Understanding what your customers are actually thinking is one of the biggest competitive advantages an ecommerce brand can have. But collecting feedback is only half the battle, knowing how to turn that data into better marketing, higher conversions, and smarter business decisions is where the real opportunity begins.

In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Jason Zigelbaum, founder and CEO of Zigpoll, one of Shopify's leading zero-party data platforms. After collecting more than 100 million survey responses across thousands of brands, Jason shares how ecommerce businesses can use customer feedback, AI, and survey technology to uncover insights that directly improve their websites, marketing, and customer experience.

You'll hear how Jason:

• Built Zigpoll by listening to how customers naturally used the product and evolving the platform around real demand.
• Helps brands collect actionable customer feedback through post-purchase, on-site, and email surveys.
• Recommends the three survey questions every ecommerce brand should be asking customers.
• Uses AI to analyze thousands of customer responses and uncover trends in minutes instead of days.
• Built and scaled multiple Shopify apps as a solo founder by focusing on distribution and customer feedback.
• Thinks about continuous product improvement by letting customers, not assumptions, guide business decisions.

We also get into the bigger picture:

• Why post-purchase surveys are one of the most valuable tools for improving marketing attribution and customer segmentation.
• How open-ended survey responses uncover customer insights brands never expected.
• Practical ways AI can connect survey data, product reviews, and customer behavior to improve website performance.
• How brands can use customer language to create more effective product pages and advertising.
• Why the best-performing ecommerce brands don't just collect customer feedback—they consistently act on it.
• The importance of choosing the right distribution channel when building a SaaS business from the ground up.
  📊 Whether you're an ecommerce founder, marketer, agency owner, or SaaS builder, Jason shares practical frameworks for turning customer feedback into better decisions, stronger marketing, and faster business growth.

Brands & Mentions:

• Zigpoll
• Shopify
• Klaviyo
• Revio
• Seguno
• Salesforce
• Baremetrics
• Atlassian
• Asics

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jason Zigelbaum & Zigpoll
02:28 Coffee preferences & founder routines
04:23 The problem Zigpoll set out to solve
07:56 Building as a solo founder & landing early customers
10:55 The three survey questions every ecommerce brand should ask
15:30 Real-world examples of survey-driven marketing improvements
17:10 Using surveys to increase website conversion rates
21:05 How AI is transforming customer feedback analysis
25:17 Creative ways brands use surveys beyond post-purchase
29:06 What separates brands that succeed with customer data
33:30 Speed Round
36:30 Where to connect with Jason Zigelbaum

Building meaningful customer relationships at scale sounds impossible—especially in an age of AI, automation, and overflowing inboxes. But what if technology could actually make marketing feel more human?

In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with David Wachs, founder and CEO of Handwrytten, the company using robotics and AI to help businesses send authentic handwritten notes at scale. From bootstrapping early startups to creating a category-defining platform used by thousands of businesses, David shares why the future of customer engagement isn't replacing human connection—it's making it easier to create.

You'll hear how David:

• Built Handwrytten by combining robotics, software, and real pens to automate handwritten notes.
• Turned a simple observation about customer appreciation into a scalable SaaS business.
• Landed early enterprise customers by solving a problem that email couldn't.
• Uses automation to enhance personalization instead of replacing it.
• Thinks about customer retention, loyalty, and lifetime value over short-term marketing wins.
• Navigates the rise of AI while keeping authentic human experiences at the center of the business.

We also get into the bigger picture:

• Why handwritten notes consistently outperform digital messages in building customer relationships.
• How brands can stand out in an increasingly automated world.
• The difference between capturing demand and creating lasting customer loyalty.
• Practical ways ecommerce brands can use handwritten notes throughout the customer journey.
• How AI and robotics are reshaping marketing without eliminating the importance of genuine human connection.
• Why the highest-ROI marketing investments often aren't the easiest ones to measure.

✉️ Whether you're an ecommerce founder, marketer, or business owner looking to build stronger customer relationships, David's insights offer a fresh perspective on blending technology with authentic human connection.

