Commerce Famous

What do you learn from building—and rebuilding—businesses over the course of your entrepreneurial journey?

In this episode of Commerce Famous, Jason Nyhus sits down with Dan Melnick, founder of Zing, to discuss the experiences that shaped his path from teenage eBay entrepreneur to software agency founder and consumer brand builder. Dan shares how a sports memorabilia hobby evolved into a thriving eBay business, the lessons he learned from launching a startup before finding product-market fit, and why recognizing when it’s time to pivot can be just as important as knowing when to persevere.

The conversation also explores how Zing helps brands accelerate growth through software development, AI-powered solutions, and digital marketing, along with Dan’s vision for his newest venture, Avyra, a creatine gummy brand designed to make wellness more accessible.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
– How an eBay side hustle became the foundation for an entrepreneurial career
– Why product-market fit should come before scaling
– The importance of customer empathy and learning by doing
– How AI is changing software development and agency services
– What founders should consider before deciding to pivot
– Why building one great company often requires saying no to everything else

Whether you’re building an ecommerce brand, launching a startup, or simply fascinated by entrepreneurial journeys, this episode offers practical insights and honest reflections from someone who has learned through experience.

Most manufacturing and distribution companies are sitting on outdated systems—unknowingly risking their future with the subtle drift of neglected technology. Ethan Giffin, renowned for demystifying complex e-commerce challenges, reveals how unseen manual processes and misaligned teams quietly erode revenue and trust. If you’re a mid-market leader feeling the weight of aging tech or struggling to unify your teams around digital transformation, this episode could change your perspective.

Ethan sits down with host Jason Nyhus to discuss how organizations often mistake technology as the core problem when, in reality, it’s often a human and strategic disconnect. The five-legged stool of digital revenue—sales, marketing, operations, IT, and finance—and why alignment here is critical; how manual processes like handwritten orders or scribbled notes create risks worse than any algorithms; and why top-down engagement and change management are the secret sauce to successful digital transformation. Through real stories—including a skydiving client dependency that could have been catastrophic—Ethan illustrates common pitfalls and practical solutions for de-risking your approach.

He shares his new book “Closing the Digital Revenue Gap” and his focus for The B2B eCommerce Agency. Tune in to hear a great conversation!

In this episode, host Jason Nyhus sits down with Ian Heller, founder of Distribution Strategy Group. This episode is perfect for distribution executives, e-commerce leaders, and marketers ready to break free from outdated metrics and uncover hidden revenue streams. If you’re committed to transforming your digital strategy into a true growth engine, this conversation is a must-listen. Ian’s insights could reshape how you view—and invest in—your online presence—and they might just be the game-changer you need to outpace competitors.

Most distributors are leaving millions of dollars on the table by misunderstanding what their e-commerce channels are truly worth—and many are investing less than they should. Ian reveals the shocking truth: measuring e-commerce success solely by the shopping cart misses the biggest impact areas. You’ll discover how a 600% underestimation of website value is common and learn the proven methods to accurately track second-order effects that drive overall sales—like customer engagement, demand generation, and offline interactions.

Ian shares compelling stories from the industry, including how distributors mistakenly dismiss the potential of their websites because they focus only on direct transactions. He breaks down a simple yet overlooked tactic: calling customers who order offline and asking if they used the website, transforming anecdotal insights into powerful metrics. We also explore how internal disincentives—like giving discounts to reps over online orders—undermine digital growth and how to recondition your organization for true e-commerce success.
You’ll uncover detailed frameworks for measuring website ROI beyond transactions, including how high correlation between website engagement and overall sales should prompt much larger investments in digital. Ian explains why most distributors are caught in a “doom loop” of underinvestment and how fixing attribution can unlock extraordinary ROI. Plus, get insider tips on how to foster partnerships with industry associations, create content that your audience craves, and leverage AI to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to supercharge your existing channels, Ian’s proven tactics and industry expertise will give you the clarity and confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions for your distribution business.

Matt Christensen, President of Distributor Data Solutions (DDS), revolutionizes product data management for manufacturers and distributors. In this episode, host Jason Nyhus speaks with Matt about his career journey and the back story of why DDS was founded. Tune in to learn how DDS’s API-first platform and AI-driven solutions empower distributors to scale efficiently, reduce manual work, and compete with industry giants. Matt shares insights on leveraging data to enhance customer loyalty, reduce returns, and expand market reach. Perfect for those in distribution and e-commerce, this episode offers strategies to transform digital chaos into a competitive advantage.