eComFuel Podcast

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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  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.