The Ecomcrew Ecommerce Podcast

Florence Morin shares her journey from a math teacher and engineer to a successful art educator. Learn how she uses authenticity, targeted marketing, and smart strategies to build a scalable business that aligns passion with profit. In this episode, Dave delves into the entrepreneurial journey of Florence Morin, who transformed her passion for art into a thriving business. She combines digital courses with small physical products to build her million dollar business with a recurring revenue model. If you're interested in making money without buying inventory, this episode is perfect for you. Timestamps 00:00 - Florence's art business and background 00:45 - How Florence runs her business 01:41 - Business revenue 02:49 - Business growth and team dynamics 03:25 - Transitioning to recurring revenue 03:44 - Her business' logistics plan 04:35 - Innovating with small physical products 05:23 - Entrepreneurial journey during COVID 06:09 - Florence's career path and founding story 07:12 - Early ventures and market fit lessons 08:32 - Experimenting with ebooks and trade shows 10:50 - Learning sales skills from conventions 12:14 - Exploring dropshipping and Facebook ads 13:40 - Overcoming dropshipping challenges 14:38 - Online drawing education through webinars 16:00 - Building an audience with Facebook Live 17:02 - Basics of ad targeting for beginners 18:23 - Cost-effective ad campaigns during COVID 19:53 - Scaling workshops to large audiences 21:18 - Aligning offers with customer trust 22:35 - Structuring magazine and course upsells 23:36 - Engaging through live online events 24:25 - Transitioning from free to premium content 26:45 - Using physical products to introduce digital education 28:34 - Targeting different artist skill levels 30:18 - Scaling teaching and content creation with a team 32:44 - Maintaining authenticity in branding 34:51 - Replicating the model across niches 37:33 - Challenges of social media reliance 41:04 - Measuring ad performance and customer value 44:44 - Creating effective sales pages 45:44 - Extending business reach online Resources Flo Morin's Facebook Page Florence Morin's Instagram

Dave dives into the latest strategies for Amazon listing image optimization, A/B testing, and AI-driven Amazon listing images with Michael Shackleford, a former EcomCrew Premium member and SaaS owner. They share what they've learned works best on Amazon. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and Michael's e-commerce journey from poker to Amazon seller 00:18 - How poker shares mental models with online selling 00:56 - The risk and reward in gambling versus Amazon 2:20 - The importance of AI in Amazon image creation in 2026 2:29 - Do's and don'ts for Amazon main gallery images today 3:08 - How to test variations of main images effectively 3:37 - Creative ideas for image variations: packaging, lifestyle, environment 4:59 - Flexibility in Amazon's white background rule and embellishments 6:29 - Optimal image resolution and size considerations 7:10 - Mobile optimization and best practices 8:14 - The effectiveness of Amazon Manage My Experiments vs. third-party polling tools 9:16 - Strategies for high-ticket product testing with limited traffic 10:37 - Manual image switching schedule for more reliable tests 12:11 - Using PPC data to measure image performance 13:20 - The versatility of Prolific for custom surveys 14:08 - Secondary images: core types and customer objection handling 15:45 - Designing mobile-friendly, visual answer images 17:09 - Diminishing returns of lower-positioned listing images 19:09 - Image order placement for maximum impact 20:10 - Avoiding poor-quality images 21:14 - Tips for avoiding AI-generated "slop" 22:10 - The myth of JSON prompts 23:58 - Crafting effective prompts for product scenes 25:00 - Why reference images are important 26:32 - Issues with AI-generated images 28:53 - Ensuring realistic human figures 30:45 - Photoshop's new AI capabilities 31:26 - Introduction to generupt.com 34:10 - Gathering market data with extensions 37:11 - Staying ahead in Amazon Resources & Links generupt.com Prolific A/B testing tool Photoshop Firefly AI GPT Image 2 (search for latest tools) Market analysis & review scraping extension

Dave breaks down the recent wins for e-commerce sellers: tariff refunds now being available and Amazon rolling back their credit card policy changes. He talks about why this is a bigger deal than it seems to be, how you as an e-commerce seller can start claiming your tariff refunds, and what this means for sellers moving forward. Sellers have gotten the biggest wins in the past week. First, Amazon sellers have managed to get Amazon to take back their credit card policy changes where Amazon would not allow sellers to pay for advertising with their credit cards. Second, e-commerce sellers are now able to start collecting their tariff refunds after the tariffs were ruled illegal by the Supreme Court. In this episode, Dave walks through how you can collect your tariff refunds from the US government and breaks down Amazon's response to the sellers who were organizing a protest. Timestamps 00:00 - Recent big wins for Amazon and e-commerce sellers 00:58 - How to claim tariff refunds 03:08 - The problem with the tariff refunds 04:33 - The refund process and timing 05:30 - Why the US government moved fast to reimburse tariffs 06:26 - My previous experience getting audited by the CBP 12:40 - Amazon's policy change on credit card payments for advertising 13:10 - Seller backlash and protest on April 15th 14:38 - Amazon's PR response 16:31 - The importance of seller organization and collective action 17:29 - How seller protests influenced Amazon's messaging 19:23 - Final thoughts on organizing and pushing for e-commerce seller rights Resources & Links Quiet Light Brokerage ACE CBP System

Dave dives into Amazon's updated policies that threaten sellers' credit card points and cash flow, including changes to DD7 payment terms. He shares tips on how to stay afloat amidst these challenges like getting a line of credit, and possibly using DDP shipping to get favorable terms for your next order of inventory. Key Topics How Amazon's new policies on ad payments and DD7 impact cash flow How you can increase credit limits and ad spending thresholds Why you should apply for lines of credit and negotiate payment terms with suppliers Tactical steps to optimize cash flow, including invoice payments and DDP shipping advantages The ongoing black market for seeded Amazon accounts tied to fraud schemes The importance of preserving cash flow for business sustainability Timestamps 00:00 - Amazon's new policies threatening seller cash flow 00:57 - The potential rollout of restricted credit card payments for ads 3:10 - Comparing Google/Facebook policies to Amazon's upcoming changes 4:09 - The glimmer of hope: Amazon offering alternative payments 6:29 - Why ad spend is important for Amazon's shareholders 6:56 - Why a decrease in ad spend could influence policy adjustments 7:56 - The role of invoice payments as a temporary cash flow solution 8:24 - How to request credit limit increases and their benefits 12:45 - The challenges faced with DD7 14:06 - Why Amazon pushed for DD7 16:02 - Fraud on Amazon Resources & Links: Quiet Light Brokerage

In this episode, we dive into the reliability of the two biggest Amazon SaaS tools - Helium 10 and Jungle Scout. We explore how close these tools come to actual Amazon data and discuss what sellers should keep in mind when using these tools for product research and estimating sales. Timestamps 00:00 - Amazon keyword and sales data tools 00:57 - Why its hard to rely on brand analytics alone 1:21 - How data was collected from three different brands and categories 2:19 - Methodology for comparing keyword search volume 4:42 - Keyword volume discrepancies 5:56 - Overall variance: Jungle Scout vs. Helium 10 accuracy 6:08 - Verifying Helium 10 data and common data interpretation issues 7:03 - Limitations of Helium 10's dashboard and metrics interpretation 8:03 - Possible reasons for Helium 10's inaccuracies 9:00 - Brand analytics data vs. third-party tools 12:21 - Amazon's own sales estimates and their reliability 13:15 - Price comparison: Helium 10 vs. Jungle Scout 14:13 - Alternative affordable tools like Seller Sprite and their usefulness 15:11 - Final thoughts Resources Helium 10 Jungle Scout Seller Sprite Quiet Light Brokerage As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested. Don't forget to leave us a review over on iTunes if you enjoy content like this. Happy selling and we'll talk to you soon!

In this episode, Dave dives into how he uses the newest trend in AI: OpenClaw. Dave specifically talks about how he uses it in his business, how you can set it up for your business, and what you need to keep in mind. Thinking about taking some risk off the table? Or are you looking at taking an extended break from e-commerce in general? Know what your e-commerce business is worth with Quiet Light Brokerage. OpenClaw is the newest trend right now all over the internet. They are essentially an AI agent that lives on your computer, and your files are its playground. But how useful can it be for your e-commerce business? In this episode, Dave dives into OpenClaw; how to get it installed in your computer, the things you need to keep in mind when using OpenClaw, and how Dave uses it in his business. Note: As OpenClaw is still early in its development, many tips are based on recent experience and might evolve over time. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to OpenClaw 02:17 - What exactly is OpenClaw? 03:41 - Why use a dedicated computer for OpenClaw? 05:02 - How Dave sets up my OpenClaw server 06:01 - Installing OpenClaw 07:29 - Controlling OpenClaw 08:56 - How OpenClaw works 11:16 - Practical use cases 14:06 - Automating logging 15:31 - Workflow automation 16:26 - Limitations 19:24 - Automating outreach and follow-ups 20:51 - Tips on configuration 23:47 - The evolving memory of OpenClaw 26:48 - When to develop custom apps vs. OpenClaw 29:43 - Final thoughts: Is OpenClaw right for your business? Resources Mentioned Quiet Light Brokerage OpenClaw Zapier Replit Cursor

