Curious about the cutting-edge applications of AI in eCommerce? In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Williams from MadBrains AI, who brings a wealth of experience from both struggling eCommerce environments and a deep dive into AI innovations. We explore a broad array of topics including the future of search, the implications of AI on child-rearing, and the technicalities of fine-tuning AI models for business use.

Listen as Kevin discusses the potential and challenges of AI in transforming eCommerce operations, from improving customer service to optimizing operational efficiency. He also touches on the exciting possibilities opened by expanding context windows in AI models, making them more effective partners in strategic business planning.

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

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Ever wondered how to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of eCommerce and digital platforms effectively? In this episode, I sit down with Johnathan Solorzano, owner of Solo Media Group and an expert in Shopify development. Johnathan shares his insights from managing high-traffic sites like Kanye West's Yeezy brand and how these experiences have shaped his approach to eCommerce strategy and team building.

Listen as Johnathan dives into the nuances of creating a robust digital presence, from optimizing Shopify operations to leveraging global resources for team expansion. We also explore his strategies for managing international teams, the advantages of U.S.-based manufacturing, and his insights into Shopify's latest features that are transforming international sales and operational efficiencies.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3WN8HQv

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Curious how health-focused products carve out success in today's bustling retail scene? Join me in this episode as I sit down with Justin Mares, founder of Kettle & Fire and Perfect Keto, venture partner at Long Journey Ventures, and CEO at Truemed. Justin shares his journey through evolving marketing strategies and investment insights that aim to reshape America's eating habits.

Tune in as Justin delves into the importance of strategic branding and packaging design in influencing consumer buying behaviors, especially in the health sector. He'll also discuss the evolution of his marketing tactics over the years, the significant role of his newsletter in building customer relationships, and his proactive views on investing in health and wellness startups.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4cqhdLv

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What do you get when you take a discontinued National Geographic catalogue and 12 years of experience in the print catalogue sector? If your name is Allan Shiffrin, you may just get an 8-figure business. If you're an eCommerce brand, you're definitely going to want to listen to this episode to find out how you can make direct mail a major source of sales for your brand.

Listen in as we geek out about catalogs, direct mail, and how to be able to make what is equivalent to a Facebook lookalike audience for direct mail contacts. Allan also shares some of the tools and co-ops that you can use to get started, how to lay out a great catalog, and the magic number of products to include in a direct mail catalog.

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

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Search for "side hustle ideas" in Google and you'll get a million and one results. In fact, side hustles have trended upward over the last couple years as people worked them to supplement their income during the pandemic—and many even used their side hustle as an exit path during the "Great Resignation." Spencer Jan is the co-founder of SoloStove.com, and he is one of the side hustle success stories, having bootstrapped his way to a $2-billion valuation in only 8 years while working a full-time job for much of that time.

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 he and his co-founder and brother, Jeff, 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/3wEIh7C

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Do you understand why your customers buy? This week, we're running a replay of one of the more interesting episodes from the last year with Charles Burdett of PipDecks.com, which is a suite of card decks that helps people do anything from brainstorming creative workshop ideas and improving their storytelling to designing more innovative products.

What makes PipDecks.com particularly interesting is how Charles was able to take a product that has a very low cost of goods and sell it at incredibly high prices. You'll learn how his positioning and his branding have been the secret to selling the decks based on their value rather than on their physical worth. He also shares the one question we should all be asking our customers to understand why they buy, as well as how to overcome 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/3QVnnce

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Email has to be one of the biggest pain points that entrepreneurs face, and it's also something that is an inevitability in today's world if you're in eCommerce. I'm happy to say that I finally feel like I've gotten to a good place when it comes to my inbox—I no longer feel a sense of chaos when I open my email, and what used to take me over 2 hours now takes me half the time it used to. 

In this last solo episode of the summer, I'm discussing how I managed to wrangle my email and cleared out most of the junk, made the important stuff easy to spot, and overall made it possible for me to move through my inbox quickly and efficiently. I'll also be sharing the game-changer that helped me control the chaos much more easily and why I let go of a lot of hangups I had when it came to email (that you may also have and not even be aware of!).

