eCommerce Fuel

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.  

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Direct download: EP410ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.  

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Direct download: EP409ECOMMERCEFUEL_v2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.  

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Direct download: EP408ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.  

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Direct download: EP407.5ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.  

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Direct download: EP407ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.  

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Direct download: EP406ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP405ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.  

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Direct download: EP404ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.  

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Direct download: EP403ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP402ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP401ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP400.5ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.  

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Direct download: EP400ECOMMERCEFUELv3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP399ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

I’m joined today by a past guest on this podcast, Danny Robertson of House&Hold.com, who at the time was running five different businesses and had a ton on his plate. Since then he’s faced some major challenges, come out the other side intact, and has an absolutely incredible story about what can happen when you’re chasing too much and trying to do all the things.

We’re picking up where we left off and diving into how Danny’s journey has transpired since we last talked, from his financial challenges to living a more intentional life, and what it was like living in a 160 sq. ft tiny house with six people. Danny’s story is a lesson for all entrepreneurs on what can happen when we try to bite off more than we can chew, so make sure you don’t miss this episode!

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3ALzfW5 

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.

Direct download: EP398ECOMMERCEFUEL_v2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP397ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP396ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP395ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP394ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP393ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP374ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP373ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP372ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP371ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP370ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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.

Direct download: EP369ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Today we’re picking things back up with Tal Moore, and this time, we're covering all things investments—the good, the bad, and the high-returning. In case you missed the last episode, Tal is a born entrepreneur and founder of Franklin’s Popcorn, Softy Wipes, and Guardline Security. He believes that the key to financial freedom is found in your passive income opportunities.

Listen in as we dive into some of the best and worst investments that Tal has made over the years and discuss why he prefers to invest in what others may consider unorthodox ventures. You'll learn his number one secret to getting above-average returns and the three rules of investing that he lives (and invests) by.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2UjAcEO

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP368ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Tal Moore discovered his knack for business at the ripe young age of 12 years old. Selling gumballs to his friends ultimately led him to launch Gumballs.com, one of the largest online vending machine retailers. Tal is also the founder of many other businesses, including Franklin’s Popcorn, Guardline Security, and Softy Wipes. He has given so much to the ECF community over the years and I’m excited to have him here.

Listen in as Tal shares his story through entrepreneurship, including how he managed to have the conviction to turn down a sales offer for Guardline, the personal toll it took on him, and how he decided to stay the course with the business. We also talk about how the downturn in his business actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise when the pandemic hit, as well as how COVID played a role in the subsequent upturn. This is part one of a two-part episode, so make sure to check out the next episode to hear more from Tal!

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3gNJm5n

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.

Direct download: EP367ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:38pm EDT

If you’re running a business, you undoubtedly have a million and one things vying for your time: family, health, religion, your business, and your friends. What most often gets pushed aside are friendships, which is especially true for entrepreneurs who tend to jam-pack their lives with as much as they can possibly fit in it—and then add some more on top of that for good measure!

That’s why in this episode, I'm talking about how to cultivate friendships as an entrepreneur. Friendships are not just good for us as social beings, but they’re also good for our overall physical and mental health, so I’ll be giving you my thoughts on friendships, how they have worked in my life, and how I’ve been intentional with them. I also talk about how I’ve been able to nurture my friendships despite the craziness that is entrepreneurial life.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3zfcCct

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.

Direct download: EP366ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Josh Zhang is the Founder and CEO of Gainfluence.com, an influencer marketing agency that is home to some of the best-looking and smartest creators and entrepreneurs in Los Angeles. In this episode, we talk about where the influencer market is going (particularly after the pandemic), the best use of a $50,000 marketing spend in 2021, and why it’s more important than ever to look at what is converting customers in real-time when it comes to advertising. We also talk about some of the more under-utilized platforms that are not only giving creators more control, but also allowing them to have a bigger piece of the viewer pie.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3p8ITNH

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP365ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Allen Walton is the CEO and Founder of SpyGuy, an e-commerce store devoted to all sorts of surveillance and counter-surveillance equipment. More recently, he launched FlyGuy, a travel agency and membership that helps business owners unlock the secret of getting tons of travel paid for using credit card rewards. Listen in as Allen shares his knowledge from researching and using credit card rewards to travel, including how to optimize your credit card spend to be able to jet set around the world in business class.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2RATEfn

