MOVE SUPPLY CHAIN
Pay less for COGS, get shorter lead times, and improve payment terms in your supply chain with help from Move Supply Chain at https://movesupplychain.com.
INTELLIGEMS
Intelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.
//
Drew Fallon is the founder and CEO of Iris. Learn more about Iris at www.irisfinance.co and follow Drew on X at https://x.com/drewfallon12.
//
Raising money has become almost taboo in the DTC and eCommerce world—but is that mindset actually holding brands back?
In this episode, Andrew sits down with Drew Fallon, CEO of Iris, fresh off a $6.2M seed round. They unpack the hard truths about fundraising, margins, forecasting, and why certain categories (like supplements and gummies) are scaling at lightning speed. Drew brings unique insight from inside the financials of 100+ eCommerce brands, offering perspective few operators ever get to see.
You’ll hear a candid discussion about:
- When raising capital creates real advantage (and when it kills your optionality)
- Why high gross margin is the ultimate cheat code for scale
- The long, overlooked sales cycle for B2B SaaS in eCommerce
- How forecasting and inventory planning can make or break growth
- The capital markets correction and what it means for CPG founders now
If you’re facing margin pressure, considering outside investment, or just want a sharper financial lens on your business, this episode is a masterclass in understanding the numbers that matter.
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:01:15 - Raising Money
00:03:43 - Influencer Marketing In DTC
00:07:40 - Drew’s Onboarding Sales Cycle
00:10:11 - Hiring For Head of Marketing
00:11:17 - The Future Of Iris
00:16:45 - The Up Trend For E-Commerce Brands
00:18:40 - These ARE The Brands That Win
00:27:52 - Drew’s Bucket Analogy
00:31:46 - Make Your Subscription Valuable To Customers
00:37:59 - Make The Case For Fundraising
00:47:27 - Early Growth Equity Funds
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
INTELLIGEMS
Intelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=youtube.
//
Bryan Porter is the Chief Ecommerce Officer at Simple Modern. Follow him on X at https://x.com/jbryanporter and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbryanporter/.
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Simple Modern’s insulated drinkware shouldn’t have worked as a DTC business: low repeat purchase rates, heavy shipping costs, and thin margins. Yet somehow, Bryan Porter and his team took their average order value from $18 to $80—fundamentally reshaping the brand’s unit economics.
In this episode, Bryan explains why AOV growth isn’t just a vanity metric, but a lever for profitability when done intentionally. We break down the seven-year journey behind that transformation: bundling strategies that amortize shipping costs, personalization features like embroidery, limited-edition drops that command premium pricing, and product development designed for ecosystem buying.
This conversation also dives into bigger strategic lessons:
When to let Amazon carry single-unit orders, how to structure your site around differentiation, and why broader brand awareness—not just tactical hacks—ultimately drives scalable growth.
If you’re navigating thin margins, testing shipping thresholds, or struggling to profitably scale off Amazon, Bryan’s perspective is both practical and deeply insightful.
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CHAPTER TITLES:
00:02:24 - Andrew LOVES Oklahoma
00:02:54 - Is AOV The MOST Overrated Metric?
00:06:10 - Margin Profiles For A DTC Brand
00:13:57 - Product Development Process
00:21:17 - Increasing AOV
00:28:15 - The Pillars
00:36:16 - Tiktok Shops
00:45:40 - Let’s Chat About Money
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
INTELLIGEMS
Intelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=spotify.
//
Eric Bandholz is the Founder & CEO of Beardbrand and the host of Ecommerce Conversations, which you can find at https://www.practicalecommerce.com/author/eric-bandholz.
Get his "36 Ways To Revive An Ecommerce Business" episode here: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/36-ways-to-revive-an-ecommerce-business.
//
Eric Bandholz, founder of Beardbrand, joins the show to talk candidly about rebuilding after losing nearly $1M in cash between 2023–2024. In this episode, Eric shares how Beardbrand plugged its biggest leaks—inventory issues, packaging missteps, and manufacturer misalignment—and why raising prices actually restored trust with customers.
