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Operators Newsletter

Get weekly guidance from the world’s greatest nine-figure executives, ecommerce marketers, and DTC-content creators. The minds behind Ridge, HexClad, Simple Modern, Lomi, Pela Case, Jones Road Beauty & more — curated by Aaron Orendorff.

Want to Be CEO? 15 “Jobs” to Own + One Tip to Put Them to Work
Featured Post

Want to Be CEO? Here’s How

Whether you hold the title CEO, aspire to it, or just want to be a better leader … today’s newsletter is for you. Because truly great CEOs don’t have just one job. 🏆 Matthew Bertulli shares the 15 jobs every great CEO owns 😤 Sean Frank reveals the channel of 2026 + why it’ll break you 🍬 Derek Lauermann serves a 3-part gut check for next year Sean Frank CEO, Ridge THE CHANNEL FOR 2026 & Why It Can Break You Retail in 2026 is not dead. It is harder than DTC.It is more dangerous.Especially with...

How Buying Triggers Unlock Creative Diversity: The “CEP” Framework

💰 Matt Bertulli offers you his 2026 planning playbook (free) 🎁 Derek Lauermann inspires with holiday gifts + campaigns 🖨️ Connor MacDonald shows how he prints incremental profit 🎯 Tyson Drake reveals a framework to dominate market share 🤑 Cody Plofker shares four positions he’s hiring for right now And, the top five headlines from this week in consumer (DTC) news — including Shopify’s latest release. Matthew Bertulli CEO, Lomi & Pela Case Are You Prepared for 2026? Last week, I spent two days...

10 Ways to Cut Your Costs and Make More Profit in 2026

It’s not the money you make. It’s the money you keep. Sound cliché? Of course. That doesn’t mean it isn’t true. 💰 Mehtab Bhogal shows you 10 ways to generate more profit 🤐 Cody Plofker reveals a “hidden opportunity” to lift margin 📺 Connor MacDonald shares how to scale your brand on TV 🏠 Sean Frank invites you to hang out with him in a mansion 📈 Top five headlines from this week in consumer (DTC) news But First After 75 responses from you wonderful people … My fancy Sheet randomizer formula...

The Real 2025 Black Friday Numbers, What They Mean + What to Do

Black Friday broke all the records. At least, that’s what the headlines say. The question is … did they for you? Even more importantly, if they didn’t (1) are you alone, and (2) what can you do about it? That’s what today’s newsletter is all about. 📊 Sean Frank reveals the real numbers + what they mean 🏆 Mike Manheimer shares five ways to keep momentum 🤑 Connor Rolain on how to print more profit in your funnels Plus, this week’s top-5 headlines in consumer news with links and executive...

Black Friday Featuring +40 of You! A Gift Guide of Unsung Hero Brands

This one is all about you. A few days ago, I sent out a request on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn. We want to support you by featuring ten “unsung” brand heroes in a special Black Friday newsletter. The criteria? Not 9-figures Not usual suspects Not behemoths Your response was incredible. In fact, a bit overwhelming. You lovely people forced me to do the unthinkable … Expand the list of ten to over 40 unsung hero brands, divided into five categories: Apparel & Accessories CPG, Food & Beverage...

Your Not-Too-Late, There’s-Still-Time Checklist: 85 Things

By this time next week … Black Friday, Cyber Monday will be in the books. So to be as helpful as possible, we’ve consolidated every holiday tip and tactic we’ve shared into a single checklist. Your it’s-not-too-late, there’s-still-time checklist. We also have the top five headlines from this week in consumer news with links + summaries. Connor MacDonald CMO, Ridge The Right Post-Purchase Matters Beyond AOV Lift Everyone knows post-purchase upsells boost AOV. We use them even smarter. Real...

5 Easy Wins for Black Friday That You Can Harvest

🤑 Cody Plofker on full-funnel monitization for the holidays 🎁 Mehtab Bhogal shares five easy wins before Black Friday 🍬 Derek Lauermann on the what and why of Meta’s “GEM” Cody Plofker CEO, Jones Road Beauty Why Full-Funnel Monetization Beats More Traffic During Black Friday and the holiday rush, when traffic spikes 3-5x, your upselling strategy needs to work at every stage. Cart additions Checkout flow Post-purchase Thank-you pages Every one of those touchpoints is either revenue you’re...

When You Can’t Be OOO: How to Take Your Holiday Work Home

It’s go time. The last thing you need is more “to-dos.” So, instead … today’s newsletter is entirely different from anything else we’ve sent. 🎁 Katy Mimari on how to not be OOO this holiday season 🏆 Jason Panzer on how to keep things simple with one rule 🤑 Cody Plofker on how to make more money per purchase Plus, this week’s top-5 headlines in consumer news with links and executive summaries. Katy Mimari Founder & CEO, Caden Lane Not OOO: Why & How to Bring Your (Holiday) Work Home Becoming...

Three Stages of Expansion: Maturity Curve & Checklist

Lock in. Strap down. And get ready. What you’re about to experience is an unabridged excerpt from our long-foretold Operators Guide to Expansion. The full playbook drops Thursday. 🔥 Connor MacDonald reveals Ridge’s entire channel strategy 💰 Cody Plofker wants you to make more money per checkout 📈 Top five headlines from this week in consumer (DTC) news Cody Plofker CEO, Jones Road Beauty Getting Paid for the Checkout Methods You Already Offer I’ve always said … don’t touch the payment page...

Excellence Means Quitting + The Greatest Gift You Can Give Yourself

🤑 Sean Frank on the best ROI (ever) + personalizing products 🏆 Mike Beckham reveals why you need to quit to be excellent 🎁 Matt Bertulli shares the greatest gift you can give yourself Sean Frank CEO, Ridge OOH ROI AOV and BFCM Someone sent me this picture of a massive billboard at the Vegas airport during the netsuite conference. I didn't pay for it. Best ROI on a software decision ever. Free OOH campaigns.Because Fulfil is Ridge's ERP. The pitch… Fulfil gets you live within weeks. 1 place to...