Beginner’s Guide to Working With Freight Brokers and Negotiating Lower Rates
If you’ve never worked with a freight broker before, the process can seem intimidating. But the truth is—it’s actually pretty straightforward. Freight brokers are simply the middle people who connect shippers (like us) with trucking companies. Their job is to find a carrier to move your freight, and your job is to make sure you’re getting a fair rate. Step 1: Understand the Broker’s Role Think of a broker as a matchmaker. You tell them what you need moved—how many pallets,…
Keep readingSunday Thoughts: We’re All Becoming Builders in the Decentralization Era
I’m not a developer. Let me just get that out there. I’m a commerce guy who gets excited about technology, and what I’m seeing right now is blowing my mind. Six months ago, I couldn’t have imagined writing a line of code. Today? I’m playing around with Cursor, experimenting with no-code tools, and I’ve actually got an IDE running on my Mac. Am I building the next Facebook? No. But I’m creating small, useful software for my specific needs. And that’s…
Keep readingWhy I Built a Furniture Industry News Aggregator (Because 12 Browser Tabs Was Too Many)
I’m sitting in our warehouse this Sunday morning, July 13th, surrounded by moving boxes. We just wrapped our team meeting, and I finally have time to share something I’ve been building in the evenings after the kids go to bed. If you work in home furnishings—whether you’re a buyer, designer, manufacturer, or retailer—you know the morning ritual. Open Furniture Today. Check Home Accents Today. Scan Architectural Digest. Pop over to Apartment Therapy. By the time your coffee’s lukewarm, you’ve got a…
Keep readingAI, Meet Main Street: YC Startups I’m Watching
Real-world tools for scrappy operators like us I run a rug company. Not a SaaS startup. Not a VC-backed AI darling. A company that makes beautiful, easy-to-clean rugs for real people with real messes — peanut butter on a runner, juice spills at a birthday party, you name it. But recently, I’ve been falling down the rabbit hole of AI-powered tools — not because I think they’re flashy, but because they’re finally getting useful. And nothing caught my eye more than…
Keep readingReflecting on Progress and Community as We Step into 2025
As we enter the new year, I wanted to share some thoughts and insights that have been shaping my journey: Progress Takes Time Real growth spans years. A recent reunion reminded me of my high school hockey coach, Bart Mucci. As the head coach of Rebels Hockey for over two decades, Bart built the team into a D1 program that now practices four nights a week. During our time from ’99 to ’03 as a club team, we only had one…
Keep readingSteering Together: Unveiling Well Woven’s First Dive into Structured Business Reviews
Hey there, Guess what? Today was quite the milestone for us at Well Woven. We ventured into our very first structured business review meeting. Imagine us, a bunch of eager beavers, ready to dive deep into the work we’ve been pouring our hearts into across the board – from supply chain planning and merchandising to marketing, operations, IT, and sales. We had this whole agenda planned out, kind of like a treasure map, and for the most part, we stuck to…
Keep readingThe Incrementality Approach in E-Commerce: A Data-Driven Method for Measurable Impact
In the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce, leveraging data effectively is key to staying ahead. In our latest post, we delve into the world of incrementality – a data-driven approach that goes beyond traditional metrics to truly understand the impact of our strategies. We explore how A/B testing, a nuanced understanding of advertising, and the optimization of product listings can lead to meaningful improvements in customer engagement and sales. Most importantly, we unravel the often-misunderstood concept of statistical significance, introducing the idea…
Keep readingThinking in Dimensions: Using Matrix’s for thinking through ideas
Thinking in the format of a matrix means examining the dimensions that lie behind an idea. This multi-dimensional perspective helps us to look at factors affecting a concept from different angles, leading to a comprehensive understanding. A prime application of this approach can be found in the business context. Area Rug Qualities Matrix Chart: Quality Aspect Durability Comfort Aesthetics Ease of Cleaning Price Affordability Material A (e.g., Wool) High Medium High Low Medium Material B (e.g., Nylon) Medium High Medium High…
Keep readingTeam Synergy: The Power of Unity and Shared Vision in Business
When we think about a team, we often imagine a collection of unique individuals, each bringing their own talents and perspectives to the table. Yet, when this group works cohesively, the collective output transcends the simple sum of individual contributions. This idea, that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, is a vital concept in business and team-building. It illustrates the magic that happens when we truly work together. At Well Woven, we’re a diverse team of individuals,…
Keep readingHike on May 6.
Last Sunday, May 6th, my wife and I reconnected with nature as we headed on a hike through a trail off of the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center, located Harriman State Park. For Luba and I, Hiking has long been a pastime for us; each spring and summer, we take a few days to head up to the Catskills, Palisades Park, or Breakneck Ridge. Harriman Park I believe was our second time. Hiking has become a past-time our lives, offering an escape…
Keep readingThe Joy of Running: Brooklyn Half Marathon and the Beauty of Embracing Challenges
Last weekend (April 23rd, 2023), I had the opportunity to participate in the Brooklyn Half Marathon, an experience that reminded me of my love for running and its impact on my life. First and foremost, I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my wife for her unwavering support and guidance in helping me schedule and prepare for this race. Without her, my procrastination might have caused me to miss this incredible event. As I recount the moments leading up to…
Keep readingEmbracing AI-Driven Content Creation: A Small Business Owner’s Excitement
As a small business owner, I’ve always struggled with content creation. I have a wealth of ideas, but finding the time and discipline to articulate them has been a constant challenge. With the arrival of ChatGPT, I feel a newfound excitement for the potential this technology brings to the world of content creation. The power of ChatGPT lies in its ability to rapidly deploy and structure ideas for publication, making it easier than ever to share our thoughts and insights. I…
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