The Brand Building Podcast

Most brands are obsessed with acquisition. Paid ads, influencers, SEO… chasing the next new customer. But what happens when retention becomes the main driver of growth? In this case study, I’m breaking down exactly how we helped a DTC apparel brand grow from 51% to over 82% of total revenue coming from retention marketing — while scaling the business 5X in the process. We’re talking email, SMS, push notifications, and direct mail — all working together as a single system. No theory. No fluff. Just real numbers, real timelines, and the exact playbook behind it. If you’re running an e-commerce brand and your retention program isn’t doing this kind of heavy lifting yet, there’s a lot of revenue sitting on the table. LINK TO PEBBY FOREVEE TAPCART CASE STUDY:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mul1GEM_XEk&t=7s  ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

Most founders think raising more money is the goal. It’s not. In this episode, I sit down with Chris to break down what’s actually happening inside CPG right now — from equity deals that don’t make sense anymore, to why smart brands are shifting toward new financing models to scale faster without giving everything away. Chris went from a college athlete with zero experience to building a 7-figure business, stacking advisory equity across dozens of startups, and eventually launching a VC fund investing in the future of health, wellness, and CPG. We get into: Why most founders misunderstand funding What investors actually look for The shift from equity → smarter capital How brands are scaling retail without getting crushed on cash flow And where CPG is heading over the next 5–10 years If you're building a brand, raising capital, or trying to understand how this game really works — this is the conversation you want to hear. Connect with Chris: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswilkerson51/  - [email protected]  - https://chriswilkerson.beehiiv.com/p/the-first-time-i-have-ever-written-this  - https://51ventures.vc/  ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

Most marketers think their ads stopped working. They didn’t. You just lost the data. In this episode, we break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes — how privacy updates, tracking limitations, and browser changes are quietly killing attribution… and what that means for your revenue. If you’re running ecom, using Klaviyo, or relying on paid ads — this isn’t a “nice to know.” This is the reason your numbers don’t make sense anymore. We cover: Why tracking is getting worse every year How much data you’re actually missing (it’s a lot) Why your flows and ROAS are underreporting And who’s really winning because of all this (hint: not small brands) This is one of those conversations that changes how you look at your entire marketing stack. If you care about growth, retention, and not flying blind… watch this. Connect with Justin: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-cowperthwaite-3948b48/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://getrestore.ai/ ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com 🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02

Emergency episode. Today — Thursday, April 16th — RFK Jr. and the FDA announced a major policy shift: 12 peptides are being pulled out of Category 2 and sent to PCAC for formal review starting in July. Names like BPC-157, Epitalon, GHK-Cu, MOTS-c, Semax, and Melanotan II are on the list. This isn't full approval — but it's the clearest signal yet that peptides are moving from the black market into regulated, legitimate clinical pathways. And for Telehealth marketers and operators, this changes everything. In this episode, Mark Milutin breaks down what the shift actually means for growth in the space: why LegitScript certification is about to open up for peptide protocols (and why that's the unlock for paid media on Meta and Google), why ESPs and payment processors will start saying yes instead of no, and why Shopify and other platforms are quietly positioning for this moment. He covers the supply-side explosion coming to Telehealth, the consumer confidence flip that's about to accelerate influencer adoption and soften media narratives, and the branding opportunity for operators who want to build the Nike of longevity instead of another spammy biohacker storefront. Mark also digs into the retention gold mine hiding in this category — why peptides are a repeat-purchase, subscription-native behavior, why lifecycle flows (onboarding, dosage reminders, progress tracking) become the core of the business, and why the savage marketers and operators are going to win this category before traditional healthcare even wakes up. If you caught the earlier episode on why Telehealth brands are getting kicked off Klaviyo, this is the other side of the coin: the platforms are about to open up, the rules are about to get clearer, and the window to move is right now. This feels like e-commerce in 2012 — with 2026 tools. Don't sleep on it. Read the full Press Release: https://www.openpr.com/news/4477253/bread-loaf-s-ceo-mark-milutin-breaks-down-fda-peptide-shift

