UGLY TALK: BUILDING PROFITABLE ECOMMERCE IN A DOWNWARD MARKET
💡 What’s the Ugly Truth
In the ZIRP era (Zero Interest Rate Phenomenon), funding got progressively easier for DTC startups. Many of them are now zombies, eking out hiccups of growth while slashing costs and extending runway. Everyone kinda knows it’s over, but no one wants to be the plug puller.
The Direct‑to‑Consumer (DTC) landscape has entered its next chapter. In Q2 2025, more Shopify stores closed than launched—proof that the old growth shortcuts no longer guarantee success. Rising tariffs, inflation, supply chain disruptions, high interest rates, and wallet-conscious consumers mean yesterday’s viral hacks and plug‑and‑play toolkits aren’t enough. Brands that thrive today are those willing to rewrite the rules in real time and build sound unit economics into every move.
🎯 Why You Should Attend
Curated networking with peers at and above your growth stage.
Straight‑talk case studies and practical advice plus live Q&A you can apply immediately.
A concise roadmap outlining what to sunset, what to test, and how to grow responsibly in 2025 and beyond
🙋 Who You’ll Meet
Seasoned e‑commerce founders & decision‑makers (3+ years in business) aiming to unlock their next growth phase.
Investors channeling capital into commerce innovation.
E‑commerce enablers—technology builders, agencies, and ops partners powering the ecosystem.
🎤 Who’s on the Panel
Maya Juchtman - Sr. Director of Marketing & Partnerships at Roswell NYC
Maya Juchtman is a creative marketing strategist and partnerships leader known for blending brand storytelling with performance. As Senior Director of Marketing & Partnerships at Roswell NYC, a Webby Award–winning Shopify Plus agency, she’s helped brands like Brixton, Hyperlite, and Curious Elixirs scale through thoughtful strategy and standout campaigns. With a background in customer experience and leading brands through start up to acquisition, she brings a human-first, culturally aware lens to every project—building community, driving growth, and pushing the boundaries of what digital marketing can be.
Sabir Semerkant - Founder & CEO of Growth by Sabir
Sabir Semerkant is the go-to eCommerce growth strategist, credited with over $1B in revenue for 200+ brands—from Canon to Sour Patch Kids. Backed by Gary Vee and Neil Patel, Sabir’s Rapid 2X method delivers 2X growth in 12–18 months—profitably. Since 2024, it’s powered 70+ brands across 17 industries with an average 108% lift. His Rapid 2X Protocol is the unfair advantage for any eCom brand with product–market fit—engineered to scale revenue and profit even in down markets. Want real talk? Sabir reveals why most brands will fail in 2025—and exactly how to make sure yours isn’t one of them.
More panel speakers announcing soon! Stay tuned!
Moderator:
Manish Chowdhary - Founder & CEO of Cahoot
Manish Chowdhary is the Founder & CEO of Cahoot, the most comprehensive post-purchase logistics platform for ecommerce brands. We help merchants scale profitably with a bundled suite of services that includes:
- Fast, cost-effective fulfillment (1-day and 2-day nationwide coverage)
- AI-powered multi-warehouse shipping software that selects the cheapest label automatically
- An industry-first peer-to-peer returns solution that eliminates return shipping and restocking costs
With over 100 warehouses and advanced shipping automation, we help brands maintain control, boost speed, and cut logistics costs—without the overhead of traditional 3PLs. I’m passionate about helping ecommerce businesses grow smarter. If you’re looking to improve your margins, delight customers, and future-proof your logistics, let’s connect.
My work has been recognized with multiple industry accolades, most recently winning the SaaStock USA Global Pitch Competition 2024. I’m passionate about using technology and collaboration to push the boundaries of ecommerce and logistics and create new opportunities for merchants worldwide.
💬 What We’ll Talk About
Retire the relics. Identify once‑reliable tactics—from paid‑ads‑only funnels to one‑click dropshipping—that no longer deliver.
Test the new playbook. Explore fresh growth levers beyond Meta ads: wholesale, curated marketplaces, B2B pivots, community‑driven launches, and smarter unit economics.
Benchmark your next move. Hear what forward‑thinking founders, operators, marketers, and investors are doing now—and why—to protect margins and spark sustainable growth.
🤝 Co-Hosted With
Cahoot - Cahoot is not just another post-purchase platform—we’re a movement. One built on peer-to-peer power, AI precision, and profit-first thinking. You don’t need more tools. You need control.
GREY Journal – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).
🤝 Venue Partner
Nomadworks - We are dedicated to providing innovative solutions that empower our members and drive success. Nomadworks is a hub for innovation, incubating companies new and tenured across New York City. Our commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and flexibility sets us apart in the industry.
🎥 Get a taste of past Ugly Talk energy:
⭐ About Ugly Talk:
Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.
With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.