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Direct download: EP364ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Skye Chilton is the owner of RealMushrooms.com, a family-owned and operated company that supplies top-quality herbal and medicinal mushroom products online. Skye partnered with his father, Jeff Chilton, a well-renowned expert in mushrooms, and leveraged his expertise and credibility in the industry to grow the brand. What is particularly interesting about Skye is how he leveraged podcasting and social media to grow consumer awareness without throwing money at advertising, which as we all know is getting harder and more expensive.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2QUNUwJ

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP363ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Nikhil Krishnan is the founder and author of Out of Pocket Health, a newsletter featuring in-depth analysis and clever memes about the state of the healthcare system in the United States today. Listen in as we discuss the two biggest problems in the US system today, the dichotomy between the US being a leader in cutting edge technology while also having an issue with access to basic healthcare for many, and we dive into the options for small businesses who want to provide health insurance for their employees.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3uEFJDb

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP362ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Scott Scharf is co-founder of Catching Clouds, the leaders in e-commerce accounting that offer a solution for entrepreneurs who struggle with understanding - or even getting - accurate financial information about their business. Listen in as we discuss all things ERP, including a review and overview of the main platforms available, what the advantages and disadvantages are of each, and why it’s a good thing that we’re starting to see consolidation among the platforms. Scott also shares his advice for implementing ERP once you’ve made the leap and discusses why you may want to start making a transition to a different platform if you’re on a particular operations management platform.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3h5sTKy

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP361ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Chuckie Gregory is the founder of Club EarlyBird, a morning cocktail that makes it easy to wake up early and that has grown from $0 to $1-million in sales in less than a year. In this episode, Chuckie details the SMS messaging strategy that they use at Club EarlyBird, including why they collect phone numbers with a post-purchase opt-in rather than at checkout, how he justifies the cost of SMS messaging over other forms of marketing, and why he implemented “Get Sh*t Done Tuesday.”

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/330rPzh

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP360ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Garret and Deeanne Akerson are the co-founders of Kindred Bravely, which creates maternity and nursing clothes that are beautiful, comfortable, and most importantly, useful. They have an incredibly successful business story, but in this episode we’re talking about something that doesn’t get discussed a lot: how do you build a meaningful and successful business while also raising kids? We’re getting candid on the parenting front and are talking about what Garret and Deeanne did well, what they didn’t do well, and what they learned from their experience.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3nnLhz4

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP359ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

This is a somewhat selfish episode because this guest makes my absolute favorite shirts in the entire world, and I wanted to learn more about the inner workings of the business. Ryan Light is the CEO of Pistol Lake, a men’s apparel company that was founded in 2012 with the goal to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. at a reasonable price—and with really amazing quality. Ryan is not the founder of Pistol Lake, but he was brought in by the founders to run the company, and he has lots to share about the challenges and benefits of hiring a CEO and what he has learned in the role.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2OUZEhD

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP358ECOMMERCEFUEL_v2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Conor Lewis has a really cool story. He is the Founder of GetTheFort.com, a magnetic pillow fort that he designed, crowdfunded, and brought to market in under a year. What’s really cool about Conor though is that he is entirely self-taught on eCommerce, but still managed to build a huge audience through social channels by tapping into his previous branding, design, and video experience. In this episode, we dive into how Conor was able to pull off a super-successful $2.8 million Kickstarter campaign, how he built his 80,000 subscriber email list, and what he learned about Facebook groups through this launch.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3sYkUBU

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP357ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Today we are going to be talking about selling and acquiring businesses with a couple of people who have recently been through the process themselves. Chris Carey recently sold his business, MAPerformance.com, to David Rauch’s team over at AnthemWheels.com. In this episode, they will be sharing the story of their unique transaction, as well as the power of trust and rapport in existing relationships. Listen in to learn what it's like working with private equity firms (or deciding not to) and how valuable the terms of a deal are because it’s not just about the price. 

