How NOSHI’s Founder Took on Shark Tank and Won & Here’s How to Make TikTok and Meta Work for Your Brand This BFCM
Hello everyone, Rebecca here,
As you are reading with, I will be soon arriving at WestWorks, White City, London, for one of the biggest days in eCommerce.
DTC Live London of course.
If you're anything like me, you've probably attended more than a few industry events - some good, some... not so much.
What I love about DTC Live is the community. It's not just a room full of people handing out business cards - it's a space where real conversations happen.
With that being said, I’ll be sharing the stage with incredible brands, including Lucky Saint, Taskrabbit, Fushi, Whites Beaconsfield, You're Looking Well, Brass Monkey, Batch LDN, Bird & Blend, Raishma, Josh Wood Colour, NAYDAYA, Dash Water, Glow For It, Studio10, HSNF LTD, ShakeUp Cosmetics, Hoodrich, Crocus, WYRL Beauty Ltd, and the London Sock Company!
DTC Live would like to thank the incredible sponsors who make this event possible ?
Getida, Finch, Dataships, Sprint Logistics, Revend, Rainy City Agency - Award-Winning Shopify Plus Agency, Fam (Techstars '24), Genie Goals, GoKwik, ChaChing, Onepilot, Sweet Analytics, Cooee, LiveMeUp Video Commerce, Social Tale - TikTok Growth Agency, ShipBob, eComplete Group, Leaf, and Triple Whale.
Each and every one of them plays a vital role in helping to scale DTC brands, making a real difference in the industry.
Finally, a special shoutout to our HEADLINE SPONSOR, Quantcast.?
Their mission is to help businesses scale to the next level using the power of programmatic advertising. With their high-performance platform, Quantcast makes it simple to launch campaigns across multiple channels—whether it’s display, video, mobile, or CTV—enabling brands to reach the right audiences and drive real results.
Quantcast will be hosting a fireside chat with Taskrabbit to share their success story and how they used Quantcast’s platform to elevate their brand. Attendees will also get an exclusive live demo, showing just how easy it is to take their advertising strategy to the next level.?
And don’t miss out on the fun goodies they’ll be giving away!
Now let’s get into what’s hot in DTC this week!?
??How NOSHI’s Founder Took on Shark Tank and Won
??Slash your BFCM acquisition costs and bring 1.4x MORE customers back after by not paying card fees with Fam.
??Is Your E-Commerce Fulfilment Ready for Black Friday Success?
??PSA: It’s Not Too Late to Tweak Your Black Friday Offers!
??Here’s How to Make TikTok and Meta Work for Your Brand This BFCM
??Rainy City has got your back this BFCM!
How NOSHI’s Founder Took on Shark Tank and Won
Have you ever watched someone on Shark Tank and thought, How did they get there? That’s where Tomo’s story with NOSHI begins. He’s the founder of an organic kids' food company that’s on a mission to change the way children eat. The idea was to make mealtimes more enjoyable for kids - through edible paint. But Tomo didn’t just walk into the Tank – he started with a Kickstarter campaign, ran into setback after setback, and pushed forward with unstoppable determination.
Let’s get into it!
Tomo’s journey with NOSHI began in March 2015, when he launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $20,000. Looking back, he describes how “na?ve we were thinking that I was going to get this anywhere.” But just ten days into the campaign, he received a surprising email: Shark Tank was interested in NOSHI. He recalls, “I got an email from Shark Tank saying, ‘This is amazing. We want to put you on the show.’” The excitement was palpable, but there was one challenge: NOSHI was still just an idea.
With no product, packaging, or brand name, Tomo set out to bring NOSHI to life. He worked with a food scientist but the process was rocky. He describes how, in the middle of a sweltering New York summer, “he was sending me samples in the height of New York summer in unrefrigerated boxes and the product had separated in the heat and looked like salad dressing. A total disaster” Despite these early challenges, Tomo stayed focused, knowing that this was a rare opportunity to bring his vision to a national audience.
Just as things seemed to be moving forward, Tomo received disappointing news from Shark Tank: they couldn’t confirm his spot on the show because the product wasn’t shop-ready. This was a setback, and for the next seven years, he kept working on NOSHI, refining his vision and product. Then, in 2022, Tomo faced a personal crisis. His wife, who was the family’s primary breadwinner, was seriously ill with long COVID. Reflecting on this time, he recalls, “I suddenly realised that my wife might never work again: I needed to step up.”
Tomo decided to reach out to Shark Tank again, this time sharing not only NOSHI’s progress but also the personal challenges he was facing. His honesty resonated with the producers, who quickly offered him another shot. Within weeks, he was on calls with the production team, preparing for what he describes as “the biggest pitch of your life.”
