In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) dive into one of the biggest challenges for early-stage founders: How to validate and launch a new product in just 30 days—with a limited budget and no fluff. What you’ll learn in this episode: Validate Before You Create: How to test product ideas fast with real customer fee...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 54
In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) dive deep into the psychology of the purchase —unpacking how different generations shop, scroll, and swipe their way through the modern DTC landscape. What you'll learn in this episode: One Strategy Does Not Fit All : Why you can’t speak to Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z th...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 53
In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) come in hot —unpacking what’s actually working in eCommerce right now… and what’s just noise. We’re talking community-building, live shopping wins (and fails), the death of boring product posts, and why chasing top-line growth without real profit is the fastest way to implod...
Jun 19, 2025•46 min•Ep. 52
John Roman (CEO of BattlBox) and Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) take you on a boots-on-the-ground tour of SubSummit 2025 in Dallas—no boring recap slides here. From immersive booths and epic entrance setups to hosted buyer programs and jam-packed breakout sessions, they explore how the subscription industry is leveling up. Along the way, they highlight standout keynotes, behind-the-scenes convos, and some truly creative brand experiences. Whether you missed the event or jus...
Jun 12, 2025•24 min•Ep. 51
In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) unpack how eCommerce brands can stay strong during shaky economic times. From rising acquisition costs to unpredictable consumer behavior, the crew tackles the tough conversations about what it really takes to build a resilient brand when the market turns—and what not to do,...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 50
In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) dive deep into one of the most underrated tools in marketing: storytelling. With raw insights and real examples, the crew explores how brands can use human connection, humor, and authenticity to cut through the noise and drive serious results—without always needing a massive...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 49
In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) and special guest Rytis Lauris (Co-Founder & CEO of Omnisend) come together for a candid and tactical conversation on what it really takes to bootstrap a successful business. This episode pulls back the curtain on scaling without VC dollars, customer-funded growth, and t...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 48
In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella) come together for a dynamic, live discussion recorded at Commerce Roundtable Miami. They tackle some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in eCommerce today in a game of tinder swiping—from the rise of live shopping platforms to the ethical gray areas of tariffs. This is an unfiltered, insight-packed conversation loaded ...
May 15, 2025•35 min
In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and special guest: Greg Dalby (SVP eCommerce at The Woobles) dive deep into one of the most important strategies for driving retention and customer loyalty: building community-driven brands. They explore how the shift from transactional sales to relationship-based commerce is reshaping the landscape of eCommerce. What You’ll L...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 46
In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and special guest: Greg Dalby (SVP eCommerce at The Woobles) —to unpack one of the trickiest levers in brand strategy: pricing. They break down real-world examples of brands like Champion, Milk Bar, Hyundai, and Sharper Image, diving into the psychological vs. economic pricing debate and what it means for perceived value, bran...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 45
I n this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and special guest host: Anthony Combs (CEO and Founder of Splendies) get real about the differences between DTC and subscription-based businesses, and why retention is the lifeline for recurring revenue. They share personal stories and tactical wins—from surprise-and-delight strategies to exclusive communities and member anni...
Apr 24, 2025•57 min•Ep. 44
Scale vs. Profitability: Navigating Growth ChallengesIn this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and special guest host: Anthony Combs (CEO and Founder of Splendies), and as we dive deep into the topic of 'Scale vs. Profitability: When Growth Becomes Unsustainable.' The team kicks off with a discussion on EBITDA, venture money, and the challenges of flipping business mo...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 43
ShopTalk Las Vegas 2025: An E-commerce and Retail Extravaganza | The official ASOM Pod Recap In this episode of the ASOM Pod, join John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane) recap ShopTalk 2025 held in Las Vegas. The team dives deep into their experiences, discussing the event’s bustling atmosphere, incredible booth activations, and insightful sessions. They share personal anecdotes, including media pass...
Apr 10, 2025•55 min•Ep. 42
Visionary or Operator? Unpacking the Mindset of Successful E-Commerce FoundersIn this episode of The ASOM Pod, hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane) engages in a dynamic discussion about what defines successful e-commerce founders - are they visionaries or operators? They explore the characteristics and importance of visionaries who create...
