If you're spending more time managing your Shopify store than growing it, you're not alone—and you're not stuck. In this episode, Megan Hansel unpacks the moment every e-commerce entrepreneur hits a wall and what it really takes to scale without burning out. Spoiler: the answer isn't more hustle. It's better systems.

Through the lens of Sarah, a fictional-but-all-too-familiar store owner, Megan walks us through the overwhelm of manual management and the game-changing power of automating your store with Doba. This episode is part one of a two-part deep dive into how the Doba + Shopify integration frees up your time, eliminates common pain points, and lets you step into the role of CEO—not just store manager. 

Chapters
[Start] The Breaking Point: Why so many Shopify store owners feel like their business is running them—and how to tell if you’ve hit that moment.
02:49 The Shift from Manual to Automated: What Doba actually does behind the scenes and why automation is a non-negotiable for serious sellers.
05:28 From Chaos to Clarity: The three major pain points Doba eliminates for Shopify sellers and how it frees you to grow instead of grind.
09:12 Real Setup, Real Impact: Step-by-step integration walk-through: from clicking "Connect" to flipping the switches that save hours each week.


Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site

Get Started with Doba! 
Use code “podcast” for 10% off your first month of the Monthly, Standard plan.

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect! 

In part 2 of The Holiday Profit Playbook, host Megan Hansel takes listeners beyond the rush of Thanksgiving weekend to uncover the secret most sellers miss: retention. While everyone else is catching their breath after Cyber Monday, Megan shows how the most successful e-commerce brands turn those first-time buyers into long-term fans. From crafting intentional post-purchase messages to creating “forgot-someone” reminders in early December, she breaks down how empathy, timing, and psychology drive loyalty during the most emotional shopping season of the year.

Megan dives deep into how to adapt your storytelling and offers through every phase of the holiday calendar, from gratitude and excitement to joy and renewal. You’ll learn how to calm last-minute shoppers, re-engage Black Friday buyers with personalized loyalty offers, and pivot into January with products that speak to wellness, organization, and a fresh start. With Doba’s real-time U.S. inventory and fast fulfillment tools, Megan shows how dropshippers can turn logistics into their biggest competitive advantage.

Chapters
[Start] The Spark That Keeps Burning: How to turn one-time buyers into long-term fans through intentional follow-ups and brand storytelling.
00:45 From “Thanks” to Trust: Post-Purchase Storytelling: Learn how to craft follow-up emails that feel human, not automated, turning gratitude into repeat business with care-driven messaging.
01:40 The Mid-Season Momentum: Discover how to hit December’s sweet spot and why Doba’s U.S. warehouses give sellers a crucial edge.
03:36 The Emotional Pivot & Re-Engaging Buyers: Reconnect with Black Friday shoppers using loyalty offers and “Thank-You Pricing,” plus a marketing calendar to campaigns in rhythm through the holidays.
05:26 From Holiday Joy to New-Year Hope: Learn strategies to carry momentum into January and transform holiday buyers into year-round customers.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site

Get Started with Doba! 
Use code “podcast” for 10% off your first month of the Monthly, Standard plan.

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect! 

Host Megan Hansel, kicks off the most crucial time of year for online sellers—the holiday stretch between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. Instead of chasing discounts and hype, Megan dives into the psychology behind what she calls the “Gratitude-to-Gift Season.” She explores how shoppers shift from feeling thankful to becoming generous spenders, and how dropshippers can align their product strategy, messaging, and store setup to ride that emotional wave.

From bundling everyday items into irresistible “holiday prep essentials” to building gift guides that resonate on an emotional level, Megan unpacks actionable strategies that turn seasonal chaos into structured success. Listeners will learn how to craft messaging that sells through connection, plan promotions that align with buyer emotions, and use Doba’s U.S.-based product catalog to stay ahead of the rush. It’s not about luck, it’s about leverage, preparation, and understanding what customers really want this season.