Tomo remembers the rigorous preparation process. From June to August, he worked with his producers every week, rehearsing and refining his pitch. “They asked me to write a pitch. I wrote it, but then I thought, ‘I really did a good job,’ and they said, ‘We’re going to make a couple of quick changes,’” he recalls with a laugh. “They completely rewrote it, like they threw it in the bin.” The preparation was intense, but it helped him get ready for the moment he’d been waiting for.
Finally, standing in front of the Sharks, Tomo delivered his pitch. He shared NOSHI’s story, emphasising the mission behind the brand. And it worked. He secured a deal with Mark Cuban, which he describes as opening doors he “could never have imagined.”
With Cuban’s support, Tomo took NOSHI to the next level, expanding production and refining the product line. He recalls a key piece of advice from a Walmart buyer who said, “Look, your customer is a mum, and she almost literally runs through our store. She’s got a screaming kid in one hand. She’s late to collect another one from school. Make your product easy for her to spot, and to understand” This feedback helped him design products that are not only nutritious but also convenient for busy parents, including kid-friendly condiments that are easy to grab and use.
Tomo’s journey with NOSHI is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to making a difference. Today, NOSHI continues to expand, bringing healthy, organic options to children across the country.
Tomo’s story reminds us that great things are possible with enough determination and a willingness to face the challenges head-on.
Slash your BFCM acquisition costs and bring 1.4x MORE customers back after by not paying card fees with Fam
P.s Don’t forget to check out yesterday's webinar to learn more about last minute BFCM Success with Fam.
As a DTC brand, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the biggest opportunities of the year. But with the pressure to reduce costs and drive customer loyalty, it can feel like a real challenge to find the right strategies. Fam offers a game-changing solution, helping you cut acquisition costs, eliminate payment fees, and turn one-time buyers into loyal repeat customers. Intrigued? Let’s dive into how Fam can make this holiday season your most profitable yet!
Fam enables UK brands to process payments at 0% fees (forever) and uses those savings to reward customers with Store Credits on every purchase. Customers can then spend these credits only with your brand when they return to shop again. Fam only charges a small fee, if & when a customer returns to redeem their credits - making it a 100% pay-on-performance!
This means, your payment fees that were previously going to card companies are now being invested in your customers’ next purchase. Converting every order, into a potential double-purchase without the high CACs
Here’s why you should enable Fam NOW, to maximise your BFCM gains in November:
What to expect
??0% payment fees (forever)
??43% faster time-to-repurchase
??46% higher LTVs
By enabling Fam on your Shopify (or any other) store now, you’ll be able to maximise cost-savings and revenue leading up to, during and after BFCM this year.
Pro tip: DTC Live Newsletter Subscribers get a 100% off of their Fam fees until BFCM. Here’s how to get in touch with the folks at Fam:
Website: https://joinfam.com
Book a demo: https://tinyurl.com/fam-demo
Email: [email protected]
We Want to Hear from You!
Every week, we will be including a survey - all answers are anonymous so we can better understand the challenges brands are facing and best adapt the content, TIPS and TRICKS we provide in the newsletter, as well as all other educational resources.
Todays Survey
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Is Your E-Commerce Fulfilment Ready for Black Friday Success?
As Black Friday draws near, it’s time to gear up for one of the biggest shopping events of the year!
While it’s a fantastic opportunity to boost sales, it also brings a fair share of challenges. From managing stock to ensuring smooth shipping, there’s a lot to stay on top of.
Here’s what to watch out for, a CHECKLIST along with ACTIONABLE TIPS to help your business sail through the season.
Prepare for Increased Order Volume
Black Friday means a surge in customer demand, so staying ahead of it is essential. Make sure you’ve got enough stock, your customer service team is ready for quick responses, and your website can handle the traffic. Planning now will help you avoid missed sales and keep customers happy!
Tip: Test your backend systems to ensure they can handle the increased load. Better to be prepared than overwhelmed!
领英推荐
Optimise Your Website for Speed
A slow website can mean missed sales. Customers won’t wait around if your site lags, so make sure it’s optimised for speed. This keeps shoppers engaged and encourages them to complete their purchases.
Tip: Consider temporary improvements, such as bandwidth upgrades, to keep things running smoothly. Every second counts!
Simplify the Checkout Process
A streamlined checkout experience can make a big difference on Black Friday. Reduce the number of steps, offer guest checkout, and provide multiple payment options. A simplified process means fewer abandoned carts and more completed sales.
