12/10/25

Episode Summary

🎙️ What the episode is about

 * The episode is actually the host — Scott Austin of JadePuma — being interviewed on another podcast, where he reflects on running a Shopify-focused agency, his career journey, and what it takes to build a sustainable ecommerce business.
 * Scott describes how JadePuma serves mostly smaller or early-stage Shopify stores — founders and small teams, rather than big brands. He emphasizes his preference to work directly with decision-makers.

🔎 Key Themes & Lessons

 * Running a Shopify-only agency — Scott explains why he chose to focus exclusively on Shopify (vs. other platforms or marketplaces): because Shopify offers flexibility, control over your storefront, and strong infrastructure.
 * Consistency and work ethic over “overnight success” — He warns against the “get-rich-quick” narratives. According to Scott, building a successful ecommerce business — or agency — takes persistent effort, long hours, and gradual progression.
 * The hardest part is often customer acquisition and growth scaling — Scott says that while product creation or building the website/platform may seem hard, finding customers (and then retaining them) is the real, ongoing challenge.
 * One flexible theme + repeatable processes = scalability across niches — He claims that using a single well-known theme (in his case a “Flex” theme) and mastering it lets him quickly deploy stores across various industries, without needing different themes for each niche.
 * Growth comes from cumulative daily effort, not shortcuts — He shares a real client example whose revenue multiplied ~20× over a few years. The key: sticking with a plan, iterating consistently — even when progress seems slow — instead of chasing quick wins or marketing hype.

✅ Main Takeaway

Scott’s core message: building a Shopify-based business (or agency) is “hard work.” It’s not glamorous or immediate success. It requires discipline, consistency, honest effort over the long haul. There are no shortcuts — but with steady execution, small wins compound over time.

Show Links

- Badgezilla: https://apps.shopify.com/badgezilla

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-174-this-shopify-stuff-is-hard-work

Episode 174 - This Shopify Stuff is Hard Work

11/26/25

Episode Summary

Host Scott Austin interviews his business partner Charles Swayne about how app-development for Shopify has matured—especially via the newer “extension only” app model released in 2023.  They cover the differences between public apps, private apps, and extension-only apps, and share real-world examples of how these new capabilities are being used to solve client problems more cost-effectively.

Show Links 

 * Discount Code Report - http://seguno.com/unique-discount-code-benchmarks 
 * Cara - cara@seguno.com 
 * Becky - becky@caddislife.com 

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-173-discount-codes-in-shopify

Episode 173 - Discount Codes in Shopify

11/12/25

Episode Summary

Host Scott Austin interviews his business partner Charles Swayne about how app-development for Shopify has matured—especially via the newer “extension only” app model released in 2023.  They cover the differences between public apps, private apps, and extension-only apps, and share real-world examples of how these new capabilities are being used to solve client problems more cost-effectively.

Show Links 



 * Charles Swayne - https://jadepuma.com/charles
 * Linear Shopping Experiences - https://apps.shopify.com/linear-shopping-experience

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-172-shopify-app-development-just-got-easier

Episode 172 - Shopify App Development Just Got Easier

10/29/25

Episode Summary

Scott Austin reviews three real Shopify stores and shares practical insights on what makes a store effective — and where many fall short. He looks at design, navigation, product presentation, branding, and storytelling, highlighting simple changes that can improve trust, clarity, and conversion. It’s a hands-on episode full of actionable tips for anyone who wants to make their Shopify store look better and sell more.

Show Links 

Stores reviewed:

 * YumEarth - https://yumearth.com/products/organic-fruit-snacks-variety-box
 * Truly Good Foods - https://shop.trulygoodfoods.com/products/berry-good-120-pack-1-5oz-mini-snack-bags
 * Ella's Flats - https://ellasflats.com/products/ellas-flats-everything-snack-packs



 * Badgezilla - https://apps.shopify.com/badgezilla 

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-171-lets-review-some-shopify-stores

Episode 171 - Let's Review some Shopify Stores

10/15/25

Episode Summary

The host, Scott Austin, interviews filmmaker Jake Isham on how to use video as a storytelling tool for brands and e-commerce stores.

💡 Key Takeaways

Why video matters for e-commerce & brand building

 * Jake argues that video is one of the strongest ways to convey brand identity, build trust, and engage audiences — especially because good video content can attract attention in a crowded space. 

What makes a video “great”

 * Uniqueness and visual hooks are crucial to grab attention. 
 * Use storytelling over just listing specs — focus on the problem your product solves and the emotions around it. 
 * Speak your customer’s language. Use their words when describing their pain points or needs. 