Chapters
[Start] The Gratitude-to-Gift Season: How the holiday season begins long before Black Friday and the “Gratitude-to-Gift” mindset—how emotion and psychology drive e-commerce success. 01:33 The Power of Preparation: How to tap into the “prepare” mindset of shoppers in mid-November and position products as seasonal essentials.
02:13 Hosting & Early Gifting Strategies: How to sell through emotion and appeal to how people actually shop. Learn how to bundle, cross-sell, and target early buyers before Thanksgiving.
04:02 Storytelling That Sells: Explore examples of campaign language, email cadence, and website updates that build trust and boost conversion during Thanksgiving weekend.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
  
  

Get Started with Doba! 
Use code “podcast” for 10% off your first month of the Monthly, Standard plan.

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast? Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

If you’ve ever wondered why some dropshipping stores quietly grow into full-fledged brands while others disappear after a few lucky sales, this episode is for you. Megan dives into the strategies that separate sustainable businesses from one-hit wonders. This episode goes beyond “what to sell” and digs into “how to build”, exploring how pros turn storefronts into experiences, brands into relationships, and data into long-term growth.

Through real-world examples like Sarah, who transformed her struggling gadget shop into a thriving brand by focusing on storytelling, and Ethan, who learned how pricing perception can make or break a sale, Megan breaks down how the best dropshippers think differently. You’ll discover why branding is more than a logo, how to test your way to better performance, and why the fastest way to scale is to stop guessing and start measuring. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned seller, this episode will help you see your store not as a side hustle, but as a brand worth building.

Chapters
[Start] Introduction & The Branding Breakdown: Why your store might be turning customers away without even knowing it. 
00:59 The 5-Second Test: A simple exercise to evaluate whether your site is clear, compelling, and brand-aligned.
01:48 Sarah’s Pivot & The Branding Equation: How one seller transformed her site (and her conversion rate) by telling a better story.
02:44 Branded Touchpoints & Storytelling: The small brand moments that build loyalty beyond the checkout page.
03:47 Data-Driven Dropshipping: The metrics that matter and why data (not gut instinct) is what separates amateurs from experts.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
  

Get Started with Doba!
Use code “podcast” for 10% off your first month of the Monthly, Standard plan.

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast? Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

If you’ve ever launched a dropshipping store only to hear crickets, you’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong. Megan breaks down what separates real, scalable business models from the short-lived hype. From evergreen product selection to lifestyle-focused merchandising, this is your no-BS blueprint for building something that lasts.

We explore the myths, mistakes, and mindset shifts that every dropshipper needs to stay in the game, from chasing trends to building relevance, from gimmicks to products with true staying power.

Chapters
[Start] The Myth of Easy: Why the low barrier to entry in dropshipping is a double-edged sword.
00:59 What the Pros Do Differently: Why successful sellers treat their store like a brand, not a bet.
01:46 Strategy #1: Choose Products with Staying Power: The “Selfie Spoon” story, the rule of relevance, and how to find products that solve real problems.
04:44 Problem Solvers vs. Pleasure Seekers: How the best-performing SKUs blend emotional appeal with practical use.
06:41 Predicting Demand Like a Pro: How to read category momentum, analyze product velocity, and stay ahead of trends using Doba’s platform optimization tools and supplier data.

Links and Resources:

Doba.com – Official site


Get Started with Doba! Use code “podcast” for 10% off your first month of the Monthly, Standard plan.


Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

In Part 2 of Megan’s conversation with Pez Elial, longtime Doba supplier, ecommerce coach, and founder of Pezlogic, the two break down the tactical side of building a profitable online store. From finding the right niche to pricing with precision, Pez reveals the exact formulas, metrics, and marketplace insights that separate casual sellers from consistent earners.

Following Part 1, this episode dives into the mechanics: how to test product ideas, which platforms are driving the highest ROI right now, and why three overlooked margins can make or break your bottom line. Whether you’re launching your first Shopify store or fine-tuning an established business, this conversation gives you a clear roadmap for growth, rooted in data, not guesswork.

