eComFuel Podcast

What does the future of eCommerce look like? Fan Bi is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of TheHedgeHogCompany.com, an eCommerce holding company that acquires and grows brands, and he has a really unique perspective on some of the trends happening in the eCommerce marketplace today—which is what we're geeking out on in this episode. Listen in to find out whether the M&A party is coming to an end, what Fan is seeing in his portfolio when it comes to eCommerce, and why it might be another rough year for eCommerce store owners. We also talk about why now is the best time for getting lean and focusing on your branding and story-telling, and Fan shares the mindset shift that allowed him to sleep at night during the rough ride that COVID brought many in eCommerce. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/39F7mXD Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Launching in the turbulent time that was February 2020, Leah McHenry, Founder & CEO of Mythologie Candles, has successfully grown her business to over $6 million in sales in just 24 months. Today Leah joins the show to describe her "secret sauce" to successful marketing—including her advice for anyone just starting their business from the ground up—and how she uses influencers to not only cut down on marketing costs, but also create more content for the brand. Listen in as she shares how the positioning and branding of her products have been so critical to the growth of her business, as well as why she believes it is essential to have your audience dialed in before you create your product. You'll learn the role her Facebook community has played in her business, how much paid traffic her company uses, and her tips for market research. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3QoKNqP Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

One of the core values of the eCommerceFuel community is reciprocity: members giving as much as they are taking. With that, we ask that all new members share a case study with the community, and new member Sarah Douglass, Founder of WiseOwlOutfitters.com, recently shared one of the best case studies on buying and selling a business. It was super detailed, really thoughtful, and offered a ton of insight—so of course, I had to have her on the show to share it. Listen in as Sarah shares the backstory to Wise Owl Outfitters, including the very honest reason why she decided to sell it, even though she loved the brand and the business that she had built. We also dive into what the selling process was like, the lessons Sarah learned along the way (including the big mistake she made with her CPA), and the importance of doing thorough due diligence on your buyer. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3GDNeRG Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

How does your investment portfolio look these days? I've been doing some investing over the past couple of years, running a very small investment syndicate that has taught me a ton, and I'm excited to have someone on the show who has been doing similar things. Andrew Gluck is the Founder of Irrvrnt.com, an investment fund that invests in DTC operations companies and emerging eCommerce tech (among other things), and we're going to be geeking out on all things investing—and so much more. Tune in as we share the lessons we've learned, as well as the mistakes we've made in our respective investment journeys. You'll hear us deep dive into angel investing, including what to consider before becoming an angel yourself. We also talk about rolling funds, the current investment landscape, and whether having a solid network to tap into is an important pillar of successful investing. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3yXLv86 Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

If you are running events in the eCommerce space, you know what a lonely world it can be. Today, I'm excited to be joined by Nick Shackelford, Co-Founder of GeekOut Events, which puts on high-intentional no-fluff events all over the world. In this episode, we're talking event planning, but we're also talking about so much more related to eCommerce, including marketing, branding, and even copywriting. Listen in as we dive into the reasons behind why Nick (or anyone, really) puts on events (hint: it's definitely not for the money), how he leverages a built-in FOMO effect with his pricing strategy, and his hack for getting critical information to his customers without relying on email or SMS. We also talk about the current digital marketing landscape, why Nick is not going all-in with TikTok (yet), and the core philosophies that he sticks to when it comes to creating a killer brand presence. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3sYnWbj Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Kurt Elster is the man behind Ethercycle.com, a Shopify agency that specializes exclusively—and very successfully—in helping Shopify store owners generate massive revenue growth. Not only does he put out some really amazing websites on Shopify, but he also hosts The Unofficial Shopify Podcast and has a bunch of really cool apps that we talk about in this episode. Listen in as we dive into all things Shopify, including what store owners need to stop asking for on their sites, the one thing that Kurt has done that has really moved the needle for his clients, and the must-haves on any Shopify site that increase conversion and engagement. Kurt also shares the top three apps that get put on every site he builds to reduce friction for consumers, and in turn, increase revenue for store owners. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3NnObQ6 Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Most eCommerce owners struggle with hiring, let alone trying to hire when they're scaling at a rapid pace. Roc Pilon is a successful entrepreneur in business, real estate, and the fitness industry. He has a really interesting story coming from a trailer in Boise, Idaho dealing with the effects of the 2008 recession and going all in with $5,000 and an idea to innovate better powerlifting gear. Listen in as we dive into how Roc managed to successfully hire 30 people over the span of two years using LinkedIn as his hiring tool and how he has approached compensation with the team members he has hired, including how he handles performance incentives. Roc also shares how to best get your team to model the core values of your business, what the downsides are to having a remote team, and how hiring an Operations Manager has been a game changer for him. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3LU3EY9 Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

How do you invest in innovation to stay relevant in the marketplace without starving the products that are the bread and butter of your business? Joel Heath is the co-founder of FluidStance.com and he joins me to talk all about innovation - how to think about it in a way that can keep your business relevant without sacrificing what made it successful to begin with. Tune in as we explore Joel's experience with innovating to the point of alienation and the lessons he learned through that process, what the golden ratio for innovation is, and the importance of taking care of the base first. We also discuss the challenges of selling your business and watching somebody else run and raise it and what the three boxes to check are when you're thinking of selling your business. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3KnSzwV Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Adam Craft is the founder of ElevatedCraft.com, a mixology and drink product brand that is focused on designing bar tools that improve the home bar experience. He has built a pretty cool business and community on Facebook, and in this episode, we're diving into the role that community has played in growing the brand and exploring where Adam intends to take his community in the future. Tune in as we geek out about the strategy that comes into play with growing and maintaining a really great community, including when to consider hiring a full-time community manager and whether to stay on Facebook or move to another platform. Adam also shares how instrumental his Facebook group has been to growing his brand, how Kickstarter helped with his initial launch, and all the things to consider when you're thinking through how to brand your community. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3LmAGzE Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

You know him as the founder of SmartMarketer.com and the co-founder and CEO of BOOM!, but Ezra Firestone recently added another brand to his portfolio: oVertone Haircare. In this episode, we talk about how he took an established but struggling brand and turned it around in only 90 days. Listen in as we discuss the details of Ezra's oVertone takeover and optimization, which included massive cost-cutting, team re-structuring, and overhauling the marketing strategy to really focus on upsells and great content. You'll hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to subscriptions, as well as how Ezra sets boundaries in his business and schedules his days to make life enjoyment a priority. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3vsg7uR Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Many of us have been in the position where we have an interesting opportunity in front of us to purchase another eCommerce business - maybe it has a complementary product line or it would make a good strategic addition to your existing business - and we're on the fence about whether we should actually pull the trigger. In this solo episode, I'm sharing the top things you should consider before committing the time, effort, and money that it takes to follow through on such a huge decision, all based on my own experience closing deals. Listen in as I dive into what you need to consider before buying that shiny new object, including whether you have the skills to diligence the deal well and the time to follow through on the deal. (Spoiler alert: It will take longer to close than you think it will!) I also discuss the financial aspects to consider, how to identify the micro and macro leverage you might have to move the deal in your favor, and why sometimes the better decision is to put a little TLC into your existing business rather than spread your energy (and capital) too thin. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3EbudEY Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