We also dive into deeper questions: what it means to build for freedom instead of an exit, how to sustain motivation after 13 years in the same business, and why work itself can be life-giving. Eric discusses the role of subscription growth, fragrance innovation, and even AI-driven ads in shaping Beardbrand’s next chapter.
If you’re running an eCommerce brand under pressure from margin compression, lawsuits, or scaling hurdles, this conversation offers grounded perspective. You’ll walk away with concrete lessons on pricing, manufacturing strategy, subscription models, and long-term founder psychology.
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:01:32 - Erics Big Reveal
00:03:12 - Current State of BeardBrand
00:07:29 - Why Problem Solving Is Key
00:15:03 - Price Changes In Products
00:17:17 - Andrew Opens Up About His Fragrance Brand
00:20:55 - What Goes Into Fragrance Development
00:25:33 - Subscriber Growth
00:34:05 - BearBrand New Productline
00:37:21 - Package Material Sourcing
00:41:09 - Building For Freedom
00:52:09 - Exciting Erik Ideas
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
MORE STAFFING
Recruit, onboard, and train incredible virtual professionals in the Philippines with my friends at More Staffing by visiting https://morestaffing.co/af
FERMAT
Create funnels the same way you create ads with FERMAT by visiting https://fermatcommerce.com/af
//
"How to Solve The Biggest 4 Cost Cap Media Buying Challenges" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG1UU4ihwIA
Cody Plofker Goes DEEP On Meta Media Buying" - https://youtu.be/rEeh1SieNUU?si=25kBcutn0fJCKn40
//
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the most competitive ad buying days of the year—and after 11 years of managing BFCM campaigns ranging from $1K to $1M+ in spend, Andrew has seen what actually works and what wastes money.
This episode breaks down his complete approach to Meta ads for BFCM 2025: from creative strategy to media buying, bid caps, ROAS optimization, forecasting, and how to handle customer behavior shifts like delayed purchasing. You’ll learn why simple “offer-first” creative consistently outperforms over-engineered ads, how to prevent Meta’s bidding algorithm from lagging behind reality, and the right way to balance evergreen vs. sale-specific ads.
If you’re looking to maximize spend efficiency, avoid margin-killing mistakes, and set your brand up for both scale and profitability this holiday season, this guide is the blueprint.
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:00:38 - Key Things For Your Meta Creatives
00:05:00 - Media Buying & Correct Approach
00:11:55 - Value Optimization
00:14:01 - Delay In Purchase Behaviors
00:20:25 - Daily Forecasting
00:22:50 - Hourly Forecasting
00:24:33 - Learn and Take Notes
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY PODCAST FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
INTELLIGEMS
Intelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=youtube.
//
Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) can make or break Q4, but timing your sale wrong—or structuring your offer poorly—can leave money on the table. In this episode, Andrew Faris breaks down the data that reveals exactly when to launch your sale and why most brands get this wrong.
You’ll learn how to:
- Structure BFCM offers that maximize AOV and profit per order.
- Avoid common mistakes around margin erosion and shipping costs.
- Use early November shopping spikes to your advantage.
- Understand why sending more email and SMS is critical, not optional.
- Protect profit if inventory runs low, and why chasing “viral” Black Friday wins usually backfires.
This episode is about helping operators make data informed decisions. It will help operators scale profitably during the busiest season of the year. If you want to enter BFCM with confidence—and avoid the mistakes that drain margins—this episode will give you a clear framework to follow.
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:00:55 - The Importance of Your Black Friday Offer
00:04:20 - Black Friday Deals WON’T Degrade Your Brand
00:06:34 - Larger AOV Creates Greater Margin Benefit
00:07:45 - Pay Close Attention To Your Margin
00:10:30 - When To Launch Your Black Friday Sale
00:14:25 - Consistency In The Data
00:18:31 - You CAN’T Send Too Many Email
00:21:03 - Inventory Shortages
00:23:06 - DON’T FORCE IT
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
MORE STAFFING
Recruit, onboard, and train incredible virtual professionals in the Philippines with my friends at More Staffing by visiting https://morestaffing.co/af.
