UGLY TALK: FROM E-COM SIDE HUSTLE TO FULL-TIME REVENUE
You have the idea. Maybe you even have a Shopify store live. But between the day job, the 47 open browser tabs, and the endless list of tools you "should" be using, it still does not feel like a real business.
The gap between side hustle and full-time revenue is not about working harder. It is about knowing what actually matters, what to ignore, and which landmines will blow up your momentum before you even get started.
If you are sitting on an idea, running something on the side, or just launched and already feeling buried, this Ugly Talk is built for you.
🎯 Why You Should Attend
Spot the mistakes that quietly kill e-com businesses before they ever take off
Know exactly where to put your time and money first when you have zero margin for error
Hear how real founders knew they were ready to go full-time, and what they would do differently
Cut through the noise and know exactly what to do first, second, and never
Walk away with a playbook for when things go sideways, because they will
🙋 Who's Getting In This Room
People sitting on an idea who have not launched yet but are done waiting
Side-hustle operators running an e-com store nights and weekends, ready to go full-time
Recently launched founders who are overwhelmed by everything they "should" be doing
Shopify merchants who need a real plan, not another YouTube tutorial
🎤 Who's Taking the Stage
Mary Bemis - Founder of Reprise
Mary is the founder of Reprise, a plant-based, nontoxic activewear brand she launched in 2018. She started the company with a Kickstarter campaign that raised just under $20,000 and has since bootstrapped its growth nationally and internationally. Reprise was built on the belief that what we wear directly impacts our health, especially during movement, when our skin is most absorbent. The brand uses a custom Tencel blend fabric chosen not only for its sustainability and performance, but for its ability to offer a lower-toxin alternative to conventional synthetic activewear. Through Reprise, Mary is working to raise awareness about the connection between textiles, human health and the planet.
Tommy Castellano - Founder of KYVO
Tommy Castellano is a Shopify merchant, entrepreneur, and father of four from Long Island, NY. What started as a dropshipping operation quickly became a proving ground — validating products, building audiences, and learning what actually converts. Now Tommy is channeling those lessons into his true passion project: KYVO Performance, a golf performance brand built for the everyday competitor who takes the game seriously. Between early morning simulator sessions, a full-time career, and four kids at home, Tommy's story is about building something real — without waiting for the perfect moment.
Rider Tuff - Founder of Timeless Patents
Rider is the founder of Timeless Patents, a company that transforms original US patents into watercolor artwork. He's grown the business through paid media and product seeding. Prior to Timeless Patents, he worked in US Strategy at Deloitte.
Host & Moderator:
Arjun Mahadevan - Founder & CEO of doola
Arjun is the Founder & CEO at doola.com and the host of the 15-minute founder podcast. Before that, Arjun started on the Data & Analytics team at Dropbox before moving to Product Manager on the Growth team. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where he completed a dual degree between The Wharton School and The College of Arts and Sciences, concentrating in Statistics and majoring in Mathematics.
💬 What We Do Not Sugarcoat
The landmines between side hustle and full-time
The tools, platforms, and tasks that paralyze founders before they start selling
Why more competition, not less, is the real cost of AI lowering the barrier
The specific decisions that separate businesses that last from side hustles that stall
What founders get wrong
Confusing interest with intent and skipping customer interviews
Spending $10K on inventory before validating demand
Ignoring unit economics because "we will figure it out later"
Making the leap without blowing up your life
How to know your numbers are actually ready
Entity setup, bookkeeping, and compliance. Before you quit. Not after.
How to execute
Offer tests, smoke tests, small cohorts, and early revenue benchmarks
When to stop planning and start moving
🤝 Co-hosting with
Shopify New York – Powering millions of sellers around the world
doola - The Business-in-a-Box™ for e-commerce founders—helping you launch, manage, and grow a US business from anywhere.
🤝 Community Partner
New Edition – We Create Winning Creative For Emerging Consumer Brands
⭐ About Ugly Talk:
Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.
With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.
Official Website: UglyTalk.com
📢 Important Notice for Ugly Talk Attendees
Admission & Confirmation
Attendance is by approval only. Approved guests will receive a confirmation email along with a calendar invite. Invitations are non-transferable. Additional event details will be shared as the event approaches.
Code of Conduct
By attending, you agree to:
Maintain respect and professionalism, adhering to all venue rules, policies, and applicable laws.
Refrain from harassment, discrimination, unwelcome sexual advances (verbal or physical), intimidation, or inappropriate photography/recording.
Report any violations to the event hosts immediately.
Violations may result in immediate removal from the event and exclusion from future invitations.
Liability & Risk
Participation is voluntary and at your own risk. The event organizers, hosts, sponsors, and venue are not liable for personal injury, lost or stolen belongings, or any other damages incurred during the event.
Media Consent
By attending, you grant the event organizers and affiliated entities the right to capture, use, and distribute photos, videos, and audio recordings of you for promotional, marketing, and other lawful purposes, including digital and print media, advertising, and social media. You waive any right to inspect or approve the final materials and release all claims related to their use.
Communications
By registering, you agree to receive marketing and promotional communications from Ugly Talk and its co-hosts, partners, and sponsors. You may unsubscribe at any time.
By registering, you agree to receive emails communications from Shopify
Agreement
If you do not agree to this Code of Conduct, please refrain from attending the event.
Official Event Page: [Link]