Tuesday Tea Break Talks Ep19: Google Updates, AI Myths & Why Customers Decide Everything

This week on the show we are joined by Jean Harper!Jenn is the Founder & CEO of Cheekbone Beauty - a purpose-driven, Indigenous-owned cosmetics brand that blends culture, sustainability, and social impact.🎙️ In this episode:- The story behind Cheekbone Beauty- Transitioning from corporate to founder- Scaling from basement startup to selling in major retail stores- Why B Corp certification matters (and how she did it)- The real challenges and wins of mission-driven growth- Advice for founders building with culture and impactIf you’re building on Shopify or building with purpose, this one’s for you!Takeaways:0:00 Introduction1:41 How Cheekbone Beauty Started from a Dream9:30 Why hitting rock bottom can be a good thing11:09 How to communicate a personal story through a brand15:02 How to choose winning products?18:46 Being the face of the brand23:17 The real challenges of mission driven growth28:27 How to Hire the Right People31:46 The important KPIs and Data to track35:19 Advice For Starting a Business TodayEXCLUSIVE WWS OFFERS:Get a short, tactical session with insights on things like tax reconciliation, returns, compliance, and more — all led by experts from the tools top brands rely on. Sign up now at https://taxcloud.com/summer/Join the bootcamp and elevate your inventory game: https://info.brightpearl.com/winning-with-shopify-holiday-planning-bootcampWinning With Shopify listeners get 20% off the first three months of Seguno Email Marketing with code WWS20: ⁠https://seguno.com/winningwithshopifyCheck out Yoast and get 15% off ALL monthly Shopify purchases for the first 6 months using code WWS15! https://yoast.com/winningwithshopify-exclusive/

This week on Tuesday Tea Break Talks, we explore why no one owns the customer anymore and why that changes everything.From the latest UK Black Friday visibility shifts to major changes inside Google Search and Ads, we unpack what’s really happening beneath the headlines. Who stayed on top, who surged unexpectedly, and who quietly disappeared?We also touch on:The data marketers should be paying attention toA new Google Ads bidding approach that could change campaign strategyA live Google core update and what it means for visibilityWhy AI in marketing isn’t being understood properlySignals that shopper behaviour may be changing againShort & sharp insights - perfect for your tea break ☕

Welcome to our 2025 Christmas Wrap-Up! A special edition where we revisit the biggest lessons, biggest wins, and most game-changing insights shared by our guests this year.In this festive episode, we look back at the real stories behind sell-out launches, the email strategies driving up to 75% of revenue, and the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped some of the fastest-growing Shopify brands in 2025. From relying on Seguno and Canva Connect for rapid-fire, on-brand marketing to navigating the chaos of inventory planning, this episode is packed with the best knowledge bombs our guests dropped throughout the year.We also cover what “Built for Shopify” really means, how authenticity beats staged influencer content every time, and why customer feedback (especially the unhappy ones!) might be your most valuable gift this season. Plus, TaxCloud joins us to break down the essentials of sales tax, Nexus, and how to keep compliant as you scale into the new year.Whether you're wrapping gifts or wrapping up Q4, this episode brings you the standout insights you’ll want to carry into 2026.EXCLUSIVE WWS OFFERS:Get a short, tactical session with insights on things like tax reconciliation, returns, compliance, and more — all led by experts from the tools top brands rely on. Sign up now at ⁠https://taxcloud.com/summer/⁠To get 50% off a product sample order & fast-track the waiting list, use code WINNING and this link: ⁠https://www.cavela.com/signup?affiliate=WINNING⁠Winning With Shopify listeners get 20% off the first three months of Seguno Email Marketing with code WWS20: ⁠⁠https://seguno.com/winningwithshopify⁠Check out Yoast and get 15% off ALL monthly Shopify purchases for the first 6 months using code WWS15! ⁠https://yoast.com/winningwithshopify-exclusive/⁠Join the bootcamp and elevate your inventory game: ⁠https://info.brightpearl.com/winning-with-shopify-holiday-planning-bootcamp⁠KEY TAKEAWAYS:0:00 How to Win With Shopify0:37 Selling Out Using Email & Tiktok6:34 Purpose Meets Profit13:29 How To Find The Best Shopify Apps19:29 Dropshipping That Works25:39 A Quote To Reflect On27:15 A Multi Million $ Growth Story34:56 AI in Ecommerce40:09 The First Thing To Think About With Sales Tax

Consumer shopping habits are evolving faster than ever, and brands that adapt early win. In this episode, we dive into the trends shaping ecommerce today:- How AI is powering hyper-personalisation, content creation, and shoppable video- Why authenticity (reviews, unboxing videos, real customer content) still matters- The smart comeback of subscriptions, from warranties to replenishment plans- Key timing tips for Shopify freezes and the Boxing Day rushWhether you’re running an ecommerce brand or just curious about the future of retail, this episode gives actionable insights to stay ahead of the curve.Tune in and discover how to turn these trends into opportunity.