Dave talks about his experience sneaking into Alibaba's headquarters in Hangzhou, China, delving into its history, operations, and the broader Chinese e-commerce landscape. He also shares insights on Alibaba's innovation, working conditions, and the rise of Chinese e-commerce brands, contrasting them with Western markets. Thinking about taking some risk off the table? Or are you looking at taking an extended break from e-commerce in general? Know what your e-commerce business is worth with Quiet Light Brokerage. I screwed up. I was scheduled to go to one of Amazon's biggest conferences in China but there was one big problem. I got the dates wrong. Their security guards were doing their job and I couldn't sneak my way into the conference despite having a ticket to the conference the day after. So what do I do? I snuck into Alibaba instead, like any normal person. In this episode, I talk about the things I saw while sneaking into the Alibaba HQ in Hangzhou, China. I learned how Alibaba's working conditions look like, how Alibaba grows their local brands, and how any mention of Jack Ma got erased from Alibaba. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and Conference Mishap 01:27 - Visit to Alibaba's Headquarters 02:13 - Background on Alibaba and Chinese E-commerce 03:40 - Alibaba's Evolution and Market Dominance 05:32 - Taobao vs Amazon: The Largest E-commerce Platform 07:30 - Jack Ma's Influence and Controversy 09:25 - Inside Alibaba's Modern Headquarters 10:52 - Language and Leadership at Alibaba 12:47 - Jack Ma's Public Silence and Censorship 15:06 - Working Conditions in China 17:32 - Alibaba's E-commerce Incubator and Innovation 19:50 - Chinese E-commerce Brands and Innovation 21:40 - Cultural Insights and Social Media in China 23:07 - Elon Musk's Popularity in China Resources Mentioned Quiet Light Brokerage Alibaba Official Website Taobao Jack Ma Elon Musk As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested. Don't forget to leave us a review over on iTunes if you enjoy content like this. Happy selling and we'll talk to you soon!

In this episode, Steve talks about the 3 ways he grew his business with AI and how both Steve and Dave currently integrate AI in their e-commerce businesses to improve their Shopify stores. They talk about how AI can enhance on-site search, improve product recommendations, identify B2B customers, and maybe even improve customer support. Steve Chou from My Wife Quit Her Job is back on the podcast! He's on the podcast to talk about how he incorporates AI into his e-commerce business, how he created custom plugins specifically, and the projects he's working on to increase revenue in his business. If you're looking into ways you can diversify outside of Amazon, this episode is for you. Sign up for Seller's Summit and catch Mike and Dave in person! You'll be part of an intimate Mastermind session, attending interesting talks with practical strategies and you get to catch up with Mike and Dave in person. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to AI in E-commerce 02:59 - Understanding Traffic Sources and Sales 06:11 - Enhancing On-Site Search with AI 08:54 - Leveraging AI for Product Recommendations 11:53 - Identifying B2B Customers with AI 14:48 - The Future of Customer Support with AI 18:07 - AI's Impact on Amazon and E-commerce 21:08 - Conclusion and Seller Summit Details As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested. Don't forget to leave us a review over on iTunes if you enjoy content like this. Happy selling and we'll talk to you soon!

