Le Labo didn’t scale the way fragrance brands were supposed to — and that’s exactly why it worked.

In this episode of Ecommerce On Tap, we break down how Le Labo rejected celebrity launches, mass distribution, and growth theater to build one of the most culturally defensible brands in modern beauty — and why its acquisition by Estée Lauder permanently changed how acquirers think about fragrance.

We cover:
Why “restraint” became Le Labo’s unfair advantage
How in-store compounding and ritual created real brand moats
What this deal taught acquirers about authenticity, taste, and long-term value
If you care about brand, supply chain, or acquisition strategy, this episode is a masterclass.

🎙 Ecommerce On Tap is brought to you by Izba and Sourcify.

Fragrance didn’t fail because people wanted fewer options.
It failed because it forced certainty in a world that isn’t.

In this episode of Ecommerce on Tap, Nathan Resnick and Aaron Alpeter break down how DedCool quietly rebuilt fragrance by questioning its most basic assumptions: gendered scents, signature bottles, and permanence.

We explore:
Why smell is learned, not universal
How fragrance became a social signal (not just a product)
Why layering reduces risk instead of creating confusion
How DedCool grew from a solo founder with an Instagram page into a $25–30M scent platform
What founders can learn from staying founder-led longer than feels comfortable

This is a deep dive into brand behavior, not trend-chasing, and a blueprint for founders building categories the rightway.

🎧 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of iconic DTC brands
🧠 Brought to you by Sourcify & Izba

Fragrance didn’t suddenly work online—it needed a new translator.
For decades, fragrance was built around authority, aspiration, and department store counters. Then Phlur quietly broke the rules.

In this episode of Ecommerce on Tap, we break down:
Why fragrance failed early DTC
How Phlur’s founders built a credible but plateaued clean fragrance brand
Why selling “clean” wasn’t enough to scale
How TikTok changed fragrance discovery
The strategic reboot behind Phlur’s breakout product Missing Person
Why Phlur’s supply chain, manufacturing strategy, and channel mix look nothing like legacy fragrance brands
What Phlur teaches operators about category reinvention, hero SKUs, and scaling without dilution

This isn’t a hype story.
It’s an operator case study on how culture, systems, and storytelling intersect to unlock growth.

🎧 Listen if you’re a founder, operator, investor, or brand leader navigating:
DTC vs retail tradeoffs
Rising CACs
Category saturation
Cultural relevance vs operational discipline

Welcome to ECommerce On Tap, where Aaron and Nathan dive deep into the inner workings of the world’s most dynamic consumer categories. This season, they’re unraveling the mysteries of fragrance—from the basics of what constitutes a scent, to the rich history that took fragrance from ancient rituals to global luxury status. Whether you’re curious about the science behind a great perfume, the complexities of launching a fragrance brand, or the trends shaping the $50+ billion global market, this episode sets the stage for it all.

Join our hosts as they cover how fragrances are made, who holds the power in the supply chain, the role of storytelling, and the regulations that shape what ends up in the bottle. With personal stories, industry insights, and a look at the cultural icons that changed everything—like Chanel No. 5—this is the essential introduction to a season filled with brand spotlights, founder journeys, and actionable takeaways for ecommerce entrepreneurs.

So whether you’re a fragrance fanatic, a brand builder, or simply intrigued by what makes this industry so unique, tune in—ECommerce On Tap is about to make the world of scent come alive. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay with us for the full fragrance deep dive!

This week, host Aaron sits down with James Klein, a true veteran of the supplement industry who’s been shaping the space for over 25 years. From the early days of garage operations and bodybuilder-backed brands, to today's landscape dominated by eCommerce giants and stringent compliance requirements, James Klein shares a candid insider perspective on how regulation, technology, and consumer trust have transformed the supplement market.

In this episode, you’ll learn how the birth of eCommerce upended traditional retail, why compliance is now as much about payment processors as government agencies, and what pitfalls and opportunities await founders entering the crowded supplement arena. James Klein breaks down the process of launching a brand from scratch, sheds light on marketing claims that drive him crazy, and offers real talk on what science actually matters for consumers. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or just supplement-curious, this episode is packed with hard-won insights, industry trends, and practical advice for building a standout brand in 2025 and beyond.

In this episode, Aaron and Nathan dive deep into the fascinating world of supplements, spotlighting a true disruptor in the probiotic space: Seed. Known for its research-driven approach, Seed has transformed a crowded wellness category by prioritizing science over hype, building its brand on education and clinical validation rather than marketing gimmicks.

In this episode, hosts Nathan and Aaron dive deep into the rise of Grüns—the supplement brand shaking up the greens category with their innovative gummy format. You'll hear how founder Chad Janis blended his experience in venture capital with cutting-edge supply chain know-how to transform a simple insight (everyone prefers gummies over powders or pills) into a $100 million powerhouse in record time. From the evolution of gummy manufacturing and the hurdles of bringing a high-active, low-sugar supplement to market, to the challenges of rapid retail expansion and fierce industry competition, this episode is packed with lessons for aspiring founders and product innovators. Plus, you’ll get some fun background on the German roots of the brand’s name, the cultural evolution of gummies, and predictions for what’s next in the supplement world. Get ready for candid insights, actionable takeaways, and a fresh perspective on what it takes to build—and disrupt—an industry.

Aaron and Nathan reveal how Bloom Nutrition went from a niche pre-workout brand founded by Mari Llewellyn and Greg LaVacchia to Amazon’s best-selling greens powder, all by tapping into untapped audiences and making strategic moves that AG1 missed. You’ll hear how Bloom leveraged social media influence, taste innovation, and multi-channel growth to win over wellness consumers, landing partnerships with big-box retailers like Target and Walmart, and securing a minority stake sale to Nutrabolt at an impressive valuation.