Ever wondered how an established retail brand suddenly becomes 80% digital? In this episode, we break down the digital marketing strategies behind Green People’s transformation with Matt, their Head of Digital.We cover the tactics that actually work today - turning reviews into revenue, telling stories that sell, using AI the right way, building a one-click customer experience, and navigating the messy parts of international expansion.If you love brand transformations, big pivots, and real talk about how companies reinvent themselves after decades in business, this one’s for you.Hit play. Let’s get into it.Get in touch with Matt here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-burgess-2a65331b3/EXCLUSIVE WWS OFFERS:Winning With Shopify listeners get 20% off the first three months of Seguno Email Marketing with code WWS20: ⁠https://seguno.com/winningwithshopifyCheck out Yoast and get 15% off ALL monthly Shopify purchases for the first 6 months using code WWS15! https://yoast.com/winningwithshopify-exclusive/Get a short, tactical session with insights on things like tax reconciliation, returns, compliance, and more — all led by experts from the tools top brands rely on. Sign up now at https://taxcloud.com/summer/To get 50% off a product sample order & fast-track the waiting list, use code WINNING and this link: https://www.cavela.com/signup?affiliate=WINNINGJoin the bootcamp and elevate your inventory game: https://info.brightpearl.com/winning-with-shopify-holiday-planning-bootcampKEY TAKEAWAYS:00:00 – How Shopify’s 50,000 Reviews Help You Win03:53 – How to Tell Brand Stories That Sell07:20 – How to Target and Convert a Broad Audience10:30 – Shopify Promote: Covella’s 50% Off First Sample Strategy12:10 – AI in Shopify: What’s Worth Using15:34 – How to Build a One-Click Customer Experience21:55 – Why Being Customer-Obsessed Actually Pays Off28:55 – How to Build a Digital Business with Shopify34:53 – Green People: The Hidden B2B Challenges38:23 – Why People Leave an Agency40:34 – How to Get Your Ad Copy Approved44:54 – Green People: The Internationalisation Process50:14 – How to Launch a Shopify Store the Right Way

Welcome to another Tuesday’s Tea Break Talks - your weekly breather from ecommerce chaos to catch up on Shopify insights, PPC wins, SEO lessons, and the biggest takeaways from Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Happy Cyber Monday and Happy December!Nick breaks down what this year’s BFCM revealed about shopper behaviour, brand readiness, and what businesses should focus on as AI and ecommerce evolve.What’s Inside This EpisodeShopify NewsBFCM Insights:A new Shopify report shared the 96-hour litmus test of Black Friday, and Nick shares the biggest lessons.Partner Spotlight:Is your inventory keeping up with peak season demand?What’s selling out, what’s not, and what are customers browsing vs. buying?PPC Wins:The three big PPC tips that proved most effective over BFCMSEO Learnings:Three key SEO strategies that worked over BFCMQuivia:According to Forbes and Adobe, online shoppers spent 12.5 million dollars every minute between 10 AM and 2 PM on Black Friday.Short, sharp, and packed with insights you can put to work right away, all during your tea break.

Most Shopify brands switch everything off after Black Friday.In this episode of Winning with Shopify, Nick explains why that mindset leaves massive money on the table and how to use your Black Friday traffic, data, and momentum properly to keep moving you forward.He covers post-Black Friday strategies for retaining customers, re-engaging high-intent browsers, protecting your SEO value, and setting up future Black Friday success early. Plus real insights on Shopify email automation with Seguno, sales tax compliance with TaxCloud, and how not to waste the surge of traffic you just paid for.Practical, straight-talking and packed with actionable takeaways for Shopify store owners navigating BFCM and beyond.EXCLUSIVE WWS OFFERS:Winning With Shopify listeners get 20% off the first three months of Seguno Email Marketing with code WWS20: ⁠https://seguno.com/winningwithshopifyCheck out Yoast and get 15% off ALL monthly Shopify purchases for the first 6 months using code WWS15! https://yoast.com/winningwithshopify-exclusive/Get a short, tactical session with insights on things like tax reconciliation, returns, compliance, and more — all led by experts from the tools top brands rely on. Sign up now at https://taxcloud.com/summer/To get 50% off a product sample order & fast-track the waiting list, use code WINNING and this link: https://www.cavela.com/signup?affiliate=WINNINGJoin the bootcamp and elevate your inventory game: https://info.brightpearl.com/winning-with-shopify-holiday-planning-bootcampKey Takeaways00:00 – Intro02:16 – Seguno (Shopify App Spotlight)05:21 – Shopify & Yotpo: Switch to Seguno11:17 – Sales Tax: How To Manage It for Shopify12:56 – Black Friday Marketing: 5 Tips for Success18:20 – Black Friday Going Viral

