Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Supply Chain Moves (Official Move Supply Chain Podcast)
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | The One with Modhaus: How Modhaus Learned to Scale by Letting Go | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:38:50 | |
What happens when a founder realizes that doing everything himself is actually holding the business back? In this episode, Aaron, founder of independent design studio Mud House, shares how a side project refurbishing furniture in his garage evolved into a growing DTC brand creating tech accessories from natural materials like concrete and hardwood. Aaron takes us through the early days of running the business, from DIY supply chain management and local sourcing to costly packaging, cash flow challenges, and constant stockouts. As the business grew, he reached a turning point: stop trying to do everything himself and start focusing on the parts of the business that actually drove growth. We also talk about the power of delegation, moving from working in the business to working on it, and how fractional support helped Mud House build stronger vendor relationships and streamline its operations without having to hire an entire team. Plus, Aaron shares the story behind Mud House’s recent Kickstarter success for Upright, its new Qi2 charging stand, and how customer feedback from the campaign is shaping what comes next. In this episode, we discuss:
Connect with Aaron & Modhaus Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 62 | The One With PopSmith: Building a Premium Consumer Brand Without Sacrificing Profitability | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:43:44 | |
What does it take to launch a premium consumer product that stands out in a crowded market? In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, we're joined by David Stickland, Co-Founder & President of Popsmith, to discuss the journey of creating a modern kitchen brand from the ground up. David shares how PopSmith transformed an overlooked product category into a premium consumer experience through thoughtful product design, strategic crowdfunding, exceptional packaging, and disciplined supply chain execution. From working with industrial designers to leveraging Kickstarter for validation and funding, this conversation is packed with practical lessons for founders launching physical products. Whether you're building a DTC brand, preparing for your first product launch, or scaling an existing ecommerce business, you'll gain valuable insights into balancing innovation, operational excellence, and long-term profitability. In this episode, you'll learn:
David also shares how decades of experience in retail and supply chain management have shaped his approach to product development, manufacturing, and making difficult business decisions that create long-term value. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Dave & Popsmith:
Get more insights:
Keywords: David Stickland, PopSmith, Kickstarter, crowdfunding, product development, consumer products, DTC brands, ecommerce, product launch, supply chain management, product innovation, packaging design, manufacturing, NPI, retail operations, startup growth, brand building #SupplyChain #Ecommerce #ProductDevelopment #StartupGrowth | |||
| 61 | The One With Supplier On-Time Delivery: The KPI That Prevents Stockouts Before They Happen | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:14:53 | |
Your supplier says they'll deliver in 45 days. But how often do they actually do it? In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, we dive into one of the most overlooked supply chain KPIs: supplier on-time delivery rate (OTD). Many ecommerce brands build their inventory plans around quoted lead times, only to experience recurring delays, stockouts, and cash flow problems because those estimates don't match reality. Learn how to measure supplier reliability using historical purchase order data, calculate actual lead times, and identify which vendors are helping or hurting your business. You'll also discover why measuring performance against original promised dates—not revised delivery dates—is the key to making better sourcing decisions. If your inventory planning constantly feels reactive, this episode will show you how better supplier data can make it predictable. In this episode, you'll learn:
Whether you source from overseas manufacturers or local suppliers, tracking supplier on-time delivery can help you reduce stockouts, improve forecasting, and build a more resilient supply chain. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts.
Keywords: supplier on-time delivery, supplier performance, vendor scorecard, supplier KPIs, lead time, actual lead time, purchase order management, inventory planning, supply chain management, vendor management, ecommerce operations, DTC supply chain, supplier reliability, procurement metrics, inventory forecasting #SupplyChain #VendorManagement #InventoryManagement #Ecommerce | |||
| 60 | The One With Stockout Costs: How Running Out of Inventory Quietly Kills Profit | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:15:21 | |
Running out of inventory isn't a sign of success. It's one of the most expensive mistakes an ecommerce business can make. In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, we explore two overlooked inventory metrics that can dramatically improve profitability: stockout rate and stockout cost. While most businesses celebrate selling out, few calculate what those missed sales, wasted ad dollars, and lost customers actually cost. Learn how to measure stockouts at the SKU level, estimate their financial impact, and build a proactive replenishment system that keeps your best-selling products available without creating excess inventory. If you're relying on gut feel to reorder inventory or only discovering stockouts after customers complain, this episode will show you a better way. In this episode, you'll learn:
Whether you sell on Shopify, Amazon, or multiple ecommerce channels, understanding stockout costs can help you protect revenue, improve customer experience, and make more confident inventory decisions. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts.
Keywords: stockout rate, stockout cost, inventory stockouts, inventory management, ecommerce inventory, inventory planning, replenishment planning, days of cover, inventory forecasting, contribution margin, working capital, Amazon inventory management, DTC operations, supply chain management, inventory KPIs #InventoryManagement #SupplyChain #Ecommerce #InventoryPlanning | |||
| 59 | The One With Inventory Turns by SKU: The Metric That Reveals Hidden Cash Flow Problems | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:13:51 | |
If your inventory dashboard says everything looks healthy, but you're still running out of cash to reorder your best sellers, you're probably looking at the wrong metric. In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, we break down why tracking inventory turns by SKU is one of the most important habits for growing ecommerce brands. While blended inventory metrics can make your business appear healthy, they often hide slow-moving products that quietly tie up working capital and reduce profitability. You'll learn how to calculate inventory turns, convert them into months of supply, identify frozen cash, and build a simple monthly SKU-level report that highlights where your inventory is helping or hurting your business. Whether you're managing a growing catalog or trying to improve cash flow, this episode will help you make smarter inventory decisions based on real performance instead of averages. In this episode, you'll learn:
If you've ever wondered why your best-selling products are constantly out of stock while slower-moving items keep filling your warehouse, this episode explains exactly what's happening and how to fix it. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts.
