The 2026 eCom Trends Report
Top Report Findings: This is our sixth Trends Report with 300 owners representing $3.5...
Have you ever wondered how to pull off a team retreat that’s actually fun, productive, and builds real connection? After years of trial and error, I’ve finally found a rhythm that works. In this episode, I break down exactly how we designed our recent team retreat in Mexico City, what made it a success, and some of the biggest mistakes I’ve made in the past (think: go-karts and back injuries).
Listen in as I walk through our retreat schedule—from soaking in cliffside hot springs and taking a taco tour to having deep team conversations about AI and productivity. I talk about why your primary focus should not be productivity (even if that’s tough as a founder), why food tours are criminally underrated, and how one cocktail mixing class turned into the most memorable night of the trip. I’ll also share how I prep both myself and the team before the retreat, who I think should get an invite, and why renting an Airbnb beats hotel conference rooms every time.
You’ll learn:
- Why Mexico City made the perfect setting for this year’s team retreat. (1:25)
- The activities that brought the team together. (3:55)
- My top recommendations for planning a meaningful and memorable retreat. (7:35)
- How I prepared ahead of time to spark deeper thinking and better conversations. (10:40)
- Key logistics tips. (16:55)
- Mistakes I’ve made at past retreats—and what I’ll never do again. (20:05)
- Simple ways to foster team connection, gratitude, and shared memories. (23:10)
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(With your host Andrew Youderian of eCommerceFuel.com)
What Was Mentioned
Ideas Worth Sharing:
"Teams that work well together, that trust each other, that like each other—they're just better teams.” - Andrew Youderian Tweet this "The rapport and connection you build with your team, amongst your team members, between you and the people that you lead—it's worth it” - Andrew Youderian Tweet this "If you're a remote team, it is absolutely essential to be doing {a team retreat} at least once a year.” - Andrew Youderian Tweet this
Post by Andrew Youderian
Founder and Chief Instigator, eComFuel
Andrew quit an early finance job to sell CB radios online — an admittedly unorthodox career path. It set him on a course to found and sell multiple businesses, host a decade-running podcast, lecture at Harvard Business School and create eComFuel, the leading community for 7- and 8-figure online business owners. Andrew is fascinated with branding, AI, building community, investing and growing meaningful businesses that don't require sacrificing what truly matters.
