eComFuel Podcast

Andrew Youderian | e-Commerce Entrepreneur

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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#650
Yesterday · 49 min
Lessons from Managing Over 1,000 People
What can eCommerce founders learn from lead generation, direct response marketing, and managing more than 1,000 people? In this episode, I sit down with Sean McGinnis, Co-Founder of The Manager Vault, to explore the very different worlds of outbound lead generation and direct response marketing. You'll hear why cold calling can work despite brutal rejection rates, how speed-to-lead can dramatically impact conversions, and how direct response funnels take customers from unaware to ready to buy. Listen in to learn about one of the biggest challenges facing growing businesses: hiring and managing great people. Sean breaks down his approach to defining a role before hiring, creating effective scorecards, focusing employees on outcomes rather than prescribed activities, and avoiding overly complicated "unicorn" job descriptions. He also shares his thoughts on giving talented people autonomy, aligning roles with the organization's needs, and building hiring systems that consistently produce better results. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3tsweumv Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
#649
August 21 · 55 min
An Unreasonably Deep Dive on Building a Claude Code First Company
What happens when an eCommerce owner stops asking, "How can I get more people to do this work?" and starts asking, "How can I redesign the work entirely?" In this episode, I'm joined by Eli Zauner, co-founder of Universal Yums, who is using AI, software, and automation to tackle the complexity of an eight-figure consumer business. Whether you're an eCommerce founder looking to automate repetitive work, a business owner trying to scale without constantly adding headcount, or simply curious about what AI can actually do inside a real operating business, this conversation offers a highly tactical look at what comes next. Listen in as Eli shares how he evolved from a bootstrapped subscription snack box startup into building sophisticated systems for supply planning, product development, advertising, and operations—and why AI has fundamentally changed the way he thinks about scaling. You'll hear how he structures his AI and software stack, why he believes the terminal can be a more powerful interface for business owners, and how shared skills, structured data, and software can create the foundation for AI agents. Eli also talks about his thinking around AI-driven job displacement, the future of "outcome ownership," and why businesses should identify processes where more output directly creates more revenue. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/537srzjh Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
#648
August 14 · 51 min
What I Learned From 100+ Young Entrepreneurs in France
What if the goal of entrepreneurship wasn't to build the biggest business possible, but to build a business and a life you genuinely don't want to escape from? In this episode, I sit down with Evan Bryce Riddle, co-founder of Art of Mondays, a community for "lifestyle founders" who want to pursue entrepreneurship alongside health, wellness, travel, relationships, and personal growth. Evan shares how he and his co-founder built the community around their own values, why they reject traditional hustle culture, and how they think about creating a business that provides freedom of time, location, and choice. Listen in to learn how Art of Mondays builds and protects its community culture through careful member selection, why connection comes before business conversations at their events, and how they created a highly engaging event experience for more than 100 founders. Evan also talks about the marketing strategy behind their growth, content production, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can dramatically change how you approach business and life. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3cjyytta Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
#647
August 7 · 11 min
The Best Marketing Campaign I've Seen All Year
What makes a marketing campaign so unforgettable that you'll go out of your way to visit the business behind it? In this episode, you'll hear the story of an unexpected roadside advertising campaign that transformed a long drive through rural Colorado into a masterclass in customer psychology. What began as a series of mysterious vintage-looking signs became a powerful lesson in how great marketing creates curiosity, builds anticipation, and earns attention rather than demanding it. Listen in to learn why repetition works when it's done well, how subtle messaging can outperform aggressive sales tactics, and why the strongest brands play the long game instead of chasing quick wins. You'll hear about the power of context, brand association, offline marketing, and planting seeds today that continue generating results for decades. Whether you run an eCommerce business or any customer-focused brand, these timeless marketing lessons can help you create campaigns people actually remember. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/35fj3upz Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
#646
July 31 · 26 min
What Happened to Mike Jackness from eCom Crew?
