• Think Z
  • Posts
  • Building in Public with SCALIS

Building in Public with SCALIS

And an Analysis of Shopify Editions Winter '25 Release

In partnership with

The TL;DR:

  • Let’s Chat D2C: Shopify Editions Winter ‘25 Analysis!

  • Building in Public with SCALIS: Welcome to the first installment of this new section, where I’ll be sharing weekly updates on the journey of building SCALIS. From celebrating milestones to navigating challenges, I want to give you a transparent look at what it takes to grow a startup in real time.

  • The D2Z Podcast: There are two episodes this week! First, I sat down with Amer Tadayon, Founder and CEO of Lucihub, an AI-powered video production platform. Then, I interviewed Anders Indset, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker and author, about the intersection of entrepreneurship, philosophy, and personal growth.

  • Upcoming Events: I’m headed to NYC for NRF 1/11-1/15, let me know if you’re in the area and want to connect!

Increase Your Amazon Position Before Oct Prime Day

Send free products to Micro-Influencers using the platform Stack Influence which automates influencer collaborations at scale (get thousands of collabs per month). Brands like Magic Spoon, Unilever, and Farmacy have been able to get to #1 page positioning on Amazon and increase their monthly revenue as high as 13X in as little as 2 months.

  • Pay influencers only with products

  • Increase external traffic Amazon sales

  • Get full rights image/video UGC

Increase your listings search positioning before Oct Prime Day is upon us!

Let’s Chat D2C - Shopify Editions Winter ‘25 Analysis

Why These Updates Matter for Merchants

Shopify Winter '25 introduces over 100 new features aimed at empowering merchants to:

  1. Increase Efficiency: Streamline operations with AI tools, better checkout options, and enhanced automation.

  2. Boost Sales: Leverage advanced marketing tools, global expansion features, and optimized customer experiences.

  3. Expand Globally: Tap into international markets with localized tools and comprehensive cross-border solutions.

  4. Build Scalability: Cater to businesses of all sizes, from small merchants to enterprise-level clients, with versatile tools.

  5. Enhance Customer Experience: Provide seamless omnichannel shopping experiences with smarter search, returns, and fulfillment options.

Now, let’s explore the features, their benefits, and how merchants can use them.

[Online]

Key Features:

  • Returns in Shop: Let customers manage returns directly through the Shop app.
    Why It Matters: Improves customer satisfaction by simplifying post-purchase interactions.
    How to Use: Set up returns policies in Shopify Admin and integrate them with Shop app functionality.

  • Expanded Variant Limits: Support up to 2,000 variants per product.
    Why It Matters: Perfect for merchants with large inventories or complex catalogs.
    How to Use: Expand product offerings without splitting them into separate listings.

  • Semantic Search: AI interprets customer search intent for better results.
    Why It Matters: Drives conversions by helping shoppers find products faster.
    How to Use: Optimize product metadata and tags for search functionality.

[Retail]

Key Features:

  • Ship from Store: Fulfill online orders directly from physical store locations.
    Why It Matters: Reduces delivery times, decreases shipping costs, and optimizes inventory.
    How to Use: Enable "Ship from Store" in Shopify Admin and coordinate inventory tracking.

  • Digital Receipts via Shop Pay: One-tap receipt capture and marketing opt-ins.
    Why It Matters: Builds customer loyalty and provides a seamless in-store experience.
    How to Use: Activate Shop Pay in your store settings to leverage this feature.

[Checkout]

Key Features:

  • One-Page Checkout: Simplify all checkout steps into one streamlined page.
    Why It Matters: Reduces cart abandonment and speeds up purchase completion.
    How to Use: Automatically enabled for eligible merchants; customize through checkout settings.

  • Shop Pay Installments: Pre-qualification for buy-now-pay-later options.
    Why It Matters: Boosts customer confidence and increases average order value (AOV).
    How to Use: Highlight installment options at checkout to attract buyers.

[Marketing]

Key Features:

  • Shopify Audiences 2.0: Double your retargeting audiences for ads.
    Why It Matters: Maximizes return on ad spend (ROAS) with targeted campaigns.
    How to Use: Set up Shopify Audiences for retargeting on Meta and Google.

  • YouTube Creator Integration: Partner with verified YouTube creators.
    Why It Matters: Increases brand visibility with trusted influencers.
    How to Use: Enroll in the YouTube Affiliate Program via Shopify Admin.

[Global]

Key Features:

  • Managed Markets: Auto-translations and localized payments.
    Why It Matters: Simplifies cross-border selling and ensures compliance.
    How to Use: Use the Shopify Markets tool to enable international settings.