Experimentation is key

 * You might not know up front which video concept will “stick,” so try multiple versions and see what resonates. 

Practical advice for smaller brands / DIYers

 * Many small brands start using just their phone and free editing software. 
 * Be realistic about the time investment needed for shooting, editing, and refining video work. 
 * Distribute videos broadly: YouTube is emphasized (as the 2nd largest search engine) and has SEO benefits beyond just a video channel. 

Show Links 

 * Website - https://www.jakeisham.com/
 * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeisham/
 * Brand-It! Calendar - https://apps.shopify.com/brand-it-calendar 

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-170-storytelling-with-video

Episode 170 - Storytelling with Video

10/1/25

Episode Summary

The episode stresses that video content is essential for Shopify brands—without it, you risk being invisible. Guest Sonja from Partly Sunny Projects shows how authentic, consistent TikTok videos (often cross-posted to Instagram and YouTube Shorts) build brand identity and engagement.

Key points:

 * Video differentiates your brand when products are commoditized.
 * Consistency beats perfection—Sonja made thousands of trial videos before finding her rhythm.
 * Keep it simple—a phone and in-app editing are enough.
 * Focus on engagement and branding, not just hard sales or vanity metrics.

Takeaway: Start making videos now. Authenticity and persistence matter more than polish.

Show Links 

 * Partly Sunny Projects - https://partlysunnyprojects.com/ 
 * Badgezilla - https://apps.shopify.com/badgezilla 

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-169-create-videos-or-fail 

Episode 169 - Create Videos or Fail

9/17/25 - Episode 168

Episode Summary

See how Shopify store owners can use custom theme code to add missing features or enhance their store’s functionality. Host Scott Austin shares real client examples from recent projects to demonstrate small but impactful theme edits—like hiding product photos, making product forms full-width, and customizing experiences when using product options apps. The episode emphasizes that while themes are flexible, adding custom code can efficiently and cost-effectively address unique business needs. 

Show Links 

Pom-Bell

 * https://pombells.com/products/build-your-own 

Tee Box Dice 

 * https://teeboxdice.com/

Emerson Knives

 * https://www.emersonknives.com/products/cqc-7b

Pilot Test Charts

 * https://pilottestcharts.com/products/rec-test-chart-long-beach 

Bixby Chocolate

 * https://bixbychocolate.com/products/bixby-chocolate-advent-calendar

Scorpion Percussion

 * https://scorpionpercussion.com/pages/drumsticks
 * https://scorpionpercussion.com/products/your-band-work-shirt

Linear Shopping Experiences

 * https://apps.shopify.com/linear-shopping-experience

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-168-diy-shopify-add-missing-features-with-theme-code 

Episode 168 - DIY Shopify: Adding Missing Features with Theme Code

9/3/25 - Episode 167

Episode Summary

This episode explores Google’s NotebookLM as a “source-grounded” AI assistant that turns your own docs, URLs, videos, and transcripts into actionable insights—useful for Shopify brands that need synthesis over generic brainstorming. Scott contrasts NotebookLM with general chatbots, then shows real-world uses (client “second-brain” notebooks, podcast topic gap analysis, and a property manual knowledge base). He closes with eight ecommerce applications (from competitive intel to FAQs and content repurposing) and a reminder to treat AI as a powerful tool in a human-driven workflow. 

Quick takeaways:
- What it is: an AI note-taking/analysis tool that only cites your provided sources, reducing hallucinations. 
- Real examples: memory cache for client work, podcast gap analysis, and support answers for a short-term rental. 
- Shopify uses: competitive research, support knowledge base, SEO/content strategy, market research, product copy, FAQs, and content repurposing. 
- Mindset: don’t treat AI like an employee—use it as a tool and keep human judgment in the loop.

Show Links 

 * Notebook LM - https://notebooklm.google.com/
 * Notebook LM Podcast of Notebook LM Research - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-167-notebook-lm-an-ai-assistant-for-shopify-success#auto-podcast
 * Gemini - https://gemini.google.com/app
 * Google Workspace - https://workspace.google.com/
 * Google Meet - https://meet.google.com/
 * Flex Theme Sections - https://apps.shopify.com/flex-theme-sections

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-167-notebook-lm-an-ai-assistant-for-shopify-success 

Episode 167 - NotebookLM, an AI Assistant for Shopify Success

8/20/25 - Episode 166

Episode Summary

TL;DR Summary

Small brands should delay ad spend until product-market fit is proven (around 100 sales). Focus on Google and Meta ads, understanding the difference between search-driven intent and interruption-based discovery. Video ads are essential and can be created cheaply and reused across platforms. Expect technical setup hurdles with ad platforms, but the payoff is worthwhile. Finally, keep control early, and only outsource when you find the right partner.

