Nowadays, everything is an ad. Every other search result, tweet, Facebook post, or Instagram reel have become sponsored posts masquerading as user-generated content. We’re so inundated by advertisements in our daily lives that it’s challenging to determine whether you like something because it provides value to you, or because you’ve fallen prey to marketing.

In this episode of the Trust Factor podcast, we are joined by Kristine Locker, the CEO and Founder of Locker, a platform that allows users to browse, save, share and recommend their favorites across thousands of brand websites in one single place. While the initial idea was simple, her platform has since grown to attract investors and reinvent the online shopping experience.

Kristine talks about how she came up with the idea of Locker, and how she is differentiating her platform by prioritizing authenticity. She also shares her thoughts on artificial intelligence, the struggles of being a female tech founder, and the potential of community commerce to change the online shopping experience for the better.

In this episode we discuss:

• Authentic recommendations versus affiliate and influencer marketing
• How artificial intelligence will affect the online shopping experience
• Why community commerce is the future

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

Kristine’s Podcast Recommendations

• https://www.thetwentyminutevc.com/podcast/
• https://www.npr.org/series/490248027/how-i-built-this

Check out Maggie Seller on TikTok:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@maggiesellers_

Meet the Host:

Christina Kay

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakay/

Meet the Guest:

Kristine Locker is the founder and CEO of Locker 2.0, a company revolutionizing the online shopping experience by allowing users to browse, save, share and recommend their favorites across thousands of brand websites in one single place.

Connect with Kristine on LinkedIn

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinelocker/

Follow Kristine on Instagram

• https://www.instagram.com/wantlocker/
• https://www.instagram.com/kristinelocker/

Email Kristine

• info@wantlocker.com

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Trust Factor in your favorite podcast player.

This episode was produced and brought to you by Reignite Media.

When it comes to branding, a lot of people naturally gravitate towards tangible things: brand colors, logos, names, and more. However, at its core, branding is all about creating a foundation for your business based on one thing: your audience.

Knowing your audience allows you to create a brand that truly resonates with the people who want to work with you and appreciate what you can offer. Keep in mind that you are not for everybody. However, as long as you are sincere in trying to make a connection, you will find your audience.

In this episode of the Trust Factor podcast, we talk to brand designer, business mentor, and entrepreneur, Ari Krzyzek. Ari is the CEO and Head of Strategy for Chykalophia, a woman minority-owned web agency helping Femtech DTC & women-led brands transform their website to unlock business opportunities.

Ari talks about finding your audience, celebrating their voice, and maintaining that connection. She also delivers several tips for creating an effective website, from creating a good brand, effective content, and more granular tips such as crafting compelling call-to-actions. Ari also talks about empowering minority women entrepreneurs, and why creating a movement always starts with individuals who want to step up for others.

In this episode we discuss:

• How to design a website with the shopper in mind
• Empowering female entrepreneurs in the E-commerce, femtech and other spaces
• How to build customer loyalty through website design and effective branding
• How to address and respond to customer feedback

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

Check out Ari’s book: https://chykalophia.com/website-book/

Meet the Host:

Christina Kay

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakay/

Meet the Guest:

Ari Krzyzek, CEO and Head of Strategy for Chykalophia

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arichykalophia/

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Trust Factor in your favorite podcast player.

This episode was produced and brought to you by Reignite Media.

As your company grows and plants its roots, it’s easy to forget your core mission. Sometimes, we can get bogged down in the details, the metrics, and the various KPIs and forget the most crucial one of all: customer feedback. Remember that the old adage is true: customers are always right.

It’s crucial to keep up with the latest innovation, and you should definitely know your numbers. But it should be the customer feedback that ties your strategy together.

In this episode of the Trust Factor podcast, we talk to Jared Wexler, the Lead Solutions Consultant at Tapcart. Jared talks about the importance of hearing out what your customers have to say, and using that to drive improvements. He also touches on the idea of simplicity in ecommerce. Before trying to immerse yourself in the bleeding edge of technology and innovation, before trying to change things around, focus on your fundamentals first. Before everything else, just make sure your E-commerce website works.

In this episode we discuss:

• How to use customer feedback to drive product development
• The challenge of building brand loyalty in the ecommerce space
• Why it’s crucial to make your customers feel heard
• Why simplicity is still key in E-commerce

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Check Out Tapcart: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tapcart/

Meet the Host:

Christina Kay

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakay/

Meet the Guest:

Jared Wexler

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiwexler/

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Trust Factor in your favorite podcast player.

This episode was produced and brought to you by Reignite Media.