We were thrilled to hold eCommerceFuel Live at Chesapeake Bay, a place rich in history and great food. This year was especially unique, as it was the first large live event we have held since the beginning of the pandemic, and coming back together as a community was very rewarding. In this episode, we will be reviewing everything that happened during eCF Live. To help us discuss this is Bill D'Alessandro, CEO of Elements Brands. Listen in as Bill and I share how this year's event was different from the eCF Live events we have had in the past, as well as the importance of making time to do the things that make you happy. You will learn where growing companies often fail, how to build a rich company culture, and how to effectively sort your social media accounts by engagement levels to create a sales funnel. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3xckqx1 Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Are you wondering where to put your money this year when it comes to paid traffic? Jesse Pujji is the founder of Gateway X, a holding company that invests in DTC brands, and the co-founder of Ampush, a growth marketing company that connects the right consumers with the right brands, and he knows his stuff when it comes to the growth space and running a business. In this episode, we get right into why Facebook might not be the devil that it is often made out to be, why TikTok might actually be the second coming of Facebook, and all the weird and wonderful ways that businesses can leverage the platform to grow their business. We also talk about why Jesse is a huge fan of affiliate marketing, how he manages his affiliates, and the details of hiring and balancing being in the business with leading the business. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3NvPeib Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Charles Burdett is the founder of PipDecks.com, a suite of card decks that helps people do anything from brainstorming creative workshop ideas and telling better stories to designing more innovative products. It's an amazing case study on how to sell the value and the transformation as opposed to the physical product, and I'm super excited to sit down with Charles today to talk about how he scaled to a 7-figure card deck business. Tune in as we dive into the unintentional birth of PipDecks.com, as well as Charles' secret to selling his decks based on their value rather than their physical worth. You'll learn the question we should all be asking our customers to understand why they buy, what it means to have freedom, how to not lose sight of what is most important in life, and the mindset block that most entrepreneurs will grapple with at some point. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/41UFC71 Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

There's running a business, and then there's running a business when you have small kids, which is a totally different ballgame—and one that I'm talking about today with my good friend, Bill D'Alessandro. Bill is right in the thick of it with this two-year-old and five-month-old, and we're going to be keeping it real and dishing about the struggles of trying to balance parenthood and entrepreneurship. Listen in as we give our honest thoughts on what it's like trying to run a business while raising young kids, how to maintain some level of productivity, and how to find a balance between family and business that works for you. We also share one of the best investments that you can make to balance work and family life, as well as some of the things anyone who has kids (but especially entrepreneurs!) should consider doing financially for their children while they're young. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3pX83Ai Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Michael Epstein, my good friend and partner in crime, has served as the CMO for multiple eCommerce brands and has a ton of great experience in the online marketing space. I got to know him over the course of an intense 6-month period, watching him conceptualize and build a brand, and I thought it would be fun to have him come on the show and talk about his eCommerce adventures. Listen in as we unpack so much in this episode, including Michael's insights into the eCommerce market as it stands today, his experience conceptualizing and launching brands, and his advice for eCommerce business owners who are leading their own marketing and design departments. We also talk about hiring, whether it's better to develop your in-house talent or hire externally, and what you can expect in terms of compensation for eCommerce marketing talent today. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/34p2VNW Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Paul DeJoe, Co-Founder and COO of MUD:WTR, a coffee alternative that came to be in an almost unintentional way. He's a really interesting, fun, and smart guy and we talked about a lot, including podcasting, content creation, and how MUD:WTR is trying to convince people to give up their morning coffee—which is certainly no small feat. Tune in to hear the incredible story behind MUD:WTR, from how they got started to where they are now—and how they made it all happen. We also dive into the nitty-gritty of their marketing (such as why they are building an in-house content studio), how podcasting has helped them build great brand awareness, how they are building a community centred around the idea of health and self-improvement, and so much more! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3heWO1G Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

The real magic of the eCommerceFuel community happens when we get together in person, and we had the opportunity to do that late last month in Los Angeles. If you missed it, you're in luck because today I'm flying solo and giving you the big takeaways and a recap of what I learned during the incredibly cool L.A. Regional Event. Listen in as I share some of the biggest lessons I learned during the event from other ECF members, including what is working in terms of client acquisitions for many, as well as why a marketing mindset is critical in the highly competitive hiring landscape. I also share my thoughts on why I believe that it will be harder to scale quickly for businesses just starting out and divulge some of the trends that you're most likely to see emerge in the next 12-24 months in the eCommerce stratosphere. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3v2vko0 Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

You can't build anything interesting without some level of sacrifice, but if you're an entrepreneur that is years into the hustle and you still can't seem to get freedom from your business regularly, there's a problem. Dale Majors, founder of VentureAnyway.com, joins me today to talk about something that so many of us struggle with: our businesses becoming all-consuming while our personal and family lives slowly disappear. Listen in as Dale shares how to scale your business without becoming a slave to it, what he wishes he would have done before selling his first business, and how he took what he learned through his own entrepreneurial journey and now uses it to help other business owners build amazing lives. We also talk about the importance of building habits versus chasing goals and what Dale did to bring more control—and happiness—into his life. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3LA4UQt Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Cost of goods sold: love it or hate it, it's a big deal in the eCommerce world. To wrap up our three-part series on accounting and finances, we're diving into all things COGS: the value of it, the implications it can have on your business, and how to figure it out without losing your mind. Joining me today are Jamie McDonald, CEO of A2X Accounting, Scott Scharf of CatchingClouds.net and previous eCommerceFuel financial expert, and Brittany Brown, founder of LedgerGurus.com, who also specializes in eCommerce accounting for Quickbooks and Xero. No matter what phase of business you are in, this is an episode you literally can't afford to miss. So listen in as we break down the good, the bad, and the ugly about your cost of goods sold. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3HFR3Wq Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Today I am joined by Tyler Jefcoat, the CEO of Seller Accountant, an accounting firm that specializes in accounting and bookkeeping for online sellers. Tyler has a ton of experience in the eCommerce field, and today we're diving deep into due diligence and how you can get your business ready for sale from a financial and accountant standpoint. Take a listen as Tyler walks us through some of the things that have completely killed deals on the table, how to build trust with potential buyers (and maximize the money in your pocket), and when you need to start getting really obsessive about tracking your inventory. If you think due diligence is the opposite of a super sexy topic, you might think differently if it means you'll be making an extra 6 figures on a deal! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3ADjf9q Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

I'm flying solo and kicking off the first of a series of episodes talking all about everyone's favorite topics: finances, accounting, and bookkeeping in the eCommerce world. If you're anything like me, you'll love this episode as we geek out about numbers—and if the word "bookkeeping" makes you want to cry, I promise this episode will leave you with some tangible tips and insights into how to make it work for you. Listen in as I share eight rules to keep you profitable in your business (and sane while you're getting it all done!). You'll learn about some great resources to refer to if you need to fine-tune your accounting skills, why I prefer to do my own bookkeeping, and the biggest metric that you need to be tracking in your eCommerce business. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3GZnoXI Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably noticed that it's been a rough year for eCommerce. After the debacle that was the Apple and Facebook divorce, you are definitely not alone if you found the ax being taken to your ad account ROI. Joining me today are Austin Harrison and Grant Margerum, founders of Northbeam.io, the new standard for eCommerce intelligence and attribution. Listen in as we talk all about data, tracking, and what the heck happened between Apple and Facebook. You'll learn what you need to know about the different types of data, what the future of tracking looks like, and how Northbeam.io helps clients grow their revenue by an average of 44%—and allows them to make smarter, faster decisions. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3zZxJQU Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Spencer Jan is the co-founder of Solo Stove, along with his brother, Jeff, and they have a phenomenal story of bootstrapping their way to a $2-billion valuation in only 8 years. Within the last 24 months alone, they've had two private equity deals and three major 8-figure acquisitions! Spencer joins me today to talk all about that and so much more. Listen in as he shares Solo Stove's journey from being a side hustle to a highly profitable and valuable company. You'll hear why they obsessed over margins from the very beginning, as well as the painful reality they faced when they first went to sell. We also discuss the importance of profitable margins, how to stay lean as a company, and why it's important to get out of the default mode of working more and instead spend more time on what matters most. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3tood8J Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Ramon van Meer is the owner of AlphaPaw.com, an entrepreneur, and a self-described bootstrap founder of numerous businesses. He has a really cool story of immigrating from the Netherlands 12 years ago and pivoting to the internet marketing space, where he has self-financed his ventures and built some really amazing communities. We dive into so much in this episode, including how Ramon has been so successful doing something that very few have done in the eCommerce space: buying and selling websites. We also talk about how he has built communities (and then monetized those communities), how he is pivoting to overcome the challenges the pandemic has thrown his way, and what he would do differently if he ever decides to acquire another community. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3mczp3B Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

As entrepreneurs, we often have busy and packed lives—and as a result, friendships often get pushed to the side. Cultivating friendships is something that I think is really important, especially as we go into the new year and start to think about how we're going to invest our time in 2022. That's why I'm bringing back one of my favorite episodes all about friendships and entrepreneurship, where I talked about the importance of friendship not only on our mental health, but also on our physical well-being. I also shared why I'm so intentional with my own friendships and have been able to nurture them, despite the busyness that tends to come with entrepreneurial life. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3qjeBbY Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

One of my favorite episodes from the past year is one I did with my accountant, Mario Lucibello, and I'm excited to share it with you again as we head into the ever-so-fun tax season. Now, I know what you're probably thinking: accounting doesn't sound very festive. But what if I told you that Mario has some tips for how to give yourself a last-minute bonus before we get to the end of the year? Not only does he give insights into entrepreneurship, taxes, and finances in this episode, but he also has a really unique perspective on happiness and wealth that I think everyone should keep in mind as we go through the holiday season. Mario has been fortunate to see the finances of hundreds of entrepreneurs over the years, which has helped to shape his perspective on money and wealth. So kick back and enjoy this interesting and refreshing replay. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3J1UEiq Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Josh Cauley is the owner of ShipHaven.com and a long-time ECF member who I just recently had the opportunity to meet in person. Josh currently resides in Puerto Rico, and he joins me today to talk about how living there benefits him financially, how he has built a true adventure business, and how he utilizes headhunters to help him grow and scale. Listen in as we talk about the difference between a headhunter and a recruiter, how Josh has used both to earn a 95% staff retention rate, and the questions he uses during the hiring process to vet candidates. You'll learn why he moved to Puerto Rico, how he manages to stay productive while also traveling, and key insight into why he doesn't believe that selling on Amazon is sustainable long-term for most eCommerce businesses. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3058ejo Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Thanks to the pandemic, the last two years have seen incredible growth and change for the eCommerce space. Some of which we predicted, and some things seem to have come completely out of nowhere. As we near the end of the year, it's always fun to look back at the predictions we made, as well as what we believe we can expect to see in the coming year. To help us reflect on these predictions is Bill D'Alessandro, CEO of ElementsBrands.com. Will Facebook advertising be fixed by the end of next year? Will there be a new web browser on the horizon? Could this be the largest year we have ever seen for eCommerce M&A? Tune in as we share our thoughts on these questions and more. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3y29nF9 Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

I'm excited to have my good friend and returning guest Mr. Eric Bandholz joining me on the show today. Eric is the man behind Beardbrand.com, an eCommerce store that is dedicated to building a community of like-minded beardsmen. We caught up to talk about so many things, including his new project, the reason behind it, why he is choosing to stay away from Facebook and Google tracking, and what he is doing instead to create brand awareness and buzz. Listen in to hear Eric's philosophy around freedom, why he chooses to live a debt-free life, and more. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3G8dSAz Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Darnell Jackson is the Chief Operations Officer at VIPHaircare.com, a 100% black-owned luxury beauty brand that focuses on the growth and maintenance of strong, healthy hair. Darnell has a really interesting story, having grown up without access to a lot of resources and overcoming all of that to build a successful beauty brand with his wife. Listen in as Darnell shares his journey as a young entrepreneur, how he pivoted from illicit pursuits to business pursuits, and what it's like bootstrapping your way to the top without a safety net to fall back on. We also discuss why his next focus is on growing a personal brand instead of a business, and how he and his wife are approaching influencer marketing to make that happen. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3x09aBU Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Sean Frank is the COO at Ridge Wallets, an everyday essentials brand that started on Kickstarter in 2013 and blew well past its goals in the first and second campaigns. Since then, they have bootstrapped their way to $100 million in sales without any investors or credit (until recently!). In this episode, we're diving into how Ridge Wallets grew to the size they are today in an industry that is notorious for sucking up cash, as well as the unique influencer strategy that helps Sean get the most exposure for the brand with the least amount of work. Sean also shares the one key metric that he uses to dial in his headcount to keep the business lean without overloading his team, and we talk about why the next two years may be the hardest for those in the eCommerce game. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3qORDvg Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

A lot has changed over the last year when it comes to online marketing, with increased competition, changing dynamics, and major platform changes. If you feel like your head is spinning, you are definitely not alone. Steve Chou joins me today to dive into the current state of eCommerce, including what we're ignoring and where we're really doubling down in our marketing efforts. Listen in as we talk about all the changes that have happened over the past few years that are informing strategy in Steve's business and in my own. You'll learn what we are doing to get the most bang for our buck, as well as why Steve is moving away from third-party platforms in favor of those that he has some measure of control over. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3BLKlKK Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Usually when I invite a guest on the show, it's to learn all the trade secrets of what they do really well, but today's guest joins me because he's an incredible human being that also happens to be really good at running an eCommerce store. Meet Josh Willard, the founder of Josh's Frogs, an 8-figure business and the largest producer of captive-bred poison dart frogs in the United States—and possibly the world! Listen in as we dive into Josh's interesting approach to building a values-based business, where he gets the most bang for his buck when it comes to marketing, and why he decided to only sell frogs that are raised in-house. We also talk about why Josh shares the company's financials with his team (including revenue, profit, and even his own salary) and the benefits and risks of opening the books in this way. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2ZHfRMq Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

I could probably count on one hand the number of people who have landed on the website through a cold pitch email, but today's guest is one of those people. Jason Lee is the founder of TheFBAFlipper.com, and he joins me today to talk about the ins and outs of the Chinese FBA market. Listen in as we dive into what the FBA market is like in China, who is typically building FBA businesses, and how these businesses differ from those found in the West. We also dive into some of the fraud tactics you'll find in the Chinese market and why Western merchants have a significant advantage over their Chinese counterparts despite government support for FBA businesses. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3FQbFKK Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Have you asked yourself lately what the heck is going on with hiring? It's a great time to be an employee, but a rough time to be an employer, and unless you're a business of one, you have likely experienced the pain of finding the right people to join your team over the last year. In this episode, I'm joined by three wonderful ECF community members, Andy Hayes of PlumDeluxe.com, Meredith Erin from BoredwalkTshirts.com, and Mehtab Bhogal from KartaVentures.com, to discuss all things hiring. Listen in as we talk about what has happened with the job market, including the trends Andy, Meredith, and Mehtab are each seeing in their respective markets around the country. You'll learn the factors that have played into the difficulty finding the right people to fill open roles, how they are trying to get people through the door, and what to expect for hiring as government benefits begin to expire. We also dive into some of the egregious things that job applicants have asked for in their job search. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3mtN1XM Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

How many of you have considered buying a business, swooping in to fix all the problems, and making a boatload of money from the experience? Sounds great, right? The fantasy is rarely the reality though when it comes to buying a business, and today Mike Jackness of EcomCrew joins me to talk about his transition into buying a business and managing it post-acquisition. Listen in as we dive into what it was like for Mike to purchase a business and become a remote CEO, why he's looking for somebody to take over his role as CEO of the business, and what he's looking for in that rockstar replacement. You'll definitely want to listen to this episode if you're looking for a really amazing opportunity to work for an eCommerce company in a high-level capacity. And even if you're not looking for a new gig, hopefully you'll get a few insights into what it's like to buy and manage a business. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3FDVDUe Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last 18 months, you are probably aware that container prices are stupidly high right now. Our ECF importing expert, David Bryant of eComCrew, joins me today to discuss what has caused these ridiculously high prices and what you can do to mitigate the pain. Take a listen and get insight into how we got to where we are when it comes to global shipping, what the near-future holds for lead times and pricing, and what you can do now to help lessen the blow. There are some valuable lessons I learned from my conversation with David, so make you don't miss this episode—especially with holiday shopping just around the corner! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3ipjdtW Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