Keywords: inventory turns by SKU, inventory turnover, inventory management, SKU analysis, dead stock, slow-moving inventory, working capital, cash flow management, ecommerce inventory, DTC operations, supply chain management, inventory optimization, months of supply, inventory KPIs, warehouse management #InventoryManagement #SupplyChain #Ecommerce #WorkingCapital | |||
| 58 | The One With SpeedFulfill: How to Build a Cross-Border Supply Chain for International Expansion | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:51:39 | |
What does it really take to expand an ecommerce brand internationally? In this episode, SpeedFulfill features Omar Cali, Growth Partner at Move Supply Chain, for a conversation on building a cross-border supply chain that supports long-term global growth. Together, they break down the operational, logistical, and strategic decisions brands need to make before entering new markets. Whether you're planning your first international expansion or looking to optimize an existing global operation, this episode covers the real-world challenges behind cross-border ecommerce, including customs, fulfillment, tariffs, customer expectations, and market selection. In this episode, you'll learn:
If you're an ecommerce founder, operator, or supply chain leader looking to grow beyond your home market, this episode offers practical strategies to help you scale internationally with confidence. Connect with Speedfulfill Website: speedfulfill.com Contact Information:
Connect with Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 57 | The One With the NPD Mistake That Doesn't Show Up Until Batch Three | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:14:14 | |
Your sample looked perfect. The stitching was flawless. The materials felt premium. The packaging was exactly what you envisioned. So you approved the vendor, wired the deposit, and moved forward with confidence. Then batch three arrived. And suddenly the product looked like it came from a completely different factory. In this episode, Andrew breaks down one of the most expensive mistakes founders make during product development: assuming a factory sample represents future production quality. You'll learn why the sample is often an audition rather than a preview, how quality drift quietly destroys margins and customer trust, and the simple systems that prevent suppliers from slowly changing your product over time. Plus, Andrew shares the story of a founder who watched a best-selling product unravel after a factory made an 11-cent component swap that ultimately cost more than $120,000 in lost inventory, returns, and damaged reviews. In this episode:
If you're launching a new product, working with overseas manufacturers, or trying to maintain quality while growing, this episode will help you avoid a mistake that can quietly undermine your brand for years. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 56 | The One With the Best Practices That Hurt Your Business | 26 May 2026 | 00:15:29 | |
Everyone tells you to study successful brands. The problem? Most of the advice you're hearing was built for businesses 10, 50, or 100 times your size. In this Season 1 finale of Supply Chain Moves, we unpack one of the most expensive mistakes founders make: copying the operational playbooks of much larger brands. From hiring too early and implementing complex software to diversifying suppliers before you're ready, these "best practices" often create unnecessary costs, complexity, and cash flow problems. You'll hear the story of a growing pet brand that adopted a $40M company's supply chain strategy and ended up with tighter cash, lower margins, and more stockouts than before. Then we'll break down how simplifying the business helped restore profitability and momentum. If you've ever felt behind because you're still using spreadsheets, managing fulfillment yourself, or running a lean operation, this episode is your reminder that simplicity isn't a weakness. At the right stage, it's a competitive advantage. In This Episode
Key Takeaway Don't copy the playbook. Understand the principle behind it. The tactics that help a $50M brand succeed can hurt a $500K brand. Instead of asking, "What are bigger brands doing?" ask, "What problem are they solving, and what's the simplest way to solve that problem at my stage?" If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 55 | The One With Turning Suppliers Into Strategic Partners | 19 May 2026 | 00:11:53 | |
Treating suppliers as transactional vendors instead of long-term partners puts you at the back of their priority list — exactly when you can't afford to be there. Most early-stage founders manage supplier relationships purely transactionally — PO in, product out. In this episode, Lara makes the case that supplier partnership is one of the highest-leverage and lowest-cost investments an early brand can make, and breaks down exactly how to build those relationships from day one — even when you're small. For pre-revenue to $500K founders who want to be a priority client before they've earned it through volume.
• Suppliers prioritize clients who treat them like partners, not purchase orders • Relationship capital translates into better pricing, preferential capacity, and early intelligence • Simple, consistent relational behaviors cost almost nothing and compound over time If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 54 | The One With the Growth Trap: Why Profitable Brands Still Run Out of Cash | 12 May 2026 | 00:15:28 | |
You can have record revenue, healthy margins, and a business that looks like it's winning on paper... and still find yourself struggling to make payroll. In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, Omar breaks down one of the most overlooked metrics in DTC and product-based businesses: the cash conversion cycle. Learn why growth can actually create cash flow problems, how inventory ties up capital for months before it returns to your bank account, and why profitable brands can still run out of money. Through a real-world case study, Omar explains how founders accidentally fund their own growth into a corner and what they can do to avoid it. You'll learn:
If you've ever wondered why your bank account doesn't reflect your revenue numbers, this episode is for you. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 53 | The One With Hiring Too Soon: Why a Full-Time Supply Chain Manager Can Hurt Early-Stage Brands | 05 May 2026 | 00:11:40 | |
One of the most common mistakes early-stage founders make is hiring a full-time supply chain manager too early. At first, it feels like the right move. Operations are messy, inventory feels unpredictable, and the supply chain starts becoming a black box the founder wants to escape from. So they hire someone senior to “take it over.” But in many cases, that hire creates more problems than it solves. In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, we break down why premature operations hires can drain cash, overcomplicate simple systems, and disconnect founders from the operational knowledge they actually need to build a resilient business. We unpack:
If you're building a DTC brand and feeling overwhelmed operationally, this episode will help you understand what kind of support you actually need, and when. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 52 | The One With Scaling Too Soon: When Optimism Outruns Product-Market Fit | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:08:25 | |
Sales are picking up. The product is getting traction. And suddenly, it feels like you are ready to scale. This is exactly where many DTC founders go wrong. In this episode, we break down Mistake #8: building your supply chain for a version of the business that does not exist yet. What feels like smart preparation often turns into expensive overcommitment. More inventory, more SKUs, bigger orders, new suppliers. All based on early signals that have not fully proven themselves. We unpack the difference between real product-market fit and short-term demand spikes, and why that gap matters more than most founders think. You will learn:
We also talk about the role of optimism in growth. You need it. But without guardrails, it can quietly push you into decisions your business is not ready for. If you are in that in-between stage where things are starting to work but still uncertain, this episode will help you stay flexible, protect your cash, and scale from proof instead of hope. Question to think about: Are you scaling based on what the market has proven, or what you hope will happen next? If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 51 | The One With Cash Flow Blind Spots: Why Profit Doesn’t Equal Cash in DTC Brands (with Nate Littlewood of Future Ready CFO) | 23 Apr 2026 | 00:54:42 | |
Fast growth feels like success. Sales are up, ads are working, and demand looks strong. So the instinct is simple: keep buying inventory, keep scaling, don’t lose momentum. In this episode, Nate Littlewood, Founder of Future Ready CFO, breaks down why that instinct can quietly break DTC brands. On the surface, everything looks healthy. But underneath, cash is getting trapped in inventory, timing gaps between payables and receivables are widening, and profitability starts to look very different from reality. He walks through how brands end up in this situation, not because they are “bad at finance,” but because supply chain, marketing, and finance are operating in separate lanes. Marketing optimizes for growth, supply chain optimizes for availability, and finance is left trying to make sense of the cash impact after decisions are already made. The result is a business that looks strong in reporting, but feels tight in the bank account. If you’ve ever wondered how a “profitable” brand still ends up cash constrained, this episode will make it very clear. What You’ll Learn
If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Nate & Future Ready CFO Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 50 | The One With Overstocking That Feels Smart… Until It Isn’t | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:11:36 | |
Stockouts are painful. So the instinct is simple: order more, just to be safe. In this episode, Omar breaks down why that instinct quietly creates a bigger problem. Over-ordering feels like protection, but it often comes from fear, not strategy. And while stockouts are loud and obvious, excess inventory builds slower, hides deeper issues, and ties up the one thing growing brands need most: cash. He walks through how “just in case” ordering turns into heavier operations, messier planning, and slower decision-making, plus what to do instead if you want a supply chain that actually scales with you. If you’ve ever increased your order size after getting burned once, this one will feel familiar. What You’ll Learn
If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 49 | The One With the Cheapest Landed Cost That Cost You More | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:15:59 | |
You found a lower landed cost. Better tariff exposure. Cleaner DDP quote. Cheaper freight. So why does everything feel harder? In this episode, Omar, Growth Partner at Move Supply Chain, breaks down one of the most common traps growing brands fall into: optimizing for the cheapest number on paper while ignoring the costs that actually show up later. Because landed cost tells you what it takes to get product into your warehouse. It does not tell you what it takes to run your business. Omar unpacks why obsessing over tariffs, DDP, and all-in cost feels like the “smart” move, and how it quietly introduces risk across your supply chain. From inconsistent suppliers to fragile operations, delayed timelines to emergency air freight, the real cost shows up when growth starts to put pressure on your system. If your backend can’t keep up, your margins will not matter. In this episode, you’ll learn:
If you have been chasing lower costs but feeling more operational friction, this episode will help you zoom out and make better decisions for the stage you are in. Because the goal is not the cheapest landed cost. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 48 | The One With the MOQ Trap: Why Lower Isn’t Always Better | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:12:14 | |
Most founders think negotiating a lower MOQ is a win. It’s not. In this episode, we break down why obsessing over Minimum Order Quantity can actually cost you more in the long run and how it quietly kills your leverage with suppliers. You’ll learn: If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 47 | The One With Forecasting Without Data: How “Responsible” Planning Traps Your Cash | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:11:40 | |
Forecasting sounds like a sign of operational maturity. But for many brands, forecasting isn’t actually based on data. It’s based on gut feel, optimism, and internal narratives. And when that happens, forecasting stops being planning and starts becoming a story that traps your cash. In this episode, we break down the hidden danger of “forecasting without data” and why it creates a predictable cycle inside growing DTC brands:• Stockouts on your best-selling products• Cash trapped in slow-moving inventory• Panic purchase orders and expedited shipping• Supplier friction and rising MOQs• Promotions just to clear excess stock Left unchecked, this becomes what we call the inventory death cycle: stockouts of winners, overstock of slow movers, tighter cash flow, and more operational chaos. But there’s a better way. Instead of building forecasts around goals or guesswork, we walk through how to shift to a decision demand plan that protects cash and stabilizes operations. You’ll learn:• Why sales velocity matters more than ambitious targets• How to segment demand into baseline, marketing-driven, and event-driven sales• A simple way to forecast A SKUs individually while grouping long-tail products• How reorder point guardrails prevent panic ordering• Why assigning forecast confidence levels improves purchasing decisions We also cover what early-stage brands should ignore for now: advanced forecasting tools, daily planning, and complex seasonality models. Because the goal isn’t perfect forecasting. It’s building a planning rhythm where reality updates the plan quickly and cash stays protected. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 46 | The One With the 3PL Trap: Why Early-Stage Brands Shouldn’t Outsource Fulfillment | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:17:18 | |