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3ADmpf4

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Welcome to another episode in the summer mini-series where we're diving into topics related to creating an amazing life—something that I know applies to all the entrepreneurs listening. Today we're jumping into something that all the finance geeks will love: tracking your net worth and spending. I'm sharing not only why you should be doing it, but also the best ways I've found to pull the info together in a way that makes sense and doesn't have you sharing your financial info with third-party apps.

Listen in as I break down the high-level reasons why you absolutely should be tracking your net worth and your household spending, the method I love for tracking spending, and what I include (and exclude) when looking at my net worth. I also discuss my 4% rule, benchmarking, and the cool freedom chart that tracks your monthly burn rate against your earnings and shows you real-life progress over time.

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

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If you've noticed recently that your emails are not being read or clicked through as often as usual, you are not alone. Today on the show I have Daniel Reifenberger, our resident ECF email marketing expert and the Founder and Chief Strategist at YourLoyalTribe.com, to walk us through what has been going on in the world of email marketing—and of course, how you can improve your email deliverability metrics.

Listen in as Daniel breaks down the audit he did on eCommerceFuel's email deliverability, and hear my raw, unscripted reaction to the data as I hear it for the first time. We also discuss what the auditing process was like, what the overall email marketing landscape looks like today, and tips for improving your email deliverability.

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

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If you're in the eCommerce world and have any kind of inventory-based business, you know how growth can be a double-edged sword: the faster you grow, the larger the POs that you have to place and the more likely you are to slip into a negative cash flow. Ben Tregoe is the CEO and Co-Founder at BainbridgeGrowth.com, a company that helps eCommerce businesses with advanced financial modelling and evaluating different options for financing their growth. He joins me today to talk through some of the options and the pitfalls that eComm businesses can face as they grow.

Listen in as Ben shares some of the biggest mistakes that brands make when it comes to financing, as well as the importance of thinking well into the future when looking at all the options available. We also discuss the best financing options for every stage of the eCommerce business (including PO factoring, mezzanine debt, and the Kickfurther model) and the one area where many don't focus enough when it comes to financing options.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3PY7Fgd

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We've all heard the phrase "work on it, not in it" in relation to business—otherwise known as "the owner's trap." But what if I could make the case for why there actually is a time and a place to get back to working in the trenches, talking to your customers, and diving right into the nitty-gritty of your business?

In this mini solo episode, I share the top reasons why you should consider periodically diving back into the details of your business, including how you can get some really valuable feedback from not only your customers, but also your team members. Then tune in to the end for a bonus mini-episode with Allan Fisch of Moonshot Brands, an organization that buys Amazon and Shopify businesses and gives eCommerce founders financial freedom, as we discuss what's happening right now in the eCommerce landscape and how A2X plays into Allan's acquisition process.

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

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So how are entrepreneurs doing lately? Dr. Sherry Walling joins the show for the second time around to give some insight into the state of entrepreneurship today, including whether entrepreneurs are re-evaluating their lives and businesses as the world emerges from the pandemic. As a Clinical Psychologist that specializes in helping entrepreneurs with their mental health, and the founder of the ZenFounder.com podcast, she has a unique finger on the pulse of what it's like to be an entrepreneur in the world today.

Listen in as we talk about some of the most common myths that entrepreneurs tell themselves, what it can look like to balance work and personal life successfully as an entrepreneur, and whether it is actually more stressful to be an entrepreneur today than at any other time. We also explore grief and psychedelics, including the strategies that Sherry personally used to grieve and how she uses psychedelics therapeutically in her practice.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3RLT4Wo

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It's been a wild few years in eCommerce, so I was super excited to sit down and go over the results of our fourth-ever eCommerce Trends Report for 2022. The results were eye-opening, and there were some pretty interesting takeaways about what is working in eCommerce, what's not working, what trends are emerging, and what the general lay of the eCommerce land looks like.

In this episode, I'm going over four of the most surprising takeaways, including the best model when it comes to having a strong competitive advantage, pricing tactics that almost always work, and why ROAS is less important than we think. I also discuss something that we saw for the first time ever with Amazon and how really effective branding and marketing played out in the numbers.

