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 a seven-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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.