In this episode of Retain Grow Thrive, Joe Fox sits down with Brian Gonzales, co-founder of Portland-based creative agency Solver Collective and a true eCommerce veteran with over 20 years in the industry. Brian shares his journey from early retail and outdoor brands to building a collaborative, collective-style agency deeply embedded in the Shopify and Shopify Plus ecosystem. The conversation dives into omnichannel commerce, unified retail, the evolving role of AI, authenticity in brand building, and practical advice for merchants and agency founders alike—especially those looking to scale from the $2–3M range to $10M and beyond.
In this episode of Retain, Growth, Thrive, Growave President Joe Fox sits down with Daniel Brady — CEO and co-founder of Orita, former Harvard-trained neuroscientist, and machine learning engineer — to explore the intersection of data, AI, and modern retention marketing. Daniel shares how his background in developmental neuroscience shaped his approach to building high-speed, high-impact ML systems, why audience targeting is the most powerful (and under-optimized) lever in retention, and how Aretā is transforming how brands like Spanx and Tracksmith unlock revenue through real-time AI-driven segmentation. The conversation dives into the future of AI in the Shopify ecosystem, the coming balance between personalization and universal brand messaging, and even Daniel’s life as an avid East Coast surfer.
In this episode of Retain Grow Thrive, Joe Fox sits down with Colin Doherty, Head of Partnerships at CartConvert, to unpack his journey from running and exiting an e-commerce brand to building partnerships in the Shopify ecosystem. Colin shares how CartConvert drives revenue by turning anonymous site visitors into high-intent conversations, why the tool excels with high-AOV and B2B merchants, and how communication-first partnerships fuel long-term success. The discussion explores the evolution of commerce, the rise of B2B enablement, and Colin’s practical approach to building genuine, value-driven partner relationships.
In this episode of Retain Grow Thrive, Joe Fox sits down with Murat Kaya — partner at Shopney, mobile commerce expert, and one of the sharpest young entrepreneurs in the Shopify ecosystem. Murat shares the evolution of Shopney, how mobile apps boost retention and conversion, and why today’s market turbulence demands a retention-first mindset. He breaks down ideal ICPs, Shopify’s shift toward personalization and loyalty, and how merchants should adapt amid global recessionary pressures and tariff changes. The conversation expands into consumer psychology, cross-border growth strategies, the power of brand loyalty, and even Murat’s passion for travel and African music. A rich, tactical, human episode for Shopify merchants, agency partners, and tech founders.
n this episode of Retain Grow Thrive, Joe Fox sits down with e-commerce and B2B authority Jason Greenwood to launch Season 2 with a deep, insightful discussion on the evolution of digital commerce. Jason shares his 25-year journey from running a B2C e-commerce business to becoming the leading voice in B2B transformation, highlighting why complex operators, distributors, and manufacturers are now the most exciting segment in the industry. He exposes the real challenges behind legacy systems (including fax machines!), the shift from marketing-led digital to operations-led digital, and why AI-driven “agentic commerce” will fundamentally change how transactions happen behind the scenes in both B2C and B2B. Packed with predictions, real-world stories, and strategic insight, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating the future of e-commerce.
In this episode of Retain Grow Thrive, Joe Fox sits down with Marcus Ohanesian, CEO and founder of Perfect Evolution, to discuss how his agency helps Shopify merchants grow efficiently by focusing on conversion-driven design, optimized user experience, and lean tech stacks. Marcus shares insights from his background in design and partnerships, explaining how Perfect Evolution supports SMB merchants with smart audits, app consolidation, and performance improvements that truly move the needle. He also talks about the value of strong partnerships in eCommerce, community building, and the power of simplicity when scaling a Shopify store. Listeners will walk away with actionable takeaways on how to streamline operations, build meaningful partner relationships, and create long-term growth.
In this episode of Retain Grow Thrive, host Joe Fox sits down with Bradley Johnston, Head of Partnerships at OpenSend, to explore how data-driven personalization and smart integrations are reshaping the Shopify and Klaviyo ecosystems. Bradley shares insights from his 12+ years in e-commerce SaaS — including stints at Klarna and Nosto — and dives deep into how OpenSend identifies anonymous site visitors, enabling merchants to engage them through email and beyond. The discussion covers OpenSend’s official Klaviyo partnership, the growing importance of intentional data, and how AI and platforms like ChatGPT and Reddit are changing consumer behavior. Bradley also shares his philosophy on partnerships, his favorite travel essentials, and why a positive mindset is the ultimate tool for success in the fast-moving e-commerce world.
In this episode of Retain, Grow, Thrive: The Growave Podcast, host Joe Fox sits down with Jordan Brannon, Co-Founder and President of Coalition Technologies—one of the most respected and long-standing digital agencies in the eCommerce space. Together, they unpack the evolution of eCommerce, the rise of AI-driven search and customer experience, and how Coalition’s “culture of brilliance” continues to drive results for merchants. Jordan shares insights into aligning agency and client KPIs, the growing importance of AI integration, and his predictions on how AI will soon become the “operating system” of our digital lives. Packed with forward-thinking discussion, this episode is a must-listen for eCommerce leaders, marketers, and technologists navigating the next wave of change.
In this episode of Retain. Grow. Thrive., Growave President Joe Fox welcomes Rachel Jacobs, founder of E-Commerce Agency Growth (EAG) and one of the most respected voices in the e-commerce agency space. Together, they dive deep into what it takes to scale an agency sustainably — from systemizing operations and empowering leadership teams to creating a visionary culture that attracts both top talent and loyal clients. Rachel shares her hard-won insights from a decade of helping agencies evolve beyond “grunt work” into strategy-driven, future-ready powerhouses. The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping the agency landscape, why community and collaboration are vital for long-term growth, and how EAG’s global network helps agencies thrive in an increasingly competitive ecosystem.