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=youtube.
//
Scaling an ecommerce brand today means confronting rising costs, shifting ad platforms, and the hype cycle of new tools like AI. In this episode, Andrew Faris cuts through the noise with six clear, tactical lessons drawn directly from his work with high-growth DTC brands.
You’ll learn why retention advertising is often the most overlooked source of incremental revenue, why Meta remains the most powerful platform for growth despite the complaints, and how AppLovin is emerging as a serious performance channel. Andrew also breaks down why creative success is harder than most founders realize, what the AI “trough of disillusionment” means for operators, and how the right mix of vision and process can transform a business.
If you want practical insights that can help you make smarter ad spend decisions, improve your creative process, and position your brand for sustainable growth, this episode is a must-listen.
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:00:39 - Spend Money On Retention Advertising
00:04:16 - A.I. Delusion
00:08:51 - Related Points For Customers
00:17:51 - META Is Still AWESOME!
00:23:26 - App Lovin
00:26:57 - Bring In The RIGHT Team
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
BEHIND THE SCENES STUDIO
Work with the same Meta Ads creative production team that Andrew does with Behind The Scenes Studio, a More Staffing sister company: https://www.btsstudio.co/.
FERMAT
Create funnels the same way you create ads with FERMAT by visiting https://fermatcommerce.com/af//Most ads fail long before they launch—at the concept level. In this episode, we break down the foundational framework behind effective social media advertising. Instead of chasing hacks or production tricks, we get into the real drivers of performance: messaging, hooks, nativeness, and storytelling.
//
You’ll learn:
- Why messaging is the “nutrient value” of every ad, and how to craft one that moves the needle.
- How hooks and nativeness work together to capture and keep attention in a feed full of distractions.
- Storytelling frameworks that retain attention and make your message stick.
- How to operationalize ad creation at scale—so great ads aren’t a fluke, but a repeatable process.
- If you’re scaling a brand and battling rising CAC, margin pressure, or creative fatigue, this episode gives you practical insight into how the best ads actually work and how to structure your team to deliver them consistently.
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:00:13 - Where Ads Go Wrong?
00:01:55 - The Value of Money and Your Product
00:05:16 - Core Messaging For Brand
00:10:14 - Breaking Down Elements of the Ad
00:13:58 - Using Catchy Hooks
00:14:51 - The Principle of Nativeness
00:21:44 - Storytelling
00:25:50 - Hypothetical Best Ad In The Universe
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
WORKSPACE6
Workspace6 is a private community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators and executives. Join for just $1 for your first month and no annual commitments at https://workspace6.io.
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=youtube.
//
Meta’s auction is a probabilistic forecasting engine. Treat it that way and your creative testing stops being guesswork. In this episode, Andrew lays out a first-principles framework for Meta Ads that resolves three tensions operators hit every day:
Consolidation: why “more purchases per ad set” increases model confidence, stabilizes delivery, and compounds performance over time.
Creative supply: how to increase diverse creative volume (not near-duplicates) without kicking high-performing ad sets back into volatility.
False negatives: when Meta gives up too early—and practical ways to limit misses without torching budget.
You’ll leave with a clear mental model for structuring campaigns, setting bid strategies (including when manual bids help and why), deciding ad-per-ad-set counts, and preventing “learning phase” churn.
If margin pressure, inconsistent scaling, or noisy tests are blocking growth, this is a rigorous, operator-grade way to diagnose the system and deploy creative testing that actually compounds.
What you’ll learn:
- The ad-set level is where learning really happens—and how to leverage that
- Why consolidating conversions beats scattering them across many ad sets
- How to design creative pipelines that maximize diversity and minimize redundancy
- Practical safeguards to reduce false negatives without sunk-cost waste
- A simple deployment pattern to add new ads without disrupting scale
- Listen to sharpen your testing strategy and reclaim wasted spend with a framework you can apply this quarter.
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:01:38 - Why Meta Ad Creative Structure Is Important
00:03:53 - The Value of Purchases In Your Ad Sets
00:07:40 - Conversions Effect Ad Performance
00:10:40 - Purdy & Figg Example
00:17:13 - Utilizing Manual Bids For A Greater Performance
00:21:05 - Creative Volume Is Good
00:32:44 - Avoid False Negatives
00:41:46 - What Should You Do?
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
WORKSPACE6
Workspace6 is a private community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators and executives. Join for just $1 for your first month and no annual commitments at https://workspace6.io.
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=youtube.
//
Hiring “influencers” is not a single play—it’s four different jobs with four different outcomes.
In this episode Andrew breaks down a clear framework for on-screen ad talent: actors (scripted delivery), creators (algorithm-savvy editors who deliver finished ads), authorities (trusted endorsers who bridge efficacy/credibility gaps), and celebrities (brand-equity plays that rarely win in direct response).
You’ll learn:
- When to script an actor vs brief a creator, and how to structure both so performance doesn’t depend on luck
- A practical pricing heuristic for creator partnerships (the “~5% of planned ad spend” rule of thumb) and where it breaks
- When whitelisting adds leverage—and when it doesn’t
- How to use authorities to validate claims in categories like health, performance, or technical products
- Why most early-stage brands should avoid big celebrity contracts (and the two exceptions: deep integration or licensed co-brands)
- A simple audit to categorize your current roster, upgrade contracts, and operationalize briefing, asset handoff, and off-boarding
If you’re navigating margin pressure, uneven ROAS, or confusion about creator pricing and deliverables, this gives you a decision tree you can hand to your team today. Expect fewer dead-end tests, cleaner processes, and ad dollars aligned to the right kind of talent for your goal.
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:01_37 - Building An Influencer Program at AJF Growth
00:02:58 - Hiring Actors For Ad Creatives
00:07:49 - Let Creators Do What They DO BEST, CREATE!
00:10:59 - What Is Whitelisting Relationships?
00:17:24 - Communicating With Your Creator Partner
00:23:42 - Allowing Your Influencer To Be The Authoritative Voice
00:27:16 - Building Trust With An Audience
00:28:57 - Sources of Credibility
00:34:29 - Do Celebrities Help Sell Products?
00:39:15 - Would I advise to contract with Celebrities?
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
INTELLIGEMS
Intelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=youtube.
//
Most DTC teams want wholesale but treat it like a black box. In this episode, Jared Mehr (Pura Vida) lays out the exact path he used to build a $35M wholesale program—from first doors to trade shows to rep groups—without blowing up margins or ops.
What you’ll learn:
- Readiness checklist before you call a buyer: inventory, UPC/SKU hygiene, pricing, 3PL capabilities, and wholesale order flow
- The real margin model (retail 50 / brand 50), why big boxes demand an extra 10–20% off wholesale, and how to price with future sales-rep commissions
- Why “permanent promo” DTC tactics kill retailer interest—and what to do instead
- Cash-flow realities: net-30/60/90, chargebacks, AR risk, and why a mom-and-pop baseline protects you when majors change POs
- How to get your first accounts: outreach scripts, sampling, store-locator lead lists, and door-to-door tactics that still work- Operational must-haves: displays that drive sell-through, starter packs, minimums, and a reorder cadence that compounds
- When wholesale beats ecom on profit, and how channels can lift each other rather than cannibalize
- Scaling playbook: when to add trade shows, inside sales, and regional rep groups—and how to vet the right partners
- Merch & forecasting: use pre-booking data to decide what to actually make (and what not to)
If you’re feeling margin pressure, stagnant growth, or rising CAC, this episode gives you a practical, de-risked way to add a meaningful revenue channel—complete with the numbers, sequences, and pitfalls to avoid. No hype. Just a clear plan to get into stores and sell through.
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:01:36 - The Retail Experience: Should I Do It For My Brand?