It's been a rough year for many of us. Shipping rates have gone through the roof, supplier prices are increasing, and margins are getting tighter. My good friend and regular guest Bill D'Alessandro joins me today to discuss one piece of the profitability puzzle: the sad world of supplier price increases. We're diving into what's been going on in the world with supplier price increases, if the levels we're hearing about are in line with what the official numbers say, and whether or not you can expect even more price increases in the near future. We're also looking at different ways you can protect your business and your personal investments, and mitigate price increases without impacting your sales and profitability. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3kGMAcS Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

The real magic of the ECF community is when you get together in person. It's where stories are born, memories are made, and friendships are created. For the last 2 years, we have wanted to bring someone into the team who could focus on the magic of bringing people together, and I'm happy to announce that Audrey Smith, event planner extraordinaire, has joined the ECF team to up-level our post-pandemic live event game plan. In this episode, we're diving into Audrey's background in event planning, what made her apply for ECF, and what her favorite planning has been so far. We're also talking about what is coming down the pipeline for ECF, including a sneak peek of the upcoming ECF Live, and what you can expect in the near future when it comes to regional events. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3lsOYmB Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Corey Nicholson is the 20-year-old co-founder of Peachy Shapewear, a line of women's shapewear that leveraged the power of TikTok to scale to 7 figures. Today we're diving into the details behind their success, as well as Corey's own personal journey from McDonald's to eCommerce. Listen in as he shares how Peachy Shapewear has leveraged TikTok influencers to scale, his recommendations for partnering with them, and the details to optimize TikTok ads, content, and workflows. If you've been considering up-leveling your TikTok game, this is an episode you won't want to miss! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3hhFSYH Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

For the first 12 years of my entrepreneurial career, I was the only shareholder in my business, and I didn't fully appreciate how much that fact really streamlined decision-making, finances, and governance until I brought on shareholders. The truth is that bringing on shareholders opens up a whole new world in terms of possibilities and opportunities, but it also opens up a whole new set of considerations. So, in this episode, I'm jumping into all the things that you should be considering if you're thinking about starting—or investing in—a multi-owner business so you don't shoot yourself in the foot. I'll be sharing how you can set up governance, what to think about when it comes to compensation, some of the different ways boards can be structured, and even what to consider when it comes to selling the business or its shares. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3BKuj4f Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Could you really unplug from your business for an extended period? What would that look like? How could you make it happen? What would happen to your business in your absence? These are all questions we're answering today with my guest, Greg Howlett. Greg is the CEO of CaringSunshine.com and Cobblestone Trade, and he recently went off-grid, completely unplugged, for five weeks with his family. As business owners, we all struggle with the work-life balance, so I brought Greg on today to discuss how he is able to step away from his business without things falling apart. Listen in as he shares how you can make it work in your business, the lessons he has learned from years of making unplugged time a priority, and the first step to actually making it happen for yourself. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/382xLdi Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Today I am joined by Andrew Faris, the CEO and man behind 4×400, a holding company that launches and grows eCommerce brands. He is also the voice behind The eCommerce Playbook podcast, and one of the things I love most about him is his super candid thoughts about the good, the bad, and the ugly of eCommerce businesses. Listen in as Andrew dives into the businesses he has purchased, what went well, what didn't go well, and some of the hard knocks he experienced along the way. We also talk about the difficulties of protecting cash flow without relatable revenue streams to forecast from, and Andrew shares some of his favorite pieces of eCommerce tech. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2UigWrS Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Oftentimes, a large portion of an entrepreneur's wealth comes from the exit, and in this episode, I'm sitting down with Joe Valley to get geeky about the highs and lows of selling businesses. Joe is not only the author of The EXITpreneur's Playbook and a long-time business broker with Quiet Light Brokerage, but he has also helped a lot of ECF members exit their own businesses. Listen in as we dive into the art of buying and selling from Joe's perspective, having handled hundreds of transactions over his career, including how you can set up your business to sell for top dollar right from the beginning. We also talk about where the market is right now in terms of buying and selling eCommerce stores, as well as some of the specifics surrounding FBA businesses, addbacks, and what the perfect-sized business really is. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2VxNj6A Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

We all know there are two things that are certain in life: death and taxes. I'm excited to have my accountant, Mario Lucibello, join me today to talk about saving on taxes and tax strategies specific for entrepreneurs and business owners. We also chatted about something I wasn't expecting that really opened my eyes to how we view and think about our money. Listen in as we dive into how to save on your taxes in many different circumstances, including some of the best ways to sell assets without losing your profit to taxes. You'll learn why you might want to consider paying yourself more through your payroll, why having an accountant who understands your unique situation is the best way to save money, and the psychology behind how we think about our money. Mario has seen the finances of hundreds of entrepreneurs over the years, and he has a really interesting perspective on wealth and well-being that you won't want to miss. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3jfFFpb Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

You probably spend anywhere from 6 to 10 hours every day sitting in front of your computer screen, and your ability to use that machine well dictates not only how productive you are, but how well your business does. But how often do we really sit and think about how well our computer is set up, how well it's optimized, and how efficient we are at using it? In this short and sweet episode, I'm sharing my tips for mastering your computer so you can shave time off your work week and get more done in less time. Something as simple as leveling up your computer skills can have massive implications on your productivity and business success, so make sure you don't miss this episode! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3iBW5aO Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Cressida Granger is the owner of Mathmos.com, a name you might actually remember as being the original creator and inventor of the famed lava lamp. She is a more recent member of the ECF community, and I wanted to get her on to talk about her story and her business because it is so incredibly interesting. Listen in as Cressida shares how she manufactured a back-of-the-napkin deal for the iconic lava lamp brand, what happened when people found out that her patent on the lava lamp had expired, and why the business chose to move away from wholesale. We also discuss the Brexit challenges that have become part of the territory of shipping from Britain, as well as why Mathmos is making the move to a new e-commerce platform (and which one it is). You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3rjd2ep Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

Building an amazing life is just as important as building a thriving e-commerce store, and today we're talking about something that has made a huge impact in my life: splitting time between two different places. I was hesitant about doing an episode on this topic for a long time, but I decided to share for three reasons: the impact it has had, the questions I get asked about it, and the challenges that sometimes come along with it. So in this episode, I'm joined by two friends who also split their time, Danny and Pete, and we're talking about how to make living in two places work. You'll learn why they chose the cities they did, how to build a community, how to make it work when you have kids, and—of course—how to structure your finances to make it feasible. If you've ever dreamed of living in a new place and wonder what that could possibly look like, this is an episode you don't want to miss! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3e5zIJx Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.

I have long been a huge advocate for testing your pricing. Why? Because if you have never tested, there is potentially money you are leaving on the table. So in this episode, we're taking the discussion a step further and talking about split testing your pricing with the founders of IntelliGems, an analytics and optimization platform for mobile developers to run A/B tests and ultimately drive monetization. Adam Kitain and Drew Marconi both have a lot of experience with product pricing and split testing, and they're in the trenches helping e-commerce store owners test pricing. Listen in as we discuss how to test your prices—with the goal of raising those prices to increase profitability—including some not-so-obvious ways that you can test without actually changing your prices. We're also diving into the science behind price testing, how to optimize your testing, and ways that you can DIY price testing and mitigate any potential customer service risk. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2Vir0kI Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.