Brands & Mentions:

• Handwrytten
• Shopify
• Charleston Coffee Roasters
• Blueland
• Brittany Hodak
• Creating Superfans: How To Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates
• BBQ Guys
• Zapier
• Pilot
• Stew Leonard's

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to David Wachs & Handwrytten
02:15 The startup that inspired Handwrytten
04:27 Why handwritten notes still matter in a digital world
06:25 How Handwrytten's robots actually write with real pens
12:54 Building the business & early operations
14:30 Landing the first customers with Google Ads
17:50 Why creating demand is harder than capturing it
20:06 Marketing channels that actually work today
24:01 Personalization vs. gimmicky marketing
29:22 The best ways ecommerce brands use handwritten notes
35:58 Which brands should invest in handwritten marketing?
39:47 AI, automation, and the future of customer engagement
42:20 Speed Round
46:00 Where to connect with David Wachs

What does it take to turn a tiny Ecuadorian snack company into a global brand sold in more than 30 countries? In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Martin Acosta, founder and CEO of Kiwa, to break down how a $24,000 acquisition evolved into an internationally distributed CPG business built on sustainability, direct farmer relationships, and relentless product innovation.

From sourcing nutrient-dense vegetables across South America to manufacturing chips nearly 9,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, Martin shares the behind-the-scenes realities of scaling a food company in one of the world’s most competitive retail categories.

You’ll hear how Martin:

• Bought a struggling plantain chip business and transformed it into a global snack brand.
• Built direct trade relationships with farmers across Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia.
• Used trade shows as the foundation for landing major retail and private label partnerships.
• Expanded beyond plantain chips into vegetable chips, native Andean potatoes, cassava products, and pet snacks.
• Navigated the shift from branded products into private label manufacturing for large retailers.
• Leveraged high-altitude manufacturing to create a unique chip texture and quality.
• Balanced sustainability, product quality, and scalability while growing internationally.

We also get into the bigger picture:

• Why differentiation matters more than ever in crowded CPG markets.
• The evolution of private label and how it changed the food industry after COVID.
• Lessons learned from scaling too aggressively during the venture capital boom.
• Why trade shows and real human relationships still outperform cold outreach in retail.
• How product innovation trends emerge — and why chasing trends too late can hurt brands.
• The realities of manufacturing, distribution, and scaling globally from South America.
• Why passion and long-term mission alignment are critical when building a consumer brand.

🥔 Whether you’re building a food brand, launching a CPG product, or fascinated by the operational side of global retail, Martin’s story is packed with practical insights on manufacturing, innovation, and standing out in competitive markets.

Brands & Mentions:

• Kiwa
• Walmart
• Costco
• Aldi
• Latam Airlines
• Avianca
• Runa
• Mikuna

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Kiwa & Martin Acosta
02:24 High-altitude manufacturing & sourcing in Ecuador
05:05 Buying a $24K snack business
10:13 Trade shows, distribution & retail growth
15:19 Private label vs. building a brand
20:34 Product innovation & entering the pet category
23:19 Why most CPG brands fail
28:32 Speed round & final thoughts

Launching a supplement brand is hard enough but building one around clean ingredients, outdoor performance, and spiritual alignment instead of hype and artificial formulas? That’s a very different approach to wellness.

In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Zac Curhan, co-founder of Truwild, a natural supplement brand creating clean hydration, kombucha, and performance products for people who push beyond the gym. From bootstrapping the company with just $5,000 to scaling across Amazon, Shopify, wholesale, and TikTok, Zac shares how intuition, adaptability, and relentless experimentation shaped Truwild into a growing force in the supplement space.

You’ll hear how Zac:

• Built Truwild from scratch with just $5K and reinvested profits to grow the business organically.
• Created products designed for hikers, surfers, endurance athletes, and outdoor adventurers — not just gym culture.
• Developed unique formulations using natural caffeine, kombucha powder, electrolytes, amino acids, and functional ingredients.
• Leveraged customer feedback and surveys to shape future products, flavors, and packaging formats.
• Pivoted away from underperforming SKUs and learned difficult inventory lessons along the way.
• Used Amazon as a primary growth engine while strategically narrowing focus across sales channels.
• Built wholesale relationships through cold calls, product seeding, and direct outreach to independent retailers.
• Used TikTok seeding campaigns, local events, and brand collaborations to drive organic awareness and traffic.

We also get into the bigger picture:

• Why electrolytes are far more important than most people realize.
• The realities of building a profitable supplement brand without outside funding.
• Why customer reviews and social proof are critical in modern e-commerce.
• How TikTok, Amazon, and organic content now work together in the customer buying journey.
• Using AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and automation systems to streamline operations and decision-making.
• Zac’s philosophy around meditation, intuition, spirituality, and connecting to a “higher self” for entrepreneurial growth.

🌿 Whether you’re an e-commerce founder, wellness enthusiast, or someone interested in the intersection of business, health, and personal growth, this episode is packed with practical lessons and unconventional insights.

