The Unfiltered Truth About Marketing Agencies: Why Most Are Terrible And How to Find the Few Worth Hiring
Do you ever feel like hiring a marketing agency is more hassle than help? You’re not alone - agencies are a hot topic in the ECF community, and not always in a good way. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Simonson, longtime agency founder and ad expert, to talk candidly about what makes agencies so tricky, how to spot the good ones, and what eCommerce owners can do to get the most out of these relationships. Listen in as we discuss Kevin’s wild background (you won’t believe the stories behind his “Two Truths and a Lie”), his experience scaling top-tier DTC brands like Vuori, and his honest thoughts on how agency fee structures should work. We also cover how to vet an agency, why most are bad, how to set expectations, and how AI is radically transforming the paid ad game behind the scenes. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3EjOxZq 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.
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1:11:28
Cringe-Worthy Leadership Mistakes & What We Learned
Ever made a leadership call that totally backfired - or waited too long to make a tough team decision? In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend and repeat guest Bill D’Alessandro to swap stories and lessons from our biggest leadership failures. We get honest about the missteps we’ve made building teams, managing people, and growing businesses over the years. Listen in as we dive into topics like ownership mindset, team dynamics, and the delicate balance of motivation through pay versus purpose. We also talk about over-communication, customizing leadership styles to your team, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is pull the trigger on a change everyone else saw coming. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/43YNBnA 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.
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43:42
Advanced AI Geek Out: Building Autonomous Agents, a 25% Teamwide Productivity Boost in 30 Days & More
What if your marketing team never slept and could execute flawlessly 24/7? In this episode, I geek out with Jacob Posel (until recently, Director of AI at Common Thread Collective), who’s building AI agents that act like your own go-to-market team. If you’ve been curious about how to leverage AI to run parts of your business more efficiently, you’re going to love this one. Listen in as we talk through what an AI “agent” really is, how to train your team to use AI tools effectively, and how Jacob’s playbook can help make your entire company more productive. We also get into prompting best practices, the most exciting new protocols and tools in the AI space, and how Gemini and deep research agents are changing the game. This episode leans geeky (no apologies!), but it’s a fun ride with a ton of practical insight you won't want to miss. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3XA9Yfh 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.
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47:50
Two Guys Talk About Their Underwear (And How It’s Helped Build a Premium Brand)
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a long-lasting, high-quality apparel brand in today’s fast-moving eCommerce world? In this episode, I sit down with Mac Bishop, the founder of Wool&Prince, to talk about how he built a business rooted in premium materials, timeless design, and a long-term approach to success. Listen in as Mac reveals how he established a niche in the Merino wool market by prioritizing quality and long-term strategy over short-term wins. We explore the importance of strong brand positioning, the impact of supply chain shifts—including tariffs and evolving manufacturing trends—and why a commitment to craftsmanship pays off. Plus, Mac shares his insights on work-life balance, hiring with culture in mind, and how over-communication can be a game-changer for business success. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4kLL5Hw 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.
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1:03:07
Substack, Japanese Manufacturing, and Personal Brand Transitions
Are you feeling burnt out by social media but still trying to grow your brand? In this episode, I chat with Sonia Roselli, founder of Sonia Roselli Beauty, about navigating the ever-changing world of digital marketing, branding, and eCommerce. Sonia shares her journey building a successful beauty brand, the challenges of personal branding, and why she’s rebranding her business while stepping back from social media’s exhausting demands. Listen in as we dive into the power of platforms like Substack and Bluesky, why traditional social media feels like a losing game, and how Sonia is shifting her marketing to focus on deeper connections with customers. We also talk about working with Japanese suppliers, building a team, and the realities of running a beauty brand in today’s digital landscape. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4iT6Pzt 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.
Looking for detailed information from top experts on researching, launching and growing your online eCommerce business? Look no further. Join your host Andrew Youderian, an experienced eCommerce entrepreneur, each week as he pulls aside some of the industry's top experts to give you down to earth, actionable advice served up with a side of comic relief. Learn from the masters how to turn your 'make money online' attempt into a profitable, growing online store. Get show notes, in-depth eCommerce Fuel posts and your free copy of Andrew's highly reviewed 55-page eCommerce guide at eCommercefuel.com.
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