Apr 03, 2025•54 min•Ep. 43
In this episode of The ASOM Pod, the hosts dive deep into the challenges and issues facing modern marketers. They discuss why many marketers today copy others without critical thinking, the role of creativity in marketing, and the impact of AI tools and agencies on marketing practices. The episode features a lively debate on topics like whether TikTok is making marketers lazy, if modern CEOs force short-term wins, and if true marketers need to be involved in product design. The hosts also share ...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 40
In this episode of The ASOM Pod, hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO dig into the ever-changing world of DTC businesses. Is the DTC model on life support, or is it just shedding its old skin and evolving? The crew doesn’t hold back as they unpack the biggest mistakes DTC brands keep making—like betting everything on paid ads, failing to diversify, and ignoring what customers actually want ....
Mar 20, 2025•54 min•Ep. 39
In this episode of The ASOM Pod, hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) break down the messy, unpredictable, and sometimes chaotic world of running a business in today’s economy. From layoffs to leadership challenges, they get real about what it takes to keep a company afloat—and thriving—when the game keeps changing. The crew dives into the ri...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 38
In this episode of The ASOM Pod, hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) dive deep into the evolution of subscription-based business models in e-commerce. From viral success stories to spectacular failures, they analyze what makes—or breaks—a subscription brand. The conversation explores major players like HelloFresh, BarkBox, Dollar Shave Club,...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of The ASOM Pod , hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) tackle the Great Discount Debate—are discounts killing brand value, or are they just a necessary evil? Featuring insights from agency leaders, SaaS experts, and DTC marketers, this episode unpacks how discounting strategies impact long-term brand equity, customer loyalty, ...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 36
In this episode of The ASOM Pod , hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) break down the evolving world of creators and influencers—and why follower count isn’t everything. They explore the key differences between creators, influencers, and affiliates, with a spotlight on how aligning with individuals who genuinely vibe with your brand's mission...
Feb 20, 2025•44 min•Ep. 35
In this episode of the ASOM Pod hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) dive into the fast-evolving world of social commerce and how it’s reshaping e-commerce and retail. They break down how TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube are weaving shopping into their platforms and debate whether a U.S. tech giant ( cough Meta cough ) will take over. The crew a...
Feb 13, 2025•52 min•Ep. 34
In this episode of the ASOM Pod hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) get into the ever-changing world of AI in eCommerce! In this episode, the hosts chat about how AI is shaking up marketing, customer service, and business operations. They break down popular tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok, sharing how brands are using them to personaliz...
Feb 06, 2025•48 min•Ep. 33
In this episode of the ASOM Pod hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) take a deep dive into the evolving world of sales, breaking down why the traditional hard-sell approach is fading and why consultative selling is the future. They emphasize the critical role of human connection, proper sales education, and the dangers of over-relying on auto...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 32
In this episode of the ASOM Pod hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) tackle the complex and often misunderstood world of agencies. From full-service powerhouses to boutique specialists and freelancers, they explore the challenges brands face when selecting, managing, and evolving their agency relationships. The team dives into the importance ...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 31
In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) dive deep into setting and achieving personal and professional goals for 2025. The team reflects on 2024, they reveal the biggest challenges they faced, share their best success stories and discuss strategies for balancing ambition with realism. Packed with insights and act...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of the ASOM Pod hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) explore all things SaaS and the evolving role of AI in eCommerce. From loyalty programs to personalization engines, the team breaks down how AI is reshaping the SaaS landscape and debates its potential to disrupt key areas like subscription billing, marketing automation, cus...
Jan 09, 2025•44 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of the ASOM Pod hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) dive headfirst into bold predictions for 2025. Covering everything from the rise of subscription-based businesses to the seismic shifts driven by AI, the crew explores the future of eCommerce, social commerce, and beyond. With their trademark humor and sharp insights, they d...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 28
in this episode of the ASOM Pod hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) pull back the curtain on what it really takes to grow a brand organically. Spoiler: it’s not free, and it’s definitely not fast. From the high costs of hiring content creators to the daily grind of consistent posting, they shatter the myth that organic growth is some magical...
Dec 19, 2024•36 min•Ep. 27
How Mentors & Community Influence Your Personal Growth and Success - EP26 In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO & Co-Founder of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO & Co-Founder of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride) dive deep into the vital role of personal growth, continuous learning, and mentorship in entrepreneurship. They discuss the delicate balance of mixing business w...
Dec 12, 2024•49 min•Ep. 26
EP25: How to Leverage Affiliate Marketing and eCommerce Big thanks to Omnisend for sponsoring the pod! With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/ Thank you to Recharge for [sponsoring the pod! Trusted by over 20,000 brands, Recharge is the #1 platform for your eCommerce subscription needs. Learn more at http://recharge.asompod.com/ Shout out...
Dec 05, 2024•47 min•Ep. 25