Brands & Mentions:

• Truwild
• Amazon
• Shopify
• Whole Foods
• GT's Kombucha
• Red Bull
• HOKA
• ChatGPT
• Claude
• OpenClaw
• Rolflex

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Truwild & Its Mission
02:45 Why Electrolytes Matter More Than You Think
05:20 Reinventing Kombucha as a Powder
08:10 Building Truwild with Just $5K
11:00 Early Product Development & Scaling Challenges
13:30 Why Amazon Became the Core Growth Channel
16:20 Organic Marketing, TikTok, & Community Events
19:00 Influencer Seeding & Brand Collaborations
22:15 The Realities of Paid Ads in Supplements
24:00 Wholesale Strategy & Cold Calling Retailers
32:30 Customer Feedback, Product Iteration, & SKU Decisions
35:40 Meditation, Spirituality, & Entrepreneurial Intuition
40:40 Using AI & Automation to Scale E-commerce Operations

Launching a food brand is never easy — but creating an entirely new category like frozen cottage cheese ice cream? That’s a different level of bold.

In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Joe Rotundo, founder of Smearcase, the first and only frozen cottage cheese dessert brand built for people who want indulgence and clean, protein-packed ingredients. From a late-night craving for a healthier dessert to landing on shelves at major retailers, Joe shares how relentless action, rapid iteration, and authentic storytelling helped turn a simple idea into a fast-growing CPG brand.

You’ll hear how Joe:

• Turned a DIY mix of cottage cheese, honey, and fruit into a brand-new product category.
• Went from idea to market testing in just a few months by prioritizing speed and feedback.
• Partnered with his sister early on to develop recipes and refine the product.
• Used real-world validation (not just friends and family) to shape flavors, branding, and positioning.
• Navigated early production, co-packing, and a 5,000-pint launch strategy.
• Leveraged trade shows like Fancy Food Show to land meetings with major retailers like Whole Foods and Sprouts.
• Built momentum through in-person demos, networking, and relationship-first outreach.
• Embraced a polarizing brand name — and why standing out mattered more than pleasing everyone.

We also get into the bigger picture:

• Why “healthy ice cream” is broken — and how Smearcase is redefining indulgence with real ingredients.
• The power of relentless execution vs. overthinking in early-stage startups.
• How founders can validate ideas quickly without overbuilding.
• Why human relationships still beat cold emails and LinkedIn pitches in CPG.
• Organic social strategy — and how to create content that actually feels authentic (even if you’re busy or camera-shy).
• The realities of launching in retail, scaling distribution, and building a brand from scratch.

🍦 Whether you’re a founder, fitness-minded foodie, or someone curious about how new food categories are born, Joe’s story is a masterclass in speed, simplicity, and showing up consistently.

Brands & Mentions:

• Smearcase
• Whole Foods
• Sprouts Farmers Market
• Fancy Food Show
• Good Culture
• HY.Q
• REI
• Dick's Sporting Goods

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Smearcase
02:00 The “healthy dessert” problem
05:30 From idea to action (June 2023 origin story)
08:45 Validating the product in the real world
12:00 Branding, flavor iteration, and feedback loops
16:20 Breaking into retail & first production run
20:00 Building relationships with buyers
23:00 Organic marketing & content strategy
26:00 Founder mindset and execution philosophy
29:00 Speed round & personal insights
31:00 What’s next for Smearcase

Launching a CPG brand is always a grind — but reinventing pork sausage with chef-crafted recipes, premium cuts, and a sixth-generation family farm story? That’s a whole new challenge.

In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Cassie Maschhoff, co-founder of Lottie’s Meats, the sister-run brand elevating pork with gourmet sausages and ground blends made from real ingredients, responsible sourcing, and culinary craftsmanship. Cassie shares how she and her sister Chelsea turned family heritage and Michelin-level technique into one of the most exciting new meat brands on the market.

You’ll hear how Cassie:

• Transformed a sixth-generation Illinois family farm legacy into a modern, premium pork brand.
• Partnered with her chef-trained sister to craft sausages using only pork loin, pork shoulder, and clean, real ingredients.
• Navigated nine different co-packers to finally find partners who could uphold their exacting standards.
• Built early traction through restaurant partnerships, farmers markets, pop-ups, and brewery takeovers in Denver.
• Created cult-favorite products like The Lottie and perfected flavors through years of behind-the-scenes R&D.
• Balanced the demands of cold-chain logistics, short shelf life, and monthly production while still growing fast.

