Final Boss Sour’s James Hicks + River’s Rae Lambert | E1993

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