Most DTC founders are told: “Get a 3PL so you can scale.” For brands doing $100K to $200K, that advice can quietly destroy margins, flexibility, and momentum. In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, Lara breaks down Mistake #1 of 12 supply chain mistakes: signing a 3PL contract before you’re ready. You’ll learn:
If you’re packing boxes in your garage and wondering if it’s time to “level up,” this episode might save you six figures and a lot of regret. Mistakes planted at $120K become painful at $800K. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 45 | The One With the $2M Brand That Cut 40% of Their SKUs (And Made 72% More Profit) | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:16:47 | |
Two point one million in revenue.Twenty-three SKUs.One exhausted founder.Two point five percent net margin. Six months later: One point nine six million in revenue.Fourteen SKUs.Seventy-two percent more profit.Twenty fewer hours of work per week. This episode is the full case study. I’m walking you through exactly how Rachel, a $2M pet accessories founder, cut 40% of her catalog and rebuilt her business around contribution margin instead of revenue. We break down: • The spreadsheet that revealed her “hero” product was actually underwater• Why 9 SKUs were quietly draining $18,000 per year• The Kill, Fix, or Scale decisions that felt terrifying• What happened when revenue dropped 18% in month one• How profit increased even while sales declined• The exact numbers behind the 72% profit jump• The emotional reality of cutting products tied to your identity This is not theory. It’s the real application of unit economics.Real contribution margin.Real operational decisions.Real panic.Real results. If you’ve ever thought, “Once I get bigger, the numbers will work,” this episode will challenge that belief. Because sometimes the path to more profit is fewer products. And sometimes your hero SKU is your villain. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 44 | The One With the Hardest Decision You’ll Make This Year: Kill, Fix, or Scale | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:17:04 | |
Last week, a founder showed me her numbers for the first time. Forty-three SKUs.Eleven were clearly profitable.Eight were clearly losing money.And twenty-four were stuck in the gray zone. Her question was simple:What do I actually do with this? Because knowing your numbers is only half the battle. The real challenge is deciding what to kill, what to fix, and what to scale. And most founders freeze when it’s time to make that call. In this episode, I walk you through the Kill-Fix-Scale framework. The exact system I use to help founders make clear, confident product decisions without guessing, hoping, or relying on gut instinct. You’ll learn:• How to categorize every product using contribution margin thresholds• Why products under 15% margin quietly destroy your growth• The five levers that can move a product from barely profitable to scalable• How to liquidate underperforming products cleanly and strategically• Why the best founders kill products faster, not slower• How to escape the gray zone where most businesses get stuck This isn’t about cutting products randomly. It’s about reallocating your time, cash, and energy toward what actually builds profit. Because every product in your catalog is doing one of three things: building your business, draining it, or distracting you. Your job is to decide which is which. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 43 | The One With the Invoice That Made a Founder Cry: A Line by Line Unit Economics Breakdown | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:16:31 | |
She thought she had a 72 percent gross margin best seller.Two years later, it was barely breaking even. In this episode, Lara walks through the exact invoice and data set that stopped a fast-growing DTC founder in her tracks. What looked wildly profitable on paper collapsed to an 8 percent contribution margin once every hidden cost was accounted for. You’ll hear a full, line by line teardown of real unit economics, including the eight costs most founders underestimate, miscalculate, or completely ignore between the supplier invoice and actual profit. Freight, duties, fulfillment, shipping, returns, customer service, CAC and more. This is the math that turns “hero products” into silent cash drains. And it’s the framework Lara uses to help brands stop scaling busy businesses and start building profitable ones. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly where to find these numbers in your own systems and how to build a unit economics spreadsheet that tells the truth about every SKU you sell. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 42 | The One With the Margin Lie: Why Your 65% Gross Margin Might Actually Be 12% | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:15:44 | |
Most founders know their gross margin by heart. Sixty-five percent. Seventy percent. A number that sounds healthy and investor-ready. In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, Lara explains why that number is often lying to you. Gross margin only tells you what it costs to make a product. It says nothing about what it actually costs to sell it, ship it, return it, and acquire a customer for it. And at the $500K–$3M stage, that blind spot quietly destroys otherwise great brands. You will hear real examples of DTC founders scaling their “best sellers” straight into losses, including a hero SKU with a beautiful 68% gross margin and a negative contribution margin once the real costs were counted. By the end of this episode, you will know exactly how to calculate the one margin number that actually matters and how to use it to make better decisions across marketing, inventory, and product strategy. In this episode, we cover:
Key takeaway: Gross margin is for pitch decks. If you are making decisions based on gross margin alone, you are flying blind. Action step: This week, calculate contribution margin for your top five SKUs. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 41 | The One With a Real Supplier Scorecard, Not Guesswork | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:16:47 | |
“They seem fine” is not a supplier strategy. In the final episode of Supplier Power Month, Lara introduces the Supplier Scorecard, the system that turns vendor management from gut feel into data-backed decisions. If you’ve ever struggled to explain why inventory feels chaotic, margins are slipping, or suppliers keep disappointing you without anything “major” going wrong, this episode is for you. Lara breaks down the five metrics every DTC brand must track to understand supplier performance clearly, including exact formulas, realistic targets, and a Red, Yellow, Green framework that tells you when to invest, when to fix, and when to walk away. This episode goes beyond theory. You’ll hear real examples of how “fine” suppliers quietly cost brands tens of thousands of dollars, and you’ll get scripts you can use to have direct, professional conversations without damaging the relationship. In this episode, you’ll learn:
