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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.

Operators Assemble: Today’s Agenda
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Today’s Agenda: Operators Event

We’re only two hours away from the online gathering of the year! To help you make the most of our time together, two things. First, it’s not too late to submit your questions for the live AMA + Q&A Operators Assemble Podcast. Hit reply right now if you’ve got one! Second, here’s the full agenda with links to join every keynote, Q&A booth, breakout track, lightning panel, and the headliner. All times are EST … 12pm (EST): Leadership Keynotes 9ops.co/event ★ Katy Mimari, CEO of Caden Lane★...

Tornadoes > Funnels: Three Steps for More Traffic + Conversions

When traffic goes up, conversions go down. At least, that’s the “law” in ecommerce. But what if you could have both? More visitors. More conversions. Sound impossible? It’s not … 🌪️ Cherene Aubert shows you how tornadoes beat funnels 🤩 Stuart Chaney shares a last-call invitation for tomorrow 🏆 Top five headlines from this week in DTC consumer news Stuart Chaney Founder & CEO, Rivo Tomorrow! June 17, 12pm–5pm (EST) Myself and the Rivo team will be joining over 20 DTC leaders at the online...

Secrets to Running DTC Sweepstakes: 5 Questions + 3 Bonuses

This one is packed with giveaways. And, three bonuses throughout … 🥳 Connor MacDonald shows you how to run a sweepstakes 💰 Stuart Chaney with “wallet passes” + a burning question 🗞️ Five biggest headlines from this week in consumer news BONUS #1 🎁 Have you grabbed your spot at the very first Operators Assemble Event? It’s June 17th. It’s online. It’s free. It’s ridiculously stacked … 20+ speakers. 4 keynotes. 3 breakout tracks: (1) leadership, (2) marketing, and (3) finance. 10 lightning...

The Mindset That Changed My Life: On Growth & Leadership

🧠 Mike Beckham shares the mindset that changed his life + how to apply it to youself and your leadership 🤑 Sean Frank reveals what made Ridge’s whole sweepstakes possible and why he’s doubling down in 2025 🗞️ Top five headlines from this week in consumer (DTC) news, along with links and executive summaries Have you signed up for our Operators Assemble Event on June 17th? It’s online. It’s free. It’s ridiculously stacked … There’s a glamour shot at the end. Sean Frank CEO, Ridge Our annual...

Three Ecommerce Rules + Two Exclusive Invitations

Forget complexity. Let’s get simple without getting simplistic. Three ecommerce rules … ripe with raw honesty about what happens when you break them. 📊 Sean Frank reveals the “formulas” of being a merchant 🤑 Connor Rolain with a referral strategy that actually works 🗞️ Five biggest headlines from this week in consumer news Plus two invitations … Mike Beckham Simple Modern, CEO Operators Assemble! Your Invitation On June 17th, we’re excited to be hosting our first online event … by operators,...

Everything I Learned Selling My First Company

You asked. Nay, you demanded. Three weeks ago, after Sean Frank’s record-breaking newsletter on the truth about private equity … You wrecked my inbox with responses for a follow-up on how to prepare for an exit. Good news! The first of three deep dives is here. 🤑 Matt Bertulli reveals everything he learned before, during & after selling his first company 🤯 Connor Rolain shares the dopest (beyond just) email-list-building tactic I’ve ever seen 🤩 Top five headlines from this week in consumer...

Product Launch Playbook: Jones Road Beauty’s Biggest of the Year

Last month, Jones Road unleashed its … Biggest new product Biggest brand campaign Biggest TV and OOH buy Biggest creative arsenal Biggest email + SMS sends Did I mention it was big? Lock in and let’s go behind the scenes on everything! 😍 Cody Plofker pulls back the curtain on his launch playbook 🔮 Connor MacDonald prognosticates the future of ecommerce 🏆 Top five headlines from this week in consumer (DTC) news Plus, tariff and exit prep’ing updates. Cody Plofker CEO, Jones Road Beauty Our...

“Negative” Cash Conversion Cycle Myth + Capital Efficiency

You’ve been sold a lie. But it’s not your fault. For years, the myth of a “negative” cash conversion cycle has dominated the ecommerce industry. Today, let’s demolish the bull s***. 📊 Drew Fallon shows you how CCC really works + dashboard 🤑 Sean Frank pulls back the curtain on a seven-figure secret 🏆 Top five headlines from this week in consumer (DTC) news Oh, and at the very end, updates on last week’s outlandishly epic response to Sean’s private-equity revelation … Sean Frank CEO, Ridge...

Private Equity Revealed: The Game, Players, Rules & Roster

Most founders dream of their exit. The champagne. The press release. The wire transfer. But the reality? It’s a whole lot messier. Worse, if you don’t know the rules of the game or who to trust … Dreams become nightmares. Thankfully, today’s newsletter drags everything you ever wanted to know about private equity out into the light. Plus, this week’s five biggest headlines in consumer news. Sean Frank CEO, Ridge Private Equity Revealed: 5 Lessons from Speed Dating 14 PE Firms + My Roster Last...

What to Do When Your Numbers Don’t Work + ‘Dangerous Obsession’

Are you chasing the wrong numbers? Top-line numbers. Growth-at-all-costs numbers. Someone else's (wait for it) … nine-figure numbers. If that’s you, today’s email has nothing but good news. 👜 MacCoy Merkley shares a warning + 3 truths to guide you 📊 Mike Beckham on what works when your numbers don’t 🗞️ Five biggest headlines from this week in consumer news MacCoy Merkley CMO, Portland Leather Goods The Dangerous Obsession with Nine-Figures + Three Truths to Guide You In December, Portland...