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

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How can taking a gap year transform personal and professional life? In this episode, I'm sharing my plans to take a family and business gap year, as well as the motivations behind this decision. From wanting to invest deeply in family time to reshaping my business operations to support long-term sustainability and personal fulfillment, this decision wasn't made lightly.

Listen in as I dive into the logistics of preparing for a gap year, covering everything from educational plans for my children to strategies for managing business responsibilities remotely. I'll also discuss the potential challenges and opportunities that arise when stepping back from day-to-day operations to focus on strategic growth and personal well-being.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4bPvPUS

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A lot has happened in the last 24 months when it comes to shipping and logistics due to the pandemic, and you might be wondering what the immediate future holds. Here to give us his take is Dhruv Saxena, Co-Founder and CEO of ShipBob.com, one of the largest global 3PL providers that is trusted by over 7,000 brands and fulfills orders all around the world.

We're deep-diving into all things logistics, warehousing, and international shipping as Dhruv shares his perspective on the status of international logistics and what you can expect if you're trying to move goods from one point to another. We're also talking about the biggest changes he's seen on the fulfillment side, where popular freight carriers stand after COVID, and what the availability of warehouse space looks like across the U.S. You'll learn some of the best and worst logistics stories Dhruv has ever heard and get the low-down on the demand for same-day shipping for anyone whose name is not "Amazon."

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3OVLUx4

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There's no doubt that one of the areas that COVID impacted the most was in the way we work, and specifically, in how the pandemic pushed remote work into the mainstream. Dan Andrews is the Co-Founder of Tropical MBA and Dynamite Jobs, and he's been beating the remote work drum for over a decade. He joins the show today to talk all things remote work, including whether it's here to stay.

Listen in as we dive into how the narrative of remote work has changed over the past few years, what the optimal structure for organizations going forward will likely be, and whether offering the option to work remotely is still considered a perk for most employees. We also discuss when you should—and shouldn't—post a salary in your job description, what you can do instead to manage expectations and maintain interest, and how to find and vet great remote team members. 

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3y6kdvf

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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.  

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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 

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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

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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

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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 

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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.  

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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

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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.  

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How can executive assistants revolutionize your workflow and dramatically increase your productivity? In this episode, I dive into the transformative impact of hiring and effectively integrating an executive assistant into your business operations. From managing emails to handling critical administrative tasks, discover how an EA can free up your time and allow you to focus on what truly moves your business forward.

Listen in as I share my personal journey from overwhelm to high efficiency through executive assistance and discuss practical steps for hiring, the importance of creating detailed processes, and the tools that make delegation seamless. I also outline some strategies for training and managing an executive assistant that aligns perfectly with your business ethos and operational needs.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4bBajD7

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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

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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.  

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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

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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

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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

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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

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How can entrepreneurs achieve extraordinary success without sacrificing their personal happiness or integrity? In this episode, I'm joined by Codie Sanchez, the mind behind Contrarian Thinking and an experienced investor in diverse businesses. We're exploring the significant impact of having a purpose-driven approach in both business and personal realms, strategies for maintaining well-being amidst business success, and more.

Listen in as Codie discusses the importance of continuous engagement in work—even after achieving financial freedom—and how to leverage personal experiences and challenges into growth opportunities. You'll learn about the concept of contrarian thinking in investments and the potential of acquisitions to transform business growth and sustainability.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3QT53T1

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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How can businesses harness the power of AI to revolutionize product photography and brand assets? In this episode, I'm joined by Salma Aboukar, co-founder of Qreates.com, who shares insights into leveraging AI for creating stunning visual content efficiently. We explore the transformation of brand identity creation, as well as where AI accelerates the process, reduces costs, and enhances quality.

Listen in as Salma shares how to build a complete brand identity using AI tools, discussing the processes and platforms that allow brands to produce photorealistic images that would typically require a significant investment. We also dive into the technical aspects of AI platforms like MidJourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion, understanding their strengths and how to best utilize them for eCommerce success.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3QHhv8z

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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 

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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 

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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

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