"On the road, endurance grows from patience and persistence.I bring that same mindset to building solutions that last."
Brian Payne
Product Engineering Leader & Digital Commerce Consultant
Helping businesses — whether global or local — build digital systems that make life easier for their teams and deliver better customer experiences.
About
I’m Brian Payne, a technology and engineering leader who helps businesses turn big ideas into reliable digital experiences. I’ve led teams at Major League Baseball, eBay, Priceline, Pro Football Focus, and Chief, delivering data systems, subscription platforms, and API ecosystems that power millions of users.Alongside large-scale work, I partner with emerging brands and small businesses to modernize their online presence, grow subscription models, and create customer experiences that last.I’m increasingly focused on supporting wineries, breweries, and specialty producers & retailers strengthen their digital commerce and direct-to-consumer strategies.
Services
Engineering Leadership & Strategy
Align technology with business goals
Build & scale API ecosystems
Modernize data platforms in the cloud
Digital Commerce & Subscriptions
Improve online commerce and subscription models
Design and implement recurring revenue systems
Boost engagement with reviews, email flows, and promotions
Create and refresh websites that highlight your products and services
Data Systems & Analytics
Architect big data pipelines and real-time analytics
Translate enterprise insights into actionable reporting
Apply AI/ML to enhance decision-making and performance
Work
Highlights from my work across sports, e-commerce, travel, and digital platforms.
Scaled fan engagement, ticketing, and AI-driven video/data systems serving millions of fans
Led discovery through launch of betting app and sports analytics backend powered by AI
Built and optimized e-commerce systems with a focus on experimentation and testing
Developed platforms for women executives, enhancing community, events, and insights
Delivered API integrations and customer-facing enhancements to improve traveler experience
Launched core digital commerce foundation for a specialty food brand, positioning them for scalable growth and customer engagement.
Case Study:
Modernizing Data Systems for a Professional Sports Team
Challenge
A professional sports organization needed to modernize how it managed and used player and game data. Their existing systems were siloed, workflows were inconsistent, and roster data lacked a unified source of truth. To stay competitive, they required a scalable architecture that supported analytics, coaching, and fan engagement — while maintaining strict data reliability and security.Approach
I designed a comprehensive data systems strategy and architecture, focusing on:
Standardizing data ingestion pipelines from scouting, player tracking, and game systems.
Implementing model handling and reliability safeguards to ensure accuracy.
Developing roster override logic to handle real-world complexities.
Proposing a unified workflow to align analytics, coaching staff, and front office operations.
Documenting the why behind each decision, making it clear for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Impact
The project provided the team with a clear roadmap for a modern data system. It aligned stakeholders, simplified how departments accessed and used information, and created a foundation for more advanced analytics and fan-facing experiences.
Case Study:
Launching Digital Commerce for a Specialty Food Brand
Challenge
A specialty food business in Napa Valley needed a modern online presence that could handle both local delivery and future shipping. Their previous setup made it difficult for customers to understand how to order, and the back-end processes weren’t optimized for growth. The goal was to create an online store that felt clear and seamless for customers while setting the business up for scalable digital commerce.Approach
I partnered with the business owner to design and launch a Shopify store tailored to their needs, including:
Creating a digital commerce foundation on Shopify, with clean design and intuitive navigation.
Setting up local delivery options to match their community-based customer base.
Preparing the back end for future shipping integrations (Pirate Ship and similar platforms).
Implementing SEO best practices to ensure visibility in search.
Adding engagement tools like product reviews, promotional flows, and email capture.
Impact
The new site gave the business a professional digital storefront that improved customer clarity and trust. It streamlined local delivery orders, positioned the brand for growth through shipping, and established a foundation for better customer engagement. The owner described the process as effortless and noted that the results exceeded expectations.
Reviews
“I hired Brian to build a new Shopify website for my small business, and the results exceeded my expectations. He created a robust digital commerce foundation that looks fantastic and sets my business up for scalable growth and improved customer engagement. His expertise and professionalism made the whole process effortless. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to take their online presence to the next level.”
Courtney
Owner, Love Park Pretzels
Contact
Let’s connect. Whether you’re exploring a new digital platform, improving subscription and commerce experiences, or discussing engineering leadership and data systems, I’d be glad to talk.Email: [email protected]LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bwpayneI usually respond within 1–2 business days.