Running a D2C brand in 2025 is no small feat. Between rising customer acquisition costs, fickle consumer behavior, and the constant battle for retention, founders need sharper insights than ever. And let’s be real—sometimes the best lessons don’t come from books or courses, but from candid conversations with people who’ve already been in the trenches.

That’s why I curated this list of 5 powerful podcast episodes every D2C founder should watch. These aren’t fluffy chats—they’re packed with war stories, practical strategies, and business models that can shift the way you think about your brand.

Here are my top picks 👇

1. Kishore Biyani, Udaan & Meesho Founders on What Really Sells in India

🎥 Watch here:

If you’re serious about e-commerce in India, this episode is a goldmine. Featuring Kishore Biyani (the father of modern Indian retail), Vidit Aatrey (Meesho), and Sujeet Kumar (Udaan), it dives deep into what actually sells in India—and more importantly, what doesn’t.

Why it matters for D2C founders:

• Understand the psychology of Indian consumers and why not every product flies.

• Learn how offline vs. online retail dynamics are shaping the D2C landscape.

• Get clarity on category selection—because the wrong product category is the quickest way to a dead startup.

💡 Takeaway: “The art of selling isn’t simple … some products fly off the shelves while others flop.”

2. How Boult Scaled to a ₹700 Crore/Year D2C Business

🎥 Watch here:

In this episode, Varun Gupta, founder of Boult Audio, breaks down how he scaled the homegrown audio brand to a ₹700 Cr annual revenue machine.

Key insights for founders:

• How Boult navigated fierce competition from global giants (like JBL & boAt).

• Why brand positioning and storytelling matter more than discounts.

• The balancing act of cash flow vs. growth—a make-or-break challenge in D2C.

💡 Action idea: Audit your own product positioning today. Are you competing on price, or on value and experience?

3. Building Sustainable Growth Beyond Vanity Metrics

🎥 Watch here:

This episode is all about avoiding the trap of vanity metrics—followers, likes, short-term spikes—and instead, building for long-term brand health.

Why this is unmissable:

• Breaks down the difference between chasing numbers vs. building loyal customers.

• Talks about unit economics that actually sustain growth.

• Shows how to spot red flags in your marketing funnel early.

💡 Takeaway: Sustainable D2C isn’t about the biggest launch—it’s about the longest game.

4. The Future of D2C: Scaling While Staying Profitable

🎥 Watch here:

Every founder dreams of scaling—but scale without profitability is a ticking time bomb. This conversation breaks down how to grow fast while keeping the numbers in check.

Key insights:

• When to prioritize growth vs. profitability in your journey.

• The role of retention & repeat purchases in keeping CAC in check.

• Why even small ops tweaks (supply chain, shipping, returns) massively impact margins.

💡 Action idea: Revisit your retention strategy this quarter. Even a 5% lift in repeat

purchases can double profits.

5. Cracking Customer Retention & Community Building

This episode dives into the holy grail of D2C: customer retention. Getting someone to buy once is easy—getting them to come back again and again is where real wealth is built.

What you’ll learn:

• How to build communities around your brand that keep customers engaged.

• Retention frameworks that separate one-time shoppers from lifelong fans.

• Why retention often beats acquisition when it comes to scaling smart.

💡 Takeaway: Retention isn’t the backseat driver—it’s the engine.

🚀 Turning Podcasts Into Growth

Podcasts like these aren’t just background noise. If you want real ROI from them:

1. Listen actively – take notes, pause, reflect.

2. Pick 1 idea per episode – test it in your brand this week.

Final Word

The D2C space is evolving at lightning speed. Founders who keep learning, experimenting, and adapting are the ones who’ll thrive.

These 5 podcast episodes are your shortcut to insights from people who’ve been there, done that. Save them, share them with your team, and most importantly—act on them.

And hey, if you’re serious about scaling your D2C brand with performance marketing, automation, and strategy—let’s talk.👉

Work with me at sauravdoesmarketing.com