We also get into the bigger picture:

• Why pork has gotten a bad rap — and how Lottie’s is changing that perception.
• The operational realities (and chaos) of scaling a perishable food brand.
• How retail, DTC, and food service each play their own role in Lottie’s growth.
• Why differentiation, quality, and ironclad non-negotiables matter when working with co-packers.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a modern food brand — from sourcing to storytelling to scaling in an unforgiving supply chain — this conversation is full of hard-won lessons and real-world strategies.

🍽️ Whether you’re a foodie, a founder, or someone fascinated by how craft brands break through, Cassie’s story is proof that pork can be premium, purposeful, and genuinely delicious again.

Brands & Mentions:

• Scribe Winery
• Nugget Markets
• US Foods
• Get Right’s Bakery
• Culinary Institute of America
• Maine Beer Company (“Lunch” IPA)
• Lottie’s Family Pork Farm Network
• Shooka Sauce
• Jennies House
• Realsy

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lottie's Meats
02:48 Crafting Quality Sausages
05:41 Navigating Co-Packing Challenges
08:48 The Founder's Journey
11:32 Scaling and Distribution Strategies
14:20 Innovative Marketing Approaches
17:25 Product Development and Consumer Feedback
20:07 E-commerce and Digital Marketing Strategies
23:05 Community Engagement and Partnerships
25:59 Speed Round and Personal Insights

Launching a consumer brand is never easy — but launching a brewery without alcohol? That’s a whole new challenge.

In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, I sit down with Joe Chura, founder of Go Brewing, the non-alcoholic beer brand redefining how we think about social drinking. Joe shares his journey from idea to launch, the countless recipe iterations, and the marketing moves that helped Go Brewing quickly find its place in a competitive industry.

You’ll hear how Joe:

• Turned a personal vision into one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic breweries in the U.S.
• Perfected the brewing process through relentless testing and innovation.
• Built an online-first business with Shopify at the core of its growth strategy.
• Leveraged subscriptions to create community and recurring revenue.
• Collected and used customer feedback to guide new products and campaigns.
• Balanced storytelling, social media, and PR to build credibility and excitement.

We also dig into the bigger picture:

• Why health-conscious consumers are fueling the non-alcoholic movement.
• How “hybrid drinking” is changing beverage culture.
• Where Joe sees opportunities in THC-infused beverages and beyond.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a modern CPG brand — from brewing to branding to building community — this conversation will inspire and challenge you.

🍺 Whether you’re sober curious, an entrepreneur, or just fascinated by where consumer trends are heading, Joe’s story is proof that you don’t need alcohol to build a buzz-worthy brand.

Brands mentioned:

• Go Brewing
• Easy Man
• Rich Roll
• 75 Hard
• Heineken
• Athletic Brewing
• Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller
• Just for Men
• Simpler Hair Color
• Naperville Running Company
• Jolie

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Go Brewing and Non-Alcoholic Beers

07:33
The Journey to Starting Go Brewing

15:33
Brewing Process and Challenges

19:59
Launching and Marketing Go Brewing

28:24
Subscription Model and Customer Engagement

37:52
Future Trends in Non-Alcoholic Beverages

In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Francine Voit, co-founder of Pistakio, to talk about how she turned an underused nut into a standout brand — and made pistachios fun, accessible, and delicious for everyone.

Fran shares the inside story of how Pistakio started as a college capstone project, went viral with creative sampling stunts (including a tiramisu purse that made it through TSA!), and grew into a fast-scaling DTC and retail brand — all while staying taste-first and relentlessly scrappy.

You’ll hear:
✅ The simple sampling strategy that built word-of-mouth and early traction
✅ How Pistakio turned customer feedback into product improvements
✅ Creative ways they inspire customers to use their spreads in everyday recipes
✅ Why taste-first product development beats trendy buzzwords
✅ How Fran thinks about growing retail, DTC, and content — without paid ads

If you love founder stories packed with practical CPG marketing lessons and organic growth tactics, this one’s for you.

Tune in, grab a snack (maybe a pistachio or two), and enjoy!

Products and brands mentioned during this episode include:

• Pistakio
• Faire
• Bezi Labneh
• Lottie's Meats
• Michele Ferrero

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pistachio and Francine Voit
02:27 The Inspiration Behind Pistachio Products
05:25 Product Development and Market Entry
09:04 Sampling Strategy and Initial Sales
14:39 Balancing Direct-to-Consumer and Retail Sales
17:46 Viral Marketing and Content Creation
19:55 Retail Partnerships and Growth Strategies
21:50 Advice for Aspiring Founders
24:09 Speed Round and Personal Insights