Ecommerce Playbook: Numbers, Struggles & Growth

Discover the next chapter in Common Thread Collective’s story as Taylor Holiday takes you behind the scenes of our 12-year journey from a tiny IKEA furnished office and our first Facebook ad experiments with QALO, to the seismic shifts of COVID and our reinvention as a “profit agency.”  In this special episode of the podcast, you’ll hear: * How CTC evolved from a passion project into a mission-driven agency focused on connecting marketing efforts to real financial outcomes * The cultural transformation that refocused us on customer experience and shareholder value * The story behind our strategic growth partnership with Acacia—and what it means for our technology roadmap and your bottom line Show Notes: * Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.com [http://prophitsystem.com] * Common Thread listeners get $250 by depositing $5,000 or spending $5,000 using the Mercury IO credit card within your first 90 days (or do both for $500) at mercury.com/ctc [http://mercury.com/ctc].! * The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com [podcast@commonthreadco.com] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm * Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group [https://co-mercury-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/legal/Choice+-+Mercury+Deposit+Program+Disclosure+Statement+-+05_01_24.pdf], Column, N.A. [https://column.com/legal/sweep-program-network-banks], and Evolve Bank & Trust [https://co-mercury-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/legal/Evolve+-+Deposit+Program+Custodial+Agreement+-+12_21_22.pdf], Members FDIC.  * The IO Card is issued by Patriot Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard. Learn more about cashback [https://mercury.com/credit]. * Working capital loans provided by Mercury Lending, LLC NMLS ID [https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/]: 2606284.

In this episode of the podcast, we dismantle the old school attribution windows holding your ad strategy hostage and reveal a simple framework for measuring true incremental ROAS. What you’ll discover: * Why standard “7-day click” and “1-day view” settings both mislead you * How to run a zero cost geo holdout test for real incremental data * When to stick with your current settings and how to apply a correction factor * What Meta’s new incremental conversion optimization means for your campaigns * Building one unified measurement system to compare Facebook, Google, and beyond Ready to see your real ROI? Run your free holdout study now at commonthreadco.com/pages/incrementality [http://commonthreadco.com/pages/incrementality] and stop guessing. Show Notes: * Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.com [http://prophitsystem.com] * Common Thread listeners get $250 by depositing $5,000 or spending $5,000 using the Mercury IO credit card within your first 90 days (or do both for $500) at mercury.com/ctc [http://mercury.com/ctc].! * The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com [podcast@commonthreadco.com] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm * Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group [https://co-mercury-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/legal/Choice+-+Mercury+Deposit+Program+Disclosure+Statement+-+05_01_24.pdf], Column, N.A. [https://column.com/legal/sweep-program-network-banks], and Evolve Bank & Trust [https://co-mercury-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/legal/Evolve+-+Deposit+Program+Custodial+Agreement+-+12_21_22.pdf], Members FDIC.  * The IO Card is issued by Patriot Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard. Learn more about cashback [https://mercury.com/credit]. * Working capital loans provided by Mercury Lending, LLC NMLS ID [https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/]: 2606284.

Is your brand feeling the squeeze? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, we break down three essential moves every DTC and ecommerce brand must make to survive—and thrive—amid rising bankruptcy rates and tightening capital markets. You’ll learn: * Why capital constraints are killing growth—and how to turn your supplier into a lender * How to generate organic demand by tapping into pop culture and community * The critical Q4 inventory planning strategy that could save your cash flow We’re seeing a tale of two cities in ecommerce: brands that are scaling and brands that are dying. This episode gives you the playbook to land in the first group. Show Notes: * Go to https://bit.ly/4mFOWa1 [https://bit.ly/4mFOWa1] to get 20% off your first 3 months of Omnisend with code CTC20. * Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.com [http://prophitsystem.com] * The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com [podcast@commonthreadco.com] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm * Watch the Andrew Faris Podcast: https://youtu.be/F0u0JF8ogSc?si=N0pII8Fxdvc8pg8I [https://youtu.be/F0u0JF8ogSc?si=N0pII8Fxdvc8pg8I]

Ecommerce brands are quietly shutting their doors, but what's really behind this sudden wave of closures? In this episode, we dive deep into exclusive industry data, consumer trends, and expert analysis to uncover what's truly happening behind the scenes in the ecommerce space.Join our panel of industry experts as we reveal: * Why more brands than ever are filing for bankruptcy. * The surprising trends impacting consumer spending. * How major economic factors like tariffs and inflation are shaping the industry. * Which brands are thriving—and who's at greatest risk. Don't get caught off guard. Watch now to discover what's happening, why it's critical for your brand, and how you can adapt to survive (and even thrive) during this turbulent time in ecommerce. * Sign up for a 30 day trial and TaxCloud will give you free migration onboarding services when you decide to make the switch. Check it out at taxcloud.com/thread [http://taxcloud.com/thread] * Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.com [http://prophitsystem.com] * The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com [podcast@commonthreadco.com] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

Are you building a resilient brand or just delaying the inevitable? In this episode of the Podcast, we tackle six hard hitting questions every founder and operator needs to answer right now. From survival mode decision making to brand building under pressure, we break down what separates strong, adaptable brands from those on the edge of collapse. Topics We Cover: * When to cut (and when to protect) your marketing spend * How to justify brand investments under financial pressure * What “healthy” CAC efficiency actually looks like * Why some business models won't survive 2025 * The biggest mistake brands make in market downturns * When it's okay to walk away from your business Whether you're slashing CAC, navigating a P&L crisis, or questioning your business model entirely this episode is your gut check. Show Notes: * Go to https://bit.ly/4mFOWa1 [https://bit.ly/4mFOWa1] to get 20% off your first 3 months of Omnisend with code CTC20. * Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.com [http://prophitsystem.com] * The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com [podcast@commonthreadco.com] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm