Ecommerce Masterplan: Interviews And Advice To Help Build Your Online Retail Business Faster

JM Craddock is the CEO and owner of La Matera, a belt brand focused on creating artisanal products that last. Founded in 2012 they now sell via their Shopify site and wholesale channels are on track for $4 million this year. JM’s experience goes much further back though, as he was the first employee at Chubbies, including a key role in developing the returns system that became the first version of Loop Returns!  Hit PLAY to hear:  How Jon-Mark used an SBA loan to buy La Matera (and why he recommends it)

Steven Westwood is the Head of Sales and Marketing at Fashion Eyewear, sellers of designer prescription glasses and sunglasses, both new and preloved. Selling via Shopify stores in the UK and the USA, the business was founded in 2008 and now ship 10,000 orders a month.  Hit PLAY to hear:  Why most people are still buying glasses the old-fashioned way

Paul Hancox, SVP of eCommerce at Parts Town, a leading distributor of OEM foodservice, HVAC, and residential appliance parts. A predominantly B2B eCommerce business, selling via their custom website, and mobile app. Parts Town are based in the USA, distribute spare parts to over 140 counties, and the parent company Parts Town Unlimited had annual revenue of $2.5billion in 2024, with 55% growth in HVAC alone! We've lots to learn from Parts Town's Paul Hancox, including how they've been leveraging AI chatbots to improve customer experience, sales, and the team's efficiency. Hit PLAY to hear: Why treating your website like a product could unlock massive growth The one change that boosted Parts Town’s chat agent efficiency by 60%+ ⚡ How Paul’s team ships 400,000+ orders per quarter — and what powers it The secret link between site speed and conversion most brands ignore

Vicky Pasche is the founder and CEO at Dapper Boi, a gender-less body-inclusive apparel line. Selling via their Shopify store. Founded in 2015 in 2024 they hit $1.36million.  Hit PLAY to hear:  How one viral video turned a year of no sales into $30K in 3 weeks

Frederica Watson is the Head of eCommerce at UK beauty brand Nip + Fab. Founded over 10 years ago, they sell via their Shopify store and wholesale, and the DTC eCommerce site has a 7-figure turnover.  Hit PLAY to hear:  

Brian Walmsley is the founder and CEO at ReBorn, the world’s first homewares brand made entirely from local waste. Founded in 2022 they now sell via wholesale, Amazon, and their Shopify store, and are doing £500,000 a year.  Hit PLAY to hear:  ♻️ How Brian turned local plastic waste into a £500K/year homewares brand 

What 10 Years of Hosting the eCommerce MasterPlan Podcast Taught Me with Chloë Thomas Ten years. 100s of episodes. Thousands of insights. As host of the eCommerce MasterPlan Podcast, Chloë Thomas has spent a decade uncovering what really works in eCommerce — and what’s just hype. In this special 10-year anniversary AMA, Chloë fields listener questions covering the past, present, and future of the industry. If you’re a founder, marketer, or eCommerce professional trying to cut through the noise, this episode is your shortcut to the lessons that actually last. Huge thanks to all the listeners who submitted questions –  Janis Thomas, Look Fabulous Forever Edward Scott-Finnigan, Webinar Connoisseur Jamie Huskisson, JH (The Breakthrough Agency) Tony Sousan, Fractional CTO Tamsin Burford, Winternational Ski Wear for Women Kelly A. Mahoney, KleerMail Olivia Staub, Yotpo  Hit PLAY to hear: What hasn’t changed in eCommerce (and still drives sales) The tech that rewired the industry (hint: not AI) Why retention starts

Mike Turner is the founder and MD of Bird & Blend Tea Co. Developing, producing and selling the UK’s largest range of unique and exciting tea blends. Founded in 2012 Bird & Blend are on track to drive sales of £20million in the next year. They are selling internationally via their Shopify store, and via their 25 high street stores in the UK.  Hit PLAY to hear:  

Renee Cizel & Giorgia Rossi from Possum Play, sellers of the play sofa that transforms into 100s of different configurations! Founded in 2021 they now sell internationally via their 3 country specific Shopify stores, with 40,000 happy families loving the product already.  Hit PLAY to hear:  

