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** The Growth Newsletter for
UK DTC Brands
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Hey there,
The DTC Live community is growing, and this September and October we’re heading to two cities, with two conferences, and one shared goal, to bring the best of DTC together 🗽🇬🇧
We’ve got a busy couple of months coming up and we’d love you to be part of it.
Whether you’re stateside or here in the UK, DTC Live is back in New York and London for two jam packed conferences full of insight, strategy and proper brand storytelling. It’s all about connecting founders, marketers and operators who are building what’s next in DTC.
🗽 DTC Live New York
📅 4th September 2025
📍 The Standard, Highline
Confirmed speakers so far include:
✨ Allie Egan, Founder and CEO, Veracity
✨ Suze Dowling, Co-Founder, Pattern Brands
✨ Louis Monoyudis, CMO, Artware Editions
✨ Michal Liberman, CRM Director, The Sak
✨ Dominick Miserandino, CEO, RTM Nexus
…and more to be announced soon.
Why not sign up and come join us?
use code QGTRTJZFU for a free ticket
Sign Up Here ✏️ (https://eventix.shop/w89dtsvz)
🇬🇧 DTC Live London
📅 16th October 2025
📍 The Fable, Holborn
Expect an all-day dose of actionable sessions, tactical brand talks and proper networking.
We’re already confirmed to be joined by:
✨ CEO of TALA
✨ Head of Marketing at Regal Rose
✨ Leaders from THG, Smoothie London, and more.
So, if you’re building a brand, growing a team, or just want to hear from the best in the game, you’ll want to be in the room for this.
Can’t make it to both? No stress, you can catch previous talks and watch new ones after the events over on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@dtc-live) . It’s a great way to revisit key takeaways or see what you missed.
More speakers and agendas coming soon, but if you're thinking of coming, now’s the time to grab your spot.
Why not sign up and come join us?
use code JAQRGFUAX for a free ticket
Sign Up Here ✏️ (https://www.dtclive.com/dtc-live-london)
How DNA Hormonal Health Turned One Man’s Hormonal Crisis into a Best-Seller at Boots (With Zero Ad Spend, BTW)
At DTC Live London, we heard from Sheldon, co-founder of DNA Hormonal Health, the UK-based company behind Silverback, a natural testosterone support supplement specifically designed for Andropause support that’s now stocked in Boots and selling out with no ad spend.
💬 “If you said the word Andropause a couple of years ago, you’d get a blank look… now people know. Oh, male menopause.”
DNA Hormonal Health started not in a lab or boardroom, but as a solution to Sheldon’s own diagnosis of low testosterone. As a natural testosterone expert and PT, he didn’t want to take synthetic hormones, so with the help of his wife, co-founder and clinical nutritionist, Bertie, they developed the world's first natural Andropause Supplement and the only natural alternative to TRT.
💬 “There wasn’t a natural alternative… so we developed our own supplement, Silverback Testosterone Supplement with Andropause Support, and built the range from there.”
And they weren’t the only ones looking for an option like this.
Without raising big investment or running big-budget campaigns, DNA Hormonal Health proved demand early, launching into Boots and selling out within three weeks of going live.
💬 “We sold out in three weeks. No advertising. No marketing spend. We’ve sold out twice since.”
It’s still just Sheldon and his co-founder Bertie running the show, from operations to customer service. But they’ve hit some serious milestones:
* 85% customer repeat rate
* 384% revenue growth last quarter
* 60% organic DTC growth (Now 124% Organic DTC month on month Growth)
* 25% increase in AOV (Number of orders increase 112%)
💬 “I still reply to every customer myself. We treat every customer like they’re the only one we have.”
Product-market fit came early, and now they’re looking at where to go next. That includes expanding to the US and Australia, developing a certified range for the military and pro athletes, and launching Testo-Tubes, a single-shot daily supplement for on-the-go use.
💬 “We want to get it right here in the UK first. Walk before we can run and fly.”
While community building is still a work in progress, what’s clear is that the brand’s early traction has been built on trust, results, and one very clear mission: helping people support their natural testosterone levels, with no fluff and no gimmicks and no negative side effects.
Also, just a quick shoutout, they recently hit a major milestone, with their Shopify site reaching a 9.82% conversion rate, placing them in the top 10% of all 5.6 million Shopify stores worldwide 👏.
