From Near Death Experience to One of the Coolest Products I’ve Ever Seen
Release Date: 05/09/2025
The Blessing and Curse of a Hero SKU: Lessons from Building Animalhouse Fitness
eComFuel
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...
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Crafting Comp Plans, Building a Network of Manufacturing Partners & Vintage 4x4 Rigs
eComFuel
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...
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The Forgotten Ad Channel Quietly Delivering 4x-10x ROAS
eComFuel
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...
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Stealing eCom Marketing Playbooks for Short-Term Rentals
eComFuel
From real estate tax strategies to custom guest books to leaky ice maker lines, this episode covers it all. Today I'm riding solo to share why—despite all the horror stories—I decided to launch my first Airbnb and how I’m approaching it like any other high-performing business owner. Listen in as I break down the full setup process, including sourcing a trustworthy co-host, AI-assisted marketing, home automation tools, and the long-term vision behind the property. You’ll also hear why this project is about more than ROI, as well as why a physical, branded experience can be just as...
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Prioritizing AI Investments + Sora 2
eComFuel
Feeling behind on AI? You’re not alone. With new tools launching almost daily, it’s easy to get overwhelmed—or worse, stuck in inaction. But if you’re running a 7- or 8-figure brand, understanding how to integrate AI into your business is no longer optional. So in this solo episode, I’m diving deep into how to effectively leverage AI in your business. Listen in as I share why having a clear roadmap and getting personally involved in your AI journey is essential. You’ll also hear why automation should start with repetitive, back-office tasks and expand into personalized...
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Top Takeaways from ECF Live 2025
eComFuel
From lessons on leadership and scaling strategies to an incredible talk about vulnerability as an entrepreneur, this year’s ECF Live had it all. In this episode, I’m joined by longtime co-host and community member Bill D’Alessandro to recap our 10th annual event—this time hosted in Bozeman, Montana. Listen in as we share standout talks, reflect on the energy and evolution of the ECF community, and laugh our way through some unexpected moments (including the hardest speaker slot in history). From deeply vulnerable founder stories to breakout sessions on automation, international hiring,...
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Rules for Prioritizing Business and Life When You’re Struggling to Fit It All In
eComFuel
Ever feel like life keeps throwing curveballs just when you think you’re caught up? In this solo episode, I reflect on the emotional aftermath of ECF Live in Bozeman and share how I’m wrestling with priorities in a world that never seems to slow down. Listen in as I explore how to triage time as a founder, walk through the five core responsibilities of a CEO, and open up about scheduling challenges, mental load, and the tension between aspiration and reality. From honest reflections on burnout to practical tips for intentional planning, this is a vulnerable, tactical look at what it means...
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Made in America: Growing FilterBuy.com Into a $250 Million Business (Rerun)
eComFuel
Ever wonder if you can truly compete with overseas manufacturing from right here in the U.S.? In this rerun episode, I sit 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 network. We also dive into his early bets on Amazon, his...
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Rethinking AI, Ad Spend & Growth Strategy as a Founder
eComFuel
Ever wonder how founders are actually using AI in their businesses—and in their lives—without getting lost in the hype? In this episode, I’m joined by Adam Callinan, founder of Pentane, to talk about how he’s thinking differently about AI, growth, and performance in both business and life. Listen in as we dig into how AI is changing the SaaS founder experience, how to approach Q4 ad strategy rationally, and how to identify the invisible relationships in your marketing data. Plus, Adam shares what it’s like working with a coach, how that’s shaping his performance, and how he's...
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Favorite Business Books, Influencers Ruining the Internet & Wealth Managers
eComFuel
What do Palm Springs hot tubs, a six-month influencer experiment, and a stack of business books have in common? In this month’s State of Play episode, I sit down with long-time friend and community member Bill D’Alessandro to unpack the latest in founder life, marketing trends, and entrepreneurial insights. Listen in as we reflect on the return of eComm Camp in 2026, share lessons from recent vacations with kids, and debate the state of influencer marketing. We also cover wealth management strategies, social content experiments, and what’s currently on our reading lists. You can find...
info_outlineHave 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 creating heirloom-quality products, and why personal passion can fuel a business in surprising ways. Plus, Ben opens up about designing a life that balances travel, freedom, and meaningful work, all sparked by a moment at 30,000 feet that changed everything.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/4jOKkMl
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