Abandoned Cart

About Abandoned Cart

Abandoned Cart is the podcast for eCommerce founders and marketing leaders who want more than just inspiration - they want insight they can actually use. Hosted by Adam Smith and Laura Hanlon of &Allies, we go behind the scenes with the people building and scaling real eCommerce brands. No gurus. No fluff. Just honest conversations, hard-won lessons, and practical takeaways you can apply to your own growth journey. From marketing wins and brand-building breakthroughs to the mistakes they’d never make again - this is where the real growth stories get told.

Publisher

Laura Hanlon & Adam Smith

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Aug 2023

Latest episode

16 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

48 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Jul 2026

   Scaling eCommerce Through Offers, Creative Volume & Customer Retention

   In this episode of Abandoned Cart, Adam sits down with Luke Bream, CEO of Valentte, to explore the strategies behind scaling a modern e-commerce brand in one of the most competitive digital environments ever. Luke shares how discovering Alex Hormozi’s concept of creating “offers people feel stupid saying no to” completely transformed Valente’s growth trajectory, including a single offer that increased sales by £200,000 per week almost overnight. From structuring irresistible offers and understanding customer acquisition costs to maximizing lifetime value, this episode is packed with practical lessons for ambitious e-commerce operators. Adam and Luke also dive deep into the operational realities of rapid growth, the importance of getting the first customer purchase right, and why retention starts with delivering an unforgettable first experience. They unpack the evolving world of Meta advertising in the age of Andromeda, discussing creative diversity, AI-powered personalization, and why the future belongs to brands capable of producing high-volume, strategically targeted creative at scale. Along the way, Luke shares insights on identifying business constraints, scaling profitably, balancing acquisition with retention, and why mastering one thing exceptionally well often beats trying to do everything at once. If you’re looking to grow your e-commerce brand, improve your offers, scale Meta ads profitably, or understand what separates winning brands from struggling ones, this episode is full of actionable insights and hard-earned lessons. Key Topics Covered Why irresistible offers are the foundation of successful e-commerce growth How Valente increased sales by £200,000 per week with one offer The importance of understanding customer acquisition costs and margins Why most brands struggle because their offers are not strong enough How to structure offers using bonuses, guarantees, and pricing psychology The role of average order value in scaling paid advertising Why operational systems become critical during rapid growth The difference between running a £100k, £1M, and £10M business Why brands should focus on solving their biggest constraint first How creative diversity is reshaping Meta advertising after Andromeda Why top-performing ad accounts now produce thousands of ads The importance of customer research and understanding buying motivations How personalization is evolving through AI and dynamic creative Why the first customer purchase determines long-term retention Lessons from billion-dollar brands on reducing churn and increasing LTV Why scaling paid media profitably requires constant iteration and testing The future of e-commerce growth through AI, personalization, and creative scale Connect with Luke Bream Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-bream/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-bream/) Connect with &Allies To discuss how we can help your brand grow, visit: https://www.andallies.co.uk (https://www.andallies.co.uk)

2. 

   16 Jul 2026

   You Can’t Sell Fresh Air” – The Missing Link in E-Commerce Growth

   In this episode of Abandoned Cart, Adam sits down with Laura Harrison, founder of LH Retail and former senior leader at Argos, to unpack why merchandising is one of the most overlooked but critical functions in e-commerce. Laura shares decades of retail experience, breaking down how brands can move beyond just driving sales and start focusing on what really matters: cashflow, stock planning, and sustainable growth. From the fundamental principle of “you can’t sell fresh air” to the importance of forward planning, she reveals why many brands struggle when they scale—and how to fix it. The conversation dives deep into the relationship between marketing and merchandising, highlighting how misalignment can lead to wasted ad spend, poor customer experience, and lost revenue. Laura also sheds light on why so many founders overlook merchandising early on, and how bringing in the right expertise at the right time can unlock serious growth. If you’re an e-commerce founder, marketer, or operator looking to scale smarter not just faster this episode is packed with practical, no-fluff insights. Key Topics Covered Laura’s journey from traditional retail to launching LH Retail and working with scaling brands Why “you can’t sell fresh air” and the importance of having the right product at the right time Cashflow vs. revenue: why cash is king in retail and e-commerce The real role of merchandising in protecting profit and guiding stock decisions Why e-commerce brands lose customers when product availability doesn’t match marketing The importance of aligning marketing and merchandising for better conversions Forward planning vs. reactive decision-making in scaling a business Common mistakes brands make when they grow too quickly How to use e-commerce data effectively to drive smarter decisions The rise of fractional teams and why hiring specialists can accelerate growth How customer behavior has evolved and what brands need to do to keep up Identifying gaps in product, pricing, and strategy through data Connect with Laura Harrison LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-harrison-retail-development/)https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-harrison-retail-development/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-harrison-retail-development/) Connect with &Allies To discuss how we can help your brand grow, visit: https://www.andallies.co.uk (https://www.andallies.co.uk)

3. 

   16 Jul 2026

   Building a Customer-Centric Wellness Brand Through Community, Authenticity & Product Excellence

   In this episode of Abandoned Cart, Adam sits down with Kelly Bond, the operational powerhouse behind women's wellness brand Elle Sera, to explore how a relentless focus on customer experience, authenticity, and product quality has fueled the company's growth. Kelly shares how Elle Sera has built a fiercely loyal customer community by staying exceptionally close to its audience, listening to customer feedback, and creating products that solve real-world problems. From the success of their flagship Golden Pill supplement to the development of innovative liposomal magnesium and collagen products, Kelly explains how every product decision starts with understanding customer needs rather than chasing trends. Adam and Kelly dive into the importance of customer retention, the power of human connection in an increasingly AI-driven world, and why delivering exceptional customer experiences creates lasting brand loyalty. They discuss the role of user-generated content, the value of authentic marketing, and how brands can differentiate themselves by being genuinely invested in their customers' success. The conversation also explores product development, community-building, customer service, and the realities of growing a premium wellness brand without compromising quality. Kelly shares lessons on balancing growth with excellence, why quick wins often lead to long-term problems, and how brands can build sustainable success through trust and transparency. If you're looking to improve customer retention, build stronger customer relationships, create products people genuinely love, or develop a brand that stands out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical takeaways. Key Topics Covered Why customer experience remains a competitive advantage in the age of AI The philosophy of going beyond customer expectations How Elle Sera built a loyal wellness community through authentic engagement Why staying close to customer conversations drives better business decisions The success behind Elle Sera's flagship Golden Pill product How customer feedback inspired the development of new products The importance of solving real customer problems rather than chasing trends Why retention should be a bigger focus than acquisition How user-generated content outperforms polished brand content The role of authenticity in modern e-commerce marketing Why relatable content creates stronger customer connections The value of honest customer education and setting realistic expectations How premium brands can balance luxury positioning with authenticity The operational realities of running a fast-growing wellness business Why product quality should never be sacrificed for rapid growth How community-led product development improves customer loyalty The importance of building trust through transparency and consistency Lessons on scaling a brand while maintaining exceptional customer service How wellness brands can create lifelong customers through real results What's next for Elle Sera, including upcoming product launches and innovation Connect with Kelly Bond Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-bond/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-bond/) Connect with &Allies To discuss how we can help your brand grow, visit: https://www.andallies.co.uk (https://www.andallies.co.uk)

Who has been a guest on Abandoned Cart

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Celia Tugores
• Rebecca Worsley
• Matt Caron
• John Readman
• Riannon Palmer

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

22

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

68