The Brand Building Podcast

In this episode of The Brand Building Podcast, I share the inside story of a record-breaking campaign that delivered a client’s first million-dollar month—plus a $1M day and even a $1M hour. I'll break down the fundamentals that made this possible. If you’re serious about e-commerce growth, this episode shows how patience, planning, and execution can set new standards for success.

In this episode of the Brand Building Podcast, I breas down my 10-80-10 Method for using AI tools like ChatGPT to supercharge productivity in 2025. Forget the overhyped influencer nonsense—this is a practical framework for agencies, marketers, and operators to streamline workflows, create better copy, scripts, and strategies faster. If you’re not leveraging AI the right way, you’re leaving massive growth on the table.

Texas just changed its SMS marketing laws — and if your DTC brand sends texts to Texas customers, you could face fines of $500–$1,500 per text if you’re not compliant. In this video, I break down the new Texas SMS law (TTCPA), what it means for your email & SMS marketing, and the exact steps you need to take now to stay safe. Don’t risk lawsuits or lost revenue — watch before you hit send.
✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com 
🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 
Here's How The Free $4,000 Audit Works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tywPkNcqY&t=5s 

Yotpo just announced they’re shutting down their Email + SMS platform — and if you’re still on it, your flows, automations, and subscriber list could be gone before Q4 even starts.
In this video, I break down:✅ What Yotpo’s shutdown really means for DTC brands✅ The best alternatives (Klaviyo, Omnisend, Attentive, Sendlane)✅ A step-by-step migration plan to protect your list & deliverability✅ How to avoid losing revenue during the switch
At Bread Loaf, we’ve migrated dozens of brands without losing a single deliverability point. For August, we’re offering free migrations + a retention marketing audit to help you hit Q4 strong.
✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com 
🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

In this episode, we sit down with Brandi, founder of Weston Heated Apparel, to hear how she turned a failed textbook business into an 8-figure seasonal brand loved by cold-weather customers across the country. 
From bootstrapping and building strong supplier relationships to launching heated gloves, jackets, and socks — Brandi shares the real story behind her success, her growth strategy, and how she avoids burnout by working with the seasons.
Check out Weston Apparel here: https://www.westonstore.com/ 
Connect with Brandi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandicasey/ 
✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com 
🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

AI is changing email marketing forever. With Gmail’s Gemini, Apple Mail’s smart inbox, Outlook Copilot, and Yahoo’s AI summaries, your emails may never even get opened — not because of bad subject lines, but because AI already told your customers what’s inside. 
In this video, I break down how AI summarizers are disrupting email marketing, what it means for open and click rates, and how to adapt your strategy before your campaigns get buried.
✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com 
🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

In this episode, we sit down with Louis Joseph, founder of Alps & Meters, a premium alpine sportswear brand blending old-world craftsmanship with modern utility. 
Louis shares his journey from corporate roles to launching a luxury ski apparel company built on timeless style, quality, and performance. 
Learn how he navigated startup life, inventory challenges, and the future of the ski industry.
Check out Alps & Meter: https://www.alpsandmeters.co.uk//?srsltid=AfmBOoqggoQRl0mVFbvjDG-hF2aSysqIKioSBQafMrPC3epIOuzvKS8Q&utm_source=AM-us 
Connect with Louis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-joseph-0b35281/ 
✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform- source=www.youtube.com
🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

How Two Friends Built a 7-Figure Bag Brand From Scratch | FTL Founders Interview
Meet Xander and Ryan, lifelong friends who turned a personal pain point into a thriving direct-to-consumer bag brand, FTL. 
In this episode, they share how they went from bootstrapping prototypes in their spare time to landing partnerships with pro athletes and major sports teams—all while leaving behind their corporate careers. Learn how authentic relationships, scrappy marketing, and relentless product development fueled their momentum.
Check out FTL: https://ftlbags.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/ftlbags/ Connect with Xander & Ryan: hello@ftlbags.com 
✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com 
🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

Is your Klaviyo list bloated and underperforming? Dead emails are costing you serious money. In this video, I reveal a step-by-step “off-the-grid” email revival strategy that doesn’t even require Klaviyo. 
Learn how to fix deliverability, warm up a new domain, clean your list, and re-engage cold subscribers using high-deliverability ESPs like Mailchimp. Perfect for ecommerce brands serious about retention in 2025.
✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com 
🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 

Stuck at $1M in revenue with your Shopify brand? This video breaks down the exact differences between 7-figure DTC hustlers and 9-figure ecommerce giants like Jaded London and Dr. Squatch. 
From capital structure to ad strategy, team building, and ops — learn what it really takes to scale from $1M to $100M and beyond. If you're serious about growth, this is your roadmap.
✅ Elevate your brand’s Email & SMS marketing: https://breadloaf.typeform.com/to/rotiGDm7?typeform-source=www.youtube.com 
🚀 Discuss your growth strategy: https://calendly.com/markmilutin/retention-audit-kick-off?month=2025-02 
Breakdown of my FREE $4K Brand Retention Audit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tywPkNcqY