From High Fashion to High-Converting Partnerships with Dillon Duchesne

Most people don’t go from modeling for Vogue to co-pitching with tech agencies. But then again, most people aren’t Dillon Duchesne.

On this episode of After Hours x Above The Fold, I sat down with Dillon—Partnerships Lead at Yotpo, ex-Gorgias and Hoox, natty wine queen, former high fashion model and my business partner at Midcoast—to talk about building authentic partnerships in e-commerce, why relationship building is everything, and how a shared love of fries turned into a whole-ass community.

Dillon’s story is about being resourceful, relentlessly curious, and honest about what you don’t know—because sometimes that’s what gets you the gig.

Modeling Made Her A Master Of Relationships

Dillon’s first career was in high fashion. She started at 14, traveled the world, learned to advocate for herself in rooms full of decision-makers, and—most importantly—built relationships that lasted. When she left that world behind, those soft skills came with her.

She didn’t pivot into tech with a resume stacked with certifications. She had hustle. She had presence. And thanks to a referral from a friend (shoutout Steven from Olipop), she landed her first role at Gorgias, despite not knowing what Shopify was. Seriously.

What she did know? How to sell. How to listen. How to make people feel seen. That’s the real work of partnerships.

What Makes A Great Partnership? It’s Not Just Vibes.

Dillon says it best: "You need a better-together story."

A solid partnership isn’t just trading logos. It’s showing up like an extension of each other’s teams. It’s co-selling, co-enabling, sharing wins, sharing failures, and building trust without waiting for the next ask. It means staying top of mind because you’re genuinely in it with your partners, not just dropping by when you’ve got something to push.

And let’s be real: if the vibes are off, the partnership won’t last. That goes for tech tools, agencies, and brand deals.

How To Stand Out In An Oversaturated E-Commerce World

Dillon’s got thoughts.

She’s experimenting with partner spotlights, agency case studies, and internal tools like a partner Rolodex to keep everyone looped in and aligned. Enablement isn’t just for sales teams. It’s for everyone involved in making these partnerships work. And yes, Dillon is the type to ping you just to say hi or check on your dog.

Because partnerships are personal.

So About That Community We Built Over Fries…

Midcoast started because Dillon and I were tired of walking into rooms that didn’t feel made for people like us. So we made our own.

We threw a summit in Chicago on a whim. We booked speakers, wrangled RSVPs, and hosted a full dinner—all without a blueprint. It was scrappy. It was chaotic. And it was the first time we realized Midcoast could actually be something.

Now it’s a growing community for brand operators, creatives, and e-comm folks who want connection without the fluff. No sales pitches. No panels you forget tomorrow. Just smart people doing cool work, coming together IRL.

What’s next?

For Dillon, it’s more Midcoast magic (catch us at SheInnovates and our summer Hoedown), deepening partnerships at Yotpo, and maybe squeezing in some wedding planning. Casual!

And for you? Hit up @midcoastcommunity on IG, obviously. Join the email list, come to a dinner, and show up to an event. Bring a briefcase full of meat. Or don’t. Just bring yourself.

This is how we build the rooms we actually want to be in.