Eric Bandholz

1 week ago | practicalecommerce.com | Eric Bandholz

Sally Wilson is a lawyer turned craft entrepreneur. She’s also an involved mother who shares her business and passions with two kids. She says being a great mom doesn’t mean sacrificing who you are. Sally launched Caterpillar Cross Stitch a decade ago from her home in England. Fast forward to 2025, and her company has 12 employees, selling cross-stitch supplies, courses, and events to customers worldwide.

2 weeks ago | practicalecommerce.com | Eric Bandholz

As a kid, Brett Curry was fascinated by TV commercials. Now the owner of OMG Commerce, an ecommerce marketing agency, he says YouTube ads are similar. “A good TV ad often makes a good YouTube ad,” he told me. I asked for details. What’s a good YouTube ad strategy for ecommerce? How much should an advertiser spend? Which products work the best? Brett addressed those questions and more in our recent conversation. Our entire audio is embedded below. The transcript is edited for length and clarity.

3 weeks ago | practicalecommerce.com | Eric Bandholz

Instead of interviewing a guest for this week’s “Ecommerce Conversations,” I’m offering another master class on entrepreneurship. It’s my fourth this year, following episodes on hiring, branding, and profit-building. My goal is to help other existing and future entrepreneurs based on operating Beardbrand, my direct-to-consumer company, for a decade now. This installment is my most important master class to date. It’s about stepping back and setting priorities for business and life.

4 weeks ago | practicalecommerce.com | Eric Bandholz

Raphael Schneider launched Gentleman’s Gazette in 2010 as a blog for men’s style and apparel. He added his own product line in 2013, selling menswear and accessories. He emphasizes quality in clothing and content. His YouTube channel, launched in 2015, remains essential for traffic and conversions, owing, he says, to the quality of the videos. “Ten years from now, someone can still benefit from a video we produce today,” he told me. Raphael first appeared on the podcast in 2018.

1 month ago | practicalecommerce.com | Eric Bandholz

For $60, Bob DeMars’s company, Blind Barrel, will ship a package of four craft-distilled whiskey samples, unmarked, with a tasting glass. Recipients can then try them and guess the whiskey type, age, and proof. It’s a game using Blind Barrel’s app, preferably with friends. Participants can purchase entire bottles at discounted prices. Bob launched the business in 2021 from his base in California. In our recent conversation, he addressed the company’s growth, marketing tactics, legalities, and more.