Chapters
Start] Setting the Stage: Megan recaps Part 1 and previews this episode’s focus on product selection, pricing strategy, and profit margins.
01:51 The Art of Product Discovery: Pez explains how to identify trending products and pair timing with problem-solving for long-term success.
03:48 Platforms that Pay: A look at TikTok, Temu, and other fast-growing marketplaces delivering strong ROI for modern sellers.
05:26 Pricing That Protects Profit: Pez breaks down his three-margin formula for sustainable growth—and why skipping one can sink your store.
14:32 Tracking What Matters: The essential KPIs every ecommerce entrepreneur should monitor daily to stay ahead of trends and costs.

Links and Resources:

• Doba.com – Official site
• PezLogic Website
• Start an Online Business – Masterclass
  
  

Get Started with Doba! 
Use code “podcast” for 10% off your first month of the Monthly, Standard plan.

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

Let’s get loud—because today’s a big one. For the first time ever on Drop That Ship, Megan welcomes a guest to the mic. Meet Pez Elias: a long-time Doba supplier, e-commerce coach, and tactical gear overlord. In Part 1 of their conversation, Pez breaks down his path from retailer to supplier, reveals why dropshipping is very much alive, and shares how he’d build a brand-new store from scratch today with only $500.

If you’ve ever asked “Is dropshipping dead?” or felt lost trying to pick your first product, this is the episode to reset your expectations and rewire your approach. Whether you’re a side hustler or scaling to 7 figures, this conversation will shift how you think about inventory, e-commerce, and what it really means to build a scalable, sustainable dropshipping business.

Chapters
[Start] Welcome to Our First Guest: Megan introduces Pez Elias and sets the tone for a candid, advice-packed episode.
00:45 From Skeptic to Supplier: Pez shares how he stumbled into dropshipping before it was cool—and why being told "no" actually helped him build a stronger business.
08:00 Dropshipping Isn’t Dead (But Your Strategy Might Be): Debunking common myths, Pez makes the case for dropshipping as a legit model used by both small shops and billion-dollar brands.
12:00 The $500 Challenge: Pez walks through what he’d do if he were launching a store today with just $500—including product strategy, mindset, and common pitfalls.

Links and Resources:

• Doba.com – Official site
• PezLogic Website
• Start an Online Business – Masterclass
  
  

Get Started with Doba! 
Use code “podcast” for 10% off your first month of the Monthly, Standard plan.

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

In ecommerce, first impressions don’t happen when customers click “Buy Now”—they happen when the box hits their doorstep. In this episode, Megan Hansel gets tactical, building on last episode’s exploration of unboxing psychology to deliver a hands-on playbook for turning everyday orders into lasting relationships. From supplier selection to follow-up strategy, she maps out eight actionable steps any dropshipper can take to transform the most overlooked moment in the customer journey into their strongest growth engine.

Whether you’re running a lean storefront or scaling a multi-channel operation, this episode shows how to compete on experience, not excess. Megan walks through the systems and automations that make professional fulfillment possible for scrappy sellers—without warehouses, pallets, or guesswork. You’ll learn how to communicate clearly, set honest expectations, and build loyalty through small touches that compound over time. This is where ecommerce stops being transactional and starts being memorable.

Chapters
[Start] The Real Work Begins: Megan recaps Part 1 and outlines why unboxing is the moment that defines customer loyalty.
00:34 The Eight-Step Unboxing Playbook: Practical moves every seller can take this week, from choosing better suppliers to crafting clear communication.
02:42 Why Doba Makes It Possible: A deep dive into how Doba’s automation, AI tools, and U.S.-based suppliers help you scale without chaos.
04:11 Turning Chaos into Confidence: How to fix fulfillment headaches, strengthen customer trust, and make joy your competitive edge.
05:25 Your Next Move: Megan’s challenge: implement one improvement before your next order ships, and watch the impact.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast – 10% off your first month of the Monthly Standard plan
• Amazon New Releases Page – Explore live examples
• Google Trends – Spot rising product interest
• TikTok Trends – See what’s going viral now

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast? 
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect! Tags

In ecommerce, the sale doesn’t end when someone clicks “Buy Now.” It ends when they open the box—and feel something. In this first episode of a two-part series, Megan Hansel unpacks why the unboxing experience can make or break a dropshipping business. From dopamine hits to TikTok trends, she explores the psychology, emotion, and strategy behind turning a simple delivery into a powerful brand moment.

You’ll hear why packaging is far more than tape and cardboard, how even scrappy sellers can deliver joy without custom boxes, and what small shifts transform a routine shipment into a marketing engine. Whether you’re shipping from your garage or scaling through automation, this episode will change how you think about every order that leaves your store.

Chapters
[Start] The Real Finish Line in Ecommerce: Megan explains why the customer journey doesn’t end at checkout—and why “satisfied” beats “shipped.
01:07  The Tale of Two Customers: A story of Ashley and Jordan reveals how packaging and communication shape loyalty and repeat sales.
02:18  The Psychology of Unboxing: From dopamine to ritual, Megan dives into why people love the moment of opening a package—and how it drives behavior.
03:10  Competing Through Experience: Even without custom branding, dropshippers can create joy and trust by owning the parts of the experience they control.
04:36  What’s Next: The Eight-Step Playbook: A preview of Part 2, where Megan shares systems for crafting repeatable, brand-building unboxing experiences.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan
• Amazon New Releases Page – Explore live examples
• Google Trends – Spot rising product interest
• TikTok Trends – See what’s going viral now

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast? 
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

Selling on Amazon is never as simple as listing a product and waiting for the sales to roll in. In this second part of our series, host Megan Hansel takes listeners beyond the “open secret” of New Releases and straight into the gritty realities that make or break a launch. From the ticking clock of the honeymoon period to inventory nightmares and the dreaded race for reviews, this episode lays out the risks entrepreneurs can’t afford to ignore, and the strategies that let scrappy sellers thrive where others stall out.


You’ll hear why Amazon doesn’t give second chances, how smart entrepreneurs use tools like TikTok and Google Trends to spot waves before they break, and why dropshipping remains a safety net for lean, fast-moving sellers. Most importantly, Megan reveals how Doba’s platform connects the dots between data, suppliers, and fulfillment, turning guesswork into strategy and giving entrepreneurs a real edge in the chaotic world of New Releases. 


Chapters
[Start] The Hidden Risks of New Releases: Why the honeymoon period is short, unforgiving, and what happens if you launch without precision.
01:16 The Four Big Challenges: Inventory disasters, competition, and the Everest-sized hurdle of getting that first review.
02:28 Winning Strategies for Launch: From PPC ads to influencer unboxings, learn how to engineer momentum and build social proof fast.
03:15 How Doba Changes the Game: Speed, intelligence, and flexibility—how Doba’s suppliers and AI tools give sellers a real edge.
06:00 Freedom, Not Chaos: Automation, agility, and the confidence of knowing you’re ahead of the trend, not scrambling behind it.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan
• Amazon New Releases Page – Explore live examples
• Google Trends – Spot rising product interest
• TikTok Trends – See what’s going viral now

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast? 
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect! 

Selling on Amazon can feel like shouting into the void—millions of sellers, endless noise, and everyone chasing the same “secret” strategies. In this first part of our two‑part series, Megan Hansel pulls back the curtain on Amazon’s best‑kept open secret: the New Releases section. This is where trends are born, where algorithms give new products a honeymoon boost, and where small sellers can actually catch lightning in a bottle.

You’ll learn why the “new” tag is more than a badge, how shopper psychology makes novelty irresistible, and the three major advantages you unlock when you launch into New Releases. If you’re ready to move past cookie‑cutter tactics and tap into Amazon’s fastest‑moving playground, this is where it starts.

Chapters
[Start] The Amazon Noise Problem: Why most sellers feel invisible and why the “guru” playbook doesn’t work.
00:46 The Secret Passage: New Releases: How Amazon’s most dynamic section levels the playing field for small sellers.
01:56 Novelty Bias & Shopper Psychology: Why “new” products grab attention and convert faster than old standbys.
03:39 Three Big Advantages You’re Missing: Real‑time market validation, algorithmic love, and trend surfing explained.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan
• Amazon New Releases Page – Explore live examples
• Google Trends – Spot rising product interest
• TikTok Trends – See what’s going viral now

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect! 

