Key insights

• ⚙️ Shippo powers shipping for e-commerce by connecting customers to shipping providers
• 📦 Shipping directly affects conversion rates for e-commerce stores
• 🛒 Customers interact with Shippo through an API or dashboard
• 🏬 Shippo serves e-commerce stores with their own brands and 3PLs
• 🤔 The founders initially lacked knowledge about shipping but focused on solving it from an e-commerce store perspective
• 💼 Challenges included the diversity of shipping providers and competing against other companies like Stamps.com and EZPost
• 📈 E-commerce opportunities are easier to access, with storytelling and emotional connections playing a significant role
• 💄 Companies like Glossier are successful due to engaging customers, personalized experiences, and avoiding Amazon's generic market

Q&A

• What inspiration and advice are shared by the speaker regarding entrepreneurship and female founders?

  The speaker emphasizes solving real problems, persistence in entrepreneurship, customer feedback, and the challenges and accomplishments of being a female founder, drawing inspiration from figures like the founder of Nike and Angela Merkel.

• How has the company experienced rapid growth, and what are their leadership focuses?

  The company has experienced rapid growth and is focused on personal improvement as a manager and leader, proactive communication about their management style, seeking feedback, and hiring complementary individuals to support their leadership approach.

• What important considerations are mentioned regarding shipping regulations and customer behavior?

  The video covers specific items allowed for shipping by USPS, specialized shipping providers, the importance of shipping insurance and tracking, challenges and best practices for handling returns, and considerations for preventing abuse of return policies.

• What are some key e-commerce trends mentioned in the video?

  The video discusses the trend in peer-to-peer selling, box of the month clubs, and emerging e-commerce products like hoverboards, vape companies, and novelty items such as glitter and poop in a box.

• How does selling products on Amazon compare to independent e-commerce sites?

  Selling products on Amazon may lead to customer diversion and lacks the personalized experience offered by independent e-commerce sites, impacting customer engagement and brand connection.

• How does Glossier's success relate to e-commerce opportunities and customer engagement?

  Glossier's success is attributed to engaging customers through unique content, personalized packaging, and referral incentives, showcasing the importance of storytelling and emotional connections in e-commerce opportunities.

• What were the initial challenges of starting a shipping company?

  The founders initially lacked knowledge about shipping but focused on solving it from an e-commerce store perspective. Challenges included the diversity of shipping providers and competition against established companies like Stamps.com and EZPost.

• What types of businesses does Shippo serve?

  Shippo serves e-commerce stores with their own brands and 3PLs (third-party logistics providers), catering to a wide range of online businesses.

• How do customers interact with Shippo?

  Customers interact with Shippo through an API or dashboard, enabling them to manage shipping operations efficiently.

• How does shipping impact conversion rates for e-commerce stores?

  Shipping directly affects conversion rates for e-commerce stores, as it influences customer decision-making and purchase behavior.

• What is Shippo's role in powering shipping for e-commerce?

  Shippo powers shipping for e-commerce by connecting customers to shipping providers, facilitating the shipping process for online stores.

• 00:00 Laura discusses Shippo's role in powering shipping for e-commerce, the impact of shipping on conversion rates, customer interaction with Shippo, the types of businesses Shippo serves, and the initial challenges of starting a shipping company.
• 06:56 E-commerce opportunities are easier to access, with storytelling and emotional connections playing a significant role. Companies like Glossier are successful due to engaging customers, personalized experiences, and avoiding Amazon's generic market.
• 13:48 Discussion about Blue Apron's differentiation, trend in peer to peer selling, box of the month clubs, challenges with unsubscribing, and other e-commerce trends including hoverboards, vape companies, and prank items like glitter and poop in a box.
• 20:55 A discussion about shipping regulations, specialized shipping providers, insurance, tracking, return policies, and customer behavior.
• 28:24 The company has experienced rapid growth, and the founder is focused on improving as a manager and leader. They emphasize proactive communication about their management style and seek feedback to address shortcomings. They aim to hire complementary individuals to support their leadership approach.
• 35:34 The speaker discusses inspiration from a book about the founder of Nike, Angela Merkel, and the challenges of being a female founder. They emphasize solving real problems, persistence in entrepreneurship, and focusing on customer feedback. The conversation ends with a discussion about running in San Francisco.