Telehealth brands are scaling faster than ever — and getting kicked off Klaviyo faster than ever, too. In this episode, host Mark Militant breaks down the compliance gray area that's catching up with fast-growing telehealth startups: Klaviyo (and most ESPs) aren't HIPAA compliant, and once your revenue starts climbing, that target on your back gets a lot bigger. Inspired by a recent post from Daniel Budai about a peptide client's migration headache, Mark walks through why this matters, when it starts to matter, and the three enterprise-grade platforms he's recommending to clients right now: Braze, HubSpot Enterprise, and Salesforce Marketing Cloud. He covers the real cost of compliance (spoiler: $35K/year minimum), why brands like Ro, Hims & Hers, and CVS run on Braze, and the lawsuit risk waiting for any telehealth brand marketing to patients without a BAA in place. If you're building in telehealth — or thinking about it — this one's a must-listen before you send your next campaign.

Klaviyo just rolled out one of the most important features for ecommerce brands right now — and almost no one is talking about it. In this episode, I break down how Klaviyo’s new social integration (powered by their Gatsby acquisition) is changing the way we grow email and SMS lists in 2026. Instead of relying on popups and website traffic, you can now turn Instagram comments and DMs into high-quality subscribers — natively inside Klaviyo. This is a massive shift toward first-party data and a more scalable way to build retention channels without depending on paid traffic or unstable third-party tools like ManyChat. We’re already testing this at Breadloaf with ecommerce brands, using strategies like giveaways, value-based content, and automated DM flows to convert social engagement into email and SMS subscribers — and the early results are extremely promising. If you’re running a Shopify brand, scaling paid ads, or trying to improve retention and ROAS, this is something you need to be paying attention to. This is where list growth is heading. If you want help implementing this for your brand, book a call with me and I’ll walk you through exactly how we’re using this to grow and scale ecommerce businesses. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

We just hosted one of the most fun and valuable events I’ve done in my entire career — a private ecommerce experience with Klaviyo during the Waste Management Open in Scottsdale. In this episode, I break down exactly how we put together “From the Inbox to the Tee Box,” why we focused on a small, high-level group of founders and operators, and what actually happens when you get the right people in the same room — without pitching, without pressure. This wasn’t about selling. It was about building real relationships with people who are actively scaling brands, running paid media, and pushing the limits in ecommerce. If you’re an agency owner, ecommerce founder, or operator, this is the kind of strategy that compounds long-term — and it’s something we’re doubling down on moving forward. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

I just got back from one of the most valuable marketing events I’ve been to in a long time — a private telehealth conference in Miami hosted by some of the top direct response operators in the world. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what I saw, what I learned, and why I believe telehealth is becoming one of the biggest opportunities right now for ecommerce brands, media buyers, and anyone in the paid ads space. We’re talking real numbers, real systems, and what it actually takes to scale in this space — from acquisition and creatives to retention, compliance, and high-LTV subscription models. If you’re running an ecommerce brand, scaling ads, or looking for the next big opportunity in 2026, this is something you need to understand. This event completely shifted how I’m thinking about the future of my business — and if you’re paying attention, it might do the same for you. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

Big update—Bread Loaf is now an official partner of Applovin Over the past few months, we’ve been deep in the platform testing their Axon product, and the results have been strong. In this episode, I break down what Applovin actually is, how programmatic advertising works, and why this channel is becoming a serious opportunity for ecommerce brands. We cover the difference between paid social, search, and programmatic, why programmatic has historically been a black box, and how Applovin is changing that with a conversion-focused approach built for DTC. If you’re a founder, operator, or media buyer looking to scale beyond Meta and Google, this is a channel you should be paying attention to. I also break down exactly how to get started, what creatives to use, and how we’re thinking about this as part of a modern multi-channel growth strategy in 2026. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