In Part 2 of our tax series, we’re diving into the most powerful part of tax season: deductions. Megan walks through what dropshipping-related expenses you can write off (spoiler: it’s a lot), and how to do it in a way that won’t get you flagged by the IRS. You’ll learn how to categorize write-offs, track receipts like a pro, and turn business expenses into serious tax savings.

We’ll also hit quarterly taxes, when to hire a CPA (or when to let software do the job), and how to stress less with a smart filing system. This episode is equal parts practical and empowering—so you can stop dreading tax season and start seeing it as a legit strategy for growth.

Chapters:
[Start] Deduct Like a Boss: From Shopify fees to that Canva subscription—you’re leaving money on the table if you’re not tracking these.
00:48 Don’t Wing Your Write-Offs: How to document properly and why even small receipts matter.
4:00 Quarterly Taxes Without Tears: What they are, when they’re due, and how to avoid penalties.
04:28 Should You DIY or Call a CPA?: Software tools vs. pros—and why peace of mind is a valid business expense.

Links and Resources:

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan
• QuickBooks
• Wave
• Keeper Tax 
• TurboTax Self-Employed
• TaxSlayer

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast? Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

Tax season doesn’t have to suck. Follow along as Megan walks you through how to get your dropshipping business registered, compliant, and actually prepared to file without crying into your receipts. From sole proprietorships and LLCs to EINs, business bank accounts, and sales tax basics, you’ll learn how to keep your setup clean and scalable.

We’ll also talk about why good recordkeeping is your secret weapon, how tools like TaxJar or Avalara can save you from sales tax meltdowns, and what to expect when it’s time to report income. 

Chapters:
[Start] Business Setup Without the Jargon: Sole proprietorship vs. LLC, EINs, and how to avoid paying $100 for something that’s free.
01:46 Banking Like a Pro: Why mixing business and personal accounts is a one-way ticket to stress—and what to do instead.
02:25 Sales Tax Made Slightly Less Awful: Understanding physical vs. economic nexus and how to automate the worst parts.
03:35 Reporting Your Income Without Panic: The tools, forms, and tracking habits that make tax time manageable, not monstrous.

Links and Resources:

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast-doba – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

You get it—speed matters. Now let’s make it real. In Part 2, we go beyond theory with real case studies from Doba sellers who’ve scaled to $60K, $100K+ months by making fast shipping their superpower. From high-ticket Temu stores to high-volume Amazon pivots, these sellers found a repeatable way to win: ship fast, earn trust, grow big.

We also walk through the exact tools inside Doba that make all this possible—smart filtering, U.S.-based inventory, and automation that lets you skip the manual chaos. Plus, Megan breaks down the four big wins you unlock when you prioritize speed: revenue, retention, brand trust, and fewer customer fires. If you’re ready to sell like a pro, this is where it starts.

Chapters:
[Start] From Friction to Fulfillment: Doba sellers who ditched delays and saw their revenue spike.
01:11 Inside the $100K Month: How Hui Du and team scaled 12 stores by focusing on one thing: fast delivery.
02:38 Doba Tools That Make It Happen: Filter by shipping speed, automate fulfillment, and simplify tracking.
03:22 Why Speed Wins—Long-Term: Retention, reviews, and the branding boost that comes from fast fulfillment. 

 Links and Resources:

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast-doba – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan
• Shopify App Store Doba Integration – One-Click Product Import
• TikTok – Marketing + product testing
• Temu – Marketplace referenced in seller case study

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

What’s the one thing that can tank your sales before your product page even loads? Shipping time. Today we dig into the psychology behind fast shipping and why your customers don’t care that you’re not Amazon, they just want their stuff now. From cart abandonment to credibility, host Megan Hansel walks through why long delivery windows kill conversions and what today’s buyers actually expect.

