Omri Bojko, co-founder of TotalCommerce Partners and TVP NYC, and Daria Rose, Managing Partner of Total Commerce Partners, recently attended the AccessWave event at Cucina 8 1/2 in NYC. This gathering brought together a dynamic mix of attendees, from agencies and native brands to enterprise companies, DTC Shopify sellers, and more.
What stood out most was the collaborative energy—conversations flowed naturally, allowing attendees to share challenges, insights, and ideas in a way that was more like conversational brainstorming than traditional events that involve presentations more than discussions.
A Collaborative Space for Diverse Perspectives
The event showcased a refreshingly diverse group of voices, including experts in finance, consulting, and private equity, alongside Shopify sellers and service partners. This diversity cultivated unique perspectives on the state of eCommerce and its future, including predictions for 2025. AI took center stage as a transformative force for the coming years, while advertising strategies and innovative Shopify tricks also sparked engaging discussions.
One of Omri's key takeaways was how Shopify is increasingly being viewed through an enterprise lens. It’s no secret Shopify has been making a push into the enterprise market, but hearing this trend discussed so prominently was interesting. While challenges like ERP integrations remain, this shift presents a significant opportunity for Total Commerce to showcase our expertise in guiding brands through complex transitions.
Navigating Shopify’s Upmarket Shift
Shopify’s journey into the enterprise space was a recurring theme throughout the night. Brands not yet on the platform expressed caution, weighing its promise against the challenges of adapting its ecosystem to their needs. Several attendees highlighted the risks of diving into Shopify's newest features too quickly, advising patience as these tools mature.
Daria found it fascinating that David Cost, VP of Digital & eCommerce at Rainbow Apparel, shared his company’s Shopify migration experience. David found that it was far from seamless, underscoring the importance of allocating sufficient time—often a year or more—for enterprise-level implementations.
Another hot topic right up Daria’s tech-centered alley was Shopify’s lack of a connected sandbox environment, which surprised many attendees. Without a true sandbox, enterprise brands must juggle separate development environments and live themes—a workaround that falls short of expectations for companies needing intricate ERP integrations. One notable example was a brand striving to unify its loyalty program across online and in-store channels, only to face obstacles due to their POS system’s incompatibility with Shopify.
The Human Side of eCommerce: Passion Meets Purpose
A fascinating thread throughout the evening was the personal passion attendees brought to their work. When asked about themselves, many spoke proudly of their involvement with non-profits, revealing how deeply their values influence their professional lives. This resonated with Omri, as the very foundation of TVP was inspired by our work with non-profits.
Could this passion be the key to deeper connections in our industry? Highlighting shared values and purpose could create more authentic partnerships—something we plan to explore further.
A Big Thanks to Our Hosts
Our heartfelt thanks to Nihal Goyal from App Brew, Yannick James from Bemeir, and Bill Williams from AccessWave for organizing such a stellar event. Special shoutout to David Cost of Rainbow Apparel and Jarrad Berman from TZP Group for sharing their invaluable insights.
The ambiance at Cucina 8 1/2 was the perfect backdrop for an evening of open conversations about eCommerce’s evolving challenges and opportunities. We left inspired and excited to continue these discussions at the next AccessWave event!
