCommerce actually looks like in 2026, and spoiler: it’s not just “more ads and more AI.”

The crew breaks down how financial modeling, privacy shifts, and AI are changing the way brands operate, while personalization goes from “nice to have” to table stakes. They talk about why websites are turning into loyalty hubs, why more DTC brands are opening retail stores and owning manufacturing, and what big moves (like a potential Chewy acquisition) could signal about where the market is headed.

What you’ll hear:

• Why personalization is about to explode (and what powers it)
• How AI is reshaping both customer behavior and internal teams
• The future of DTC retail and why physical assets matter again
• Why websites are becoming loyalty channels, not just storefronts
• The business model shifts brands need to be ready for by 2026
  

If you’re building, operating, or investing in eCommerce, this episode is a fast, honest look at what’s coming next and what actually matters.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsor who makes this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

__

00:00 Teaser Trailer

03:49 Reviewing Last Year's Predictions

04:31 TikTok and Social Commerce Insights

09:25 Subscription Models and SaaS Trends

19:06 Meta's Dominance and Social Commerce

28:41 AI's Impact on eCommerce

35:05 Discussing Predictions for 2026

35:29 The Shift in User Experience and AI's Role

37:24 Personalization and Data Privacy Trends

42:50 The Future of Retail and D2C Brands

50:23 The Importance of Brand Assets

01:02:04 The Decline of eCommerce and Rise of Loyalty Channels

01:07:42 Predictions for the Pet Industry

01:10:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

___

Follow us on:

X: https://x.com/TheAsomPod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/

Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) break down everything that happened across Black Friday and Cyber Monday and what it means for the future of eCommerce. From Shopify’s massive sales spike to unexpected wins in new customer acquisition, the crew digs into the consumer behavior shifts, platform performance issues, and emerging trends shaping the next wave of digital retail.

What you’ll learn:

• How Shopify handled BFCM including the sales surge and the technical issues merchants felt
• Why buy now, pay later continues to influence conversions (and the hidden risks most brands ignore)
• How AI is changing product research, shopping behaviors, and traffic quality
• Why AppLovin is quietly becoming a serious challenger to Meta for customer acquisition
• How retail expectations differ by channel and why brands must innovate faster
• What AI means for SEO, marketplaces, and the future barriers to entry in eCommerce
• The team’s predictions for where digital commerce is headed next
  

If you’re trying to understand how AI and consumer behavior will reshape the industry, this episode gives you a sharp, actionable breakdown of what’s happening now and what’s coming.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsor who makes this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

__

00:00 Teaser Trailer

00:24 Welcome to the ASOM Pod

00:53 Discussing Black Friday and Cyber Monday

02:27 Amazon's Strategy and Consumer Behavior

03:57 Black Friday Product Launches and Consumer Trends

12:57 Retail Experiences and Consumer Preferences

18:44 Shopify's Performance and Technical Issues

34:20 Buy Now, Pay Later Trends

36:14 Merchant Fees and Payment Structures

36:40 Buy Now, Pay Later Risks and Benefits

40:07 AI's Impact on eCommerce Traffic

42:50 SEO and AI: The New Frontier

46:46 AppLovin vs. Meta: A Data Comparison

53:56 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Insights

01:04:52 Predictions for the Future of eCommerce

___

Follow us on:

X: https://x.com/TheAsomPod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/

Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) dig into one big question: are traditional eCommerce websites on their way out? With AI reshaping how consumers browse, shop, and make decisions, the conversation explores whether AI-driven commerce, mobile apps, and marketplaces like Amazon will eventually replace the classic online storefront.What you’ll learn:- Whether websites are becoming irrelevant in an AI-first world- How AI will transform search, personalization, and customer experience- Why apps, loyalty, and brand ecosystems may win over traditional storefronts- The evolving role of marketplaces like Amazon- How consumer behavior shifts between generations- Why logistics and operations may be the biggest benefactors of AIIf you’re building an eCommerce brand or planning for the next wave of digital retail, this episode gives you a clear, practical look at what’s next._____Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/Particl — the competitive intelligence platform built for eCommerce brands. Track real sales, inventory, and pricing across thousands of products to see what’s selling, who’s winning, and where to move next. Get started at https://www.particl.com/Subscribe at https://asompod.com__00:00 Teaser Trailer02:23 Websites vs. AI Commerce03:55 The Future of eCommerce06:19 Consumer Behavior and Technology10:54 AI and Marketplaces13:38 Mobile Apps and eCommerce16:07 AI's Impact on Search and Shopping26:08 The Evolution of AI and Quantum Computing32:55 The Rise and Fall of Amazon's Shopping Innovations33:57 Target's Strategic Shopping Experience34:44 The Evolution of Online Shopping36:03 AI's Impact on eCommerce38:16 The Future of Websites and AI Integration40:29 AI in Logistics and Customer Experience44:28 The Role of Loyalty in eCommerce58:32 The Changing Landscape of SaaS___Follow us on:X: https://x.com/TheAsomPodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) break down one of the most debated questions in entrepreneurship: should you build a business based on passion or on skillset? From there, the crew dives into a no-BS analysis of the best and worst eCommerce business models to start in 2025, looking at the real factors that make or break a brand like margins, returns, customer support demands, marketplace competition, paid advertising performance, and evolving consumer spending trends.

What you’ll learn:

• The difference between building from passion vs. building from your actual skillset
• The best and worst eCommerce businesses to start in 2025
• Which categories have the strongest margins and repeat potential
• Why some “trendy” product types are a financial and logistical nightmare
• How returns, support, and ad costs are quietly killing certain industries
• Why the founder’s mindset, adaptability, and execution matter more than the idea itself

If you’re thinking about launching a brand, pivoting your current business, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at the real economics of eCom, this episode is your reality check.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Particl — the competitive intelligence platform built for eCommerce brands. Track real sales, inventory, and pricing across thousands of products to see what’s selling, who’s winning, and where to move next. Get started at https://www.particl.com/

Subscribe at https://asompod.com
___

00:00 Teaser Trailer

00:30 Welcome to the ASOM Pod

01:08 Meet the Hosts

02:08 Game Time: Best and Worst eCommerce Businesses to Start

03:52 High Margin eCommerce Categories

05:45 Low Margin eCommerce Categories

11:59 Marketplace Competition: Best and Worst Businesses

21:45 Paid Advertising: Best and Worst Categories

24:50 The Challenge of Selling Tumblers

25:16 Returns and Customer Support Insights

29:26 Trends in Consumer Spending

33:09 Best and Worst eCommerce Business Models

39:23 The Importance of the Founder in Business Success

41:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

___

Follow us on:

X: https://x.com/TheAsomPod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/

Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) sit down with Kevin Tighe, Founder & former CEO of Beachly and now VP of Growth at BUBS Naturals.

Kevin gets real about the transition from founder to employee, what it felt like to sell the company he built, and how he rebuilt his identity on the other side. The crew digs into leadership, delegation, the subscription model, and what today’s e-commerce landscape demands from operators.

What you’ll learn:

• How Kevin built and scaled Beachly and what led to its acquisition.
• The emotional + operational realities of selling your business.
• How to transition from CEO to employee without losing your edge.
• Why delegation and team empowerment unlock real growth.
• The current state of subscription eCommerce (and what’s changing fast).
• How Kevin is driving growth today at BUBS Naturals.
  

If you’re a founder, operator, or just curious what the “after” looks like post-exit, this one hits home.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Particl — the competitive intelligence platform built for eCommerce brands. Track real sales, inventory, and pricing across thousands of products to see what’s selling, who’s winning, and where to move next. Get started at https://www.particl.com/

Subscribe at https://asompod.com
___

00:00 Teaser Trailer

00:39 Welcome to the ASOM Pod

04:25 Kevin Tighe’s Journey: From Founder to Employee

04:53 The Birth and Growth of Beachly Brands

07:46 Challenges and Successes in the Subscription Box Model

16:04 The Acquisition Journey and Transition to Employee

22:15 Discussing the Acquisition Details

22:30 Transitioning to a New Market

22:47 Joining BUBS Naturals

24:44 Reflecting on Entrepreneurial Challenges

28:48 The Importance of Delegation

31:13 The Emotional Side of Selling a Business

34:15 Current Role and Team Dynamics

35:55 Future Plans and Reflections

48:07 Closing Thoughts and Outro

___

Follow us on:

X: https://x.com/TheAsomPod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasompod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theasompod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasompod/

Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips