eComFuel Podcast
eComFuel (formerly known as eCommerceFuel) is a private community for 7- and 8-figure eCommerce owners, best known for its members-only forum, operator-led insights, and the long-running eComFuel podcast hosted by founder Andrew Youderian.
Episodes
An Unreasonably Deep Dive on Building a Claude Code First Company
What happens when an eCommerce owner stops asking, "How can I get more people to do this work?" and starts asking, "How can I redesign the work entirely?" In this episode, I'm joined by Eli Zauner, co-founder of Universal Yums, who is using AI, software, and automation to tackle the complexity of a seven-figure consumer business. Whether you're an eCommerce founder looking to automate repetitive w
What I Learned From 100+ Young Entrepreneurs in France
What if the goal of entrepreneurship wasn't to build the biggest business possible, but to build a business and a life you genuinely don't want to escape from? In this episode, I sit down with Evan Bryce Riddle, co-founder of Art of Mondays, a community for "lifestyle founders" who want to pursue entrepreneurship alongside health, wellness, travel, relationships, and personal growth. Evan shares h
The Best Marketing Campaign I've Seen All Year
What makes a marketing campaign so unforgettable that you'll go out of your way to visit the business behind it? In this episode, you'll hear the story of an unexpected roadside advertising campaign that transformed a long drive through rural Colorado into a masterclass in customer psychology. What began as a series of mysterious vintage-looking signs became a powerful lesson in how great marketin
What Happened to Mike Jackness from eCom Crew?
What happens when a successful eCommerce entrepreneur decides to walk away from it all? After spending more than a decade building eCommerce brands and co-founding one of the industry's best-known communities, Mike Jackness made the surprising decision to leave it all behind and start again from scratch. In this episode, he shares why he stepped away, the personal and professional factors behind h
Dial In Your Strength Training and Make It Stick
What if getting stronger had less to do with motivation and more to do with building a routine that actually fits your life? In this episode, I'm sharing the practical lessons I have learned after nearly three years of consistent strength training. You'll discover why chasing the "perfect" workout is often the biggest obstacle to long-term success, how to create a sustainable routine around your s
The Archetype eCom Business? Diving into ROAD iD with Edward Wimmer IV
How can you build an eCommerce business that lasts for decades, not just the next algorithm update? In this episode, Edward Wimmer IV, co-founder of ROAD iD, shares how a near-fatal accident inspired a business that's now helped save lives while growing into a thriving eight-figure brand. You'll hear how he and his father started the company from a basement with two credit cards, why purpose has b
Integrator Hiring, Meta Issues & Staying Sane Through a Revenue Slump
How do you operate a business when things start to get tough? In this episode, Matt Snow, co-founder of Boredwalk.com, shares two hard-earned lessons from running a fast-growing eCommerce business with his wife. If you've struggled to delegate, scale operations, or find an integrator who can truly own the day-to-day, listen in to hear what worked, what didn't, and why relying on "good vibes" alone
What 60+ High-Revenue Owners Taught Me about Business (Rerun)
What really separates eight- and nine-figure eCommerce businesses from everyone else? Today, we are revisiting one of my favorite episodes from earlier this year, where I unpack the biggest takeaways from eComm Camp, our annual gathering of founders running 8-figure businesses. Looking back, these lessons feel just as relevant today, and I wanted to bring them back for anyone who missed them the f
Investing 95% of Profits Outside Your Business - Case Study with Michael Jelliff
If your eCommerce store shut down tomorrow, how long could you survive on everything else you've built? In this episode, Michael Jelliff, owner of Geekstands.com, reveals how he built one of the leanest, most profitable eCommerce operations around (an intentionally small, three-person team that throws off serious cash) and then did something most founders don't: pulled nearly all of it out and inv
Inside the US-Made Textile Brand, Swaddelini
What does it take to build a manufacturing brand from scratch with your own machines, your own team, and your own two hands? In this episode, Liz Hilton, inventor, founder, and owner of Swaddelini, shares how she turned a sleepless night as a new mom into a US-made baby swaddle brand powered by 3D knit technology. Listen in as Liz shares the wild ride of going viral on TikTok, doubling capacity at
Getting YouTube Ads Right in 2026
Is YouTube the most underrated paid channel for eCommerce brands right now? In this episode, I sit down with Brett Curry, founder of OMG Commerce, to break down exactly how seven- and eight-figure brands should be thinking about YouTube ads. Brett has been running YouTube campaigns for top D2C brands for years, and he reveals why YouTube looks terrible in most reporting tools… and why it's still a
Optimizing Your Three Most Powerful Profit Levers – Financial Mastery Commandment # 3 (Rerun)
What would happen if you woke up tomorrow and were suddenly taxed an extra 33% on every dollar of profit your business produced? In this rerun episode, I break down why that scenario isn't far off from what many founders are already doing, simply by failing to optimize their pricing, overhead, and after-tax income. Listen in as I walk through the three profit levers that matter most, why they driv
Tiny Team, Huge Margins, Raving Fans - Lessons from a Decade of Building Metorik
What does it take to build a highly profitable software company without venture capital, a massive team, or endless scaling pressure? In this episode, Bryce Adams, founder of Metorik, unpacks how he built a successful business serving thousands of Shopify and WooCommerce stores… with a team of just four people. Listen in as Bryce shares his philosophy around building lean, sustainable businesses t
Rethinking the EA Hire I Was So Sure About
What happens when the systems and people you thought would solve your problems… stop fitting the season you're in? In this episode, I share an honest follow-up on hiring (and eventually parting ways with) my executive assistant after nearly two years. I break down what worked, what quietly fell apart over time, and why AI is starting to change the equation for founders trying to delegate effective
I Almost Hired an Editor-in-Chief. I Built One Instead.
What happens when a business owner spends 40 hours building their own AI-powered workflow system instead of hiring another employee? In this episode, I share what I learned after diving deep into Claude Code and building a custom content operations platform designed to streamline idea capture, content creation, scheduling, analytics, and workflow management. You'll learn how AI coding tools are ch
Why I've Given Up on SEO
Is SEO actually dead this time, or are we just watching it slowly lose relevance? In this episode, I'll share why I officially stopped investing in SEO after building multiple businesses on it for over a decade. You'll learn what's changed in the search landscape, why organic traffic is declining for even experienced operators, and how crowded search results have made it harder than ever to win me
Why You Can't Trust Shopify's Sales Numbers — and More with Drew Fallon on Ecom Finance
Do you know where your money is really going? In this episode, I sit down with Drew Fallon, founder of Iris, to break down the financial realities behind growing a brand. If you're in that mid-7-figure range or pushing toward $10M+, this is where things start to get complex—and where small mistakes get expensive fast. You'll learn what really happens behind the scenes of finance planning and analy
Lessons from eCom Camp, Our Event for High Revenue Owners
What do high-revenue eCommerce founders actually talk about when they get in a room together—and what can you learn from it? In this episode, you'll get real, behind-the-scenes insights from the 5th annual eCom Camp, where some of the most successful operators share what's actually driving growth today. Listen in to learn why business size is becoming a powerful advantage, how community is quietly
Nuanced Takeaways from the Trends Report
What are the biggest hidden shifts happening inside seven- and eight-figure businesses right now, and how are they changing the way companies grow, hire, and manage money? In this episode, you'll learn key insights from a large-scale industry trends report built from 300+ high-performing brands, breaking down the real operational and financial changes shaping the industry. From business model evol
eComFuel Trends Report Top Takeaways
What are the fastest-growing eCommerce brands actually doing behind the scenes, and how do you know if your business is on the right track? In this episode, I'm breaking down insights from a massive industry trends report built from 300 seven- and eight-figure brands. You'll learn what's working, what's not, and the benchmarks you should be paying attention to when it comes to growth, margins, and
Is AI Actually Costing You Money?
Is AI actually improving your business, or is it just something everyone feels like they should be using? In this episode, I talk about what I'm seeing with AI in my own business, how companies are adopting it, and what business owners should really be thinking about before jumping into every new AI tool that comes out. AI is changing quickly, and while adoption is growing fast, the return on inve
Building A $10M+ Brand by Doing What Others Won't
What does it actually take to grow a product business to eight figures? In this episode, Kareem Raslan, Co-Founder of BrainGain, shares how he built an adjustable dumbbell company into an eight-figure business in just five years. The secret? Focusing on supply chain optimization, conversion rates, profitability, and doing the hard things most founders avoid. Listen in to learn how Kareem balanced
Running an 8-Figure Business with Four People
What does it take to build an eight-figure product company with a team of just four people? In this episode, Reed Schmidt, Creative Director of Guava Family, explains how intentional product design and a relentless focus on solving real problems for parents helped fuel the company's rapid growth. Reed also pulls back the curtain on the systems and mindset that allow the company to stay lean while
Pass It On - Thoughts on Giving & Mentorship
What does it really mean to give? And why do the most successful people often make it a priority? In this episode, I break down the many forms of giving, from mentoring others and raising capable children to donating time, money, and energy to causes that matter. You'll learn why high achievers can easily get stuck on the productivity treadmill and how stepping back to give and support others can
Website Changes That Increased Steve Chou's Sales by 25%
What if the fastest way to grow your eCommerce business isn't working harder, but using AI more strategically? In this episode, Steve Chou shares how he's applying AI tools to increase traffic, optimize customer experience, and drive more revenue without overcomplicating the process. You'll learn how AI-powered on-site search and cross-sell strategies can dramatically improve conversions, as well
Evolve Your Financial Habits - Financial Mastery Pillar #7
What if the habits that helped you build success are now the very things holding you back? Today, I explain how your attitude toward money is shaped far more by your early experiences than by how much wealth you currently have—and why that matters as you grow. You'll learn how to identify outdated financial behaviors that once served you but may now be limiting your leadership, profitability, and
Earn Your Freedom, Choose Your Work: Reaching Financial Freedom & Crafting a Business You Love
What's the point of building wealth if you don't use it to design a life you actually want? In part 6 of the Financial Mastery Series, I talk about what happens after you've done the hard work. You've built a profitable business, optimized your financial levers, borrowed wisely, and invested outside your company—now comes the deeper question: What is freedom actually for? Listen in as I share how
Invest Outside Your Business - Financial Mastery Commandment #5
Most entrepreneurs pour everything back into their business, but at some point, that strategy quietly becomes a liability. Today, I'm breaking down why pulling capital out of your company is essential, how to know when you're ready to do so, and where to put that money once you extract it. We're halfway through the Financial Mastery series, and today's commandment may be the one that changes your
Avoiding Dangerous Debt Mistakes & Borrowing Wisely - Financial Mastery Series Part 4
Debt can either accelerate your growth or quietly destroy everything you've built. In this episode, I'm joined by longtime friend of the show Bill D'Alessandro to break down Commandment #4 of the Financial Mastery series: borrow wisely. As someone who's been historically debt-averse, I wanted Bill (who is far more comfortable with leverage) to help unpack the realities, risks, and opportunities fo
Optimizing Your Three Most Powerful Profit Levers - Financial Mastery Commandment # 3
What would happen if you woke up tomorrow and were suddenly taxed an extra 33% on every dollar of profit your business produced? In this episode, I break down why that scenario isn't far off from what many founders are already doing, simply by failing to optimize their pricing, overhead, and after-tax income. Listen in as I walk through the three profit levers that matter most, why they drive more
What Your Financial Statements Aren't Telling You: Commandment #2 - Master Your Financial Statements
Why do so many profitable eCommerce businesses still run out of cash or even fail outright? In this episode, I'm continuing my financial mastery series by breaking down what I consider the second core commandment: master your financial statements. Forget textbook definitions; this is the real-world, eCommerce-specific understanding store owners actually need to make better decisions. Listen in as
Your Money, Your Responsibility - Financial Mastery Commandment #1
What happens when you outsource your financial understanding just a little too much? In this episode, I'm kicking off an eight-part series on financial mastery for store owners by diving into what I believe is the single most important principle of all: your money, your responsibility. After watching thousands of entrepreneurs succeed—and fail—based on how closely they own their finances, I want t
2025 Failures, What I'm Investing In & The 8 Commandments of Financial Mastery
How did a year that looked like a miss on paper actually turn out to be one of the most meaningful years I've had? In this solo episode, I reflect candidly on my 2025 goals, where I fell short, and the unexpected personal and professional wins that reshaped how I think about success, tradeoffs, and accountability. Listen in as I walk through a powerful year-in-review exercise that helped me refram
Everyone's Shouting "Use AI!" No One Talks About ROI.
How can eCommerce founders actually use AI to save time, reduce costs, and build leverage—without getting lost in hype or gimmicks? In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Williams, founder of Ascend Labs and long-time ECF member, to break down where AI is delivering real, practical value for online businesses today. Listen in as we explore concrete automation examples, founder-led AI marketing wor
Focusing on Employee Happiness Almost Destroyed Taylor Holiday's Business
What happens when your business hits a wall and the people who helped build it are no longer aligned with where it needs to go? In this rerun of a standout episode, I'm joined by Taylor Holiday, CEO of Common Thread Collective, for a candid conversation about one of the most pivotal seasons in his company's history. Listen in as we revisit the difficult transition from an employee-focused to a cus
Bootstrapping from $5 to $50M in 3 Years
How do three college friends go from a Greek food cart to nearly $50 million in revenue selling hemp-derived THC products—all while being blocked from traditional advertising channels? In this episode, I sit down with Andy Gould, co-founder of Batch, to unpack one of the most explosive growth stories in the history of this podcast. Listen in as Andy breaks down how Batch scaled in a restricted cat
Predictions for 2026
What will 2026 look like for eCommerce founders, investors, and operators? In this episode, I sit down with Bill D'Alessandro for our annual predictions, breaking down what we believe is coming next across AI, advertising, inflation, M&A, Bitcoin, and brand survival. Listen in as we debate everything from AI-powered ad automation and rising CPCs to whether small lifestyle brands are headed for ext
Reviewing Our 2025 Predictions
How accurate were our eCommerce predictions of 2025 and which ones completely missed the mark? In this episode, I sit down with longtime friend of the show and industry heavyweight Bill D'Alessandro. Bill returns to help dissect the biggest themes that shaped 2025 — from tariffs and consumer pockets to platform shifts and advertising pressure. You'll learn how global sourcing shifts reshaped margi
AI Replaces Our Team, Expensive Developer Mistakes & Keeping Hackers Out
What happens when months of experiments, mistakes, and unexpected wins all pile up at once? In this solo episode, I'm sharing an honest behind-the-scenes look at what I've been building, breaking, automating, and learning across ECF and my own personal workflow. Listen in as I talk through replacing (and not replacing) a key team member, how AI is reshaping assistant work, and what went wrong with
The Blessing and Curse of a Hero SKU: Lessons from Building Animalhouse Fitness
What happens when your entire business is built around one hero product—and it suddenly blows up after a surprise shout-out from Joe Rogan? In this episode, Paul Jackson, co-founder of Animalhouse Fitness and inventor of MonkeyFeet, joins me to share the wild ride of bootstrapping a viral fitness brand. Listen in as Paul breaks down the design and evolution of MonkeyFeet, the unexpected surge that
Crafting Comp Plans, Building a Network of Manufacturing Partners & Vintage 4x4 Rigs
What does it take to scale a 50-year-old family business built around vintage Ford Broncos? In this episode, I sit down with Walt Wimmer, CEO of TOMS OFFROAD, to talk about transforming a passion project into a thriving eCommerce brand serving classic car enthusiasts around the world. Listen in as Walt shares how he balances heritage and innovation - from managing thousands of SKUs and global manu
The Forgotten Ad Channel Quietly Delivering 4x-10x ROAS
Is Pinterest the most overlooked ad platform in eCommerce right now? In this episode, I sit down with Kate Ahl, founder of SimplePinMedia.com, to talk about how Pinterest is quietly delivering strong returns for brands that understand how to use it—and why it's far more than a place for DIY boards and recipes. Listen in as Kate explains how Pinterest actually works as a search engine for inspirati
Stealing eCom Marketing Playbooks for Short-Term Rentals
From real estate tax strategies to custom guest books to leaky ice maker lines, this episode covers it all. Today I'm riding solo to share why—despite all the horror stories—I decided to launch my first Airbnb and how I'm approaching it like any other high-performing business owner. Listen in as I break down the full setup process, including sourcing a trustworthy co-host, AI-assisted marketing,
Prioritizing AI Investments + Sora 2
Feeling behind on AI? You're not alone. With new tools launching almost daily, it's easy to get overwhelmed—or worse, stuck in inaction. But if you're running a 7- or 8-figure brand, understanding how to integrate AI into your business is no longer optional. So in this solo episode, I'm diving deep into how to effectively leverage AI in your business. Listen in as I share why having a clear roadm
Top Takeaways from ECF Live 2025
From lessons on leadership and scaling strategies to an incredible talk about vulnerability as an entrepreneur, this year's ECF Live had it all. In this episode, I'm joined by longtime co-host and community member Bill D'Alessandro to recap our 10th annual event—this time hosted in Bozeman, Montana. Listen in as we share standout talks, reflect on the energy and evolution of the ECF community, and
Rules for Prioritizing Business and Life When You're Struggling to Fit It All In
Ever feel like life keeps throwing curveballs just when you think you're caught up? In this solo episode, I reflect on the emotional aftermath of ECF Live in Bozeman and share how I'm wrestling with priorities in a world that never seems to slow down. Listen in as I explore how to triage time as a founder, walk through the five core responsibilities of a CEO, and open up about scheduling challenge
Made in America: Growing FilterBuy.com Into a $250 Million Business (Rerun)
Ever wonder if you can truly compete with overseas manufacturing from right here in the U.S.? In this rerun episode, I sit down with David Heacock, CEO of Filterbuy.com. David shares how he grew a family business into a $250M powerhouse, all while keeping production entirely on U.S. soil. Listen in as David walks us through how he reverse-engineered a product line that could thrive domestically, w
Rethinking AI, Ad Spend & Growth Strategy as a Founder
Ever wonder how founders are actually using AI in their businesses—and in their lives—without getting lost in the hype? In this episode, I'm joined by Adam Callinan, founder of Pentane, to talk about how he's thinking differently about AI, growth, and performance in both business and life. Listen in as we dig into how AI is changing the SaaS founder experience, how to approach Q4 ad strategy ratio
Favorite Business Books, Influencers Ruining the Internet & Wealth Managers
What do Palm Springs hot tubs, a six-month influencer experiment, and a stack of business books have in common? In this month's State of Play episode, I sit down with long-time friend and community member Bill D'Alessandro to unpack the latest in founder life, marketing trends, and entrepreneurial insights. Listen in as we reflect on the return of eComm Camp in 2026, share lessons from recent vaca
Building an AI Brain: Lessons from a Failed Attempt and How We're Building v2.0
In this milestone episode, we're taking you behind the scenes of one of our internal projects: building a brand-new AI bot for the ECF community. Two years ago, we dipped our toes into the AI space with our first attempt… and let's just say it didn't quite pan out. But a lot has changed since then. Now that AI is not only more powerful but more accessible, we've decided to try again—with clearer g
ECF Live 2025 Bozeman Teaser + Parenting Reality Check
What do a minimalist fanny pack, the Chicago Cubs, and a powerful moment of self-awareness have in common? In this solo episode, I'm sharing a deeply personal reflection on the end of my gap year, a trip to Chicago with my dad, and what I'm looking forward to as I dive back into work and host the upcoming ECF Live in Bozeman, Montana. Listen in as I preview the ECF Live agenda and speaker lineup,
The 30-minute Wholesale Crash Course that Will Free You from Meta, Amazon and Google
What if the key to explosive growth wasn't a killer ad strategy, but getting out of DTC entirely? In this episode, I'm joined by Jared Mehr, Sales Director at Pura Vida Bracelets, who helped scale the brand's wholesale channel to over $35 million a year. Now, he's teaching other eCommerce brands how to win big in wholesale without sacrificing their margins or their sanity. Listen in as we talk abo
Shopify's Chief Revenue Officer on the Shop Marketplace, How They're Helping Stores Compete & What Tobi's Really Like
What happens when one of the most powerful voices in eCommerce sits down for an unfiltered conversation? In this episode, I'm joined by Bobby Morrison, Chief Revenue Officer at Shopify. With decades of experience at the intersection of tech and commerce, he offers a rare inside look at how Shopify is evolving in a world where competition is fierce, margins are tight, and AI is changing everything.
How Mastering Manufacturing Built a Business Requiring Zero Marketing
What happens when two car lovers bet on themselves—and win? In this episode, I'm joined by Amy and Dan Snyder of SPE Motorsport, the husband-and-wife team turning heads in the Ford performance world. From building their first parts in a garage to developing carbon fiber manifolds and launching a new classic-meets-modern car sales brand, their journey is one of grit, innovation, and a whole lot of
Focusing on Employee Happiness Almost Destroyed Taylor Holiday's Business
What happens when your business hits a wall and the people who helped build it are no longer aligned with where it needs to go? In this episode, I'm joined by Taylor Holiday, CEO of Common Thread Collective, who gets candid about one of the most pivotal seasons in his company's history. Listen in as we talk about the difficult transition from an employee-focused to a customer-centric model, how T
Reddit Marketing, Optimizing for LLMs & AI Content Backfiring
Is Reddit the most overlooked - and potentially most powerful - marketing platform for eCommerce brands today? This week, I'm joined by my friend Danny Kirk, founder of ReddiReach, to explore the high-risk, high-reward nature of Reddit marketing, why it's different from any other platform, and how generative AI is reshaping how people find and trust brands. Listen in as we talk about how to marke
Social Fallout From Success, Embracing AI Avatars (Or Not) and What's Behind a Booming S&P
After selling the business he built over 12 years, what's next for Bill D'Alessandro? In this episode, Andrew reconnects with Bill, longtime friend, returning guest, and co-host of Acquisitions Anonymous, to talk about life post-exit, the unexpected challenges of newfound freedom, and how he's thinking about AI, identity, and investing in today's wild market. They also chat about the blurred lines
Reflecting on the Gap Year with My Wife
What happens when you press pause on business as usual and take a family gap year instead? In this special episode, I'm joined by my wife, Annie, who shares the mic with me for the first time as we reflect on the past 10 months of travel, family time, and life outside the usual grind. From the decision to leave home to what we've learned along the way, this conversation is a peek behind the curtai
Why You Need to Double Down on Marketing Partnerships
What's the most effective way to grow your brand when traditional marketing gets harder and harder? This week, I'm sharing one of the most overlooked but highest-ROI strategies in eCommerce: partnerships. Whether you're launching a product, building a community, or just trying to break through the noise, this episode will help you think differently about how to get attention. Listen in as I share
Raising & Selling Bison DTC in Montana (Rerun)
What does it take for a city lawyer to transform into a bison rancher in the heart of the picturesque Bridger Mountains? In this rerun episode, I'm joined by Matt Skoglund of North Bridger Bison, who made that very leap. He shares his remarkable transition from urban legal practice to managing a thriving bison ranch, rooted deeply in sustainable and ethical practices. Listen in as we discuss the i
Reviving a Plateaued Business & USA Manufacturing (Rerun)
How do you breathe new life into a stagnant business? In this fan-favorite rerun episode, I'm joined by Chris Rose, President of Gunner.com, to talk about how he helped transform a complacent brand into a thriving, premium business. Specializing in high-quality, American-made dog kennels, Chris shares how understanding customer lifetime value and focusing on high-impact priorities can breathe new
Planning Epic Team Retreats
Have you ever wondered how to pull off a team retreat that's actually fun, productive, and builds real connection? After years of trial and error, I've finally found a rhythm that works. In this episode, I break down exactly how we designed our recent team retreat in Mexico City, what made it a success, and some of the biggest mistakes I've made in the past (think: go-karts and back injuries). Lis
Inside the ECF Rebrand: Is Hiring a Fancy Branding Agency Worth the Cost?
Have you ever wondered what goes into a full rebrand and whether it's really worth it? In this solo episode, I take you behind the scenes of eCommerceFuel's rebranding journey, including why we did it, how much we spent, and what I wish I'd known before diving in. If you've been considering a brand refresh or are just curious about the ROI of design and messaging work, this one's for you. Listen i
Save Your Margins: Pricing & Profit Optimization for Tariff-Impacted Businesses
What if your inventory could forecast itself—or your website merchandised itself based on who was browsing? This week, I'm joined by Drew Marconi, CEO and co-founder of Intelligems.io, to explore how AI is unlocking new ways for brands to manage forecasting, pricing, and marketing. If you've been curious about how AI can actually improve your margins (not just make cool images), you'll want to tun
Why Burning Down and Rebuilding Their Business Helped Swift Industries Win
What happens when your business grows too fast and the demand suddenly vanishes? This week, I'm joined by Martina Brimmer, co-founder of Swift Industries, a premium bikepacking brand known for its exceptional design and creative culture. Martina shares how she dismantled her team, restructured operations, and found her creative spark again after the post-COVID contraction in the cycling industry.
Bill Sells His Company and Interesting Places to Invest Money
What happens after you sell the business you've spent over a decade building? In this episode, I'm joined by my longtime friend and returning guest Bill D'Alessandro, fresh off the sale of Natural Dog Company. Bill shares what it was like to finally exit after 12 years, how he's thinking about investing his earnings, and why his next chapter might be his best one yet. Listen in as we unpack Bill's
Made in America: Growing FilterBuy.com Into a $250 Million Business
Ever wonder if you can truly compete with overseas manufacturing from right here in the U.S.? This week, I'm kicking off a two-part series on American manufacturing by sitting down with David Heacock, CEO of Filterbuy.com. David shares how he grew a family business into a $250M powerhouse, all while keeping production entirely on U.S. soil. Listen in as David walks us through how he reverse-engine
From Near Death Experience to One of the Coolest Products I've Ever Seen
Have you ever wondered what happens when you completely walk away from a successful business, and build something even more meaningful? This week, I'm joined by Ben Katzaman, founder of Sculpted Peaks, who shares how a near-death experience led him to rethink his life, sell his first company, and start fresh with a business built around passion, craft, and awe-inspiring moments. Listen in as Ben s
Can Tariffs Lead to Higher Margins for U.S. Sellers?