What happens when a successful eCommerce entrepreneur decides to walk away from it all? After spending more than a decade building eCommerce brands and co-founding one of the industry's best-known communities, Mike Jackness made the surprising decision to leave it all behind and start again from scratch. In this episode, he shares why he stepped away, the personal and professional factors behind his decision, and what he learned from building an entirely new business around YouTube. Listen in to learn how Mike transformed a passion for Las Vegas into a thriving content business, what has been the biggest driver of YouTube growth, and the lessons eCommerce owners can apply to their own brands. You'll hear about the realities of running an Amazon business with shrinking margins, how audience feedback shaped his content strategy, the importance of building a personality-led brand, and why YouTube presents one of the biggest untapped opportunities for eCommerce businesses today. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/4ktujvur Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
#645
July 24 · 16 min
Dial In Your Strength Training and Make It Stick
What if getting stronger had less to do with motivation and more to do with building a routine that actually fits your life? In this episode, I'm sharing the practical lessons I have learned after nearly three years of consistent strength training. You'll discover why chasing the "perfect" workout is often the biggest obstacle to long-term success, how to create a sustainable routine around your schedule, and why small changes can lead to better consistency, productivity, and overall wellbeing. I'll also break down the workout structure that's worked best for me, explain how to balance variety with measurable progress, and share simple strategies for staying on track while travelling or juggling a busy family life. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to improve your energy, or simply trying to build healthier habits that stick, this episode offers realistic advice for creating a fitness routine you can maintain for years—not just weeks. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/532p222w Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
#644
July 17 · 54 min
The Archetype eCom Business? Diving into ROAD iD with Edward Wimmer IV
How can you build an eCommerce business that lasts for decades, not just the next algorithm update? In this episode, Edward Wimmer IV, co-founder of ROAD iD, shares how a near-fatal accident inspired a business that's now helped save lives while growing into a thriving eight-figure brand. You'll hear how he and his father started the company from a basement with two credit cards, why purpose has been the foundation of every decision they've made, and how staying focused on serving customers has created a business built for the long term. Edward also breaks down why word-of-mouth remains the most powerful marketing strategy in eCommerce, what drives repeat purchases, and why building genuine human connections beats relying solely on paid advertising. From creative packaging and storytelling to brand building, category creation, and scaling profitably with a low average order value, this episode is packed with practical lessons for entrepreneurs who want to build businesses that customers genuinely love. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/4zj7zfu9 Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
#643
July 10 · 44 min
Integrator Hiring, Meta Issues & Staying Sane Through a Revenue Slump
How do you operate a business when things start to get tough? In this episode, Matt Snow, co-founder of Boredwalk.com, shares two hard-earned lessons from running a fast-growing eCommerce business with his wife. If you've struggled to delegate, scale operations, or find an integrator who can truly own the day-to-day, listen in to hear what worked, what didn't, and why relying on "good vibes" alone can be a costly mistake. Matt also opens up about the six-year journey to finally hiring the right operations leader after multiple failed attempts (including the exact hiring framework that changed everything) and the challenges his business faced after major Meta platform changes disrupted performance during an otherwise explosive growth period. You'll hear what happened behind the scenes, how attribution changes affected eCommerce brands, why advertisers became frustrated with Meta's lack of transparency, and how Matt is responding. Don't miss this candid look at the emotional side of entrepreneurship, including the stress, uncertainty, and loss of control that many founders experience but rarely discuss openly. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/5n8yeuz6 Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
#642
July 3 · 20 min
What 60+ High-Revenue Owners Taught Me about Business (Rerun)
What really separates eight- and nine-figure eCommerce businesses from everyone else? Today, we are revisiting one of my favorite episodes from earlier this year, where I unpack the biggest takeaways from eComm Camp, our annual gathering of founders running 8-figure businesses. Looking back, these lessons feel just as relevant today, and I wanted to bring them back for anyone who missed them the first time around. Listen in to learn why I don't believe there are secret tactics behind eight- and nine-figure success, why the best founders stay closely connected to their businesses, and how long-term commitment creates a powerful competitive advantage. You'll also hear my thoughts on why community is becoming a genuine business asset, why getting into the right market early matters, and what is becoming one of the biggest drivers of sustainable growth. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3pt479ks Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
#641
June 26 · 45 min
Investing 95% of Profits Outside Your Business - Case Study with Michael Jelliff
