Podcast
eComFuel Podcast
Hosted by Andrew Youderian | e-Commerce Entrepreneur · EN
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.
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Rethinking the EA Hire I Was So Sure About
2w ago00:21:05Tap to summarizeWhat 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.
Transcribe →I Almost Hired an Editor-in-Chief. I Built One Instead.
3w ago00:22:33Tap to summarizeWhat 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.
Transcribe →Why I've Given Up on SEO
May 800:22:41Tap to summarizeIs 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.
Transcribe →Why You Can't Trust Shopify's Sales Numbers — and More with Drew Fallon on Ecom Finance
May 100:53:09Tap to summarizeDo 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.
Transcribe →Lessons from eCom Camp, Our Event for High Revenue Owners
Apr 2400:21:05Tap to summarizeWhat 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.
Transcribe →Nuanced Takeaways from the Trends Report
Apr 1700:30:19Tap to summarizeWhat 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.
Transcribe →eComFuel Trends Report Top Takeaways
Apr 1000:23:34Tap to summarizeWhat are the fastest-growing eCommerce brands actually doing behind the scenes, and how do you know if your business is on the right track? In this episode, I'm breaking down insights from a massive industry trends report built from 300 seven- and eight-figure brands. You'll learn what's working, what's not, and the benchmarks you should be paying attention to when it comes to growth, margins, and marketing performance. Listen in as I dive into the reality of paid traffic in today's market, why nearly every brand is investing in ads, and how rising competition is impacting profitability. I also cover which platforms are dominating (and why), the real pros and cons of selling on Amazon, and how AI adoption is shaping the future of eCommerce. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2er2z54j 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.
Transcribe →Is AI Actually Costing You Money?
Apr 300:13:16Tap to summarizeIs AI actually improving your business, or is it just something everyone feels like they should be using? In this episode, I talk about what I'm seeing with AI in my own business, how companies are adopting it, and what business owners should really be thinking about before jumping into every new AI tool that comes out. AI is changing quickly, and while adoption is growing fast, the return on investment isn't always clear yet—especially for small businesses. Listen in to learn where AI is actually being used in businesses today, why customer service adoption is still low, and which age groups are using AI the most. I also talk about why small businesses need to be careful about where they invest time and money into AI, and why having a high bar for implementation is important if you want to streamline and grow your business. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/4evn265b 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.
Transcribe →Building A $10M+ Brand by Doing What Others Won't
Mar 2701:07:55Tap to summarizeWhat does it actually take to grow a product business to eight figures? In this episode, Kareem Raslan, Co-Founder of BrainGain, shares how he built an adjustable dumbbell company into an eight-figure business in just five years. The secret? Focusing on supply chain optimization, conversion rates, profitability, and doing the hard things most founders avoid. Listen in to learn how Kareem balanced building a business while working in banking, why making the first order profitable is critical, how to increase conversion rates, and how to expand into international markets like the UK and Europe. We also discuss finding your competitive advantage, choosing the right 3PL partner, using customer surveys to improve your business, and why focusing on the highest-impact activities is one of the most important skills a business owner can develop. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mu697n6h 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.
Transcribe →Running an 8-Figure Business with Four People
Mar 2000:48:53Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to build an eight-figure product company with a team of just four people? In this episode, Reed Schmidt, Creative Director of Guava Family, explains how intentional product design and a relentless focus on solving real problems for parents helped fuel the company's rapid growth. Reed also pulls back the curtain on the systems and mindset that allow the company to stay lean while successfully scaling. Listen in to learn how the team went through dozens of prototypes before launching a product, how they use AI to create branding imagery and creative assets, and why they view marketing agencies as execution partners rather than drivers of strategy. You'll hear insights on mentorship, the discipline required to grow a business, and why focusing on what you won't do can be just as important as deciding what you will do. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/uc2r6aex 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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