Offer Flexible Shipping
Fast and flexible shipping can set you apart on Black Friday. Offer a range of options, and clearly communicate shipping timelines to manage customer expectations. The more choices you provide, the more likely you are to meet customer needs.
Prepare for Post-Sale Support
Black Friday doesn’t end once the sales come in! You’ll likely see a rise in enquiries and returns, so make sure your customer service team is ready to handle them efficiently. Quick responses and clear communication help maintain a positive experience for customers after the sale.
Tip: Equip your team with resources to answer common questions about shipping, returns, and product details. This helps you stay one step ahead!
Partner with Sprint Logistics for a Successful Black Friday
With all the demands of Black Friday, having a reliable logistics partner can make a world of difference. Sprint Logistics is experienced in helping e-commerce brands manage high-volume orders during peak seasons, making them the ideal partner for your Black Friday needs.
Here’s how they can help your business thrive:
Interested in learning more? Get in touch with Sprint Logistics to find out how we can support your Black Friday success!
0208 751 1111
PSA: It’s Not Too Late to Tweak Your Black Friday Offers!
With Black Friday just around the corner, there’s still time to fine-tune your offers and make them irresistible without compromising your brand or margins. While deep discounts are enticing, they need to be strategically aligned with your profitability. Take a moment to review your margins before rolling out any offers to ensure you’re not giving too much away.
Focus on your hero products and top-performing bundles to craft the most compelling deals. These are your heavy hitters, and showcasing them will make your offers more impactful and appealing to your audience.
Here are some offer ideas to consider:
Discounts: Simple and effective, but make sure they align with your margins.
Gift with Purchase (GWP): Encourage higher spending by offering a free item with a qualifying purchase.
Bundle Deals: Increase cart value by grouping best-sellers into exclusive bundles.
Buy More, Save More: Reward customers for purchasing in larger quantities with bigger savings.
Mystery Product Upsells: Add excitement with a surprise product that enhances the purchase experience.
Fine-tuning your offers with these tactics can help you maximise sales while staying true to your brand!
Here’s How to Make TikTok and Meta Work for Your Brand This BFCM
Brands know they need to be on TikTok, but where do you start? Join us on October 21st at 12 PM for a practical session on how to make TikTok work for your brand, with insights on creative strategies and digital marketing to boost your Black Friday & Cyber Monday sales!
Introducing Social Tale—Ashley Wright’s agency that’s helped brands generate millions on TikTok. Whether it’s creator partnerships or organic content, Social Tale knows how to blend entertainment and commerce for big results.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Meet the Speakers:
Ashley Wright - Founder of Social Tale
Ashley Wright, founder of Social Tale, has generated over $80,000,000 on TikTok for top brands over the past two years. Social Tale helps brands succeed on TikTok Shop, blending entertainment and commerce for strong engagement and sales. With strategic campaigns, a network of 500+ creators, and data-driven insights, Social Tale has achieved $1.5M+ in monthly sales for clients like Surreal. Whether brands are just starting or ready to scale, Social Tale drives growth through targeted ads, organic content, live sessions, and expert customer engagement.
James Jago - Meta Paid Ads Manager at Rainy City Agency
James is expert in digital advertising, specifically in managing Meta ads. He has spearheaded strategies that generated over $9 million in profitable sales through Meta Ads. James' approach combines deep knowledge of digital marketing and buyer psychology, which has led to breaking revenue records in previous roles, including with the Financial Times where he managed large-scale commercial events.
Don’t miss out on this chance to gain actionable insights for Q4 success! Register now and get your brand holiday-ready!
Upcoming Events to Join!
Achieving BFCM Success on TikTok | October 21st | 12pm - 1pm
Best In Fashion Brand Dinner | October 29th
Annual Planning Brand Retreat in Gran Canaria | January 22nd - 25th
November Gamechangers | 14th November ?
Rainy City has got your back this BFCM!
We know you’re probably neck-deep in BFCM prep right now, but we’ve got news that might just make your day and your Q4 strategy. We’ve joined forces with 9 other e-commerce pros for something pretty special.
We’re giving 5 lucky DTC brands a chance to win a serious tech and service upgrade. We’re talking ￡20K in value here.? Here’s the scoop on what you could win:
3-month premium tech stack (Oct-Dec)
AND
Exclusive marketing agency services from top companies
And remember, if you win, you get the whole shebang for free.
The giveaway ends on October 17th at 11:59 PM EST. That’s just 24 hours away!
Don’t let this chance slip by. This could be your ticket to crushing it this holiday season and learning from the best in the biz!?
P.S. Winners will be announced on October 18th in a live-streaming event.
That's it for this week!?
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