eComFuel Podcast

After selling the business he built over 12 years, what's next for Bill D'Alessandro? In this episode, Andrew reconnects with Bill, longtime friend, returning guest, and co-host of Acquisitions Anonymous, to talk about life post-exit, the unexpected challenges of newfound freedom, and how he's thinking about AI, identity, and investing in today's wild market. They also chat about the blurred lines...

What happens when you press pause on business as usual and take a family gap year instead? In this special episode, I'm joined by my wife, Annie, who shares the mic with me for the first time as we reflect on the past 10 months of travel, family time, and life outside the usual grind. From the decision to leave home to what we've learned along the way, this conversation is a peek behind the curtai...

What's the most effective way to grow your brand when traditional marketing gets harder and harder? This week, I'm sharing one of the most overlooked but highest-ROI strategies in eCommerce: partnerships. Whether you're launching a product, building a community, or just trying to break through the noise, this episode will help you think differently about how to get attention. Listen in as I share...

What does it take for a city lawyer to transform into a bison rancher in the heart of the picturesque Bridger Mountains? In this rerun episode, I'm joined by Matt Skoglund of North Bridger Bison, who made that very leap. He shares his remarkable transition from urban legal practice to managing a thriving bison ranch, rooted deeply in sustainable and ethical practices. Listen in as we discuss the i...

How do you breathe new life into a stagnant business? In this fan-favorite rerun episode, I'm joined by Chris Rose, President of Gunner.com, to talk about how he helped transform a complacent brand into a thriving, premium business. Specializing in high-quality, American-made dog kennels, Chris shares how understanding customer lifetime value and focusing on high-impact priorities can breathe new...

Have you ever wondered how to pull off a team retreat that's actually fun, productive, and builds real connection? After years of trial and error, I've finally found a rhythm that works. In this episode, I break down exactly how we designed our recent team retreat in Mexico City, what made it a success, and some of the biggest mistakes I've made in the past (think: go-karts and back injuries). Lis...

Have you ever wondered what goes into a full rebrand and whether it's really worth it? In this solo episode, I take you behind the scenes of eCommerceFuel's rebranding journey, including why we did it, how much we spent, and what I wish I'd known before diving in. If you've been considering a brand refresh or are just curious about the ROI of design and messaging work, this one's for you. Listen i...

What if your inventory could forecast itself—or your website merchandised itself based on who was browsing? This week, I'm joined by Drew Marconi, CEO and co-founder of Intelligems.io, to explore how AI is unlocking new ways for brands to manage forecasting, pricing, and marketing. If you've been curious about how AI can actually improve your margins (not just make cool images), you'll want to tun...

What happens when your business grows too fast and the demand suddenly vanishes? This week, I'm joined by Martina Brimmer, co-founder of Swift Industries, a premium bikepacking brand known for its exceptional design and creative culture. Martina shares how she dismantled her team, restructured operations, and found her creative spark again after the post-COVID contraction in the cycling industry....

What happens after you sell the business you've spent over a decade building? In this episode, I'm joined by my longtime friend and returning guest Bill D'Alessandro, fresh off the sale of Natural Dog Company. Bill shares what it was like to finally exit after 12 years, how he's thinking about investing his earnings, and why his next chapter might be his best one yet. Listen in as we unpack Bill's...

Ever wonder if you can truly compete with overseas manufacturing from right here in the U.S.? This week, I'm kicking off a two-part series on American manufacturing by sitting down with David Heacock, CEO of Filterbuy.com. David shares how he grew a family business into a $250M powerhouse, all while keeping production entirely on U.S. soil. Listen in as David walks us through how he reverse-engine...

Have you ever wondered what happens when you completely walk away from a successful business, and build something even more meaningful? This week, I'm joined by Ben Katzaman, founder of Sculpted Peaks, who shares how a near-death experience led him to rethink his life, sell his first company, and start fresh with a business built around passion, craft, and awe-inspiring moments. Listen in as Ben s...

Could the current wave of tariffs actually help U.S. eCommerce sellers? In this episode, I'm joined by longtime ECF member Aaron Rubin, founder of ShipHero, to explore a counterintuitive take on how recent tariff changes might level the playing field for American brands. Aaron shares his insights on de minimis reform, market dynamics, and why he believes stronger margins could be on the horizon fo...

Are you feeling the weight of rising tariffs and wondering how to adapt your business? In this "State of Play" episode, I'm joined by my good friend Steve Chou to unpack the latest challenges shaking up the eCommerce world, from geopolitical tensions to the rapid pace of AI and automation. We dive into how these shifts are reshaping manufacturing and margins, as well as what the future might hold...

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...

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 l...

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 thr...

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...

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...

Have you ever thought about building your own AI tool to boost your business? In this episode, I'm thrilled to share the incredible story of Zac Plansky, owner of AT3Tactical.com. Zac transformed his business by developing a custom AI tool for inventory management, saving substantial costs and enhancing operational efficiency—all without prior programming experience. Listen in as we dive into Zac'...

Are you ready to catch up on the state of play in the eCommerce world? This week, I'm bringing back our most popular co-host, Bill D'Alessandro, for this month's deep dive into current trends and strategies. Join us as we unpack everything from the latest in AI advancements to the nuances of seasonal business dynamics.  Listen in as we break down what every eCommerce entrepreneur should be aware o...

Are you curious about how Amazon is reshaping the landscape of digital advertising? In this episode, I sit down with Joe Shelerud, co-founder of AdAdvance.com, who shares his journey from scaling an eCommerce business to creating a technology-enabled advertising company. We dive deep into how Amazon is becoming a formidable competitor against giants like Meta and Google, leveraging its vast data t...

Should you be buying bonds or real estate? And what's the real path to financial freedom? In this episode, I'm breaking down the investment strategies that have worked for me over the last five years, from stock selection to wealth-building habits. I'll share why buying individual stocks can be a great move—if done correctly—and why I believe angel investing and bonds aren't the best options for m...

Have you ever wished for a copywriter who truly understands your brand and can effortlessly produce high-quality content? In this episode, I'm discussing the exciting world of AI-powered copywriting and sharing my journey of creating two AI "personas" to help me generate compelling marketing materials. I'll guide you through the process of building a robust knowledge base that empowers AI to write...

Are you navigating the current state of eCommerce and wondering how global events will impact your business? In this episode, I'm joined by one of my favorite people and seasoned entrepreneurs, Bill D'Alessandro. We dive into everything from offbeat life experiences—such as exotic ski trips—to the nitty-gritty of eCommerce dynamics in 2025. Listen in as we banter about the world of outsourcing eCo...