We just got back from Expo West 2026, and this was easily one of the biggest years yet. In this episode, Sarah and I break down the top trends we’re seeing in health and wellness—from the explosion of creatine (especially for women) to the continued dominance of hydration, clean ingredients, and premium supplements. We also get into what brands are doing differently, where the CPG space is heading, and what opportunities we see over the next 12–24 months. If you’re building a brand, investing in wellness, or just want to stay ahead of where the industry is going, this is one you don’t want to miss. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

Mark breaks down a whirlwind 24-hour trip to Denver to meet with the Klaviyo team in person — and why he's never been more fired up about Breadloaf's 10-year partnership with the platform. He walks through the case studies they presented, including West Coast Saw (a Klaviyo referral now crushing it across full funnel), Key.co's migration from Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and Axle Advanced's journey from MailChimp to Omnisend to Klaviyo — complete with a 91/100 deliverability score through the holiday season. Plus, a recap of dinner with Brad Miller from Yo Colorado, who just landed their National Sea Patrol collection in REI. If you're an e-commerce brand thinking about Klaviyo or looking for what a real agency-platform partnership looks like, this one's for you.

In this episode, I sit down with fashion industry veteran Jon Levine, founder of Apparel Advisors, to break down what it really takes to build and scale a fashion brand today. Jonn has been in the apparel industry for decades—building a $40M brand, working with private equity-backed companies, and now advising emerging and established fashion brands. We talk about the biggest mistakes brands make with positioning, why so many companies struggle with identity, and how founders should actually think about brand strategy in today’s DTC landscape. We also dive into how AI is changing content creation, the role of performance marketing in ecommerce, and why storytelling and brand heritage still matter more than ever. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Connect with Jon: [email protected]   Website: appareladvisors.com    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levinejon/ 

If you’re in DTC and serious about scaling, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. I sat down with Jana, our Head of Growth Partnerships at Bread Loaf, to break down what actually drives growth behind the scenes—how real relationships turn into revenue, when it actually makes sense to hire an agency, and why timing in business is everything. We get into the reality of sales cycles, what most brands get wrong about scaling, and how the best operators think about retention, paid media, and long-term partnerships. Plus, we touch on what we’re seeing right now across the ecosystem with platforms like Klaviyo and where AI is starting to change the game. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Connect with Jana: [email protected] 

In this episode, we explore how Eikona is reinventing lifecycle marketing with AI-powered adaptive creative.  Imagine emails and ads that change for every single customer — in real time. Nir, Eikona founder, breaks down the future of personalization, the tech behind it, and why this shift will transform how brands grow. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Connect with Nir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nir-zvi-weingarten/  Check out Eikona: https://www.eikona.io/ 

Black Friday 2025 just became the biggest online shopping day in history. In this episode I break down the key numbers the standout trends and the strategies that helped brands win. From Shopify’s six point two billion day to Klaviyo’s one billion in attributed sales this is a fast look at what really happened and what operators should focus on for 2026.

In this special Thanksgiving episode, I wanted to slow things down and simply say thank you. This is the busiest and most stressful week of the year for anyone in e-commerce and it has been that way for me for almost sixteen straight Black Fridays. It is long nights, constant changes, nonstop pressure, and a level of expectation that only founders, operators, and agency teams truly understand. But Thanksgiving has always been the one moment inside all that chaos where I take a breath and reflect. It is a day grounded in gratitude, presence, and shared meals with the people who matter most. In this episode I share what I am most thankful for this year. My incredible Bread Loaf team who shows up every single day. Our brand partners and clients who trust us during the most important revenue window of their entire year. And my family, especially my wife, whose support makes this crazy season possible. I talk about the reality of working in e-commerce during BFCM, the history of why Black Friday mattered so much for retail, and how every offer, every campaign, every flow, and every late night is done to help brands hit their goals and finish the year strong. This episode is a reminder to pause and acknowledge the people, the opportunities, and the moments that make all of this worth it. I hope it inspires you to take a few minutes today to reflect on what you are thankful for as well. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving.

