How did a year that looked like a miss on paper actually turn out to be one of the most meaningful years I've had? In this solo episode, I reflect candidly on my 2025 goals, where I fell short, and the unexpected personal and professional wins that reshaped how I think about success, tradeoffs, and accountability.

Listen in as I walk through a powerful year-in-review exercise that helped me reframe how I think about goals, progress, and tradeoffs. I share my core focus for 2026, why I'm doubling down on fundamentals across business and life, and what that means for how I'm approaching marketing, writing, and leadership at eCommerceFuel. I also preview an upcoming podcast series on financial mastery for store owners and offer a transparent snapshot of how I'm thinking about my personal investment portfolio as the year begins.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4boh26d

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How can eCommerce founders actually use AI to save time, reduce costs, and build leverage—without getting lost in hype or gimmicks? In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Williams, founder of Ascend Labs and long-time ECF member, to break down where AI is delivering real, practical value for online businesses today.

Listen in as we explore concrete automation examples, founder-led AI marketing workflows, how to think about LLM optimization, and what AI-driven workforce disruption may mean over the next few years. Kevin also shares how he's building AI-first systems inside his own company, why measurement matters more than tools, and how founders can position themselves for what's coming in 2026 and beyond.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4qbdRD3

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What happens when your business hits a wall and the people who helped build it are no longer aligned with where it needs to go? In this rerun of a standout episode, I'm joined by Taylor Holiday, CEO of Common Thread Collective, for a candid conversation about one of the most pivotal seasons in his company's history.

Listen in as we revisit the difficult transition from an employee-focused to a customer-centric model, how Taylor reshaped CTC's values and mission, and the surprising results of that cultural reset. Taylor also reflects on how he evaluates performance today, how he stays prolific with content, and the leadership lessons he's carrying forward as a CEO and father.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4j4c6W0

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How do three college friends go from a Greek food cart to nearly $50 million in revenue selling hemp-derived THC products—all while being blocked from traditional advertising channels? In this episode, I sit down with Andy Gould, co-founder of Batch, to unpack one of the most explosive growth stories in the history of this podcast.

Listen in as Andy breaks down how Batch scaled in a restricted category using Meta ads, bulk content creation, and a powerful creative flywheel. We also dig into bootstrapping vs. outside funding, co-founder dynamics, and what the sudden federal hemp prohibition means for the future of Andy's $50M business.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3MnRQ5g

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What will 2026 look like for eCommerce founders, investors, and operators? In this episode, I sit down with Bill D'Alessandro for our annual predictions, breaking down what we believe is coming next across AI, advertising, inflation, M&A, Bitcoin, and brand survival.

Listen in as we debate everything from AI-powered ad automation and rising CPCs to whether small lifestyle brands are headed for extinction. We also cover where the next real opportunities may lie, how founders should position themselves for volatility, and which long-term bets still make sense heading into 2026.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4oI6EJE

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How accurate were our eCommerce predictions of 2025 and which ones completely missed the mark? In this episode, I sit down with longtime friend of the show and industry heavyweight Bill D'Alessandro. Bill returns to help dissect the biggest themes that shaped 2025 — from tariffs and consumer pockets to platform shifts and advertising pressure.

You'll learn how global sourcing shifts reshaped margins, why affluent consumers and specific product categories powered through the chaos, and what rising ad auction competitiveness means for every eCommerce business. We also dive into emerging trends like GEO ("SEO for AI"), the real cracks showing in Google's dominance, shifting offshoring models, and Amazon's evolving two-tier ecosystem.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/4hd995np

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What happens when months of experiments, mistakes, and unexpected wins all pile up at once? In this solo episode, I'm sharing an honest behind-the-scenes look at what I've been building, breaking, automating, and learning across ECF and my own personal workflow.

Listen in as I talk through replacing (and not replacing) a key team member, how AI is reshaping assistant work, and what went wrong with a recent developer hire. I also share the story behind a new branded video project and explain why hardware security keys are becoming essential for anyone running a digital business.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3XLfw69

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What happens when your entire business is built around one hero product—and it suddenly blows up after a surprise shout-out from Joe Rogan? In this episode, Paul Jackson, co-founder of Animalhouse Fitness and inventor of MonkeyFeet, joins me to share the wild ride of bootstrapping a viral fitness brand.

Listen in as Paul breaks down the design and evolution of MonkeyFeet, the unexpected surge that followed Joe Rogan's mention, and the operational challenges of growing a one-SKU fitness brand. He also shares the realities of navigating tough market conditions, evaluating Amazon strategically, and pushing forward with new product innovation.

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

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What does it take to scale a 50-year-old family business built around vintage Ford Broncos? In this episode, I sit down with Walt Wimmer, CEO of TOMS OFFROAD, to talk about transforming a passion project into a thriving eCommerce brand serving classic car enthusiasts around the world.

Listen in as Walt shares how he balances heritage and innovation - from managing thousands of SKUs and global manufacturing partners to designing a transparent compensation structure that keeps his 36-person team motivated. We also dive into customer service, marketing in a competitive niche, and how TOMS OFFROAD continues to grow while staying true to its roots.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3Xk02Wv

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Is Pinterest the most overlooked ad platform in eCommerce right now? In this episode, I sit down with Kate Ahl, founder of SimplePinMedia.com, to talk about how Pinterest is quietly delivering strong returns for brands that understand how to use it—and why it's far more than a place for DIY boards and recipes.

Listen in as Kate explains how Pinterest actually works as a search engine for inspiration, what brands often get wrong when running ads, and how to design campaigns that convert. She also shares insights on attribution timelines, AI-powered creative tools, and how eCommerce businesses in visually driven niches can leverage Pinterest for sustainable growth.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3JJ44o6

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

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