A B2C panel discussion to help plan your start in e-commerce
Deciding to bring your small business online may seem like you’re throwing yourself into an unknowingly challenging and complex environment. What technology is needed to make it work? Am I prepared for potential growth? Will it be worth the investment? Rest assured, you’re not the only one with burning questions about e-commerce. In this first segment of a two-part special Shop Talk series with the Globe and Mail, a panel of B2C industry leaders talk you through everything you need to know about creating a strategic e-commerce plan:
- The current state and future predictions of e-commerce
- What you need to know before starting your e-commerce business
- Mistakes businesses often make
- How to leverage data in your marketing efforts while maintaining customer privacy
- Supply chain and courier factors to consider when moving your business online
Moderated by the Globe and Mail’s Katherine Scarrow, tune in to gain expert advice and insights on how you can succeed in e-commerce.
Derrick Fung, CEO and co-founder of Drop
Derrick Fung is the CEO of Drop, a loyalty rewards app that lets consumers earn and redeem points while shopping with multiple businesses. Prior to co-founding Drop, Derrick was the entrepreneur-in-residence for the global venture capital fund White Star Capital. He also founded Tunezy, an online e-commerce platform for musicians; has worked for multi-national corporations including CIBC World Markets and Merrill Lynch; and spent time working at the Clinton Foundation, a not-for-profit founded by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Aila Morin, Director of Brand Marketing at Mejuri
Aila Morin is the director of brand marketing at Mejuri, a direct-to-consumer fine jewelry brand for everyday wear by millennial women. She was the Toronto-based company’s first marketing hire and has since seen Mejuri grow from a team of six to more than 150. She develops top-level go-to-market plans for the company that leverage brand and performance marketing, which have contributed to Mejuri’s year-over-year growth.
Lauren Haw, CEO of Zoocasa
Lauren Haw is the CEO of Zoocasa, a tech-driven brokerage that empowers Canadians with data and expertise to make more successful real estate decisions. She acquired Zoocasa in 2015 and relaunched it with proprietary online home search tools and a streamlined agent experience. Lauren has over 10 years of entrepreneurial experience – she is a founding investor and an active director at RateHub Inc., and created Scholarhood, Canada’s first tool for families searching home listings by school district. Previously, she invested in True North Mortgage, opened an Oxford Learning Centre and operated one of the most successful College Pro franchises in Canada.
Robin Hamill, Independent Shopify and E-Commerce Consultant
Robin Hamill is an independent Shopify and e-commerce consultant helping online merchants create unique buying experiences that engage shoppers and drive sales. Robin is also a lead instructor of the part-time Fundamentals and Advanced Web Development course at Juno College of Technology, formerly HackerYou.