Zero to $250M in 10 Years?! The Incredible Growth Strategy of Simple Modern

Bryan is the co-founder and chief e-commerce officer at Simple Modern. Simple Modern is a digitally native brand, having sold 50 million bottles in less than 10 years and did $250M in 2024. Simple Modern has grown into a category leader in all 50 states and eight countries around the world, making products that are good everywhere. Highlight Bullets > Here’s a glimpse of what you would learn….  Overview of Simple Modern's growth and success in the drinkware market. Discussion of the company's journey from inception in 2015 to achieving $250 million in gross revenue in 2024. Importance of product quality and innovative design in driving brand success. Strategic decisions made by Simple Modern, including focus on drinkware and partnerships with major retailers. Challenges faced by the company, particularly in cash flow management and manufacturing defects. The role of effective marketing strategies, including leveraging social media platforms like TikTok. Insights on the significance of competition in the drinkware market and its impact on brand awareness. The value of strong relationships with manufacturers and partners in navigating business challenges. Emphasis on data-driven decision-making and quick feedback cycles in e-commerce. Advice for entrepreneurs on resilience, adaptability, and maintaining a long-term focus in a competitive landscape. In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley interviews Bryan Porter, co-founder and Chief E-commerce Officer of Simple Modern. They discuss Simple Modern's impressive journey from its inception in 2015 to achieving $250 million in gross revenue by 2024. Bryan shares insights into the strategic decisions that propelled the brand to success, including a focus on product quality, innovative design, and effective marketing. He emphasizes the importance of strong partnerships, cash flow management, and resilience in overcoming challenges. This episode offers valuable lessons for business owners aiming to scale their e-commerce ventures to new heights. Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode: Master Cash Flow Early Hire a strong CFO and explore flexible financing options—like delayed tax payments or supplier credit—to avoid growth bottlenecks. Double Down on Key Partnerships Build deep, win-win relationships with select manufacturers to secure favorable terms and reduce inventory pressure. Always Be Amazon-Ready Know the pros and cons of 1P vs. 3P selling, and have a solid contingency plan to handle unexpected platform disruptions. Resources & Links Section Ecomm Breakthrough Amazon TikTok Shop Target Walmart Whole Foods Disney FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) Vendor Central Siena AI Simple Modern Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer on Amazon The Operators on YouTube Bryan Porter on LinkedIn Bryan Porter on Twitter Special Mention(s): Adam “Heist” Runquist on LinkedIn Kevin King on LinkedIn Michael E. Gerber on LinkedIn Related Episode(s): “Cracking the Amazon Code: Learn From Adam Heist’s Brand Scaling Secrets” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast Episode Sponsor Sponsor for this episode... This episode is brought to you by eComm Breakthrough Consulting where I help seven-figure e-commerce owners grow to eight figures.  I started Hadley Designs in 2015 and grew it to an eight-figure brand in seven years. I made mistakes along the way that made the path to eight figures longer. At times I doubted whether our business could even survive and become a real brand. I wish I would have had a guide to help me grow faster and avoid the stumbling blocks. If you’ve hit a plateau and want to know the next steps to take your business to the next level, then go to www.EcommBreakthrough.com (that’s Ecomm with two M’s) to learn more. Transcript Area Josh Hadley 00:00:00  Welcome to the Ecomm Breakthrough podcast. I'm your host, Josh Hadley, where I interview the top business leaders in e-commerce. Past guests include Kevin King, Aaron Cordovez and Michael E Gerber, author of the E-myth. Today I am speaking with Bryan Porter. Bryan is the co-founder and chief e-commerce officer at Simple Modern. Simple modern is a digitally native brand, having sold over 50 million bottles in less than ten years, and they did 250 million. You heard that right. $250 million in gross revenue in 2024. Simple. Modern has grown into a category leader ...

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