Dave talks about his experience from attending Affiliate World Asia, and highlights how a lot of affiliate marketers are moving towards e-commerce due to the challenges in their industry. He talks about the differences between affiliate and e-commerce entrepreneurs, their odd advertising strategies, and some of the concerning things he saw at Affiliate World Asia. Dave recently attended Affiliate World Asia in Bangkok back in December, and what he saw there was interesting, to say the least. There were a lot of affiliate marketers recommending to move to e-commerce and a lot of suspicious and black hat strategies being peddled to the masses. In this episode, he covers everything he observed while also having a run in with the Chinese Mafia. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Affiliate World Asia 02:14 - Differences Between Affiliate and E-commerce Entrepreneurs 05:58 - Affiliate Marketing Strategies in E-commerce 09:51 - Innovative Advertising Techniques 12:17 - Ethical Concerns in Affiliate Marketing 14:36 - A Run-in with the Chinese Mafia As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!

Amazon software has changed a lot recently. AI tools, reimbursement services, and product launch software have all been affected in the past year with Amazon suddenly introducing their own tools and undercutting these services. Grab a chance to win an annual membership to Ecomcrew Premium by voting for your favorite Amazon software tools here! The Big Takeaway Amazon software has gone through some massive changes this year. Helium 10's affiliate program has eliminated lifetime commissions. Jungle Scout has shifted focus to enterprise customers. Amazon's new reimbursement policies have greatly affected third-party reimbursement services. Chinese software tools are becoming more competitive in the market. AI integration in Amazon tools is still limited. With growing competition, the software space is becoming commoditized with lower prices. There is also a growing trend of rebate services returning to the market. Timestamps 00:00 - The State of Amazon Software in 2025 05:00 - Helium 10's Affiliate Program Changes 10:04 - Jungle Scout's Shift to Enterprise 15:06 - Amazon's New Reimbursement Policies 16:41 - The Rise of Chinese Software Tools As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!

Dave discusses the recent IPO and earnings of Pattern Group, the biggest Amazon seller in the world. He highlights their significant losses and unique business model as exclusive brand partners for big brands like Pandora. He delves into their financial reports to see if they'll be profitable in the future, using their growth projections. Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard. Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Pattern Group's IPO and Earnings 02:26 - Understanding Pattern Group's Business Model 05:07 - Financial Overview and Profitability Concerns 07:26 - Skepticism Around Pattern's Earnings and Future 09:52 - Revenue Growth and Market Diversification 11:41 - The Role of AI in Pattern's Strategy As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!

Dave reveals what its like working in an Amazon Business based in China, sourced from a Chinese forum. He talks about the differences of the Chinese vs. American e-commerce businesses, and how they structure their businesses by expanding to multiple marketplaces almost immediately. Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard. Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today. There was a recent post on a Chinese discussion board looking for advice. The author recounted all of his previous experiences working at various e-commerce companies that have an Amazon focus and he realized that the Amazon landscape was changing at a pace he couldn't keep up with. This is particularly helpful for us western e-commerce sellers, because it helps us figure out what the Chinese are doing on Amazon that gets their sales high and prices low. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Chinese Amazon Sellers' Insights 03:08 - The Journey of a Chinese Amazon Employee 06:03 - Daily Operations and Responsibilities 08:58 - Promotions and Performance Metrics 11:58 - Challenges and Strategies in Product Management 15:00 - Expansion into Domestic Markets 15:18 - Challenges of Management and Promotion 16:09 - Cultural Differences in Work Ethic 17:33 - Advertising Frameworks and Product Launches 19:37 - Developing a Unique Marketing Strategy 21:29 - Sales Performance and Product Viability 23:05 - Mental Health and Career Stagnation 24:09 - Product Development Challenges 25:44 - Profitability and Product Selection 27:10 - Lessons from the Chinese Market As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!

Dave talks about how the tariffs have impacted his business personally and how he plans to address these challenges. He talks about how you can save your profit margins by manufacturing locally or manufacturing in house (at least by experimenting), and expanding to other marketplaces or countries to save some of that profit margin. Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard. Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today. Tariffs have been a significant cost for Amazon businesses, which have ultimately eaten away at profit margins. Timestamps 00:00 - Navigating Tariffs: An Overview 02:50 - Five-Step Strategy for Local Manufacturing 05:52 - Identifying Products for Local Production 08:54 - Leveraging Technology for Efficient Manufacturing 11:47 - Exploring Chemical Products and Local Manufacturing 14:46 - Advantages of Local Manufacturing in E-commerce 16:52 - Diversifying Markets Beyond the US 21:11 - Strategies for Higher Margins and Payment Terms 24:48 - Navigating Tariffs and Legal Considerations As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!