In this episode of Retain. Grow. Thrive., Joe Fox welcomes Dennis Yao Yu, founder of The Other Half Group and a seasoned eCommerce leader with an impressive career spanning Shopify, art.com, and major retail brands. Dennis shares his journey from finance to retail to leading partnerships and strategy across global eCommerce organizations. Together, they unpack Shopify’s evolution from SMB roots to enterprise powerhouse, discuss the growing importance of B2B and omnichannel strategies, and explore how The Other Half Group helps brands modernize and grow through digital transformation. It’s a masterclass in eCommerce strategy, leadership, and the power of partnerships.
In this episode, Joe sits down with Jamil to unpack how agency founders can successfully scale beyond themselves. Jamil shares his journey from selling projects solo to building a team-driven, retainer-based model that prioritizes sustainable revenue and long-term client value. He dives into the importance of founder focus, positioning, and creating predictable systems that free leaders from daily execution. Whether you’re running an early-stage agency or looking to unlock the next stage of growth, this conversation offers a practical blueprint for building a scalable, resilient business.
In this episode of Retain Grow Thrive, Joe Fox welcomes Tim Morris of Stanray to explore how a 50-year-old American workwear brand is thriving in today’s global e-commerce landscape. Tim shares Stanray’s journey from heritage manufacturing in Texas to international expansion, highlighting strategies for loyalty, reviews, and wholesale growth. He also introduces MarketWise Merchandiser, a new Shopify app designed to solve complex international merchandising and back-in-stock challenges for multi-market brands.
In this episode of Retain. Grow. Thrive., Joe Fox sits down with Shaan Arora, founder of Alia, to discuss his journey from launching a school project in college to building one of the fastest-growing Shopify apps. Shaan shares how Alia evolved from a loyalty education tool into a data-driven pop-up platform powering 1,500+ brands and generating 120M+ monthly impressions. They dive into the power of the Shopify ecosystem, the importance of founder-to-founder sales, why speed and urgency are game-changers for young startups, and how leveraging AI with rich data is shaping Alia’s future.
In this episode of Retain. Grow. Thrive., Joe Fox chats with Andre Freitas, founder of Thales Agency and Shopify + Klaviyo expert, about the future of e-commerce and how brands can stay ahead. They cover Andre’s journey from building a global remote agency to partnering with leading merchants, the power of community events like their recent Amsterdam meetup, and how agencies can act as true extensions of brand teams. The conversation dives into Shopify’s latest AI updates, optimizing tech stacks, and why detailed product info, reviews, UGC, and loyalty programs are becoming essential for visibility in AI-driven search and customer retention.
In this episode of Retain. Grow. Thrive., Joe Fox sits down with Rebecca Worsley, founder of Rainy City Agency and owner of DTC Live, to explore her journey from early dropshipping experiments to building a full-funnel Shopify agency and a thriving community for eCommerce brands. Rebecca shares how she grew Rainy City over eight years into a design, development, and CRO powerhouse, why connecting retention, ads, and web is key to driving results, and how she balances agency life with running DTC Live’s conferences, dinners, and retreats across the UK, US, and Europe. She offers tactical advice for early-stage merchants—like focusing on ad spend and customer data before over-investing in a website—and insights for agencies on building community and refining sales processes. From AI-driven QA systems to creating spaces where brands and partners genuinely connect, Rebecca highlights how to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving Shopify ecosystem.
In this episode of Retain, Grow, Thrive, Joe Fox (President of Growave) sits down with Aaron Roper, founder of Prish, a partner relationship management (PRM) software designed for SaaS companies and agencies. Aaron shares insights from his career leading partnerships at ReCharge and Rebuy, and why he believes Prish fills a critical gap in simplifying partner operations, saving time, and strengthening collaboration. The conversation highlights how strong partnerships drive product innovation, retention, and growth—especially in challenging economic times. Aaron also offers a special trial and discount for early adopters of Prish.
In this episode of Retain Grow Thrive, host Joe Fox sits down with Nihar, Managing Partner at Roswell, to discuss the agency’s recent Webby Award win for their work with Diane von Furstenberg, joining the Gorgias advisory board, and achieving Shopify’s Premier tier status. Nihar shares Roswell’s journey from a small dev shop to a full-service eCommerce powerhouse, the principles behind their award-winning UI/UX work, and how strong partnerships fuel growth. They also dive into the current challenges facing merchants—tariffs, supply chain uncertainty, and economic shifts—and offer practical advice on navigating the turbulence while staying customer-focused.
In this episode of Retain Grow Thrive, host Joe Fox welcomes Jason Young, founder of Ballistic Agency—a trailblazing digital agency serving the shooting, hunting, and tactical (SHOT) industry. Jason shares his inspiring journey from IT professional to niche agency owner, and how staying true to a passion-driven niche helped him build a thriving business. The conversation covers everything from the value of American manufacturing amid rising tariffs, to the evolving eCommerce landscape for SHOT brands—especially Ballistic's expansion into the Shopify ecosystem. Joe and Jason also reflect on faith, fatherhood, and serving others with integrity and purpose. This is an episode full of tactical insight, entrepreneurial wisdom, and values-based leadership.
In this episode of Retain, Grow, Thrive, host Joe Fox welcomes longtime friend and global agency leader Brenden Rawson, co-founder of Andzen and newly appointed advisory board member at Growave. Together, they dive into Brenden’s journey from launching an agency in Brisbane to becoming a trusted voice on the international stage in retention marketing and customer journey strategy.
Quoc joins Joe on the Growave podcast for a in-depth conversation on AI and its function in Preezie. They discuss how AI is transforming the ecommerce shopping experience and what direction Preezie is growing.