Brent Peterson
CEO of Content Cucumber · Host of Talk Commerce · Speaker · Runner
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
I got my start in commerce and technology with an online store and a custom computer configurator. That led to Wagento, where I served as Chief Magento Evangelist and President and earned 5× Magento Master recognition. I run Content Cucumber and ContentBasis.
At Content Cucumber, a company that employs humans to write content for humans, I lead a team of U.S.-based writers. At ContentBasis we built the Persona Builder, which keeps every piece of content in one consistent voice whether a person or a machine wrote it. I pair experienced writers with AI tools so the work scales without losing the human voice. I also host the Talk Commerce podcast and speak internationally on commerce, content, and AI.
Away from the screen, I run. Thirty-three marathons, all six World Marathon Majors, an ultramarathon, and an Ironman, plus plenty of races where I pace other runners to their goals. I run for Mile in My Shoes, a nonprofit that uses running to support people in recovery, shelters, and reentry.
Entrepreneurship
I build companies in commerce, content, and AI — and I've been at it a long time. Here's what I'm running now.
Content Cucumber
CEO. Human-written content at scale — U.S. writers and AI working together, not against each other.
ContentBasis
Founder & President. Content performance and the Persona Builder — one quality filter for every piece.
RequestDesk
The workflow layer for productized services — requests in, work out.
The track record
- 1992 — started out selling computers, then building software in Ireland
- Wagento Commerce — 14 years, Chief Magento Evangelist to President
- 5× Magento Master & longtime Magento forum moderator and evangelist
- Fractional CTO at DecksDirect · Performance Content Consultant at Evrig
- EO member since 2014
Speaking
See speaking →Commerce, content, AI, and building in public. Conferences, offsites, podcasts, and panels — internationally.
Commerce that lasts
What actually moves merchants — beyond the hype cycle.
AI & content
Using AI to build content infrastructure without losing the human voice.
Building in public
Learning out loud — the wins, the misses, and the work in between.
Podcast
All episodes →I host Talk Commerce — a weekly, platform-agnostic show with the builders, operators, and vendors shaping ecommerce. 3,000+ listeners a month, new episodes every Tuesday.
Writing
Read the blog →Writing on commerce, content, AI, running, and whatever else is on my mind.
Running & Mile in My Shoes
See running →33 marathons, an Ironman, and an ultra. Six Star finisher — all six World Marathon Majors. RRCA-certified, and a race pacer worldwide. I run for Mile in My Shoes.
Six Star finisher
Boston, Chicago, Berlin, New York, London, and Tokyo — finished at the Guinness-record 2023 Tokyo race.
Race pacing
Pacing runners to their goal worldwide — half at 2:10, full at 5:00 — for OnPace, Beast Pacing, and more.
Coaching
RRCA-certified. I coach runners chasing a first finish line or a next PR.
Mile in My Shoes
A nonprofit using running to support people in recovery, shelters, and reentry.
Follow along
Track the miles on Strava.