Our founder, Andrew Youderian, ditched his soul-crushing investment banking gig to launch an online CB radio eComm business. Trading spreadsheets for the thrilling world of trucker communications wasn’t the most obvious career pivot, but it set the foundation for everything that followed.

Andrew had accumulated enough battle scars to start a blog sharing the nitty-gritty reality of running a niche online store, and his honest takes struck a chord with other owners.  

The eCommerceFuel private community launched in 2013 with 150 founding members, dedicated to eComm owners helping owners.  Andrew also launched a podcast, channeling his questionable background as a college radio DJ into what would become one of the industry’s longest-running shows.

The inaugural ECF Live event brought 50 members together in Austin, losing money in spectacular fashion but cementing lifelong friendships. That same year, Andrew sold TrollingMotors.net through a publicity-generating reverse auction that was just crazy enough to help put eCommerceFuel on the map.

2016 marked the official transition from store owner to community leader as Andrew sold his last eCommerce business.  In the decade since, he’s launched numerous new ventures (job boards, investment syndicates, an ill-fated seatback organizer brand) but his first love and focus has remained the Community.

Annual month-long sabbaticals became a core benefit for all full-time domestic team members, putting ECF’s money where its mouth was. This wasn’t just about recruitment (although it sure helps!) – it was a public commitment to the radical idea that serious business success doesn’t require sacrificing everything else that matters.  

During COVID, the community became a crisis war room, where some members solicited strategies for managing 10x overnight growth and others got help pivoting their business models.  Perhaps most importantly, it provided a much needed place to vent to other owners who could relate.

ECF launched its 8- and 9-figure owner’s group and the exclusive eComm Camp retreat, creating a dedicated space for larger operators. Rather than walling them off, the approach integrated them into the broader community while also giving them a focused corner to discuss unique challenges.  

Andrew and family embarked on a gap year to focus on international travel, homeschooling, outdoor adventures and extended family time. Being with family 24/7 tested everyone’s sanity at moments, but the experience deepened his resolve to help entrepreneurs build businesses that enable rich lives.

We said farewell to our beloved (but dated) fire-farting shopping cart and rebranded from eCommerceFuel to eComFuel. The change was a much needed facelift that helped modernize the brand and better communicate our mission.

Today’s eComFuel is 1,000 members strong, spanning 39+ countries and collectively generating enough revenue ($13+ billion) to make a small country jealous.  Our forums buzz with 4,000+ monthly contributions, and our events calendar stays packed.  

Translation for you?

When your supply chain implodes or your ad account gets suspended, you’ve got an army of been-there-conquered-that entrepreneurs ready to share their exact playbook. Most importantly, we’re not just scaling businesses; we’re crafting lives worth having along the way. 

Your seat at the table is waiting.