In this episode I am breaking down one of the most misunderstood and overlooked parts of retention marketing. Email deliverability. Email used to be simple. You set up an ESP, write a calendar, launch a few campaigns, and revenue shows up. That world is gone. Between iOS changes, Google and Yahoo protocol updates, and rapidly evolving inbox rules, email deliverability has become one of the most important and most complex levers in all of e-commerce. And as we head into 2026, any brand that does not fully understand deliverability is risking the entire channel. In this episode I walk through the core fundamentals every operator must know. The protocols, the DNS setup, the importance of a dedicated IP, and why verification across every app matters more than ever. I also break down the tools and processes we use at Bread Loaf when auditing hundreds of Klaviyo accounts each year and why nine out of ten brands we see are struggling with deliverability without even knowing it. We go deep on list cleaning, list management, how to protect your IP reputation, how to monitor ISP performance, and how to use Klaviyo deliverability scores, Google Postmaster, and segment level reporting to fix issues before they become disasters. I also share why spam traps are one of the biggest hidden threats in e-commerce retention and how list hygiene solves that problem. If you run email for your brand or your clients, this episode gives you the clear blueprint for understanding deliverability and maintaining a healthy, profitable channel. If you are preparing for 2026, this is the one topic you cannot afford to ignore. The episode is live now and I hope it gives you clarity on how to approach email the right way.

In this episode, I am sharing something deeply personal and easily the most life changing experience of my entire life. Two weeks ago, my wife and I welcomed our baby girl, Sienna Rose, into the world. It has been emotional, overwhelming, and completely magical, and it happened right in the middle of the busiest season of the year for me, my clients, and my agency. This is not just a new dad update. It is a perspective shift for operators, founders, brand owners, tech partners, and agency leaders everywhere. Because nothing prepares you for how becoming responsible for another human being instantly changes your relationship with time, priorities, and ambition. In this episode I talk through what the final weeks before the birth looked like, what those first forty eight hours in the hospital taught me, and the truth about how much time you truly waste before you have children. I share what cluster feeding looks like during Q4 and how running an agency through it has forced me to operate with a level of focus I did not know I had. Most importantly, I explain how fatherhood has already become the greatest motivator of my life. It is pushing me to level up in business, in my health, in my relationships, and in how I operate each day. There is a different kind of purpose that comes from knowing you are now providing for a little human who depends on you. I recorded this on a quiet Sunday evening while Sienna slept because when your available time becomes limited, your intensity and clarity increase in ways you do not fully understand until it happens. If you are a founder or operator who does not have kids yet, this episode may give you a perspective you did not know you needed. If you already have kids, you will probably relate to every word. This is the most meaningful episode I have ever filmed, and I hope you enjoy it.

After months of setbacks, broken engines, and bad service, Mark finally got his 28-foot Boston Whaler running—and in the process, learned a powerful lesson about business: cutting corners with the wrong partner always costs more in the long run. This episode dives into why cheap talent, fast timelines, and unrealistic promises destroy more projects than anything else - and why Bread Loaf’s clients keep coming back after learning that lesson the hard way.

Episode Description: In this episode of The Brand Building Podcast, Mark Milutin breaks down one of the biggest updates Klaviyo has rolled out in years - the brand-new Instagram integration powered by Gatsby.ai. For the first time ever, brands can now collect email and SMS subscribers directly from Instagram comments and DMs - no Zapier, no broken APIs, no compliance headaches. Just native, first-party data collection inside Klaviyo. Mark dives deep into: How Klaviyo’s acquisition of Gatsby.ai changes the game for DTC list growth Why traditional pop-ups are losing effectiveness (and what to do instead) The exact flow of how IG comment-to-DM automations work How this unlocks a new “Blue Ocean” for eCommerce brands to grow faster Real stats on why consumers are 3x more likely to engage via DM than the web Why the brands that move first on this integration will win big in 2025 If you’re serious about growing your email and SMS lists, this is the episode you don’t want to miss. 👉 Learn more about Bread Loaf and schedule your Klaviyo audit:https://retention-lab.com/ 👉 Read more about the Klaviyo Gatsby Acquisition: https://www.klaviyo.com/newsroom/gatsby-acquisition