Episode Highlights

1. Speed & Agility of Small Brands

 * Small brands can move quickly, test ideas, and pivot without bureaucracy.
 * Direct access to decision-makers allows rapid experimentation and execution.

2. Start Only After Market Fit

 * Secure product-market fit first.
 * A common milestone: get your first 100 sales before spending on ads.
 * Those initial sales usually take more effort than the next 900.

3. Intent vs. Interruption Ads

 * Intent-based ads (Google Shopping, PPC): best when customers are actively searching.
 * Interruption-based ads (social media, video): best for creating awareness of unknown products.
 * The most effective starting platforms: Google and Meta (Facebook/Instagram).

4. Video & Creative

 * Nearly all small e-commerce brands should use video, but very few do.
 * One raw video can be repurposed into multiple versions (different voiceovers, subtitles, edits).
 * Video is more forgiving than text or photos—mistakes are less noticeable.

5. Leverage Resources Across Platforms

 * Creative made for one channel (e.g., Amazon infographics) can be reused across other platforms.

6. Setup Complexity

 * Running Google ads requires multiple integrations: Shopify, Analytics, Merchant Center, and Ads.
 * The setup can be tedious, but once done, it’s smooth to maintain.

7. Other Key Takeaways

 * Be aware of pitfalls when copying strategies from big brands.
 * Track effectiveness with metrics like ROAS and conversion attribution.
 * Budget realistically and allow time for optimization.
 * Hire agencies carefully—better to start in-house and only bring on partners when aligned.

Show Links

 * PPC Pitbulls Checklist - https://www.ppcpitbulls.com/shopify
 * Badgezilla - Trust Badges & Icons - https://apps.shopify.com/badgezilla

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-166-ad-strategies-for-small-brands

Episode 166 - Ad Strategies for Small Brands

8/13/25 - Episode 165

Episode Summary

In this episode, Scott Austin speaks with Sean McCarthy from Customers.ai, a customer acquisition expert, to explore how eCommerce brands can significantly grow revenue through paid ads. They present a case study of a brand that scaled from $90K to $250K in monthly revenue within months through a strategic, data-driven advertising approach.

Key Takeaways:

 * Customer Acquisition Strategy: The brand initially had poor ad performance with low ROAS. Sean implemented a structured acquisition strategy, moving from ad-hoc efforts to a deliberate, customer-centric funnel.
 * Channel Shifts: They started with Facebook and Instagram but shifted toward Google Ads, which better targeted high-intent customers searching for barefoot shoes—leading to improved performance.
 * Attribution and Analytics: A key to success was using an attribution platform to accurately measure and connect performance across Facebook, Google, Klaviyo, and Shopify.
 * Content and Creative: Success required high-quality, lifestyle content (not just product shots). This was repurposed across platforms to test various creatives and learn what resonated.
 * Testing and Iteration: The team tested many ad types (videos, slideshows, etc.). They emphasized learning over failure—understanding what doesn’t work is as valuable as knowing what does.
 * Indicators for Scaling Ads: Brands should consider paid ads when they have strong fundamentals like a high repeat customer rate (e.g., 25%) and solid conversion rates. These suggest a strong product/market fit.
 * Advice on Hiring Agencies: Sean advises brand owners to learn the basics and run ads themselves first before hiring an agency. Agencies should be focused on optimizing spend—not just scaling budget quickly.

Final Message:
Investing in paid ads can drive rapid growth—but only if it’s done strategically. It requires time, money, tracking, testing, and good creative. Start small, build a foundation, and scale intentionally.

Show Links 

 * Shawn McCarthy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnwmccarthy/
 * Customers.ai - https://customers.ai/
 * Linear Shopping Experiences - https://apps.shopify.com/linear-shopping-experience


Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-165-revenue-growth-through-ads

Episode 165 - Revenue Growth Through Ads

Want to get the most out of your Shopify business? Listen to the Shopify Solutions Podcast to get concrete examples and recommendations on how to build and grow your eCommerce business. Hosted by Scott Austin, owner of JadePuma [https://jadepuma.com], a Shopify-focussed agency. Scott has decades of e-commerce business with the biggest companies and the smallest stores and everything in-between.

Scott Austin

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