WeCommerce

Sep 2019 - Oct 2020 · 1 yr 2 mos

WeCommerce was a holding company focused on acquiring and operating e-commerce software businesses, primarily in the Shopify ecosystem. I joined as employee #3 after their spin-off from Tiny Capital.

Shortly after I joined, Bill Ackman led a $25m investment round. It was a signal that the thesis had legs.

The Role

As VP of Acquisitions, I was the M&A team of one. My job was to find, evaluate, negotiate, and close deals. I worked directly with Chris (CEO) and Evan (CFO), which meant I had a front-row seat to every strategic decision.

The pace was intense. We were simultaneously integrating acquired companies while hunting for new ones. Every week brought new opportunities and new problems to solve.

What We Built

We acquired several Shopify apps and themes businesses, each with their own dynamics and growth levers. The playbook was simple: find great products with loyal customers, acquire them at fair prices, and give them the resources to grow.

The Shopify ecosystem was (and still is) fascinating. Merchants depend on these tools, which creates sticky revenue and interesting compounding dynamics.

Lessons Learned

Some things I got wrong and have hopefully learned from:

• Shiny deal syndrome. Not every deal needs to be done. The best investors I know are comfortable saying no to 99% of what they see.
• Modulation of emotions. M&A is a roller coaster. Deals fall apart, negotiations get tense, surprises emerge in diligence. Staying level-headed is a skill.
• Active listening > listening to reply. The best information comes when you shut up and let the other person talk.

All in all, it was a fun, challenging, and exhilarating experience. I'm grateful for the trust Chris and Evan placed in me.