In this episode of the Brand Building Podcast, Mark Milutin (Founder of Bread Loaf) breaks down why pre-sales are one of the most dangerous traps for modern DTC brands—and why he absolutely hates them. From diluted launches and spiked return rates to broken marketing funnels and lost momentum, Mark shares firsthand experiences from real clients and the brutal downstream effects pre-orders have on performance metrics like CAC, conversion rate, and retention ROI. If you’re running fashion, footwear, or premium products in the DTC space—and think pre-sales are a shortcut to early revenue—this episode is your wake-up call. Learn why true product launches drive FOMO, community hype, and 7-figure hours Discover how pre-sales sabotage your paid and retention teams Hear what the top-performing Bread Loaf brands are doing instead

The game has changed — creative alone won’t save your brand in 2025.  In this breakdown of Klaviyo’s KBOs 2025 event, I share the biggest takeaways shaping the future of e-commerce and retention marketing.  From AI-driven automation and multi-channel orchestration to WhatsApp integrations and real-time data insights — this is where the industry is heading. If you’re a Shopify brand, an agency operator, or just obsessed with growth, this episode is your roadmap to staying ahead. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Check out my FREE $4,000 Brand Retention Audit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tywPkNcqY&t=43s 

Klaviyo just dropped a game-changing WhatsApp integration — and it’s about to completely transform how brands retain customers globally. 🌍 In this video, I break down exactly how Klaviyo’s WhatsApp feature works, why it’s a massive unlock for international DTC brands, and how to build and monetize your WhatsApp list the right way. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Check out my FREE $4,000 Brand Retention Audit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tywPkNcqY 

What if your entire marketing and support team ran on AI? 🤯 In this video, I break down Klaviyo’s brand new AI Agents — the Marketing Agent and Customer Agent — and show you how they’re completely redefining what it means to automate your email, SMS, and customer experience. You’ll learn: 🚀 How Klaviyo’s AI Agents actually work (and what they can do) 💡 Real examples of how brands are using them right now ⚠️ The top 3 mistakes people make when turning on AI in Klaviyo 🔐 How to safely adopt AI without losing control of your brand voice If you use Klaviyo, you need to understand what’s coming — this update will change how every marketer operates. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Check out my FREE $4,000 Brand Retention Audit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tywPkNcqY 

What if you could run your entire email marketing operation just by talking to AI?  In this video, I’m breaking down Klaviyo’s brand-new MCP Server integration with Claude AI — what it is, how it works, and why it’s about to completely change how we run campaigns. If you’re using Klaviyo or Shopify, this is one you don’t want to miss.  ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

In this video, I’m breaking down Klaviyo Analytics — the hidden engine behind your revenue. Most brands send emails, run flows, and optimize campaigns without truly knowing what’s driving results or bleeding them dry. I’ll show you how to use customer analytics, product insights, and attribution models inside Klaviyo to turn your data into action.  If you’re on Shopify and serious about scaling through lifecycle and retention marketing, this deep dive is for you. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

In this video, I’m breaking down 7 proven strategies to grow your email and SMS list in 2025 so you can crush Q4 revenue without relying on discounts or overspending on ads. At Breadloaf, we help Shopify brands scale through lifecycle and retention marketing, and I’ll show you the exact list growth tactics we run every day for our partners using Klaviyo, Postscript, and Attentive. From popups that actually convert, to sweepstakes, product launch lead gen, and back-in-stock flows—this is the playbook for building the one asset you truly own: your list. If you’re serious about making Q4 your biggest yet, this is where you start. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Planetags $1,000,000 in less than an hour video HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeLrawEHrsc   