00:02:18 - How Jareds Got His Start In The Retail Business
00:04:54 - Why It’s Important To Establish A Brand Online
00:08:24 - Good $ Starting Point For A Brand To Turn Retail
00:12:14 - First Things To Do
00:16:10 - How Profit & Margin Work In Retail Relationships
00:23:31 - Wholesale Vs Ecommerce
00:25:57 - The Sales Process
00:32:47 - The Hotel Gift Shop
00:35:38 - In Store Merchandising
00:41:25 - What Sales Pitch Worked For Me
00:45:13 - How To Be Successful Once You Are In Stores
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
BEHIND THE SCENES STUDIO
Work with the same Meta Ads creative production team that Andrew does with Behind The Scenes Studio, a More Staffing sister company: https://www.behindthescenes.studio/.
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=youtube.
//
This episode gets practical about AI and ad creative. Andrew Faris and Alex Cooper (Adcate) break down what’s actually working, why most AI ads still fall flat, and how operators can build a creative system that compounds.
What you’ll learn:
- AI as an amplifier, not a shortcut: why bad ideas stay bad, even with great models—and how to surface signal from 20+ AI-generated options instead of shipping noise.
- Context engineering OVER prompt engineering: building brand-specific context documents and custom GPT/Claude projects (brand data + top performers + task-specific creative principles) to raise hit rate across headlines, hooks, scripts, and iterations.
- Operationalized knowledge: treating your agency/org as “operationalized knowledge,” then encoding that knowledge into AI so strategy scales without diluting quality.
- Process over novelty: frameworks like AI Days and moonshot briefs to test new tools (VO3, image/video gen, research apps) without derailing production.
- Where VO3 fits now: using intentionally unrealistic visuals for hooks and pattern breaks while keeping workflows realistic for speed and cost.
- Tool overload triage: how to evaluate new AI releases against business outcomes (profit, CAC, volume, timelines) and avoid shiny-object churn.
- The strategist’s new job: knowing what to create (psychology, research, copy fundamentals) while AI accelerates execution.
Why this is worth your time
If you’re feeling margin pressure, creative fatigue, or whipsawed by weekly AI launches, this conversation gives you a repeatable way to:
- Raise creative hit rate without inflating headcount
- Protect focus while still exploring new tools
- Encode your best thinking into systems your whole team can use
Ship more diverse, on-strategy ads—faster
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:01:33 - Where Is Alex Moving???
00:02:27 - A.I. Great For Ideation, Bad For Execution
00:08:24 - Strategy For Deep Research
00:15:15 - The Agency Model In DTC
00:22:48 - How To Know What Knowledge Is Truth Using A.I.
00:35:48 - The Future Of Content Creation & Creative Output
00:41:41 - Andrew’s Bet On The Future of A.I. Technology
00:45:43 - Hot Takes With Alex
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
MORE STAFFING
Recruit, onboard, and train incredible virtual professionals in the Philippines with my friends at More Staffing by visiting https://morestaffing.co/af.
WORKSPACE6
Workspace6 is a private community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators and executives. Join for just $1 for your first month and no annual commitments at https://workspace6.io.
//
Entrepreneurs are often warned about burnout, but in the eCommerce world, overwork rarely looks like the stereotype of a stressed employee with a pushy boss. For founders and high-performing executives, the challenge is often the opposite: the work is so enjoyable, so mentally stimulating, that stepping away feels harder than leaning in.
In this episode, we dig into why that “fun” is exactly what can threaten your long-term joy — and how to resist the constant pull of your own company. You’ll hear a candid conversation on balancing ambition with rest, the science behind true mental recovery, and how to avoid using business as a constant source of stimulation.
We also explore the founder’s biggest question: when you’ve built something extraordinary and life-changing wealth is within reach, why not sell now? This conversation will give you both the mindset shifts and the strategic lens to think clearly about scaling, exits, and what you’re really optimizing for in your career.
If you want to build a company that not only scales but sustains your life’s joy, this is a must-listen.
