Ecommercefuel: Build, Launch And Grow A 6 Figure Plus Ecommerce Business | Ecommerce Fuel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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