In this episode, I share a boots-on-the-ground recap from Klaviyo’s K:BOS in Boston—why the energy mattered, how Klaviyo is evolving from ESP to full CRM, and what operators (brand and agency) need to do right now to win Q4 and 2026. If you’re a Shopify brand and want a Klaviyo CRM + omnichannel gameplan for Q4 and 2026 (WhatsApp, RCS, direct mail, social capture, AI workflows), click the link below to lear more about my retention audit: https://youtu.be/A_tywPkNcqY?si=JBA4pc6sy9KBnpHJ Timestamp guide 00:00 Intro, why K:BOS mattered this year 03:12 High-frequency vs low-frequency operating 07:40 Agencies: creative is table stakes—what’s next actually wins 12:18 Brands’ reality: margins, talent, tool-sprawl 15:09 Klaviyo’s 3 investment pillars (omnichannel, analytics, autonomous) 18:22 Roadmap: Service desk, AI agents, RCS, WhatsApp, Gatsby 25:11 Claude + Klaviyo via MCP (why I’m hyped) 28:45 PostPilot playbook (1% budget, handwritten VIP, fence-sitters) 33:02 Operator dinner: Kona, Copley, partners 37:30 Goals for 2026 + invite to next year’s K:BOS

If you wait until Black Friday to plan Black Friday, you’ve already lost. In this video, I’m handing you the exact BFCM campaign calendar we use at Breadloaf to help our clients crush Q4.  I’ll walk you through every channel — email, SMS, push, and direct mail — and show you what to send, when to send it, and how to maximize revenue all the way through December.  Steal my playbook, drop it straight into your calendar, and make this your biggest Q4 yet. Q4 for September & October: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuZFEFgZM0w  ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

Stop waiting until November to win Q4 — the brands that dominate Black Friday and Cyber Monday start in September and October. In this video, I break down the exact playbook we use at Breadloaf to front-load demand, grow your subscriber list, and set your Shopify or CPG brand up for massive Q4 results. You’ll get actionable tips on: Budget splits and top-of-funnel strategy Offers, popups, and subscriber capture Re-engagement campaigns and sweepstakes Email deliverability and list hygiene Omnichannel growth with push and direct mail KPIs to track so November feels effortless Make September and October count — watch now and prepare your Q4 for success! ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Prepare for Black Friday 2025: https://www.klaviyo.com/blog/bfcm-marketing-checklist   

iOS 26 is here, and it’s changing the game for email and SMS marketing. Your messages could be getting filtered, your tracking stripped, and your campaigns crushed if you don’t adapt.  In this video, I break down exactly what’s changed, why it matters, and the 5 strategies I’m using to future-proof retention marketing in 2025 and beyond. If you’re serious about keeping your campaigns alive, this one’s for you. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  AI Email Summarizers Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-BK0OqOTV8     

I just got back from the Meta Advertiser Summit in LA, and the message was loud and clear: If you’re only running a few ads in Q4, you’re leaving money on the table. In this video, I’m breaking down the exact Q4 creative playbook that Meta wants us to run—hooks, formats, creator strategy, testing cadence, and more.   Plus, I’ll share the stats they dropped on stage and give you my 14-day sprint plan so you can execute this right now. Let’s win Q4 together. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

In this episode of The Brand Building Podcast, I share the inside story of a record-breaking campaign that delivered a client’s first million-dollar month—plus a $1M day and even a $1M hour. I'll break down the fundamentals that made this possible. If you’re serious about e-commerce growth, this episode shows how patience, planning, and execution can set new standards for success.

In this episode of the Brand Building Podcast, I breas down my 10-80-10 Method for using AI tools like ChatGPT to supercharge productivity in 2025. Forget the overhyped influencer nonsense—this is a practical framework for agencies, marketers, and operators to streamline workflows, create better copy, scripts, and strategies faster. If you’re not leveraging AI the right way, you’re leaving massive growth on the table.