//
CHAPTER TITLES:
00:01:50 - Does Mike Actually Take Vacations?
00:04:55 - Short Term vs. Long Term Joy
00:10:16 - Preparing Your Soul For Extreme Wealth
00:21:47 - When Does Contentment Become Your Joy
00:27:17 - Analogy About The Resource of Money
00:38:12 - Intentionality With Human Connections
01:01:00 - Purpose of Luxury & Comfort As A Entrepreneur
00:01:07 - Wealth As A Mindset
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
MOVE SUPPLY CHAIN
Pay less for COGS, get shorter lead times, and improve payment terms in your supply chain with help from Move Supply Chain at https://movesupplychain.com.
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What if your next supply chain decision could unlock 5–10 more points of margin—without sacrificing quality?In this episode, Andrew brings back Laura Guevara of Move Supply Chain to do a deep dive on exactly how they built a high-margin, custom-manufactured product (solid cologne) from scratch—with global sourcing, minimal MOQs, and airtight logistics.
You’ll hear how Laura’s team:
– Sourced over 80+ manufacturers across Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
– Landed beautiful, custom walnut & aluminum packaging at ~$5 per unit
– Navigated tariff risk, lead times, and sampling strategy
– Used Filipino talent for affordable, world-class execution
– Identified future margin unlocks, including raw material sourcing and toll manufacturing
If you’re scaling an eCommerce business, supply chain optimization isn’t optional. It’s your competitive advantage. This episode is a masterclass in how to build smart from day one—and where to look for your next big efficiency win.
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CHAPTER TITLES:
00:02:21 - Introducing Resolute
00:07:19 - Sales Funnel Process For Manufacturing
00:13:04 - Resolute Unit Economics Calculator
00:29:47 - Complications In Production
00:33:30 - Lara Discusses Various Supply Chain Locations
00:41:25 - Sourcing Raw Materials For Packaging & Product
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SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
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ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
INTELLIGEMS
Intelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.
WORKSPACE6
Workspace6 is a private community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators and executives. Join for just $1 for your first month and no annual commitments at https://workspace6.io.
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This episode breaks down how one client 10Xed their Meta ad spend — not through hacks or holiday sales, but by finding a high-converting offer, reframing their message, and matching it to the right creative and bid strategy.
You’ll learn:
- How the right framing can outperform the exact same offer.
- Why price elasticity is about category thresholds — not discounts.
- How manual bidding helped safely scale spend 10X without overspending.
- What to consider when ordering inventory after a spike in demand.
- How “explore” and “expand” thinking creates durable, scalable funnels.
- The compounding role of brand positioning, product development, and testing discipline.
If you’re responsible for scaling revenue and ROAS inside an eCommerce brand, this episode offers a tactical, realistic framework for how to unlock the next level of growth — and how not to blow it when it shows up.
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CHAPTER TITLES:
00:01:02:23 - Andrew Discusses Clients Broken Ad Account
00:05:29 - Importance of Price & Offering Testing
00:10:15 - Why You Should Think More About Shipping
00:12:44 - How You Should Market Your Products
00:16:37 - What Core Problems Does Your Product Solve?
00:23:19 - Creative Angle Campaigns
00:37:23 - Inventory Control & Ordering
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SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
MOVE SUPPLY CHAIN
Pay less for COGS, get shorter lead times, and improve payment terms in your supply chain with help from Move Supply Chain at https://movesupplychain.com.
INTELLIGEMS
Intelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.
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In this episode, Andrew Faris pulls back the curtain on his newest venture—Resolute, a solid cologne brand built from the ground up with profitability in mind. If you're a founder, operator, or investor in the DTC space, this is a rare chance to watch a brand go from zero to launch—with full transparency.
You'll learn:
- Why Andrew chose solid cologne as a category (and why margin is greater than everything)
- How he’s thinking about pricing, supply chain, and product positioning
- What makes the economics work (or not) in high-margin DTC businesses
- A step-by-step walkthrough of COGS, packaging costs, and breakeven ROAS
- How Move Supply Chain helped source 60+ vendors to build efficiently
- What questions remain about LTV, price testing, and product-market fit
Whether you're building your next brand or refining your current economics, this episode delivers a masterclass in strategic thinking and cash-efficient DTC execution.