Could the current wave of tariffs actually help U.S. eCommerce sellers? In this episode, I'm joined by longtime ECF member Aaron Rubin, founder of ShipHero, to explore a counterintuitive take on how recent tariff changes might level the playing field for American brands. Aaron shares his insights on de minimis reform, market dynamics, and why he believes stronger margins could be on the horizon fo
De Minimis Reform, 2nd Order Tariff Implications & New LLM Capabilities
Are you feeling the weight of rising tariffs and wondering how to adapt your business? In this "State of Play" episode, I'm joined by my good friend Steve Chou to unpack the latest challenges shaking up the eCommerce world, from geopolitical tensions to the rapid pace of AI and automation. We dive into how these shifts are reshaping manufacturing and margins, as well as what the future might hold
The Unfiltered Truth About Marketing Agencies: Why Most Are Terrible And How to Find the Few Worth Hiring
Do you ever feel like hiring a marketing agency is more hassle than help? You're not alone - agencies are a hot topic in the ECF community, and not always in a good way. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Simonson, longtime agency founder and ad expert, to talk candidly about what makes agencies so tricky, how to spot the good ones, and what eCommerce owners can do to get the most out of these
Cringe-Worthy Leadership Mistakes & What We Learned
Ever made a leadership call that totally backfired - or waited too long to make a tough team decision? In this episode, I'm joined by my good friend and repeat guest Bill D'Alessandro to swap stories and lessons from our biggest leadership failures. We get honest about the missteps we've made building teams, managing people, and growing businesses over the years. Listen in as we dive into topics l
Advanced AI Geek Out: Building Autonomous Agents, a 25% Teamwide Productivity Boost in 30 Days & More
What if your marketing team never slept and could execute flawlessly 24/7? In this episode, I geek out with Jacob Posel (until recently, Director of AI at Common Thread Collective), who's building AI agents that act like your own go-to-market team. If you've been curious about how to leverage AI to run parts of your business more efficiently, you're going to love this one. Listen in as we talk thr
Two Guys Talk About Their Underwear (And How It's Helped Build a Premium Brand)
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a long-lasting, high-quality apparel brand in today's fast-moving eCommerce world? In this episode, I sit down with Mac Bishop, the founder of Wool&Prince, to talk about how he built a business rooted in premium materials, timeless design, and a long-term approach to success. Listen in as Mac reveals how he established a niche in the Merino wool market
Substack, Japanese Manufacturing, and Personal Brand Transitions
Are you feeling burnt out by social media but still trying to grow your brand? In this episode, I chat with Sonia Roselli, founder of Sonia Roselli Beauty, about navigating the ever-changing world of digital marketing, branding, and eCommerce. Sonia shares her journey building a successful beauty brand, the challenges of personal branding, and why she's rebranding her business while stepping back
How a Non-Programmer Cut $150K in SaaS Fees by Building Custom Software with AI
Have you ever thought about building your own AI tool to boost your business? In this episode, I'm thrilled to share the incredible story of Zac Plansky, owner of AT3Tactical.com. Zac transformed his business by developing a custom AI tool for inventory management, saving substantial costs and enhancing operational efficiency—all without prior programming experience. Listen in as we dive into Zac'
March State of Play - What to Do with a Declining Business, Writing Custom Software with AI & When You Tire of Being the Boss
Are you ready to catch up on the state of play in the eCommerce world? This week, I'm bringing back our most popular co-host, Bill D'Alessandro, for this month's deep dive into current trends and strategies. Join us as we unpack everything from the latest in AI advancements to the nuances of seasonal business dynamics. Listen in as we break down what every eCommerce entrepreneur should be aware o
Paid and Search Trends, Gemini Deep Research & Building Moats
Are you curious about how Amazon is reshaping the landscape of digital advertising? In this episode, I sit down with Joe Shelerud, co-founder of AdAdvance.com, who shares his journey from scaling an eCommerce business to creating a technology-enabled advertising company. We dive deep into how Amazon is becoming a formidable competitor against giants like Meta and Google, leveraging its vast data t
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Should you be buying bonds or real estate? And what's the real path to financial freedom? In this episode, I'm breaking down the investment strategies that have worked for me over the last five years, from stock selection to wealth-building habits. I'll share why buying individual stocks can be a great move—if done correctly—and why I believe angel investing and bonds aren't the best options for m
Training AI Copywriters That Don't Disappoint (Unlike Most)
Have you ever wished for a copywriter who truly understands your brand and can effortlessly produce high-quality content? In this episode, I'm discussing the exciting world of AI-powered copywriting and sharing my journey of creating two AI "personas" to help me generate compelling marketing materials. I'll guide you through the process of building a robust knowledge base that empowers AI to write
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