Texas just changed its SMS marketing laws — and if your DTC brand sends texts to Texas customers, you could face fines of $500–$1,500 per text if you’re not compliant. In this video, I break down the new Texas SMS law (TTCPA), what it means for your email & SMS marketing, and the exact steps you need to take now to stay safe. Don’t risk lawsuits or lost revenue — watch before you hit send. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Here's How The Free $4,000 Audit Works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tywPkNcqY&t=5s 

Yotpo just announced they’re shutting down their Email + SMS platform — and if you’re still on it, your flows, automations, and subscriber list could be gone before Q4 even starts. In this video, I break down: ✅ What Yotpo’s shutdown really means for DTC brands ✅ The best alternatives (Klaviyo, Omnisend, Attentive, Sendlane) ✅ A step-by-step migration plan to protect your list & deliverability ✅ How to avoid losing revenue during the switch At Bread Loaf, we’ve migrated dozens of brands without losing a single deliverability point. For August, we’re offering free migrations + a retention marketing audit to help you hit Q4 strong. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

In this episode, we sit down with Brandi, founder of Weston Heated Apparel, to hear how she turned a failed textbook business into an 8-figure seasonal brand loved by cold-weather customers across the country.  From bootstrapping and building strong supplier relationships to launching heated gloves, jackets, and socks — Brandi shares the real story behind her success, her growth strategy, and how she avoids burnout by working with the seasons. Check out Weston Apparel here: https://www.westonstore.com/  Connect with Brandi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandicasey/  ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

AI is changing email marketing forever. With Gmail’s Gemini, Apple Mail’s smart inbox, Outlook Copilot, and Yahoo’s AI summaries, your emails may never even get opened — not because of bad subject lines, but because AI already told your customers what’s inside.  In this video, I break down how AI summarizers are disrupting email marketing, what it means for open and click rates, and how to adapt your strategy before your campaigns get buried. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

In this episode, we sit down with Louis Joseph, founder of Alps & Meters, a premium alpine sportswear brand blending old-world craftsmanship with modern utility.  Louis shares his journey from corporate roles to launching a luxury ski apparel company built on timeless style, quality, and performance.  Learn how he navigated startup life, inventory challenges, and the future of the ski industry. Check out Alps & Meter: https://www.alpsandmeters.co.uk//?srsltid=AfmBOoqggoQRl0mVFbvjDG-hF2aSysqIKioSBQafMrPC3epIOuzvKS8Q&utm_source=AM-us  Connect with Louis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-joseph-0b35281/  ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform- source=www.youtube.com 🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

How Two Friends Built a 7-Figure Bag Brand From Scratch | FTL Founders Interview Meet Xander and Ryan, lifelong friends who turned a personal pain point into a thriving direct-to-consumer bag brand, FTL.  In this episode, they share how they went from bootstrapping prototypes in their spare time to landing partnerships with pro athletes and major sports teams—all while leaving behind their corporate careers. Learn how authentic relationships, scrappy marketing, and relentless product development fueled their momentum. Check out FTL: https://ftlbags.com/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/ftlbags/  Connect with Xander & Ryan: [email protected]  ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

Is your Klaviyo list bloated and underperforming? Dead emails are costing you serious money. In this video, I reveal a step-by-step “off-the-grid” email revival strategy that doesn’t even require Klaviyo.  Learn how to fix deliverability, warm up a new domain, clean your list, and re-engage cold subscribers using high-deliverability ESPs like Mailchimp. Perfect for ecommerce brands serious about retention in 2025. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

Stuck at $1M in revenue with your Shopify brand? This video breaks down the exact differences between 7-figure DTC hustlers and 9-figure ecommerce giants like Jaded London and Dr. Squatch.  From capital structure to ad strategy, team building, and ops — learn what it really takes to scale from $1M to $100M and beyond. If you're serious about growth, this is your roadmap. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Breakdown of my FREE $4K Brand Retention Audit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tywPkNcqY 