In this episode, we unpack everything you need to know heading into Black Friday Cyber Monday week.We cover:Why reviewing last year’s Black Friday data is the difference between strategic planning and expensive guessworkThe new Shopify Support update that gets you to a human fasterHow Trustpilot and review signals influence SEO, reputational queries, and ChatGPT-powered searchA simple method to extract all TOFU search queries from Google Search Console (even after regex removal)Performance Max PPC tips, including why testing tCPA is outperforming tROASWhy email marketing still drives more Black Friday revenue than social mediaThe shift in consumer behaviour — where Cyber Monday often outperforms Black FridayThe rise of mobile-first BFCM shopping and what brands must prepare forAlso inside:January webinar detailsA major announcement coming 1st January 2026A big September launch reveal coming later in 2026This episode is perfect for eCommerce founders, marketers, and Shopify brands gearing up for peak season.

In this episode of Winning With Shopify, we chat with Harry, Co-founder of Keap Candles, about building a repeat order Shopify business.Harry shares how Keap is innovating in the candle space, using smart feedback cycles and AI-driven SEO to grow sustainably, while navigating real challenges like sales tax compliance, evolving sales processes, and the pressure of founder life.He also opens up about mental health, managing stressful weeks, and what it really takes to stay grounded while building a purpose-led brand.Explore Keap Candles and their beautiful, sustainable products here:👉https://keapcandles.com/If you’re building something meaningful and trying to balance growth with wellbeing, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.EXCLUSIVE WWS OFFERS:Check out Yoast and get 15% off ALL monthly Shopify purchases for the first 6 months using code WWS15! https://yoast.com/winningwithshopify-exclusive/Get a short, tactical session with insights on things like tax reconciliation, returns, compliance, and more — all led by experts from the tools top brands rely on. Sign up now at https://taxcloud.com/summer/To get 50% off a product sample order & fast-track the waiting list, use code WINNING and this link: https://www.cavela.com/signup?affiliate=WINNINGJoin the bootcamp and elevate your inventory game: https://info.brightpearl.com/winning-with-shopify-holiday-planning-bootcampWinning With Shopify listeners get 20% off the first three months of Seguno Email Marketing with code WWS20: ⁠https://seguno.com/winningwithshopifyKey Takeaways:00:00 • Where Everything Clicks: Winning With Shopify01:56 • How Do You Spell Keap? The Story Behind the Name05:08 • Keap’s Candle Innovation08:09 • Yoast SEO & AI Brand Insights16:37 • Flowers by Candle: A Personal Choice19:30 • The Second Part of the Sales Process23:17 • Sales Tax Compliance26:32 • How to Build a Long-Term Feedback Loop32:02 • Mental Health in Your Day-to-Day Work Environment35:38 • What to Do When Things Start Feeling Overwhelming37:17 • How to Survive a Stressful Work Week

In this episode of Winning With Shopify, we chat with Harry, Co-founder of Keap Candles, about building a repeat order Shopify business.Harry shares how Keap is innovating in the candle space, using smart feedback cycles and AI-driven SEO to grow sustainably, while navigating real challenges like sales tax compliance, evolving sales processes, and the pressure of founder life.He also opens up about mental health, managing stressful weeks, and what it really takes to stay grounded while building a purpose-led brand.Explore Keap Candles and their beautiful, sustainable products here:👉 https://keapcandles.com/If you’re building something meaningful and trying to balance growth with wellbeing, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.EXCLUSIVE WWS OFFERS:Check out Yoast and get 15% off ALL monthly Shopify purchases for the first 6 months using code WWS15! https://yoast.com/winningwithshopify-exclusive/Get a short, tactical session with insights on things like tax reconciliation, returns, compliance, and more — all led by experts from the tools top brands rely on. Sign up now at https://taxcloud.com/summer/To get 50% off a product sample order & fast-track the waiting list, use code WINNING and this link: https://www.cavela.com/signup?affiliate=WINNINGJoin the bootcamp and elevate your inventory game: https://info.brightpearl.com/winning-with-shopify-holiday-planning-bootcampWinning With Shopify listeners get 20% off the first three months of Seguno Email Marketing with code WWS20: ⁠https://seguno.com/winningwithshopifyKey Takeaways:00:00 • Where Everything Clicks: Winning With Shopify01:56 • How Do You Spell Keap? The Story Behind the Name05:08 • Keap’s Candle Innovation08:09 • Yoast SEO & AI Brand Insights16:37 • Flowers by Candle: A Personal Choice19:30 • The Second Part of the Sales Process23:17 • Sales Tax Compliance26:32 • How to Build a Long-Term Feedback Loop32:02 • Mental Health in Your Day-to-Day Work Environment35:38 • What to Do When Things Start Feeling Overwhelming37:17 • How to Survive a Stressful Work Week