So, check out DNA Hormonal Health here. (https://dnahormonalhealth.com/)
Want to hear the full talk? Check it out here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qok_yO9QJQ)
** Designing Intuitive Search and Category Experiences
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When someone lands on your site or app, they’re not there to figure things out, they expect to find what they need quickly and effortlessly. That’s why intuitive search and navigation isn’t just good UX; it directly impacts your conversion rate.
So how do you build a search and category experience that actually works for your users?
1. Make search visible and useful
Place the search bar where people expect it, top-right or center, and keep it visible on key pages. Use placeholder text like “Search by product, brand, or feature…” to guide intent.
2. Autocomplete should do more than finish words
Bring up suggestions as users type, not just matching products, but also categories, popular queries, and even support content. The faster they see what they want, the more likely they’ll act.
3. Filters should reduce friction, not add it
Once users search or land on a collection, help them narrow results with filters that actually make sense. Use checkboxes for sizes, sliders for price, and only reveal advanced filters when needed.
4. Search engines should think like humans
Literal keyword matching isn’t enough. Smart search systems account for typos, synonyms (think “laptop” vs. “notebook”), and user intent. Natural language processing and fuzzy search are key here.
5. Structure your categories like your users do
Don’t bury products under abstract or inconsistent labels. Stick with clear, logical hierarchies (“Home > Kitchen > Cookware”) and ensure terminology is consistent across the site. Clarity beats cleverness every time.
6. Support browsing and searching equally
Some users come in with a goal. Others want to explore. Your UX should support both. Use easy-to-follow nav menus, clean category pages, and breadcrumb trails to keep users oriented.
7. Mobile needs its own UX rules
Mobile search and navigation should be built for small screens, not just a squeezed-down desktop version. Prioritise collapsible filters, thumb-friendly buttons, and fast, clutter-free layouts. If you can, enable voice or image-based search.
8. No dead ends ever
If a search returns no results, don’t leave users stranded. Suggest related products, top categories, or include a “Did you mean…” prompt. Your search experience should always offer a next step.
9. Keep evolving with data
Great UX is never one-and-done. Use search analytics, heatmaps, and usability testing to identify where users get stuck or drop off. Small tweaks, like renaming a category or improving filter logic, can have outsized impact.
Clear, intuitive search and categorisation help users take action faster. And when users find what they need without thinking too hard, they convert. Simple as that.
Book your free call with our CRO expert (https://calendly.com/rainy-city/cro-growth-strategy-call?month=2025-02)
An Overview on Our Upcoming Events
DTC Live London
16th October | Fable, Holborn Viaduct, London
Talks, panels, drinks, and deep dives with teams from leading brands. More details to follow.
🎟️ Free brand tickets (https://www.dtclive.com/dtc-live-london) , use code JAQRGFUAX
Learning Labs Manchester: Annual Planning
October (date TBC) | Huckletree, Ancoats
Everything you need to get your annual plans sorted, actionable workshops, templates, and honest discussion with other brands.
🤝 Book your spot (https://2aahovc9gzu.typeform.com/to/nkYaO9XM)
Gran Canaria Brand Retreat
24th–27th September | 5-star wellness resort
An all-expenses-covered* escape for founders, leaders and decision makers, focused on trends, tactics & transformation (*except flights).
🌴 If you’re interested, fill out this quick application:
📋 Exclusive Brand Retreat Application (https://2aahovc9gzu.typeform.com/brandretreat)
Want a look at last time?
Take a look at our highlights video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_0YscPaf6w) , photos (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fzDcP7h0T4rr7prfb-m6ZULur-vS5STN?usp=sharing) , and last year’s agenda (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VOaL_O_goqUdp2ZmK9ikxcPcs4T-dS65/view?usp=sharing) !
Sculpt & Scale, An event of beauty and wellness brands
5th November | Reformer Pilates Studio, London
A private reformer pilates session, juices and breakfast, plus a chance to connect with other brands in health and wellness.
💪🥤Register your interest (https://2aahovc9gzu.typeform.com/to/YE93NOiQ)
Hope to see you soon!
Check out our FULL events calendar here 📅 (https://www.dtclive.com/events-calendar)
That's it for this week!
Thank you for reading :)
To help continue to build the DTC Live community, please forward this email on to someone you think might like it. Or if easier, share this link (https://www.dtclive.com/newsletter-sign-up) .
We'll be back with more growth strategies and insights for eCom and tech brands next week.
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