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2Q8P336 

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP356ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

If you are an entrepreneur, you have probably come across a business being sold so cheaply that you considered purchasing it. However, being business savvy enough to differentiate between fantastic buying opportunities and energy-destroying lemons can be very tricky. So in this episode, we have Brian Lejeune and Janine Do, owners of VirginiaBoysKitchens.com, joining the show to discuss how they purchased a business that had not made a profit in over half a decade and turned it into a profitable, growing company.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3fvkak3 

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP355ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

If you are not quite sure what asset based lending is in relation to other types of lending, you are definitely not alone. David Golob is CEO of Microcom.us, a high-volume Amazon seller, and an expert on asset based lending, and he’s here to give us the goods on this unique lending type. Listen in as David shares why you might consider asset based lending over other types of financing, as well as what you can expect the process to look like.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/312svCY

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP354ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

If you love geeking out on the finance side as much as we do, this is an episode you definitely don't want to miss! I'm going down the rabbit hole of banking, lending, and financing with Bill D’Alessandro, founder and CEO at Elements Brands and frequent co-host of this podcast. Consider this episode a master cheat sheet for all entrepreneurs who want to get their finances in order and get the most out of their banking relationships.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3cqqups

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP353ECOMMERCEFUEL_v2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Today we are joined by Sujay Kapadia, Founder of Hospitology Products. Sujay left his job as a doctor to pursue a career in the eCommerce world, and he has been selling on Amazon since 2012. In this episode, we discuss his time on Amazon and how he has seen the online marketplace change over the years.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3t1wk7L 

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP352ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

We updated our site about nine months ago with more of a holistic message in mind for eCommerceFuel, wanting to focus not only on the community, but also on ECF Capital and the podcast. Unfortunately, it did not end up performing as well as we hoped. So we decided to bring in Quinn Zeda and her team at Conversion Crimes to perform an audit, and they came back with some pretty painful results, which we will be diving into today.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3qYegdQ 

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP351ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

With Apple rolling out iOS 14 in the spring, users will be able to opt out of being tracked by apps. So where will this leave Facebook ads or other online marketing services? Today Miracle Wanzo of DiscoveryMarketing.io joins the show to discuss this topic, diving into the serious implications this will have for marketing in the digital world.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2MivRyc 

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP350ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Where do you even start when you are wanting to grow your brand's revenue? Especially when it is extremely niche? Today Ben Jenkins, owner of Warstic.com, joins the show to discuss how he grew his high-quality baseball bat brand to over $8 million in the past four years alone.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3tPFIwe 

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP349ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Closing on a deal can feel incredibly intimidating and scary. How do you know if this is the right fit for your company? What is the paperwork involved? Today my friends and colleagues, Bill D'Alessandro of ElementsBrands.com and Michael Jackness of EcomCrew.com, join the show to help me explain how the team at ECF Capital finally ended up choosing a deal to close on and the work that went into it.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2Msxjyd 

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP348ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Everyone always says how hard it is to work through deals and figure out what is good and what is not, but you never truly understand until you are in it. Today I will be talking about everything that went into searching for ECF Capital investments, including how I kept track of them all and the importance of doing your due diligence on the owners of companies.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/39u4KZU 

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.

Direct download: EP347ECOMMERCEFUELv2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Last year I announced ECF Capital, an eCommerce fund investment group that looks to invest in promising eCommerce companies with a group of experienced investors. Over the course of the last 12 months, we have been setting everything up, looking for deals, and finally culminating and closing on our first deal in December. So in this episode, I will be running you through the process of getting a fund like this started and what exactly goes on behind the scenes.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2LX3ZQ6 

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.

Direct download: EP346ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

There are so many challenges and aspects to think about when launching a new project. Last week we touched on the eCommerce and business sides of launching Overlander.com, and today I want to shift the conversation to focus more on the management and team building lessons I learned while working on this project.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3ssENBl 

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP345ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Are you searching for a way to explore remote and untouched areas? Overlanding is essentially a vehicle-based exploration in travel, a fusion of off-roading and camping, and something I have been incredibly interested in. Today I will be walking you through a website that I spent the last six months of 2020 working on, Overlander.com, and I’ll explain the lessons I learned while spearheading this project.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2LQnZU4 

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP344ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

The second half of 2020 was an especially busy and stressful time for me personally.  In today's episode I reflect back on the period, consider how too much work impacted my personal life and share  a few takeaways and lessons.

Direct download: Episode.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

This is a replay of the episode with Dafina Smith of CovetAndMane.com where we discuss the benefit of not selling on your website. Listen in as Dafina shares how her products are promoted, how she got started in the eCommerce world, and more.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3pl0e51 

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.  

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Direct download: EP342ECOMMERCEFUEL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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