Subscribe to follow the full journey of Resolute as it unfolds.
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CHAPTER TITLES:
00:00:47 - What Is Resolute? (My New Brand)
00:02:50 - Solid Cologne Preview
00:07:06 - The Components of a Good E-Commerce Product
00:14:28 - Importance of the Sample Packs
0021:32 - Creating Repeat Customers
00:23:22 - Unit Economic Calculator
00:35:29 - P&L Predictions
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SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
DREAMPOOL PRODUCTIONS
Need your podcast produced or edited? What about creative storytelling to drive organic growth on YouTube or social media? From creative consultation, to ideation and execution, DreamPool delivers on your production needs. Contact Christopher Faris at christopher@godreampool.com to get started!
MORE STAFFING
Recruit, onboard, and train incredible virtual professionals in the Philippines with my friends at More Staffing by visiting https://morestaffing.co/af.
INTELLIGEMS
Intelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=youtube.
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What does it really take to build—and sell—a high-performing eCommerce agency? In this episode, Taylor Holiday (former CEO of Common Thread Collective) joins Andrew Faris to dissect the real mechanics behind scaling a service business, managing people (or not managing them at all), and exiting at the peak.
Taylor shares candid insights on:
- Why "management" might be killing your margins
- The client metric that actually drives profit (hint: it's not logo churn)
- How AI is expanding operating margin—and agency salaries
- When to stop saving clients and focus on expansion
- Why “Head of Growth” is a broken title
- How to structure your team for consistency and scale
- Lessons from an 8-figure transaction (and what he'd do differently)
Talking with Taylor is guaranteed to provide lots of interesting conversation, more than a few laughs, and highly actionable takeaways for ANYONE in E-commerce!
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SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=youtube.
FERMAT
Create funnels the same way you create ads with FERMAT by visiting https://fermatcommerce.com/af
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You’re working hard. Maybe even harder than ever.
But you’re stuck—and you’re not sure why.
In this episode, Andrew Faris breaks down the biggest problem facing most eCommerce businesses (yes, yours too) and shares how AJF Growth is solving it right now.
Whether you’re a brand operator, agency founder, or someone stuck in the middle of a scaling mess, you’ll walk away with a powerful framework to diagnose and fix what’s holding you back.
You’ll learn:
- Why having great people still isn’t enough
- The 3 levers that make (or break) a business
- How to implement the Visionary/Integrator framework (EOS)
- What bad strategy looks like—even when execution is perfect
- Why AI can amplify the wrong decisions if you're not careful
Plus, Andrew breaks down how he’s using AI tools, tight processes, and deep creative systems to unlock scalable, profitable growth inside AJF Growth and client accounts.
If you’ve ever felt like you're on the agency merry-go-round—or that your internal team can’t execute your vision—this is the episode you need.
Drop your biggest ops or strategy challenge in the comments. And hit subscribe—upcoming episodes feature Taylor Holiday, Alex Cooper, and a deep dive into building a wholesale program for DTC brands.
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CHAPTER TITLES:
00:00:46 - The Agency Carousel
00:02:36 - Strategy Is Important For Growth
00:06:44 - The Right Processes In Your Business
00:11:04 - Hiring Your Team
00:16:54 - Rocket Fuel
00:21:32 - How I Am Implementing Processes at AJF Growth
00:27:00 - Supply Chain Negotiation Tactics
00:28:15 - Idea Generation
00:36:00 - Common Problem Brands Face
//
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
INTELLIGEMS
Intelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.
FERMAT
Create funnels the same way you create ads with FERMAT by visiting https://fermatcommerce.com/af
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What do you do when your eCommerce brand stalls—not failing, just stuck?In this tactical deep dive, Andrew walks through a real case study of a 7-figure brand that turned stalled momentum into its most profitable non-holiday month ever.