By the end of the episode, you’ll have a scorecard template you can implement this week, not next quarter, and a clear system for managing suppliers like a real operator, not a hopeful one. This episode ties together everything from Supplier Power Month, from ranking and repositioning to negotiation and long-term leverage. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 40 | The One With the Supplier Agreement That Saves You $50,000 | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:25:17 | |
Most DTC founders think supplier agreements are overkill. Until they’re staring at a warehouse full of unusable inventory and a supplier saying, “This is what you approved.” In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, Lara breaks down a real story of a $50,000 mistake that almost killed a growing skincare brand and exactly how it could have been prevented with one simple document. You’ll learn why trust alone is not a supply chain strategy and how vague specs, missing quality standards, and verbal agreements quietly destroy cash flow. Lara walks you through the eight non-negotiable sections every supplier agreement must include, using plain English and copy-paste language you can actually use this week. This is not a legal lecture or a 100-page contract. It’s a practical playbook designed for DTC founders who want clarity, leverage, and protection without slowing down growth. In this episode, you’ll learn:
If you’ve ever relied on WeChat messages, emails, or “we’ve always done it this way,” this episode is for you. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to draft a simple supplier agreement that protects your margins, your sanity, and your business before the next shipment goes wrong. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 39 | The One With the 7 Supplier Negotiation Levers Most DTC Founders Miss | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:17:53 | |
Most DTC founders think supplier negotiation starts and ends with price. It doesn’t. In this episode, Lara breaks down the seven things you can actually negotiate with suppliers, why price is often the weakest lever, and how to frame your asks so suppliers want to say yes instead of quietly deprioritizing you. This is a tactical, no-fluff playbook you can use on your very next PO. What you’ll learn in this episode:
If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 38 | The One With the Supplier Ranking You’ve Never Seen (And Why It’s Costing You) | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:09:48 | |
Episode Summary Most DTC founders assume that being the customer automatically gives them leverage with suppliers. In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, Omar breaks down why that belief quietly costs brands money, time, and sanity. Suppliers rank their customers, even if they never tell you. That invisible ranking determines who gets prioritized when capacity is tight, delays hit, or problems arise. Drawing from real-world experience working with DTC brands, this episode unpacks the five factors suppliers actually care about, the warning signs that reveal where you truly stand, and a case study of a $3M brand that discovered their “bad supplier” was simply reacting to their behavior. You’ll also hear why finance decisions, especially payment timing, play a much bigger role in supplier relationships than most founders realize. Key Topics Covered
Who This Episode Is For
If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 37 | The One With the 2025 Sourcing Wake-Up Call and the Optionality Playbook for 2026 | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:22:33 | |
Episode Summary If 2025 exposed anything, it was how fragile most sourcing setups really were. Tariffs, trade friction, timing issues, and shrinking reaction windows forced founders to confront a hard truth. Sourcing is no longer a one-time purchasing decision. It is a core business model decision. This episode is a founder-friendly, no-fluff wrap-up of the biggest lessons from 2025 and a practical playbook for building optionality in 2026 so you are not trapped when things shift again. What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Who This Episode Is For
If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 36 | The One with Dip: Real Talk on Scaling From the Other Side of the World | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:14:57 | |
In this special episode, Lara and Claude sit down with Charlie, Luke, and Daniel of Dip UK. It’s their first time in Manila, so we took the chance to dive into their story, their experience working with Filipino talent, and how they have scaled a modern UK brand through strong customer experience and dependable operations. They covered everything from their first impressions of the Philippines to the behind-the-scenes challenges of running a growing DTC brand. If you are building something global, this conversation will give you a real-world look at what it takes to scale with the right people, systems, and partners. Inside this episode
If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Get to know the brand behind the conversation: Dip UK Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 35 | The One With Speedfulfill: How to Scale Fast Without Fulfillment Fails | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:50:25 | |
In this episode, Lara and Omar sit down with the team from Speedfulfill, Move Supply Chain’s newest partner, to dive into the inner workings of a 3PL built for fast-growing DTC brands. From organized warehouse operations to cutting-edge ERP systems, Speedfulfill shares how they help brands scale without bottlenecks and why quality, speed, and customer experience are never mutually exclusive. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Speedfulfill: Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 34 | The One With Vietnam Sourcing Fair Insights: How Founders Can Source Smarter | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:34:59 | |
In this episode, Lara sits down with Claude (Move’s Operations Director) and Gee (Supply Chain Manager) to unpack their recent visit to a Vietnam sourcing fair. They share what they learned about manufacturers, materials, and sourcing strategies that founders can apply today. You’ll learn
Key takeawaySourcing smarter isn’t just about finding a factory — it’s about understanding the ecosystem, spotting opportunities early, and building relationships that last. If this episode gave you a clearer view of international sourcing, share it with another founder — nobody should guess their way through overseas manufacturing. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply ChainWant to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe:LinkedIn – MoveLinkedIn – LaraX – MoveX – LaraFacebookInstagramYouTube Get more insights:Unboxed Weekly – Lara’s newsletter on DTC supply chain movesLara’s AI Brain – Ask Lara’s AI anything about supply chainSC Lounge – Join the private founder community | |||
| 33 | The One With Warehouse & 3PL Basics: What Founders Need to Know (Part 2) | 13 Nov 2025 | 00:03:01 | |
In Part 2 of our Warehouse & 3PL series, Lara dives into how founders can save money, improve warehouse performance, and get ready for what’s next in fulfillment. You’ll learn - How an apparel brand freed up $50K a year by moving dead stock out of their 3PL - How a supplement brand cut fulfillment fees by 12% through smarter rate negotiations - Simple tools to track warehouse performance (even with just Google Sheets) - How a shoe brand’s returns SOP saved weeks of inventory limbo - What’s next for 3PLs — distributed fulfillment and automation, and what founders can do now to prepare Key takeaway Warehouse savings aren’t just about cheaper rates — they come from knowing what to track, what to move, and when to renegotiate. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 32 | The One With Warehouse & 3PL Basics: What Founders Need to Know (Part 1) | 06 Nov 2025 | 00:03:05 | |
In this first part of the Warehouse & 3PL series, Lara breaks down what founders really need to know before outsourcing fulfillment. From the moment to stop self-fulfilling, to choosing the right 3PL partner, to spotting hidden costs that quietly drain margin, this episode helps you get logistics in order before BFCM chaos arrives. If you are still packing boxes yourself, consider this your sanity check. What You’ll Learn - The real role of your warehouse or 3PL: It is not just storage. It is the foundation of your customer experience. - When to move from self-fulfillment to a 3PL: If you are packing 200 to 400 orders a month, start evaluating your options. - What founders often get wrong about 3PLs: 3PLs specialize. A generalist partner can be the wrong fit for apparel, cosmetics, or oversized goods. - Hidden costs to watch for: Watch storage models, minimum pick and pack fees, and returns handling so you do not bleed margin. - How to check if your warehouse is healthy: Track these KPIs: order accuracy > 98%, on-time shipping > 95%, storage < 15% of logistics spend. Real Brand Wins - A $3M skincare brand switched from self-fulfillment to a 3PL and doubled revenue in 12 months after focusing on growth instead of packing boxes. - Another brand cut storage costs by 50% by moving from pallet-based pricing to cubic-foot pricing. Key Takeaway The right warehouse setup does more than move boxes. It protects margin, improves customer trust, and gives you back the time to grow your brand. If this episode helped make your supply chain a little less painful, share it with another founder because nobody deserves to learn these lessons the hard way. Follow Supply Chain Moves wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 31 | The One With the Holiday Chaos: Fix Your Supply Chain Before Your Support Team Breaks (Part 2) | 30 Oct 2025 | 00:02:56 | |
In this episode, Lara dives into how DTC founders can turn their supply chains into a customer experience advantage — and even uncover hidden money in the process. From preventing wrong-item tickets to claiming refunds from vendors, she breaks down practical, real-world steps you can implement before Black Friday–Cyber Monday chaos hits. What You'll Learn - How to prep your warehouse for fewer support tickets → Double-check SKUs, product data, and barcodes to avoid “wrong item” issues. - How to reduce “where’s my order?” tickets → Use tools like AfterShip or automated SMS tracking to keep customers informed. - How to simplify and speed up returns → Build a clear, automated returns process to protect your CS team and improve resolution times. - How to get money back from your vendors → Use defect and returns data to file vendor chargebacks and recover costs. - How to turn CX + supply chain data into a growth advantage → Empower your support team with real supply chain visibility so they can respond with confidence and transparency. Real Brand Wins - A jewelry brand avoided 500+ wrong-item tickets with a pre-BFCM inventory audit. - A candle brand cut 40% of WISMO (“Where’s my order?”) tickets by automating SMS tracking. - An apparel brand reduced return resolution from 10 days to 3 using Google Sheets + Zapier. - A fitness brand recovered $15K in vendor refunds by tracking defect data. Key Takeaway Better visibility, cleaner data, and smarter processes don’t just make your supply chain smoother — they make your customers happier and your brand more profitable. Connect with Lara & Move Supply Chain Want to keep learning and connect with Lara and the Move Supply Chain community? Follow & Subscribe: Get more insights:
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| 30 | The One With the Holiday Chaos: Fix Your Supply Chain Before Your Support Team Breaks (Part 1) | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:02:50 | |
In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, Lara breaks down one of the most overlooked connections in DTC operations: how customer service issues often start in the supply chain. As brands gear up for BFCM, Lara reveals why ticket volume spikes, the top three supply chain problems that drive those complaints, and how fixing warehouse accuracy alone can cut tickets by up to 40%. From delayed shipments and defective products to incorrect orders and costly returns, this episode shows how solving upstream inefficiencies can protect your brand’s margins and reputation, especially during the busiest time of the year. Listen in to learn: - Why 80% of customer service issues trace back to supply chain errors - How one DTC brand slashed support tickets by fixing warehouse accuracy - The hidden cost of not linking returns and defects to vendor claims If you’re preparing for peak season, this one’s a must-listen. Explore more and plug in: Supply Chain Moves podcast hub: movesupplychain.com/supply-chain-moves Vendor Visits (China & Vietnam): vendorvisits.movesupplychain.com Lara’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/@supplychainlara Supply Chain Lounge (free Slack): tinyurl.com/move-supplychain-lounge | |||
| 29 | The One Where You Build Your Supply Chain A-Team | 16 Oct 2025 | 00:04:54 | |
You don’t need a massive ops team—but you do need the right roles. In this quick episode of Supply Chain Moves, host Lara Guevara breaks down the must-have players behind a smooth, scalable DTC supply chain. Whether you're flying solo or growing fast, this is your cheat sheet for who to hire, what they do, and how each role pays off in time, margin, and sanity. You’ll learn: ✅ What a supply chain manager really does (spoiler: they end the chaos) ✅ Why forecasters are the unsung heroes of cash and inventory health ✅ How a logistics coordinator saves you from missed cutoffs and bloated freight bills ✅ The game-changing magic of a strong procurement/NPD lead ✅ When to hire these roles—and what happens if you don’t If you’ve ever said “I’ll just handle ops myself a little longer,” this episode will change your mind. Because every delay, stockout, or freight fire drill has a root cause and usually, it’s a missing role. Explore more and plug in: Supply Chain Moves podcast hub: movesupplychain.com/supply-chain-moves Vendor Visits (China & Vietnam): vendorvisits.movesupplychain.com Lara’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/@supplychainlara Supply Chain Lounge (free Slack): tinyurl.com/move-supplychain-lounge Because the right team isn’t overhead—it’s your engine for growth. | |||
| 28 | The One Where Finance Meets Supply Chain | 09 Oct 2025 | 00:36:04 | |
Finance isn’t just bookkeeping—it’s oxygen for your supply chain.
