314: Getting Help Vs. Going It Alone

314: Getting Help Vs. Going It Alone

Author: Susan Bradley: E-commerce Expert April 7, 2026 Duration: 39:42

Bergen Anderson is the founder of Lila Barn Clothing — a Chicago-based brand making bold, colorful clothing for kids and adults who love adventure. She's been in business for 14 years, runs a physical storefront, and recently built a small production team so she can finally focus on the design work she loves most. In this episode, Bergen shares the full story of her journey: from a costly paid ads experiment that left her at a loss, to the foundational work that 10x'd her Black Friday results and transformed her email marketing from an afterthought into a revenue engine.

In this episode you'll learn:

  • Why paid ads can actually hurt your business 

  • How Bergen took her email revenue from under 10% of sales to 30% 

  • Why a few focused coaching calls delivered a higher return than months of agency work 

  • How to know when you're actually ready to layer paid ads into your marketing

If you've ever wondered whether you're spending money in the right places, or felt like your marketing is costing more than it's returning, this episode is for you.

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Susan Bradley has spent years navigating the twists and turns of online retail, and in The Ecommerce Roadmap, she shares that hard-won expertise directly with you. This isn't about vague theory; it's a practical guide built from the ground up for Shopify store owners who are tired of guesswork. Each episode pulls back the curtain on real stores, dissecting what actually moves the needle for growth and profitability. You'll hear a data-driven blend of overarching strategy and the specific, actionable tactics you can implement immediately. The focus is always on building a business with predictable, profitable sales, not just fleeting traffic. As an e-commerce expert, Susan structures every conversation to cut through the noise, offering clear direction whether you're just starting out or looking to scale an established brand. Tune into this podcast for honest conversations that feel like consulting with a trusted advisor, all aimed at providing you with a reliable map for your unique journey in online commerce.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Ecommerce Roadmap
Podcast Episodes
300: Handmade Business? See How Janine Will Double Her Online Sales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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299: Ellie's Sales Are Great; How Does She Make More Profit? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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296: How to 2X Hayley's Shopify Sales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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295: Here's Why You're Probably Doing Better Than You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:10
This episode digs into a common (and costly) mindset trap: believing you're behind when you're actually on track. Susan and long-time Inner Circle coach Melissa unpack the survey results from hundreds of ecommerce founde…
294: Here's How You Can Get Sales in December [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:26
December doesn't have to be a slow month—or a stressful one. In this episode, Susan and Melissa share a simple, ready-to-use plan that helps you finish the year strong, stay visible, and still take time off for the holid…
293: Generate weekly income with this simple strategy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:39
In today's episode, I'm chatting with one of our incredibly generous Inner Circle members, Linda Gernert, who is sharing her genius marketing strategy that has her audience coming back every single week. Linda's approach…
292: 6 HOT Tips To Have Your Best Black Friday – Or Any Promotion! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:22
Black Friday doesn't need to be stressful — or even complicated. In this episode, Susan and Melissa share what actually works for small ecommerce stores during the busiest shopping season of the year. You'll learn: Why y…