About this episode
Todays show: Jason sits down with James Hicks to discuss the unique aspects of Final Boss Sour's products and marketing (3:25), the future of commerce, influencers, and retailers' adaptations (23:12), followed by a discussion with Rae Lambert about River's software platform and community management best practices (46:16), high-end memberships, landing lighthouse customers, and influencer engagement (1:04:35) . * Timestamps: (0:00) Jason kicks off today’s show with guests James Hicks and Rae Lambert. (3:25) Discussing the appeal and unique aspects of Final Boss Sour's products (7:25) Better-for-you products and social media strategies (9:40) .Tech Domains - Apply for the Jam Session with JCal contest today at https://jamwithjcal.tech (10:50) Potential of TikTok for social shopping and influencer monetization (21:04) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist (23:12) Future of commerce, influencers, and retailers' adaptations (30:00) Video game tie-ins and product development logistics (37:22) Experiential retail and pop-up concepts (38:36) Washington Post - TWiST listeners can subscribe for just 50 cents per week for your first year at https://www.washingtonpost.com/twist (40:04) Ray Lambert and community building with River (46:16) River's software platform and community management best practices (52:16) Business models, monetization strategies, and paid events (1:00:00) Community roles, expansion and engaging with fans (1:03:19) Audience questions, community engagement insights, and hiring attempts (1:04:35) High-end memberships, landing lighthouse customers, and influencer engagement * Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/ Check out the TWIST500: https://twist500.com * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Check out Final Boss Sour: https://finalbosssour.com/ Check out Final Boss Sour TikTok Shop: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/tiktok-shop-final-boss Check out Science: https://www.science-inc.com/ Check out River: https://www.getriver.io/ Check out Rae’s blog: https://www.raelambert.com/ Check our Founder Fridays: https://www.founderfridays.tech/ * Follow James: X: https://x.com/jamesghicks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-hicks-43957512/ * Follow Rae: X: https://x.com/raechellambert LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raechel-lambert/ * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (9:40) .Tech Domains - Apply for the Jam Session with JCal contest today at https://jamwithjcal.tech (21:04) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist (38:36) Washington Post - TWiST listeners can subscribe for just 50 cents per week for your first year at https://www.washingtonpost.com/twist * Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe , Steve Huffman , Brian Chesky , Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie , Sophia Amoruso , Reid Hoffman , Frank Slootman , Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916