  • Localized Storefronts: Region-specific themes and pricing.
    Why It Matters: Improves customer trust and relevance in global markets.
    How to Use: Customize storefronts for different regions in Shopify Admin.

[Finance]

Key Features:

  • Improved Fraud Detection: Shopify Payments introduces better fraud protection tools.
    Why It Matters: Protects merchants from chargebacks and disputes.
    How to Use: Enable Shopify Payments to access fraud detection features.

  • Localized Billing Options: Yen billing and SEPA direct debit for select regions.
    Why It Matters: Simplifies billing and reduces fees for merchants.
    How to Use: Choose regional billing options in your account settings.

[Developer]

Key Features:

  • Hydrogen Enhancements: Collaborate on headless stores with GitHub sync.
    Why It Matters: Speeds up development and improves team efficiency.
    How to Use: Leverage Utopia tools for Hydrogen storefronts.

  • Checkout API Updates: Extend post-purchase pages for custom experiences.
    Why It Matters: Keeps customers engaged after checkout.
    How to Use: Build custom extensions using the new Checkout API.

Final Thoughts

Shopify Winter '25 empowers merchants to expand their businesses, improve efficiency, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Start leveraging these features today to stay ahead of the competition!

Own a stake in Alaska’s oil reserves.

  • Estimated 300 million barrels of recoverable reserves

  • Royalty-based model reducing operational risks

  • Projected 25+ years of reliable, high-margin royalty income

Building in Public with SCALIS - The First Edition of this New Section + We Launched on Monday!

Welcome to the first installment of this new section, where I’ll be sharing weekly updates on the journey of building SCALIS. From celebrating milestones to navigating challenges, I want to give you a transparent look at what it takes to grow a startup in real time.

This past Monday marked our official launch, and it’s been nothing short of exhilarating. We onboarded over $60,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in our first week and are working through a waitlist of eager customers representing $2.25 million in ARR. These numbers feel surreal, but they also serve as a reminder of the immense opportunity—and responsibility—we have to deliver a stellar product.

Of course, timing is never perfect in business. Launching just as the holiday season ramps up isn’t ideal, as many businesses are winding down for the year. While we’ve already had some incredible demos this week, many prospective customers are pushing their start dates to January. This delay comes with a silver lining, though: it gives us time to refine the onboarding process and ensure a seamless experience for those joining us after the holidays.

This week, we’re heads-down on creating materials for our public marketing efforts, which will roll out in the coming days. Our goal is to not only make a splash but to clearly communicate the value SCALIS brings to the table.

I’ll be sharing updates like this every week, pulling back the curtain on SCALIS’ growth. Whether you’re here for inspiration, insight, or just curiosity, I’m thrilled to have you along for the journey. This is only the beginning, and I’m so excited to see what we can achieve together.

SAFE Closing 12/31

Now that we’re post-launch and making revenue, we’re closing our pre-revenue SAFE on 12/31. We already have over $250K of additional investment coming from existing investors, but I created an SPV to allow more of my friends and fellow founders to participate with check sizes as small as $1K, so let me know if you want more details before it closes at the end of the year!

This Week’s The D2Z Podcast

#133 – The Evolution of Video Production with AI

🎧 Listen Now 🎧

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Amer Tadayon, Founder & CEO of Lucihub, to discuss how AI is transforming video production, making it more efficient and accessible for creators and brands alike. Specifically, we explored the following:

💡 How AI is automating and streamlining video production workflows

📈 The impact of AI on creativity and storytelling in video content

🧠 Overcoming challenges in adopting AI-driven video production tools

🔑 Practical applications of AI for brands to enhance video marketing

🚀 The future of video production and the role of AI in shaping the industry 

#134 – The Evolution of Video Production with AI

🎧 Listen Now 🎧

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Anders Indset, an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker and author, to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, philosophy, and personal growth. Specifically, we explored the following:

💡 The importance of aligning personal values with professional goals

🧠 How to overcome the emptiness of chasing monetary success alone

🔑 Strategies for building a life centered on purpose and impact

📈 Real-world examples of entrepreneurs who found meaning beyond wealth

🚀 Insights on creating a balanced and fulfilling life that transcends financial gain

Upcoming Events

I’m headed to NYC for NRF 1/11-1/15, let me know if you’re in the area and want to connect!

Winter Style Starts with Nike Air Max.

Discover the Nike Air Max collection designed just for men. With standout styles like the Air Max Plus, AM1, DN, and Pulse, these sneakers combine innovative technology and eye-catching designs. Each model offers cushioned support and versatility, making them perfect for any occasion.

Reply

or to participate.