If your eCommerce growth feels stuck, it’s probably not your ads or product. You’re likely leaving hundreds of thousands in revenue on the table from customers who’ve already said yes. In this video I break down: ✅ Why most brands struggle with retention ✅ How our 28-point Brand Retention Audit works ✅ The exact process to unlock 20%+ more revenue in the next 90 days ✅ And how to get this $4,000 audit completely free if you qualify We deep-dive into email deliverability, SMS flows, campaign strategy, creative, automation, push, direct mail, and more. You’ll walk away with a tactical roadmap designed to make your backend revenue engine print cash. 👉 Click the link below to apply for your free retention audit. Spots are limited. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

From a garage in Utah to a 38,000 sq. ft. HQ — this is the wild story of how two hunters built BAKCOU, the e-bike brand that’s changing the game for backcountry hunters and outdoor adventurers.  No investors.  No plan.  Just grit, faith, and a whole lot of hustle. We talk product failures, brutal tariffs, big pivots — and why BAKCOU bikes are built like tanks. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  Connect with David:  - https://www.instagram.com/bakcoudave/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-andre-883021188/ 

From a kitchen table in Redondo Beach to generating $1B+ in revenue for brands like Star Wars, Coors Banquet, and Macy’s—these are the 9 lessons I learned building Bread Loaf over 9 years.  Whether you're starting an agency or scaling your business, these insights are the roadmap I wish I had on day one. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

In 2025, AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the engine behind every dollar spent in eCommerce. From ad creatives and video production to product photos, website design, analytics, and even SEO—AI is reshaping everything. In this video, I break down how smart brands are using AI tools like Creatify AI, Triple Whale’s Moby, and more to scale faster, cut costs, and win in a competitive DTC landscape. If you want to future-proof your brand and unlock the power of AI in your eCommerce strategy, this is the video you need to see. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02  AI tools every brand needs to use HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLBF-aWLJmk 

STOP spending all your budget on ads! What if your best-performing marketing channel is already on your customer list? In this video, I break down exactly how one brand generated $40K+ in referral revenue in just 30 days — with ZERO ad spend. I’ll show you step-by-step how to build, launch, and scale a referral program for your Shopify store using the best tools in the game. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

Are your email open rates tanking? Bounce rates spiking? It might not be your strategy — it could be spambots. In this video, I break down the silent spambot epidemic that's damaging Shopify brands’ email deliverability and retention revenue.  Learn how we uncovered fake email traffic, what it’s doing to your flows, and the exact 4-step protocol we use to stop it cold. ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

In this episode, I sit down with Juan Guzman, former professional soccer player turned CEO of Artisan Tropic, a family-run, better-for-you snack brand revolutionizing plantain and cassava chips.  Juan shares how his family's health journey inspired their business, the challenges of manufacturing in Colombia, scaling without outside capital, and what’s next in their mission to build a $100M impact-driven brand.  This is a must-watch for entrepreneurs, CPG founders, and anyone passionate about purpose-driven business. Check out Artisan Tropic: https://artisantropic.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopWmf866ug3Qy_x9mxslniWZm3KwvLXZFmVKsUqcL5OGpCYo0X3  Connect with Juan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juanpguzman/  ✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

iOS 18 just changed the email game forever. Apple Mail’s new update is filtering emails before your customers even see them — with smart inbox categories, branded sender logos, and AI-driven suppression. In this video, I break down exactly what’s changing, how it impacts your deliverability, and how to future-proof your email strategy in 2025. Whether you're running Klaviyo or any ESP, this update is a wake-up call for eCommerce brands relying on outdated flows and lazy campaigns. 💡 Get your FREE 4K Email Audit here: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com  ✅ We'll review your flows, fix your gaps, and help you adapt fast. 🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02