We also look at the ripple effect: how fast shipping builds trust, earns repeat purchases, and even boosts your visibility in search and marketplaces. Whether you’re brand new or already making sales, this episode makes the case for speed as a growth strategy, not just a logistics upgrade. And yes, we’ll show you how Doba helps you compete (without needing 100 warehouses and an army of robots).

Chapters
[Start] Prime Expectations, Small Business Pressure: How Amazon set the bar—and what that means for your Shopify store.
01:05 What Customers Really See: A peek inside the mind of a shopper when your delivery time says "10–14 days."
02:40 Cart Abandonment Math: Why nearly 70% of carts get ditched—and what faster fulfillment has to do with it.
03:08 Trust, Visibility, and Why Speed Scales: How delivery time impacts customer loyalty and your search performance.

Links and Resources:

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast-doba – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan
• Shopify App Store Doba Integration – One-Click Product Import
• TikTok – Marketing + product testing
• Temu – Marketplace 

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

In Part 2 of our dropshipping platform showdown, we dive into what really matters when the orders start rolling in: ease of use, automation, and pricing reality. You'll discover why "free" platforms often cost you more in the long run, how AI tools can replace a $300/month virtual assistant, and the truth about when branding features actually matter for your bottom line.

We break down the real-world differences in order management, integration capabilities, and scaling potential. From Doba's AI Store Builder that helped a mom of three launch her clean beauty store in a weekend to Zendrop's custom packaging dreams and Spocket's boutique simplicity, you'll learn exactly which platform fits your business model and budget. If you've been drowning in manual work or wondering when to prioritize pretty packaging over profit, this episode gives you the honest breakdown you need to choose smart and scale without chaos.

Chapters
[Start] Ease of Use & Integration Reality: How Doba's AI Store Builder creates full storefronts in minutes, plus the clean beauty store weekend success story.
01:50 Order Management Without Chaos: Why centralized dashboards beat juggling six Chrome tabs and how AI tools replace expensive virtual assistants.
02:46 Branding vs. Utility: When boutique vibes matter, when custom packaging pays off, and why you should nail fulfillment before fonts.
03:24 Pricing Truth Bomb: Why "start for free" is e-commerce's biggest lie, and how to calculate what your time and customer experience are actually worth.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast-doba – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan 
• Shopify – E-commerce platform integration
• WooCommerce – WordPress store integration
• BigCommerce – E-commerce platform integration
• Spocket – Curated dropshipping platform
• Zendrop – Automation-forward platform with custom branding

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast? 
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

Your first dropshipping platform can make or break your entire setup. It controls your product variety, fulfillment speed, profit margins, and even your day-to-day stress level. In Part 1 of this platform showdown, we put Doba, Spocket, and Zendrop head-to-head so you can pick the platform that actually sets you up to win, not just gives you another thing to manage.

We break down the real differences between these three platforms, from product catalogs to shipping speeds. You'll learn why Doba's "mega mall" approach beats juggling 50 supplier passwords, how Spocket's boutique curation works for aesthetic brands, and why Zendrop's hybrid model appeals to hustlers who want to test fast and pivot faster. 

Chapters
[Start] Platform Quick Map: Meet the three contenders: Doba's mega mall approach, Spocket's curated boutique, and Zendrop's automation-forward hybrid model.
01:05 Product Variety Breakdown: Why Doba's aggregated catalog beats managing multiple supplier accounts and how AI product finding cuts through the noise.
02:00 The Boutique vs. Big Box Decision: When Spocket's curated approach works (and when it doesn't), plus how Zendrop wins on speed testing.
03:08 Shipping Speed Reality Check: The brutal truth about how bad shipping ruins everything, and why US-first fulfillment matters more than cute branding.
04:08 Facebook Ads & Fulfillment: How shipping delays kill conversions and crush your return on ad spend, plus the warehouse zone filtering advantage.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast-doba – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan
• Spocket – Curated dropshipping platform
• Zendrop – Automation-forward platform with print on demand
• TikTok Shop – Where sellers validate products before upgrading to US fulfillment

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

In Part 2 of Sarah’s story, we shift from setup to sales. Now that her store is live, Sarah flips the time ratio—spending 90% of her effort on marketing and only 10% on backend busywork. This episode shows exactly how automation gave her the headspace to build momentum, test her products, and land her first sale, without a warehouse, a VA, or a degree in hustle culture.

