Unboxing Ecommerce: Operations Behind Online Brands

By: James Marks and Jennifer Yates
  • Summary

  • In each episode, we order a product from the same brand, meticulously analyzing both the front and back end of placing an order. We then reverse engineer the storage, logistics, and packaging details to evaluate every step of its journey right to our doorsteps. And if we return a package, we'll dive into that process as well.

    Welcome to Unboxing Ecommerce, the brainchild of two longtime friends and entrepreneurs, James Marks and Jennifer Yates. We met over 20 years ago while running our own brick-and-mortar businesses, and today, we're combining our expertise to dissect and understand the online shopping and shipping experience.


    Join us for a comprehensive, 360-degree view of ecommerce. Whether you're an industry professional, an ecomm enthusiast, or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, we've got you covered.


    Episodes drop every other Tuesday. Let's get to that box!

    © 2025 Unboxing Ecommerce: Operations Behind Online Brands
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Episodes
  • Rhoback with Matt Hertz
    Mar 25 2025

    James and Jennifer are joined by their final guest, Matt Hertz, Founder and CEO of Third Person, a digital marketplace helping ecommerce brands discover and connect with the right fulfillment partners. With 15 years of experience leading ecommerce operations at companies like Rent the Runway, Birchbox, and Shyp, Matt also runs a consultancy, Second Marathon, that has helped brands like Hexclad, Away, Birdies, and Milk Bar optimize their supply chains. He’s an active advisor and angel investor and lives in Nashville.

    Why Rhoback?
    Matt first noticed their apparel on Zoom calls—specifically, the logo of a dog featured prominently on shirts. Curious, he did some research and discovered the brand’s activewear, performance polos, and strong connection to dog lovers. As a self-described “dinkwad” (dual income, no kids, with a dog), Matt connected immediately with Rhoback’s mission and branding.
    Explore Rhoback: www.rhoback.com

    Research Included These Sources

    • Rhoback: www.rhoback.com/pages/our-story
    • G&E Magazine: www.gandemagazine.com/a-quick-round-with-rhoback-activewear
    • RocketReach: www.rocketreach.co/rhoback-profile_b4568f62fca05faa
    • The Darden Report: news.darden.virginia.edu/2017/02/12/rhoback-activewear-startup
    • Washingtonian: www.washingtonian.com/2017/10/23/story-behind-rhodesian-ridgeback-dog-inspired-activewear-line-awesome
    • Change Climate: explore.changeclimate.org/brand/rhoback-inc

    Other Sites Mentioned

    • Shoe Dog (Nike Memoir): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_Dog
    • Christopher Reeve: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Reeve
    • American Humane: www.americanhumane.org
    • Reeve Foundation: www.christopherreeve.org

    Connect with Matt Hertz

    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hertz/
    • Third Person: www.thirdperson.co

    _______________

    Have a brand/shopping experience you want us to review? Send us a message at unboxingecomm@gmail.com

    Connect with James Marks:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jameslmarks
    www.withtrivial.com

    Connect with Jennifer Yates:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferayates
    www.workwithroux.com
    _______________

    Coverart imagined and designed by our friend, Melissa Dettloff
    www.melissadettloff.com

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    45 mins
  • Brightland with Kevin Lawton
    Mar 11 2025

    James and Jennifer are joined by Kevin Lawton, founder of The New Warehouse podcast and blog, which he launched in 2019 to bring awareness to the warehousing industry. With 13 years of experience in inventory control and operations management, Kevin has been involved in multiple new distribution center start-ups and is an adjunct professor at Rider University, teaching supply chain management.

    Why Brightland?
    Kevin discovered Brightland while touring a 3PL warehouse and was immediately drawn to its packaging design and branding. Seeing the products firsthand on the warehouse shelves sparked his interest in their visual appeal and packaging quality. This led him to explore the brand further, making it a natural choice for this episode’s unboxing.
    Explore Brightland: www.brightland.co

    Research Included These Sources

    • Brightland: www.brightland.co/pages/about-brightland-olive-oil
    • Entreprenista Podcast: www.entreprenista.com/podcast/redefining-the-food-industry-with-aishwarya-iyer
    • New York Post: www.nypost.com/2021/09/14/brightland-olive-oils-review-why-theyre-worth-the-hype/
    • Bristol Farms: www.bristolfarms.com/founders/mtf-aishwarya-iyer-brightland-olive-oil
    • Food & Wine: www.foodandwine.com/brightland-duo-olive-oil-review-8757043
    • Crunchbase: www.crunchbase.com/organization/brightland-3dd6

    Curated Technology List

    • Corso: www.corso.com

    Other Sites Mentioned:

    • Zingerman’s: www.zingermansdeli.com/events

    Connect with Kevin Lawton

    • Website: www.thenewwarehouse.com
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-warehouse

    _______________

    Have a brand/shopping experience you want us to review? Send us a message at unboxingecomm@gmail.com

    Connect with James Marks:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jameslmarks
    www.withtrivial.com

    Connect with Jennifer Yates:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferayates
    www.workwithroux.com
    _______________

    Coverart imagined and designed by our friend, Melissa Dettloff
    www.melissadettloff.com

    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • Loop Earplugs with Hillary Hughes
    Feb 25 2025

    This week James and Jennifer are joined by Hillary Hughes, Principal at Foster Garvey, a full-service law firm with 150 attorneys across six offices in the U.S. Hillary is a business, food & beverage, CPG, beauty & wellness, sports & entertainment, fashion & apparel, and technology attorney. She shares insights on legal considerations for consumer brands, including intellectual property, contracts, and the evolving landscape of ecommerce.

    Why Loop Earplugs?
    Hillary selected Loop Earplugs after a team brainstorming session, where a colleague suggested the brand for its innovative approach to noise protection. Initially unfamiliar with the product, she was intrigued by its stylish, functional design and the ability to modulate sound flow. The brand’s sleek aesthetic and growing popularity made it a compelling choice for review.
    Explore Loop Earplugs: www.loopearplugs.com

    Research Included These Sources

    • Loop Earplugs: www.loopearplugs.com/pages/about-loop
    • Loop Earplugs Founders Story: www.loopearplugs.com/blogs/blog/the-founders-story
    • CNBC Make It: www.cnbc.com/2023/10/10/loop-earplugs-how-childhood-friends-startup-brings-in-millions.html
    • Fast Company: www.fastcompany.com/91030352/loop-earplugs-most-innovative-companies-2024

    Curated Technology List

    • Narvar: www.corp.narvar.com

    Other Sites Mentioned

    • Loop Returns: www.loopreturns.com
    • Jeff Kaiden: Summer Fridays with Jeff Kaiden

    Connect with Hillary Hughes

    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hillaryhhughes/
    • Foster Garvey: www.foster.com/people-hillary-hughes

    _______________

    Have a brand/shopping experience you want us to review? Send us a message at unboxingecomm@gmail.com

    Connect with James Marks:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jameslmarks
    www.withtrivial.com

    Connect with Jennifer Yates:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferayates
    www.workwithroux.com
    _______________

    Coverart imagined and designed by our friend, Melissa Dettloff
    www.melissadettloff.com

    Show more Show less
    49 mins
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