The Andrew Faris Podcast artwork

You Should Take Your DTC Brand Into Wholesale (W/Jared Mehr From Pura Vida)

The Andrew Faris Podcast · with Jared Mehr · August 19, 2025 · 55 min

Summary

This episode argues that DTC brands should strategically expand into wholesale to diversify revenue, increase brand visibility, and build resilience against fluctuating digital ad costs. Jared Mehr from Pura Vida shares practical insights on identifying the right wholesale partners, navigating sales cycles, and maintaining brand integrity while scaling distribution.

Key takeaways

Themes

dtc strategyretail & omnichannelbrand & contentsupply chain & operations

Topics covered

wholesale strategyomnichannel distributionbrand scalingdtc diversificationretail partnershipsinventory management

Episode description

INTELLIGEMSIntelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.RICHPANELCut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=youtube.//Most DTC teams want wholesale but treat it like a black box. In this episode, Jared Mehr (Pura Vida) lays out the exact path he used to build a $35M wholesale program—from first doors to trade shows to rep groups—without blowing up margins or ops.What you’ll learn:- Readiness checklist before you call a buyer: inventory, UPC/SKU hygiene, pricing, 3PL capabilities, and wholesale order flow- The real margin model (retail 50 / brand 50), why big boxes demand an extra 10–20% off wholesale, and how to price with future sales-rep commissions- Why “permanent promo” DTC tactics kill retailer interest—and what to do instead- Cash-flow realities: net-30/60/90, chargebacks, AR risk, and why a mom-and-pop baseline protects you when majors change POs- How to get your first accounts: outreach scripts, sampling, store-locator lead lists, and door-to-door tactics that still work- Operational must-haves: displays that drive sell-through, starter packs, minimums, and a reorder cadence that compounds- When wholesale beats ecom on profit, and how channels can lift each other rather than cannibalize- Scaling playbook: when to add trade shows, insi

Related episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about dtc strategy?
Wholesale isn't a silver bullet; it's a strategic diversification play that can complement DTC efforts by reaching new customer segments and building brand equity beyond paid ads.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Prioritize wholesale partners that align with your brand values and target audience to ensure brand integrity and sustained growth.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Develop a clear wholesale strategy, including pricing, inventory management, and marketing support, before actively pursuing new channels.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Understand the longer sales cycles and payment terms in wholesale compared to DTC, and adjust your financial planning accordingly.
What does this episode say about dtc strategy?
Leverage wholesale relationships to gather market feedback and insights that can inform your DTC strategy and product development.

Listen