In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, host Lara Guevara sits down with Judy, a controller who’s seen firsthand how missing financial visibility can quietly collapse even the strongest supply chain. Together they unpack the decisions that tie your numbers to your operations—forecasting, purchase timing, cash allocation, and the messy realities that make or break peak-season readiness. You’ll learn: Real examples include a founder who lost weeks of production waiting for budget approval, a team that paid for inventory but couldn’t afford the ads to sell it, and brands that scaled faster only after syncing their controllers with their supply-chain planners. Explore more and plug in: If you’ve ever treated “finance” as something separate from “ops,” this episode will change how you run your business. | |||
| 27 | The One With the Logistics Wake-Up Call (Part 2) | 03 Oct 2025 | 00:03:13 | |
In Part 2 of our logistics mini-series, Lara gets tactical: how a simple carton optimization project can save ~$2/order, why 3PL SLA audits beat “surprise fees,” the no-bloat visibility stack (AfterShip + clean exports/Sheets), and the playbook for disruption-proof routing (split ports, split forwarders). We wrap with what’s next: nearshoring (MX/LatAm) and AI-driven logistics for predictive tracking and auto-rerouting. If you want faster, cheaper, calmer ops, start here. Explore more and plug in: Supply Chain Moves podcast hub: movesupplychain.com/supply-chain-moves Vendor Visits (China & Vietnam): vendorvisits.movesupplychain.com Lara’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/@supplychainlara Supply Chain Lounge (free Slack): tinyurl.com/move-supplychain-lounge If logistics has felt like a black box, this episode gives you the vocabulary, the gotchas, and the practical moves to run it on purpose, not by accident. | |||
| 26 | The One With 10 Lessons From China and Vietnam (Part 2) | 28 Sep 2025 | 00:09:08 | |
For this Supply Chain Moves episode, it emphasizes that real stories don’t just happen at the fair; they happen in factories. In this episode we’ll have China–Vietnam deep dive, where Lara shares field-tested lessons from supplier visits: why you never skip the factory tour, how polish often signals higher costs (and better standards), what hesitant body language reveals, why bringing your own interpreter matters, and how showing up with real numbers—not mood boards—moves MOQs. Meet the QC and R&D leads, ask for peak-season capacity plans, find a factory’s “hero” product, and don’t skip the dinner where deals close. Explore more and plug in:
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| 25 | The One With the Logistics Wake-Up Call (Part 1) | 19 Sep 2025 | 00:04:15 | |
Shipping isn’t “set it and forget it.” It’s the bloodstream of your brand and when it clogs, margins bleed. In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, host Lara Guevara answers 10 core questions to demystify DTC logistics—from what “logistics” actually covers to the real-world mistakes that turn containers into cash drains. She breaks down how goods move factory → port → customs → warehouse → doorstep, why forwarders aren’t a magic switch, and the fees that blindside founders who don’t plan buffers. You’ll learn: ✅ What logistics really means for a DTC brand (end-to-end flow, borders to doorstep) ✅ The biggest misunderstanding: hiring a forwarder ≠ you can stop worrying ✅ Hidden costs that crush margin (demurrage, detention) and how preventable paperwork delays trigger them ✅ Air vs. sea vs. express: speed-cost tradeoffs + when LCL beats per-kilo express ✅ Why the playbook moved from Just-In-Time to Just-In-Case—and how added days of inventory can protect revenue Real examples include a brand that missed BFCM by assuming transit times, a furniture company eaten by port fees over paperwork, a jewelry brand that cut landed cost ~35% by switching from all-express to LCL sea, and a home goods team that increased on-hand inventory to keep shelves full. Explore more and plug in: Supply Chain Moves podcast hub: movesupplychain.com/supply-chain-moves Vendor Visits (China & Vietnam): vendorvisits.movesupplychain.com Lara’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/@supplychainlara Supply Chain Lounge: tinyurl.com/move-supplychain-lounge If logistics has felt like a black box, this episode gives you the vocabulary, the gotchas, and the practical moves to run it on purpose—not by accident. | |||
| 24 | The One With 10 Lessons From China and Vietnam (Part 1) | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:10:27 | |
Bad sourcing trips don’t just waste time—they waste margins. In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, host Lara Guevara shares the 10 biggest lessons learned from recent sourcing trips to China and Vietnam—the good, the bad, and the costly mistakes founders can avoid. Together, we unpack: ✅ The “confidence gap” between Chinese and Vietnamese suppliers—and how to use it to your advantage ✅ Why factory vs. trading company isn’t always obvious (and the questions you should be asking) ✅ The truth about MOQs: why they’re always negotiable with the right approach ✅ How tariff strategies and country diversification protect your margins ✅ Why real relationships—not catalogs—are the ultimate sourcing advantage Whether you’re sourcing your first product or scaling a multi-SKU brand, this episode will help you approach factories smarter, not just faster. And here’s the exciting part: Move is heading back to China and Vietnam this season, this time with clients alongside us. If you’ve ever wanted boots-on-the-ground support while navigating supplier selection, negotiations, and tariff strategies, now’s your chance to be part of the journey. Every move counts. Tune in now. Or learn more about it here: https://vendorvisits.movesupplychain.com/ Also, don’t forget to join our free Slack community, the Supply Chain Lounge, where operators, founders, and experts share real-time solutions to real-world challenges: https://tinyurl.com/move-supplychain-lounge And be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Supply Chain Moves. | |||
| 23 | The One With the $1M–$10M Supply Chain Wake-Up Call (Quick Take #1) | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:06:56 | |
Most DTC brands hit a wall between $1M and $10M; not because of weak sales, but because their backend can’t keep up. In this Quick Take episode of Supply Chain Moves, host Lara Guevara breaks down why your supply chain—not your ads—is what’s holding your growth back. She unpacks: ✅ The real role of supply chain in scaling a DTC brand ✅ Why founders managing ops themselves become the bottleneck ✅ How a fractional supply chain team can start showing ROI in 30–90 days ✅ What great supply chain support actually looks like ✅ The pros, cons, and must-haves when building offshore ops teams If you're still wearing all the hats—from inventory to supplier follow-ups—this episode will show you what it looks like to step back without losing control. Every move counts. Tune in now. Also, don't forget to join our free Slack community, the Supply Chain Lounge, where operators, founders, and experts share real-time solutions to real-world challenges: https://tinyurl.com/move-supplychain-lounge And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Supply Chain Moves. | |||
| 22 | The One Reason Most DTC Product Launches Fail (and How to Avoid It) | 25 Aug 2025 | 00:56:54 | |
Most DTC product launches don’t fail because of bad ideas—they fail because of bad process. In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, host Lara Guevara is joined by Move Supply Chain’s NPD experts Nea and Myrna, who have helped global and DTC brands alike bring ideas to market—profitably and on time. Together, they unpack: ✅ The hidden pitfalls that derail most product launches ✅ Why market validation matters more than founder “gut feel” ✅ The five must-do’s and five never-do’s in NPD for DTC brands ✅ Lessons from working with multinational giants like Nestlé and Unilever—and how to apply them to your scrappy DTC launch ✅ Trends shaping the future of NPD: sustainability, personalization, and community-driven products Whether you’re a founder prepping your first launch or an operator tired of costly missteps, this episode will give you a framework to launch products smarter—not just harder. Every move counts. Tune in now. Also, don't forget to join our free Slack community, the Supply Chain Lounge, where operators, founders, and experts share real-time solutions to real-world challenges: https://tinyurl.com/move-supplychain-lounge And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Supply Chain Moves. | |||
| 21 | The One with the Supply Chain Mindset | 18 Aug 2025 | 00:27:07 | |
Why do some brands thrive in uncertainty while others crumble?
1. How every business, big or small, already has a supply chain (whether you realize it or not) 2. Lessons from running a café that apply directly to inventory planning and DTC operations 3. Why founders can’t afford to treat supply chain as an afterthought 4. The five mindsets that set resilient brands apart: problem-solving, end-to-end thinking, data-driven decisions, agility, and customer focus 5. The role of mentorship, training, and continuous learning in building future-ready ops teams
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| 20 | The One With the Inventory Mastery That Powers Profit | 05 Aug 2025 | 01:10:28 | |
Why are you running out of money—even when you're making sales?
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Supply Chain Moves. Visit movesupplychain.com if you want to learn how we can help you with your supply chain needs.
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| 19 | The One With the Real Shifts in Supply Chain | 11 Jul 2025 | 00:28:54 | |
In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, Lara Guevara sits down with Claude Canta, Operations Director at Move Supply Chain, to unpack the real-world disruptions and lessons that shaped how DTC brands operate today. From COVID-era pivots to tariff challenges and the rise of logistics as a brand differentiator, they cover it all—from the warehouse floor to executive strategy. Claude shares her decade-long journey in supply chain across 3PLs and DTC ecosystems, the mindset shifts that helped brands adapt, and why relationships—not just systems—drive agility and resilience. If you're scaling a DTC brand, this episode is your behind-the-scenes roadmap to building smarter, faster, and more future-proof supply chains. | |||
| 18 | The One About Tariffs, Margins, and Building Resilient DTC Brands | 28 Apr 2025 | 00:40:05 | |
In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, host Lara Guevara sits down with Andrew Faris—founder of AJF Growth and longtime DTC strategist—for a deep dive into what resilience really looks like in 2025. From navigating tariff uncertainty to building his own brand, Andrew shares unfiltered insights on supply chain strategy, lean operations, and why most brands are still overhiring and under-optimizing. He breaks down the three levers every founder should be watching: COGS, Opex, and CAC—and how focusing on these can turn short-term chaos into long-term clarity. If you're a founder rethinking your supply chain or wondering how to grow lean without losing momentum, this conversation delivers sharp takes, real stories, and actionable takeaways. Connect with Us: Lara on X: @supplychainlara Andrew on X: @andrewjfaris Listen to Andrew's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ssrhISeeGHgCLpzZgrxuJ Work with Move: movesupplychain.com Hire offshore talent: morestaffing.co | |||
| 17 | The One Where We Unlock Savings and Efficiency in DTC Logistics | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:41:59 | |
In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, Lara Guevara speaks with Claude Lucasan-Canta, and they dive deeper into the complexities of logistics and warehousing for DTC brands. Together, they explore the significant cost drivers in logistics, effective demand forecasting, and inventory management strategies. Claude offers practical advice on optimizing third-party logistics (3PL) partnerships and how to manage warehouse efficiency while scaling your brand. Highlights: Cost Drivers in Logistics: Identifying key areas where DTC brands can cut costs. Demand Forecasting & Inventory Management: The importance of understanding your product demand and applying the 80-20 rule. Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Communication: How to build strong relationships and set clear expectations with logistics partners. Warehouse Efficiency: Strategies for streamlining order picking and optimizing shipping costs. In-House Warehousing vs. 3PL: When to consider transitioning and the financial implications. Quotes to Remember: "Logistics can feel like a necessary evil, but there are hidden savings waiting to be optimized." – Claude "Speed is the name of the game in today’s logistics." – Lara "Effective communication with your 3PL provider can make or break your operations." – Claude "Order picking is one of the largest costs in warehousing, but it's also where you can achieve big savings." – Lara Connect with Us: Lara on X: @supplychainlara Claude on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudecanta Claude on FB: https://www.facebook.com/claudette.lucasan Claude on IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrscanta0618 This episode is a must-listen for DTC brand owners, logistics professionals, and anyone looking to optimize their supply chain operations for cost savings and efficiency. | |||
| 16 | The One That Redefines DTC Brand Excellence | 25 Nov 2024 | 00:11:53 | |
In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, Lara Guevara, continues the conversation from the last episode with Gregg Carey, CEO of Section 119. This time, Lara brings in the talented team behind Section 119 to explore the operational strategies that have positioned the brand as a leader in the DTC space. From fostering strong vendor relationships to maintaining flexibility in inventory and design, the team shares invaluable insights on thriving in the challenging 2024 market. Highlights:
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This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, DTC leaders, and anyone looking to build resilience and adaptability into their business operations. | |||
| 15| The One with Essential Strategies for BFCM Success | 11 Nov 2024 | 00:40:07 | |
In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, host Lara Guevara welcomes Gregg Carey, CEO of Section 119, to break down the critical strategies every e-commerce brand needs for Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) success. From aligning your team for effective execution to anticipating inventory needs, Gregg shares hard-won insights on how brands can enter BFCM fully prepared, flexible, and ready to maximize profits. Highlights:
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This episode is a must-listen for e-commerce leaders, DTC brands, and anyone ready to make this BFCM their most successful yet. | |||
| 14| The One Where We Master Supply Chains: From Factory Floors to Vendor Deals at China’s Canton Fair | 28 Oct 2024 | 00:41:19 | |
In this episode, host Lara Guevara and supply chain experts Glaiza Ilagan and April Loquillano unpack key lessons from Move Supply Chain’s recent trip to China. From high-impact vendor negotiations to sourcing innovations at the Canton Fair, they share actionable insights to elevate your global supply chain strategy. Highlights:
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This episode is a must-listen for DTC leaders, supply chain pros, and anyone keen on maximizing their supply chain's potential.
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