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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.

Incrementality, Defined: Seven Tests + Seven Lessons for Results
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7 Tests. 7 Insights. All Incremental.

More effort does not equal better results. Not in business. Not in life. Breakthrough results come from … Isolating the specific efforts without which the results you want would not have otherwise occurred. That’s incrementality. And it’s what today’s main piece is all about. 📊 Derek Lauermann shares 7 lessons on 7 incrementality tests 🏆 Matthew Bertulli provides his playbook for a winning culture 💪 Jason Panzer reveals what’s powering Hexclad’s expansion 🎥 Connor MacDonald invites you to a...

10 Ecommerce Predictions for 2026 + 2025’s Scorecard

We don’t have a crystal ball for 2026. But we have the next best thing ... 💰 Connor Rolain reveals the easiest way to make more money without “big” goals 🥳 Cody Plofker shares 10 ecommerce predictions for 2026 and his 2025 scorecard 📈 Top 5 headlines from consumer (DTC) news with links and executive summaries Plus, last call for a star-studded evening. Connor Rolain Head of Growth, HexClad The Easiest Way to Make More Money Most brands cram Q1 with big goals. Which is great. Just not at the...

Tens of Millions in Ad Spend, Revealed: YoY Mix, Big Wins & 7 Lessons

Did you know people with the first name “Connor” are three times as likely to become DTC growth experts? Need proof? It’s math ... 😋 Connor Rolain wants you to increase AOV just like HexClad 📊 Connor MacDonald with lessons on tens of millions in spend 💰 Sean Frank gives you two multi-million dollar revenue levers Plus, the top five headlines in DTC. Connor Rolain Head of Growth, HexClad 30 Minutes To Raise Your AOV We had a conversation with the team at Aftersell by Rokt. In half an hour,...

Seven Questions to Grow in 2026: How to Set + Demolish Your Goals

Welcome to 2026. And the dreams that come with it. No matter how last year ended … Today’s newsletter is all about helping you set and demolish your goals. 🐶 Sean Frank shares how to build your foundation for winning 💵 Matthew Bertulli asks seven questions to grow your revenue 📊 Cody Plofker gives you his playbook for fixing payback period 🛍️ Derek Lauermann reveals what he’s snacking on this “Q5” Then, the five top headlines in consumer news + an invitation to join us for dinner. Sean Frank...

10 Most-Valuable Resources + Our Person of the Year

This will be our last email of 2025. You know what that means. Before the ball drops, we’ve got just enough time for the best-of-the-absolute-best … 10 newsletters you chose as our most valuable — by voting with your opens, clicks & replies. 1️⃣ Private Equity (PE) Revealed2️⃣ How to Reshape Your Year3️⃣ From $0 to $100M: 10 Steps4️⃣ Secrets to Run DTC Sweepstakes5️⃣ 10 Lessons on Hard Things6️⃣ More Product, More People, That’s It7️⃣ The State of DTC in 20258️⃣ Taking Your Holiday Work...

How to Build a Profitable Marketing Budget: Six “Layers”

We haven’t clocked out for Christmas. 💰 Connor Rolain shows you how to monetize your checkout 📈 Abir Syed shares “six layers” to build a marketing budget 🔥 Mehtab Bhogal reveals the best online community in DTC Plus, the five biggest headlines in consumer news. Oh, and tomorrow … The replays + decks from last week’s Operators Assemble 2026 Planning Event arrive! Connor Rolain Head of Growth, HexClad You Don’t Need a New Channel The best operators don’t win by bolting on new channels. They win...

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

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...