Limited Supply Nik Sharma & Moiz Ali
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- Business
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So many DTC brands think nice PR is more important than honesty. But that’s not us.
We're Nik & Moiz, and we're tired of all the hot air in our industry. This podcast is the behind-the-scenes conversation that gets to the heart of what DTC is really like.
Nik Sharma founded Sharma Brands, and Moiz Ali’s company Native was acquired by P&G for $100M. We have no reason not to call people out, and share our spicy takes. This is the conversation you won’t hear anywhere else, with two of the most experienced names in the industry.
We’ll be diving deep into industry moves, autopsies on failed brands, and why we’re investing in certain companies. Episodes drop every Wednesday. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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S8 E7: Clever Retention Strategies and the Power of Corporate Gifting
Welcome back!
This week on Limited Supply, Nik and Moiz dive into the world of customer retention and win-back strategies. They discuss the success of Sephora's loyalty program and how it keeps customers engaged and coming back for more.
The boys also explore the potential of corporate gifting as a powerful sales channel and highlight brands like Cadence that are excelling in this area.
You won't want to miss out!
Streamline your entire operations process, from accounting and order management to inventory and warehouse management, manufacturing production, and EDI integration. Providing a single source of truth for your business, Fulfil offers real-time insights, automates tedious tasks, and ensures you never miss a sale. Learn more at https://www.fulfil.io
00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:43 - Sephora's Price Matching and Loyalty
00:08:40 - Direct-to-Consumer Brands Struggle with Marketing
00:11:41 - Brands Create Desired Attendee Experiences
00:13:38 - Clever Strategies for Retention and Win Back
00:16:51 - Using Text Sales to Boost Supplement Value
00:22:46 - Corporate Gifting: A Lucrative Sales Channel
00:27:49 - Creating Successful Program Tiers for Organizations
00:33:44 - Beware of New Demand Letter Scam
00:41:33 - Exploring Retail: Questions for You
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.
Follow Nik:
Twitter: twitter.com/mrsharma
Follow Moiz:
Twitter: twitter.com/moizali -
S8 E6: Racist or Righteous? Unpacking the Hate Against Chinese Companies
We can’t escape TikTok Shop, and chances are good neither can you. But is it actually working for the brands that are using it? And what does their AoV look like?
Nik also breaks down TikTok Shop’s shift to QVC-like ads as the boys debate the latest trends and happenings in TikTok Shop. How much do affiliates get paid anyway?
But let’s get down to brass tacks—because the guys are wondering whether or not the US government is trying to ban Shein for legitimate reasons or if they’re just plain racist against Chinese companies. Sure they might have a case for banning TikTok, but is there any merit to restricting the fast fashion empire from selling products in the US? Is Shein sourcing its raw materials from dubious sources or is it all just a bunch of smoke without fire?
Then, Nik and Moiz make the case for why DTC businesses need to start looking outside the US market for sales. Why aren’t more brands considering selling in other countries? And how come most marketing agencies aren’t interested in bringing brands to other nations?
Plus, Moiz unleashes the smartest business idea he’s ever had… or the dumbest idea he’s ever had. Take your pick.
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.
00:00:38 - Live Streams Focused on Products
00:06:46 - TikTok Embraces Live Streaming Trend
00:12:27 - How TikTok Customizes Comments Algorithm
00:14:48 - US Government Targets Chinese Businesses
00:20:57 - Expanding Internationally
00:22:13 - Europe Dominates Amazon US Traffic
00:25:02 - Opportunities for Brands in Amazon
00:28:31 - Creating a Business for GLP Medications
Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.
Follow Nik:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma
Follow Moiz:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali -
S8 E5: Cart Promo Hacks, Old School vs. New School DTC Brands, and Capitalizing on Private Labels
Who can possibly resist the “add two more leggings to your cart—and get the third one free” offer?
Nik and Moiz discuss the power of cart promos—what do the best offers look like, and what are the game-changing moves brands are taking to capitalize on cart deals? They dive into the curious case of Halara, and unravel how the influencer-based brand leveraged cart deals, TikTok, and influencers to compete with the likes of Shein and Fashion Nova.
Then the guys break down the rise of new DTC brands—what sets companies like Strawberry Milk Mob and Crown Affair apart from their predecessors like Warby Parker and Bonobos? How has the DTC landscape changed so drastically in such a short period of time? Is this the death of huge campaigns and the shift to slow audience validation?
And later, Nik wonders whether there’s room for companies to start utilizing private label brands more often. Is there a world where a franchising type of mindset can work for DTC? Or has Nik completely lost his mind?
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.
Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.
Follow Nik:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma
Follow Moiz:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali -
S8 E4: The Dirty Truth About Fad Products (We're Looking at You, Prime Energy)
Polish up your POG collection because Moiz is still trying to pawn off his slammer at an absurdly high price to anyone gullible enough to buy it.
