187 | Greatness Comes From Trying and Failing Multiple Times | with Mike Beckham

Mike Beckham is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Simple Modern, a leading producer of premium drinkware and lifestyle products. 

Founded in 2015 and based in Oklahoma, Simple Modern currently generates a nine-figure annual revenue and is committed to generosity, donating at least 10% of annual profits to nonprofit organizations. 

Under Mike’s leadership, the company has grown into a category leader for Amazon, Target, and Sam’s Club. 

In addition, Simple Modern will be launching in Walmart stores nationwide in spring 2022. Prior to founding Simple Modern, Mike spent over a decade working for the worldwide Christian ministry CRU. 

Equipped with a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector, Mike transitioned into the business world and helped found and operate several e-commerce businesses, which cumulatively generated more than $1 billion in revenue. 

Mike graduated with a degree from the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business, where he currently serves as the senior entrepreneur-in-residence.

In This Conversation We Discuss: 

[00:00] Intro[01:08] What brought Mike to the Ecom game[05:09] Accepting that Amazon wins the Ecom fight[07:12] D2C brands transitioning into traditional retail[08:43] Make your brand indispensable to platforms[09:25] Brands reaching “escape velocity”[10:48] The newer value props for D2C[14:12] 2 ways to position a D2C brand to customers[15:34] Reasons to invest in domestic manufacturing[17:56] Sponsor: Electric Eye electriceye.io[18:16] Sponsor: Mesa apps.shopify.com/mesa[19:04] Sponsor: Loop loopreturns.com/honest[19:57] Sponsor: Klaviyo klaviyo.com/honest[20:44] From the starting phase to the scaling phase[21:59] Moving into the enterprise level[23:09] 2 Ecom things that catch people off-guard[24:48] Ecommerce can make you age fast[25:40] Mistakes Mike wants you to avoid[26:41] You have to have a learning mindset[27:29] Process-driven mindset vs results-driven mindset[29:11] Entrepreneurship doesn’t start with novelty[30:45] Trying is what makes people great[32:26] Being a net positive brand/business[34:15] Where to find Simple Modern

Resources:

Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeConnect with Mike linkedin.com/in/mikebeckhamsmStylish water bottles, travel mugs, food storage, and backpacks simplemodern.comScale your business with electriceye.ioDownload Mesa at the Shopify App Store apps.shopify.com/mesaTransform your returns into exchanges loopreturns.com/honestGet started with a free account at klaviyo.com/honest

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