If your eCommerce store shut down tomorrow, how long could you survive on everything else you've built? In this episode, Michael Jelliff, owner of Geekstands.com, reveals how he built one of the leanest, most profitable eCommerce operations around (an intentionally small, three-person team that throws off serious cash) and then did something most founders don't: pulled nearly all of it out and invested it elsewhere. Listen in as Mike shares the experience that shaped his entire financial philosophy, how he thinks about diversifying profits into both public and private markets, and why his passive investments now generate more income than his eCommerce business. You'll also hear his 12-year-old pricing formula that keeps him at a 99% in-stock rate, how he manages pricing across 11 marketplaces, and what he's weighing as he considers whether to sell the business entirely. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mru8e8em Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
#640
June 19 · 44 min
Inside the US-Made Textile Brand, Swaddelini
What does it take to build a manufacturing brand from scratch with your own machines, your own team, and your own two hands? In this episode, Liz Hilton, inventor, founder, and owner of Swaddelini, shares how she turned a sleepless night as a new mom into a US-made baby swaddle brand powered by 3D knit technology. Listen in as Liz shares the wild ride of going viral on TikTok, doubling capacity at the wrong time, and watching sales drop by nearly 50% before bouncing back stronger than ever. She unpacks eight months of traditional PR, firing her marketing agency over a disconnected Google Tag, and partnering with a programmer who now runs her paid ads with a custom attribution model she actually trusts. Plus, you'll get the story behind Holding Mother, her long-form documentary reframing the postpartum experience, and why she believes the best marketing is simply showing up for moms. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/n2yww3xr Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
June 12 · 48 min
Getting YouTube Ads Right in 2026
Is YouTube the most underrated paid channel for eCommerce brands right now? In this episode, I sit down with Brett Curry, founder of OMG Commerce, to break down exactly how seven- and eight-figure brands should be thinking about YouTube ads. Brett has been running YouTube campaigns for top D2C brands for years, and he reveals why YouTube looks terrible in most reporting tools… and why it's still absolutely worth the investment. Listen in as Brett goes deeper on what a winning YouTube ad actually looks like, why the homepage often outperforms the product page for cold traffic, and how creative fatigue on YouTube compares to Meta. You'll also hear his takes on Google Shopping and Amazon in 2026, why branded search spend may be costing you more than it's worth, and how OMG uses geo holdouts and incrementality testing to prove what's actually working and not just what looks good on a dashboard. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/4sufbwdk Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
June 5 · 26 min
Optimizing Your Three Most Powerful Profit Levers – Financial Mastery Commandment # 3 (Rerun)
What would happen if you woke up tomorrow and were suddenly taxed an extra 33% on every dollar of profit your business produced? In this rerun episode, I break down why that scenario isn't far off from what many founders are already doing, simply by failing to optimize their pricing, overhead, and after-tax income. Listen in as I walk through the three profit levers that matter most, why they drive more impact than almost anything else you can do, and how they can meaningfully increase your net income without hiring more people or scaling harder. You'll hear real examples from the eCommerceFuel community, data from the Trends Report, and practical steps you can take right now to strengthen your margins, streamline your operations, and dramatically improve your after-tax results. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/z984zhyt Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
May 29 · 52 min
Tiny Team, Huge Margins, Raving Fans - Lessons from a Decade of Building Metorik
What does it take to build a highly profitable software company without venture capital, a massive team, or endless scaling pressure? In this episode, Bryce Adams, founder of Metorik, unpacks how he built a successful business serving thousands of Shopify and WooCommerce stores… with a team of just four people. Listen in as Bryce shares his philosophy around building lean, sustainable businesses that prioritize profitability, customer experience, and long-term thinking over rapid growth at all costs. You'll learn how Metorik approaches customer support, AI adoption, documentation, product quality, pricing, and paid acquisition, along with Bryce's views on the future of WooCommerce, Shopify, and eCommerce software. This episode is packed with practical insights for founders looking to build better businesses with more focus, intentionality, and freedom. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/5xtsdurp Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
May 22 · 21 min
Rethinking the EA Hire I Was So Sure About
What happens when the systems and people you thought would solve your problems… stop fitting the season you're in? In this episode, I share an honest follow-up on hiring (and eventually parting ways with) my executive assistant after nearly two years. I break down what worked, what quietly fell apart over time, and why AI is starting to change the equation for founders trying to delegate effectively. You'll learn where an EA can create massive leverage and how leadership, communication, and motivation matter far more than most people realize. I also reflect on something bigger that's been hitting me lately: the people building major brands and successful companies aren't superheroes. They're ordinary people who kept showing up long enough to create something meaningful. Through stories about founders I've watched grow from scrappy beginners into nationally recognized entrepreneurs, this episode explores what it really means to build, lead, and figure things out as you go. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/565x6cut Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
May 15 · 22 min
I Almost Hired an Editor-in-Chief. I Built One Instead.
What happens when a business owner spends 40 hours building their own AI-powered workflow system instead of hiring another employee? In this episode, I share what I learned after diving deep into Claude Code and building a custom content operations platform designed to streamline idea capture, content creation, scheduling, analytics, and workflow management. You'll learn how AI coding tools are changing the way founders operate, why business owners need to become fluent in AI workflows, and how custom-built systems can dramatically improve efficiency, quality, and consistency. Listen in to hear about the practical realities of building with AI, including the costs, mistakes, mindset shifts, and workflows that helped me move faster. I also talk about why trust is becoming one of the biggest barriers to using AI effectively, how I trained tools to better reflect my voice and ideas, and why I believe the future of teams will revolve around people who are either exceptional with people… or exceptional with AI. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2p2ykxb8 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.
May 8 · 22 min
Why I've Given Up on SEO
Is SEO actually dead this time, or are we just watching it slowly lose relevance? In this episode, I'll share why I officially stopped investing in SEO after building multiple businesses on it for over a decade. You'll learn what's changed in the search landscape, why organic traffic is declining for even experienced operators, and how crowded search results have made it harder than ever to win meaningful traffic. I also break down real data from seven- and eight-figure store owners, showing where traffic is actually coming from today and what channels are outperforming SEO. Listen in to hear where to focus now and how to rethink long-term growth strategies in a world where attention is shifting away from traditional search. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/y3bzr9rx 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.
May 1 · 53 min
Why You Can't Trust Shopify's Sales Numbers — and More with Drew Fallon on Ecom Finance
Do you know where your money is really going? In this episode, I sit down with Drew Fallon, founder of Iris, to break down the financial realities behind growing a brand. If you're in that mid-7-figure range or pushing toward $10M+, this is where things start to get complex—and where small mistakes get expensive fast. You'll learn what really happens behind the scenes of finance planning and analysis, the biggest mistakes brands make when it comes to contribution margin, and why so many businesses think they're profitable when they're not. Listen in as we unpack what Drew is seeing across real brand data, from overhead quietly eating into profits to margin compression across channels like Amazon. We also talk about what separates brands that scale profitably (and even take dividends) from those that stall, plus the smartest financing options available right now. And don't miss hearing how AI is changing bookkeeping and forecasting, as well as what we consider one of the most important foundations for growth at any stage. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3jatfe5s 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.
April 24 · 21 min
Lessons from eCom Camp, Our Event for High Revenue Owners
What do high-revenue eCommerce founders actually talk about when they get in a room together—and what can you learn from it? In this episode, you'll get real, behind-the-scenes insights from the 5th annual eCom Camp, where some of the most successful operators share what's actually driving growth today. Listen in to learn why business size is becoming a powerful advantage, how community is quietly driving massive growth, and why staying close to the details still matters. You'll hear the lessons that don't always get shared publicly, including why playing the long game is critical, how being early can create outsized opportunities, and what separates businesses that scale from those that stall. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2cjpanad 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.
April 17 · 30 min
Nuanced Takeaways from the Trends Report
What are the biggest hidden shifts happening inside seven- and eight-figure businesses right now, and how are they changing the way companies grow, hire, and manage money? In this episode, you'll learn key insights from a large-scale industry trends report built from 300+ high-performing brands, breaking down the real operational and financial changes shaping the industry. From business model evolution to the impact of tariffs, I'll unpack what's actually driving performance behind the scenes. Listen in to learn what businesses did when tariffs hit, why hiring became the number one struggle across industries, and how operational pressure is forcing founders to rethink how they structure their teams, warehouses, and cash flow. Most importantly, you'll hear why financial fluency is becoming a critical advantage for business owners and how taking money out of your business strategically can actually support long-term, sustainable growth. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3mudzkwx 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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