In this episode, we dive deep with Dan, founder of everambr Eyewear and now Head of Community at Wayflyer — one of the most innovative funding platforms for eCommerce brands.From building a 6-figure DTC brand out of his kitchen to helping thousands of founders scale with capital, Dan shares the hard-earned lessons, cash flow mistakes, and capital strategies that every eCom operator needs to hear.You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how Wayflyer thinks about inventory financing, alternative lending models, LTV-driven funding decisions, and why brands succeed or fail in 2025’s economic climate.We cover:✅ How Dan built everambr from a tiny launch to $100K+/mo✅ The cash flow mistakes that nearly killed the business✅ Why inventory is your biggest threat and opportunity✅ How Wayflyer helps brands fund growth without giving up equity✅ The best and worst capital strategies eCom founders use✅ New financing models for omnichannel, Amazon, and subscription brands✅ Why cult brands are winning — and how to build one✅ The rise of organic-led content & founder-led community modelsWhether you're a DTC operator, CMO, or founder managing rapid growth, this episode will change the way you think about funding, forecasting, and brand building.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro02:06 – Dan’s Unusual Office Setup03:10 – How Dan Got Into eCommerce05:18 – First Launch Success06:53 – COVID Boom: 5X Growth Overnight08:04 – The Post-COVID Crash09:50 – The Inventory Trap11:02 – Why Needing Capital Doesn’t Mean You’re Failing12:15 – Why Inventory Ties Up So Much Cash13:18 – Common Inventory Planning Mistake: Overordering15:56 – Inventory Management Advice16:57 – Dan’s Role at Wayflyer: Founder Community & Content18:31 – What Size Brands Does Wayflyer Fund?20:49 – How Wayflyer Beats Traditional Banks21:37 – Why Alternative Financing Isn’t “Too Expensive”23:36 – Viral Moment? Wayflyer Steps In25:16 – 4 Data Sources Wayflyer Connects To27:54 – How These Metrics Affect Financing Terms30:24 – Addressing Debt Fear Among Smaller Brands32:13 – Avoiding Low LTV Pitfalls34:06 – Market Capture Mindset35:46 – A Big Advantage of Wayflyer Financing37:44 – Market Expansion: Wayflyer’s Global Reach40:04 – Global eCom Headwinds: Tariffs, Inflation, and Uncertainty42:15 – Mistake: Charging Tariffs as Line Item at Checkout43:09 – Capital Strategy: Be Cautious With Performance Ad Spend44:33 – Can You Copy Winning Brands? Kinda...45:31 – Example: Pride (Pet Food Brand Using Comedy)46:44 – Every Brand Needs a Media Arm48:49 – Real-World Community Building50:08 – Why Drop Models Work So Well51:08 – The Rise of Founder-Led Brands52:17 – WFAR’s Focus for the Year: From Transactional to Community53:21 – Building an Engaged Online Platform54:54 – Advice to eCom Founders Thinking About Funding in 202556:07 – Final Wrap-Up & Contact Info