You’ll get specific data breakdowns on how changes in spend allocation, campaign strategy (including a massive shift toward Target ROAS), product prioritization, and CRO testing led to a whopping 88% increase in contribution margin—without increasing spend.
If you're an operator feeling the pressure to grow but watching margins shrink, this episode is your playbook.
Learn how to:
- Run leaner without killing momentum
- Make Meta’s learning phase work for you
- Use price testing and retention ads to boost profit per visitor- Think beyond creative volume to win consistently
- Reinvest profit into real growth, like product development or new channels
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CHAPTER TITLES:
00:01:28 - My Brand Experienced Stalled Growth
00:05:08 - Less Spend, More Efficient YoY
00:06:56 - Spend Down, New Customer Revenue Up
00:10:15 - Media Buying Changes
00:13:54 - The Limits of Creative Diversity
00:18:00 - Product Distribution
00:21:17 - Key Takeaways
00:28:15 - Spend Smarter Not Harder
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SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
BEHIND THE SCENES STUDIO
Work with the same Meta Ads creative production team that Andrew does with Behind The Scenes Studio, a More Staffing sister company: https://btsstudio.co/.
FERMAT
Create funnels the same way you create ads with FERMAT by visiting https://fermatcommerce.com/af
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After selling Supply Razors and stepping away from eCommerce, Patrick Coddou thought he was done building. But two years later, he’s back—and joining AJF Growth.
In this episode, Patrick and Andrew Faris dive deep into what happens after an exit, the draw of meaningful work, and how they're scaling an agency with process, people, and purpose.
You’ll hear them unpack:
- Why “infinite freedom” isn’t the end goal after all
- The shift from founder-led chaos to operational excellence
- How EOS and offshore talent create leverage
- What makes a creative service not just good—but scalable
- And how AI is changing how teams build and deliver at volume
This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to evolve from founder to builder—again—with a clear philosophy on work, life, and growth.
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CHAPTER TITLES:
00:02:35 - Why Go Back To Working In E-Commerce
00:06:01 - The 4 Hour Work Week Doesn’t Equal Freedom
00:08:43 - Goals For AJF Growth
00:15:37 - Growing An Agency
00:27:19 - Offshore Talent In Philippines
00:46:52 - Why Can Agency’s Experience A Bad Turn
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SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
RICHPANEL
Cut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=spotify.
FERMAT
Create funnels the same way you create ads with FERMAT by visiting https://fermatcommerce.com/af
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If you run a large eCommerce brand, you’ve likely faced it: the dreaded Meta ads breakdown. One week you’re scaling efficiently, the next—your RoAS tanks, CPAs spike, and panic sets in. In this episode, Andrew walks through eight tactical steps to triage and fix a broken Meta ads account—based on real-world experience managing millions in ad spend.
You’ll learn:
- How to immediately identify whether it's a technical issue or strategic breakdown
- Why small sample size volatility may be misleading your decisions
- How to communicate clearly with your team or agency when everything’s on fire
- Why assuming “you’re the problem” can actually give you the most control
- How to cut losses fast with the “Don’t Spend Bad Money” principle
- When and how to rebuild creative from scratch—and why weird might win
This is a practical, high-urgency playbook for brand operators, marketers, and agency leads who need to stabilize performance and return to profitable growth.
Whether you’re in the thick of a platform shift, reeling from iOS changes, or just trying to keep performance consistent, this episode will help you keep a steady hand on the wheel—and make smarter, faster decisions.
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CHAPTER TITLES:
00:00:56 - How To Fix Broken Ad Accounts
00:03:20 - Short Term vs. Long Term Problems
00:09:43 - Daily Volatility In Meta Ads
00:16:26 - Stop Bleeding Money
00:22:11 - Communication With Brand Partner
00:23:10 - Eliminate Options In Your Ads
00:25:47 - Remain Calm During Fires
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SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!
//
ADMISSION
Get the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast
//
FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW
X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris
Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.com
Work with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
