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.
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42:16
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42:16
AI Replaces Our Team, Expensive Developer Mistakes & Keeping Hackers Out
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 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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18:27
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18:27
The Blessing and Curse of a Hero SKU: Lessons from Building Animalhouse Fitness
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 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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50:09
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50:09
Crafting Comp Plans, Building a Network of Manufacturing Partners & Vintage 4x4 Rigs
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 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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57:15
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57:15
The Forgotten Ad Channel Quietly Delivering 4x-10x ROAS
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.  Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.
eComFuel (formerly known as eCommerceFuel) is a private community for 7- and 8-figure eCommerce owners, best known for its members-only forum, operator-led insights, and the long-running eComFuel podcast hosted by founder Andrew Youderian.
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