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 show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4ghpbtz

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In this milestone episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of one of our internal projects: building a brand-new AI bot for the ECF community. Two years ago, we dipped our toes into the AI space with our first attempt… and let’s just say it didn’t quite pan out. But a lot has changed since then. Now that AI is not only more powerful but more accessible, we’ve decided to try again—with clearer goals, a sharper focus, and a commitment to enhancing the member experience rather than replacing the human connection ECF is built on.

Listen in as we talk about what’s changed in the AI space, how we’re thinking about ethics and privacy, and what this new tool is designed to do. (Spoiler: it’s not just another chatbot.) We’re also sharing real use cases where we’ve already integrated AI into the ECF platform, as well as a few thoughts on where AI is not useful and what it all means for future business strategy.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/46bC4Rm

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What do a minimalist fanny pack, the Chicago Cubs, and a powerful moment of self-awareness have in common? In this solo episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal reflection on the end of my gap year, a trip to Chicago with my dad, and what I’m looking forward to as I dive back into work and host the upcoming ECF Live in Bozeman, Montana.

Listen in as I preview the ECF Live agenda and speaker lineup, share highlights from my 2,000-mile road trip, and kick off a new season of Forge What Matters with a vulnerable parenting check-in. From testing out the ultra-minimalist Stash Packable Sling to walking the halls of America’s largest homeless mission, this one’s part travel story, part life update, and part honest reflection on what really matters.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/47tHd9I

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What if the key to explosive growth wasn’t a killer ad strategy, but getting out of DTC entirely? In this episode, I’m joined by Jared Mehr, Sales Director at Pura Vida Bracelets, who helped scale the brand’s wholesale channel to over $35 million a year. Now, he's teaching other eCommerce brands how to win big in wholesale without sacrificing their margins or their sanity.

Listen in as we talk about how Pura Vida went from zero wholesale revenue to landing major accounts like Nordstrom, what most brands get wrong about wholesale, and why it's not just for “big” companies. Jared also shares his playbook for making your brand irresistible to retail buyers, how to prep for trade shows, and the exact tools he recommends to manage wholesale ops.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4oCsDmu

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What happens when one of the most powerful voices in eCommerce sits down for an unfiltered conversation? In this episode, I’m joined by Bobby Morrison, Chief Revenue Officer at Shopify. With decades of experience at the intersection of tech and commerce, he offers a rare inside look at how Shopify is evolving in a world where competition is fierce, margins are tight, and AI is changing everything.

Listen in as we cover the rising pressures facing merchants - from macroeconomic shifts to fee hikes from Amazon, Google, and Meta - and how Shopify plans to help entrepreneurs fight back. Bobby shares insights into the future of AI in eCommerce, the vision behind Sidekick and AI-first work culture at Shopify, and how the platform is navigating marketplace dynamics, brand control, and Plus pricing. We also talk Shop Pay, trade-offs in checkout UX, and the company’s stance on being both infrastructure and a branded touchpoint.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4mruUzt

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What happens when two car lovers bet on themselves—and win? In this episode, I’m joined by Amy and Dan Snyder of SPE Motorsport, the husband-and-wife team turning heads in the Ford performance world. From building their first parts in a garage to developing carbon fiber manifolds and launching a new classic-meets-modern car sales brand, their journey is one of grit, innovation, and a whole lot of horsepower.

Listen in as we talk about the early days of SPE, how Dan taught himself CAD from scratch, and how a risky lease turned into a game-changing move. We also dive into the mindset shifts that helped them scale from $30K to $500K per month, what it took to develop their signature Coyote Carbon Fiber Intake Manifold, and how they're blending iconic cars like the GT40 and Cobra with modern drivability. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a passion into a thriving business, this episode is for you.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4lgmnxG

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What happens when your business hits a wall and the people who helped build it are no longer aligned with where it needs to go? In this episode, I’m joined by Taylor Holiday, CEO of Common Thread Collective, who gets candid about one of the most pivotal seasons in his company’s history.

Listen in as we talk about the difficult transition from an employee-focused to a customer-centric model, how Taylor updated CTC’s values and mission, and the surprising results of that cultural reset. Taylor also shares how he evaluates performance today, how he stays prolific with content, and what lessons he’s carrying forward as a CEO and father.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/45u6mP8

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Is Reddit the most overlooked - and potentially most powerful - marketing platform for eCommerce brands today? This week, I’m joined by my friend Danny Kirk, founder of ReddiReach, to explore the high-risk, high-reward nature of Reddit marketing, why it's different from any other platform, and how generative AI is reshaping how people find and trust brands.

Listen in as we talk about how to market on Reddit without getting roasted, how LLMs are changing search and discovery (and what you can do about it), and why Danny’s company is betting big on GEO - Generative Engine Optimization. We also dive into Danny’s philosophy on productivity, managing team growth, and choosing the right business size for your goals. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a fulfilling business that doesn’t eat your life, this one’s for you.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4fbdgwS

Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.

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