The 2026 eCom Trends Report
Top Report Findings: This is our sixth Trends Report with 300 owners representing $3.5...
How do you breathe new life into a stagnant business? Today we have Chris Rose, President of Gunner.com, here to share his approach to doing just that. Specializing in high-quality, American-made dog kennels, Chris reveals how to revitalize your business by understanding customer lifetime value and strategically prioritizing initiatives that maximize impact.
Tune in to hear about the advantages of manufacturing in the USA, from enhancing quality control to improving supply chain efficiencies. Chris also shares his expertise on building a premium brand, the challenges of scaling using paid ads, and the critical role of selective partnerships in fostering sustainable growth.
You’ll learn:
- The challenges and benefits of manufacturing in the USA. (5:15)
- The importance of maintaining high quality and not compromising to save money. (7:40)
- Chris’ experience in revising businesses that have become comfortable with the status quo. (12:50)
- The challenges of balancing day-to-day operations with strategic initiatives. (14:22)
- The changing landscape of online marketing and the challenges of scaling a business with paid ads alone in 2025. (32:04)
- Chris’ strategy to expand into omni-channel retail and select only partners that align with the brand’s values. (36:00)
- The pros and cons of working at bootstrapped businesses versus startups with more funding. (42:13)
- Lightning round with Chris. (45:50)
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(With your host Andrew Youderian of eCommerceFuel.com and Chris Rose of Gunner.com)
What Was Mentioned
- Chris Rose: Website | LinkedIn
- eCommerceFuel Forum
Ideas Worth Sharing:
"We're building muscles, not fat.” - Chris Rose Tweet this "I think that in an organization like Gunner, where the expectations from our consumers are so high… they really expect us to hit a home run with every single product.” - Chris Rose Tweet this "It's about making smart decisions today that will give you the time with your family tomorrow.” - Chris Rose 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.