We explore what it means to work on your business instead of just in it, why fast execution always beats waiting for perfect branding, and how to turn a single sale into a repeatable system. If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to launch or stuck tweaking fonts while your competitors are cashing in, it’s time to flip the script—and your schedule.


Chapters
[Start] Flip Your Time Ratio: Sarah shifts from setup to sales and spends her time on what actually drives revenue.
02:22 The First Sale & The Dopamine Hit: Why Sarah’s first cha-ching wasn’t the win, it was the green light to build smarter.
03:29 Automation = Compounding Momentum: How syncing, importing, and automating gave Sarah time to scale without burnout.
05:37 48 Hours to Launch Challenge: The no-excuses push to stop tweaking and start selling, even if it’s not perfect.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast-doba – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan
• Shopify – Ecommerce platform
• TikTok – Where Sarah started marketing
• Klaviyo – Email flows & automation

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast? Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

Starting your Shopify store can feel like a creative high, until you hit the wall of manual setup. In Part 1 of this two-part story, we follow Sarah, a full-time working mom who wanted to launch a business but got stuck in the boring, burnout-inducing weeds of product uploads, image resizing, and inventory chaos. This episode unpacks why so many first-time sellers stall out and what to do instead.

You’ll learn how friction is the silent killer of most e-commerce dreams and why fast execution beats perfect planning every time. We dig into the psychology behind burnout, the danger of doing too much admin before you’ve made a sale, and how tools like Doba’s One-Click Product Import can radically simplify your startup process. If you're sitting on a half-built store or drowning in product descriptions, this is your wake-up call.

Chapters
[Start] Where Most Stores Go to Die: Manual product uploads and the hidden burnout trap that stops most sellers before they even start.
04:51 The Momentum Killer: Why weeks of setup work with no payoff is the real danger and how to fix it.
07:10 The Real Win Is Speed: Why Sarah’s breakthrough came from shortening the path between idea and action.
08:09 Friction vs. Momentum: Meet Doba’s One-Click Product Import tool and how it helped Sarah go from stuck to scaling.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast-doba – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan
• Shopify – Ecommerce platform
• TikTok – Where Sarah started marketing
• Klaviyo – Email flows & automation

Inquiries about partnerships? Want to join Megan on the podcast?
Email mhansel@doba.com and connect!

Let’s settle it. In this episode of Drop That Ship, we put dropshipping and wholesale head-to-head and answer the question every e-commerce entrepreneur eventually asks: “Which one should I choose?” From startup costs to control over packaging, we break down exactly what each model looks like, who it’s for, and how to avoid getting buried under returns, shipping labels, or a garage full of boxes you’ll never move.

Plus, we cover what most e-comm advice skips, how to build an ethical, sustainable brand your customers can actually trust. From branding strategies and fulfillment realities to the game-changing power of local sourcing, you’ll learn how to align your business with your values without sacrificing profit or speed.

Chapters
[Start] Who’s Holding the Inventory?: The core difference between dropshipping and wholesale.
05:12 Fulfillment, Control, & Chaos Management: Are you the brand builder or the warehouse manager? We lay out what fulfillment looks like in real life.
10:24 Branding, Packaging, & the Unboxing Moment: How each model affects your brand perception, customer experience, and whether your box gets posted on Instagram.
14:51 Local Sourcing = Ethical Dropshipping: Speed, sustainability, and trust. Why local suppliers are the smartest way to build a future-proof e-comm brand.

Links and Resources

• Doba.com – Official site
• Discount code: podcast-doba – 10% off your first month of the Pro or Business plan
• Sticker Mule – Branded packaging and stickers
• Packlane – Custom shipping boxes
• Shopify – Ecommerce platform
• WooCommerce – Free WordPress store plugin