Ira Guha is the founder at Asan Cup who are on a mission to eradicate period poverty and tampon waste with their innovative reusable menstrual cup. Designed and patented whilst Ira was a graduate student at Harvard, the business launched in 2021 and now serve around 10,000 customers a month via their Shopify site, Amazon and Wholesale.  Hit PLAY to hear: 

Dan Bond is the VP of Marketing at RevLifter, software that drives intelligent offers to boost your bottom line. Dan joins us to reveal how smart, data-driven promotions can increase conversions, raise AOV, and protect your margins — all without blanket discounting. If you're tired of giving away profits and ready to make your offers work smarter, this episode is a must-watch! Hit PLAY to hear: 

Rachel Hanretty is the founder and CEO at Mademoiselle Macaron, sellers of handmade luxury French macarons. Rachel’s grown the business from a market stall in 2013 to a 7-figure business. They now sell via their Shopify store to both DTC and B2B customers, via marketplaces like Not on the High Street, and about 40% of turnover is B2B sales.  Hit PLAY to hear: Why skyrocketing rent pushed Rachel to shut her shop—and scale faster The Shopify setup mistake that nearly broke their backend How freezing macarons unlocked 7-figure fulfillment The agency breakup that every ecommerce founder should learn from What finally pushed them to stop waiting and start selling proactively How French flair (and flavor) became their brand’s superpower  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [03:51] Shift from Storefront to Online Sales [07:54] Customizable Macaron Packaging Options [12:48] Consolidating Services Led to Conflict [16:19] Testing Separate Agency Strategies [20:09] Embracing French Roots in Business [21:55] Listen to Ra

Johanna Preston is the co-founder and co-designer at Preston Zly, creators of beautiful, unique, and powerful footwear for women who embody these same qualities. They sell via their Shopify store and physical showroom. Founded over 20 years ago they now do around $350,000 a year.  Hit PLAY to hear: How Johanna's shift from retail to eCommerce skyrocketed her sales

Nick Reed is the founder of Neem London, a men’s fashion brand focused on making climate-conscious clothing. He also has a phenomenal background in men’s fashion buying – he was instrumental in taking Charles Tyrwhitt from £10m to £200m. He spent 4 years driving buying efficiency at Moss Bros. Neem London was founded in 2021, and sells via its Shopify store & London shop. They now are doing £400-£500,000 a year.  Hit PLAY to hear: 

Tom White is the owner of The Best Backyard, an Australian eCommerce store selling outdoor kids play equipment, furniture and other garden products. Founded in 2020 Tom bought the business in 2024 and in 12 months has rocketed sales to nearly $2million.  Hit PLAY to hear: 

Laura Davies is the Founder of The Kid Collective. A UK based toys and parenting business, with eCommerce stores on BluePark and Shopify. Founded in 2008 they now process over 10,000 orders a month.  Hit PLAY to hear: 

Leslie Roumilhac is the Creative Director at eCommerce agency Limesharp. She’s also obsessed with researching best-in-class sustainability initiatives in eCommerce.  Hit PLAY to hear: 

Jules Haines is the founder at The Haines Collection. An award-winning circular interior design business specialising in fabrics and wall paper. Founded in 2020 they have now rehomed over 37,000 meters of textiles.  Hit PLAY to hear: 

Louise Doyle is the co-founder and CEO of needi. Who are revolutionising corporate gift giving via their Shopify eCommerce site. The website launched in 2021 and to date they’ve done £1.5 million in sales.  Hit PLAY to hear: How a corporate gift can make or break a business relationship

Jane Firth is the Sustainability Manager at Vegetarian Express. A B Corp with a Shopify B2B eCommerce store selling the largest range of plant-based ingredients for foodservice in the UK. Trusted by thousands of chefs and caterers, they have been in business since 1987 and sell over 1,200 products. They now do £23million in sales each year, of which £1.2million is transactions via eCommerce and other online ordering platforms.  Hit PLAY to hear: