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
285: The Most Powerful Marketing Activity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:30
When someone asked, "Which marketing activity actually moves the needle?" we knew we had to talk about it. Because the answer isn't what you think. In this episode, Susan and Melissa (Inner Circle coach and owner of Bike…
284: Sales Plateaued? Do this to grow profitably [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:26
If your ecommerce sales have hit a plateau around $2K/month, and you're wondering why it's not growing, this episode is for you. We'll break down the one core reason most stores get stuck—and how to shift your strategy s…
283: I'm Doing Something Scary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:07
Today, I'm sharing something that pushed me out of my comfort zone—and it might just do the same for you. I sat down with Suzi Dafnis of HerBusiness to talk about the power of stepping away, creating space, and taking a…
282: Organic Sales: Don't Miss These 2 Strategies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:24
Tired of relying on paid ads? This episode is for you. Susan Bradley and Sarah Williams share the two most powerful (and doable!) strategies they've used to generate consistent organic growth for ecommerce brands—without…
281: The free strategy that got 1600 leads and 34 new customers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:51
Have you hesitated to use Collaborations as your strategy for organic growth? If you haven't tried a few collaborations yet, what you learn in this episode will make you eager to get started. Here's the backstory: Tina B…
280: Hiring Help—Get Set Up for Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:11
If you're ready to hire help—or have tried and been burned—this episode is your roadmap. Susan and Melissa walk you through the full process of hiring, training, and managing help that actually helps. You'll learn how to…
279: How to Scale Without Borrowing (or Breaking Your Business) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:56
Thinking about scaling your store? This episode is your checklist. Susan and Inner Circle coach Melissa Davies break down what most store owners get wrong when they try to grow—and the five things you need to do before y…
278: The 3 Books That Changed My Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:51
We all love a good book recommendation—but some books are more than a great read. They change the way you think, work, and lead. In this episode, Susan shares the three books she's read (and reread) that have had a lasti…
277: Should You Hire Someone to Make Your Reels? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:05
Feel overwhelmed by video content? Wish you could just hire it out? In this episode, Susan and Melissa talk about the real reasons ecommerce store owners get stuck—and why hiring someone to "just make your Reels" isn't t…
276: Create a Successful, Stress-Free Video Strategy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
Video is one of the best ways to build trust and grow your ecommerce sales—but without a clear strategy, it can feel overwhelming or like a waste of time. In this episode, we're sharing the 3 types of videos every store…