The Unfiltered Truth About Marketing Agencies: Why Most Are Terrible And How to Find the Few Worth Hiring
Release Date: 04/18/2025
Planning Epic Team Retreats
eComFuel
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). Listen in as I walk through our retreat schedule—from soaking in cliffside hot springs and taking a taco tour to having deep team conversations about AI and productivity. I talk about why your...
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Inside the ECF Rebrand: Is Hiring a Fancy Branding Agency Worth the Cost?
eComFuel
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 in as I walk through the process of selecting a branding agency, navigating feedback and revisions, and rolling out our new visual identity across all touchpoints. I share honest reflections...
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Save Your Margins: Pricing & Profit Optimization for Tariff-Impacted Businesses
eComFuel
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 tune in. Listen in as Drew breaks down how AI is reshaping eCommerce, from hyper-personalized site experiences to margin-aware merchandising strategies. We also talk about the difference between...
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Why Burning Down and Rebuilding Their Business Helped Swift Industries Win
eComFuel
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. Listen in as she talks through the high-stakes decision to downsize, the systems that made it possible, and how she rebuilt the business around brand, joy, and simplicity. We also explore the...
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Bill Sells His Company and Interesting Places to Invest Money
eComFuel
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 decision to divest a portfolio of brands and go all-in on one, how the acquisition unfolded, and why he’s now leading corporate development for a private equity-backed pet brand platform....
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Made in America: Growing FilterBuy.com Into a $250 Million Business
eComFuel
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-engineered a product line that could thrive domestically, why logistics are his real competitive advantage, and how he scaled from a rough startup phase to a massive manufacturing and distribution...
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From Near Death Experience to One of the Coolest Products I’ve Ever Seen
eComFuel
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 shares how he went from burnout to sabbatical to founding a unique business that crafts hand-carved stone sculptures of iconic mountains. We talk about the importance of fair trade, the joy of...
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Can Tariffs Lead to Higher Margins for U.S. Sellers?
eComFuel
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 for domestic sellers. Listen in as we break down how fraud, loopholes, and uneven enforcement have hurt U.S. businesses - and how the new regulations might shift the balance. Aaron also shares the...
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De Minimis Reform, 2nd Order Tariff Implications & New LLM Capabilities
eComFuel
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 for sellers like us. Listen in as we explore how tariffs are driving supply chain shifts, the potential of AI to replace roles in your business, and why manufacturing might return to the U.S.—but...
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The Unfiltered Truth About Marketing Agencies: Why Most Are Terrible And How to Find the Few Worth Hiring
eComFuel
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 relationships. Listen in as we discuss Kevin’s wild background (you won’t believe the stories behind his “Two Truths and a Lie”), his experience scaling top-tier DTC brands like Vuori, and...
info_outlineDo 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 relationships.
Listen in as we discuss Kevin’s wild background (you won’t believe the stories behind his “Two Truths and a Lie”), his experience scaling top-tier DTC brands like Vuori, and his honest thoughts on how agency fee structures should work. We also cover how to vet an agency, why most are bad, how to set expectations, and how AI is radically transforming the paid ad game behind the scenes.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3EjOxZq
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