In this week’s ep, the guys debate the sustainability of fad businesses. What’s the lifespan of the average fad—and is it wise to hop on the bandwagon before it dies out? Nik and Moiz break down the ways to build a sustainable and discuss whether or not brands like Prime Energy and Stanley are poised to fade into oblivion soon.
The boys also explore the pain points of distribution in the beverage world and the potential pitfalls of private equity takeovers. Is there any way a brand won’t go to shit after a private equity takeover? Does flooding the market with knock-off fad products ever work?
And later, the guys dive into the latest trends in social media marketing, including the difficulty of going viral through TikTok shops, building a timeline for CRO changes, and outwitting the competition by dominating the funnel on Google Maps.
00:01:04 - Protein Shake Brand Acquired for $280M
00:07:00 - Private Equity's Impact on Wellness Industry
00:13:39 - Prime Sales Decline
00:20:51 - Stanley Cup: Fad or Sustainable?
00:23:49 - Building Businesses on Fads: The Truth
00:31:30 - TikTok Shops Increase Revenue Cuts
00:43:11 - Cutthroat Lead Gen Strategy
00:47:24 - Innovative Furniture Company with Local Tryouts
00:49:42 - Business Timeline Creation: A Must-Have
00:55:03 - Private Label Brands and TikTok Marketing
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.
Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.
Follow Nik:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma
Follow Moiz:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali -
S8 E3: Analytics vs. Creative: Which Matters More? with Nood’s VP of Marketing Bryan Cano
Nik’s live from the Whalies and talking to one of DTC’s brightest minds—Nood’s VP of Marketing, Bryan Cano.
In this jam-packed special episode, Bryan and Nik unravel marketing’s greatest mysteries. Are analytics marketing’s best attempt at science-ing the shit out of great creative? Are analytics mostly BS or are they the greatest tool in your DTC marketing belt? And if they are, what’s the #1 message you should be taking away from your analytics?
Bryan also uncorks the secrets of scaling Nood from $0 to $60 million in less than two years. How did doubling down on TikTok pay dividends for the nascent company? And what are the platforms Bryan swears by?
Plus, stay tuned as he and Nik field questions from the audience and unpack the virtues of being more methodical, balancing your ROAS and MER, and avoiding TikTok ad fatigue.
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.
00:01:07 - Nood’s Journey to $60 Million
00:02:29 - TikTok Spending Strategy for Success
00:04:26 - Using Different Attribution Models in Marketing
00:09:11 - Diversifying Channels: TikTok vs. Meta
00:12:25 - Understanding Media Consumption for Effective Advertising
00:14:46 - Avoid Wasting Money on Clicks
00:18:45 - Building a Resilient Brand with Press
00:20:27 - Optimizing In-Store Sales with Budget
00:25:21 - Optimizing Tech Stack for Brand Success
00:28:19 - Landing Page Testing Platform Recommendations
00:29:40 - Audience Q&A Session
Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.
Follow Bryan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryancano/
Follow Nik:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma
Follow Moiz:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali -
S8 E2: How an Investor Thinks About an IPO (& Dirty Tricks for Founders to Beat Them at Their Own Game)
How did category-leading brands like Caraway and Mejuri rise to rapid DTC success? Nik and Moiz break apart the brand playbook and dive into Facebook’s top suggestions for creating more effective ads. How can celebrity testimonials and advertorials take your brand to the next level?
Then, find out exactly how investors think about IPOs. Moiz analyzes the biggest conflicts of the founder-investor relationship when it comes to going public. What do you need to know to protect your own interests?
And finally, Nik and Moiz break down the fastest-growing shopping categories in the Meta landscape, discussing the value of various brands in the e-commerce space and dissecting the different ways they can be acquired or go public.
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.
00:01:02 - Amazon's Use of Anonymous Tracking
00:05:46 - Heat Map: Revenue-Driven Analytics Tool
00:07:29 - Absurdly High Valuations for Software Companies
00:13:20 - CEO-Investor Incentive Disconnect at IPO
00:17:20 - Fastest Growing Meta Categories Revealed
00:21:23 - Predicting Mattress Conversion Rates and AOV
00:23:57 - Utilizing Celebrity Testimonials in Marketing
00:26:17 - Experiment with Colors and Models for Audience Reach
00:28:48 - Facebook's Approval: Analyzing CPM Trends
00:33:33 - Building Category Leading Brands in Marketing
Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.
Customer Reviews
Great convos
Love these chats. Fun and also specific. For any consumer business you’re building, they provide a good starting point for what questions to ask and how to evaluate marketing model.
These guys are the best .
The best podcast ever
Moiz Ali is a D2C deity
Would like for him to advise all my D2C investments and all my investments and all my decisions. Moiz is the best.