Latest Episodes
Grading Our 2025 Ecommerce Financial Forecast
Stephen Brown, Founder of LedgerGurus, and Kelley Birrell, Head of Marketing at LedgerGurus, look back at the ecommerce predictions they made at the start of 2025. They review what actually happened across ecommerce growth, marketing costs, interest rates, inflation, and AI adoption. Each prediction is graded with real data and real-world operator context.
They also unpack the biggest curveballs of the year, including tariffs, de minimis rule changes, TikTok Shop growth, and the limits of new ad channels. Stephen shares where he underestimated risk, what surprised him about consumer spending, and why 2025 felt harder than expected for many brands. The episode helps sellers think more clearly about planning for 2026.
December 23, 2025 | 23 mins | E22
VAT vs Sales Tax Explained for US Sellers
In this episode, Stephen Brown speaks with Oliver Blackmore from Elver Ecommerce Accountants about the complexities of VAT (Value Added Tax) for ecommerce businesses, particularly those looking to expand into the UK and EU markets. They discuss the differences between VAT and sales tax, the registration process for American sellers, common mistakes in VAT compliance, and the tools available for calculating and filing VAT.
The conversation also covers the implications of selling on platforms like Amazon versus direct sales, the importance of understanding filing frequencies, and the challenges of navigating GST in English-speaking countries. Oliver shares insights on best practices for managing VAT refunds and offers recommendations for businesses looking to expand internationally.
December 10, 2025 | 39 mins | E21
How to Spot (and Stop) Fraudulent Ad Traffic Before It Drains Your Budget
In this conversation, Kurt Bell from Dash.fi discusses the innovative corporate credit card solutions offered by the company, focusing on their unique value propositions such as cash back incentives and ad pay protection services.
The discussion highlights how these offerings can significantly benefit businesses engaged in digital advertising and shipping, ultimately leading to substantial savings and enhanced financial management.
November 25, 2025 | 34 mins | E20
Why Most Founders Operate Blind (and How to Fix It with Strategic Finance)
In this episode of The Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Mark Lupton discuss the intricacies of strategic finance in the ecommerce sector. They explore the importance of understanding exit strategies, aligning founder goals with business strategies, and the significance of long-term and medium-term planning.
The conversation delves into the common pitfalls in strategic finance, the role of intuition in decision-making, and the necessity of financial planning and budgeting. Mark emphasizes the importance of identifying blind spots and bottlenecks in business operations and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in financial strategies.
October 29, 2025 | 53 mins | E19
Financial Lessons from a Decade of Building Ecommerce Software
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Chris Hondl from Finale Inventory discuss insights gained from a decade of building ecommerce software, focusing on inventory management, the evolution of ecommerce, and the challenges faced by businesses today. They explore the importance of establishing standard operating procedures, the differences between ERP systems and federated systems, and the benefits of bootstrapping a tech company versus seeking venture capital.
The conversation also touches on the future of ecommerce, the impact of AI, and the necessity for businesses to adapt and evolve in a competitive landscape.
October 13, 2025 | 40 mins | E18
Real-Time Inventory, Real Results: Katana’s Take on Smarter Supply Chains
In this episode of The Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown interviews Ben Hussey, co-CEO of Katana, discussing the complexities of manufacturing and inventory management in the current ecommerce landscape. They explore the challenges posed by rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and the importance of real-time data for effective decision-making.
Ben shares insights from his extensive experience in ecommerce, highlighting the shift towards hybrid business models and the necessity for brands to adapt to changing market conditions. The conversation emphasizes the need for strategic planning and the value of technology in navigating the evolving ecommerce environment.
October 1, 2025 | 38 mins | E17
The CFO of Thread’s Guide to Navigating Tariff Impacts
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown interviews Ryan King, CFO of Thread, discussing the evolution of the company from handcrafted wallets to a diversified manufacturing model. They delve into the complexities of navigating tariffs, the impact on pricing strategies, and the importance of supply chain diversification.
Ryan shares insights on managing costs, consumer behavior in response to price changes, and the future challenges facing the business as they adapt to a changing economic landscape.
September 16, 2025 |46 mins | E16
Debt Decision: Smart Financing for Ecommerce Founders
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown interviews Alec Koenig, CEO of Settle, discussing the complexities of lending in the ecommerce space. They explore Alec’s background in lending, the challenges ecommerce businesses face, and how Settle aims to provide innovative solutions that combine lending with software tools.
The conversation delves into the importance of cash flow, the impact of tariffs, and the necessity of financial hygiene for businesses seeking financing. They also discuss the future of ecommerce and how technology, including AI, will shape the industry.
September 3, 2025 |43 mins | E15
We Tried Profit First. This is What ACTUALLY Happened.
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Preston Alder discuss the implementation of the Profit First methodology in their business, Sole Toscana. They reflect on their initial challenges, the importance of understanding cash flow, and the mindset shift required to prioritize profit over growth.
The conversation covers practical applications of Profit First, the impact of market changes, and the scalability of its principles for larger businesses. The episode concludes with insights on navigating financial challenges and the importance of adapting strategies for future success.
August 20, 2025 |56 mins | E14
Equity Crowdfunding for Ecommerce
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast Stephen Brown from LedgerGurus and Joseph May from May Law discuss the challenges eCommerce businesses face in securing funding, particularly through traditional means. They explore the concept of equity crowdfunding as an alternative funding vehicle, detailing its compliance requirements, governance implications, and the differences between raising debt and equity.
July 30, 2025 | 37 mins | E13
Ecommerce in 2025: Mid-Year Lessons, Surprises, and Smart Moves
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Lauren Maillard catch up on what’s really going on in ecommerce right now. They look back at Stephen’s predictions for 2025 – what he got right (and wrong), and dig into big changes like new tariffs, the end of the de minimis rule, and what the “Big Beautiful Bill” actually means for sellers.
They also chat about rising marketing costs, how AI is changing the way we search and shop, and what’s going on with TikTok. Plus, they dive into interest rates, economic curveballs, and smart ways to cut costs and build a brand that stands out.
July 16, 2025 | 51 mins | E12
The State of Ecommerce M&A in 2025
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown talks with Josh Robbins of Premara Group about the current landscape of ecommerce mergers and acquisitions. They discuss what makes consumer product brands attractive to buyers, common deal challenges, and how profitability and valuation play a role. Josh also shares why preparation, financial clarity, and strong operations are essential for a successful sale.
March 26, 2025 | 45 mins | E11
How to Choose the Right IMS for Your Ecommerce Business
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Scott Scharf discuss how to choose and implement the right inventory management system for your ecommerce business. They explore why inventory is a key asset, how to evaluate systems, and what to expect during implementation. The conversation also covers ERPs vs. IMS, ideal timing for adoption, and the importance of documenting processes for long-term success.
March 5, 2025 | 52 mins | E10
Why Inventory Accounting is so Hard (but SO IMPORTANT) for Ecommerce Brands
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen and Brittany Brown break down the complexities of inventory accounting and why it’s essential for ecommerce financial health. They cover challenges with tracking inventory, the role of accrual accounting, and how COGS impacts your financials. The conversation also dives into landed costs, GAAP standards, and the importance of aligning your operations with your accounting to drive profitability.
February 26, 2025 | 49 mins | E9
How to Calculate the Real Impact of Tariffs on Your Business
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Kelley Birrell explore how tariffs impact ecommerce businesses—affecting cost structures, profitability, and pricing strategies. They dive into key concepts like customs value and demand elasticity, and share strategies for managing rising costs through supply chain shifts and operational efficiency.
February 19, 2025 | 36 mins | E8
Tariffs 101
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Bryce Judy unpack the complexities of tariffs, focusing on the de minimis rule and how recent changes affect ecommerce and dropshipping. They discuss compliance, accurate product classification, duty drawbacks, and best practices for importers navigating today’s shifting global trade landscape.
February 12, 2025 | 33 mins | E7
The Cost of Selling on Amazon in 2025
In this episode of The Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Liz Adamson dive into the 2025 challenges Amazon sellers are facing—from rising ad costs to complex FBA fees and increased competition from Chinese sellers. Liz shares why strong branding and smart advertising are essential for success, and offers strategies to help sellers navigate Amazon’s evolving fee structure and stay competitive.
February 5, 2025 | 42 mins | E6
Shopify Plus Changes & a Deep Dive into Sales Tax Complexity
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Mac Wright from Avalara dive into the upcoming sales tax changes for Shopify Plus users. They unpack the complexities of sales tax calculation, the importance of understanding nexus, and how to handle registrations. Mac shares how Avalara’s tax engine helps simplify compliance across states and countries, highlighting why staying informed is critical in today’s shifting tax environment.
January 29, 2025 | 43 mins | E5
TikTok Shop and Social Commerce Financial Insights
In this episode of the eCommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Michelle Barnum-Smith explore TikTok Shop and its impact on social commerce. They cover what makes TikTok unique for shopping, how to identify TikTok-able products, and the growing role of influencers—plus predictions for where it’s all headed.
January 22, 2025 | 43 mins | E4
How Accounting Can MAKE or BREAK Your Brand
In this episode of the Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Geoff Gualano dive into the role of accounting in ecommerce growth. They walk through the stages of accounting maturity—from basic bookkeeping to strategic forecasting—and explain how accurate financials drive better decisions, attract investors, and fuel long-term success in a competitive market.
January 15, 2025 | 40 mins | E3
2025 Ecommerce Trends and Their Financial Implications
In this episode of The Ecommerce Finance Podcast, Stephen Brown and Kelley Birrell explore the top trends shaping ecommerce in 2025, from market growth and digital marketing challenges to the rise of AI, TikTok Shop, and the impact of tariffs and supply chain disruptions. Learn how these trends could affect your financial planning and business strategy.
January 1, 2025 | 41 mins | E1
The Need for Better Financial Information in Ecommerce
On The Ecommerce Finance Podcast, we dive deep into the financial side of ecommerce. Any topic is open for discussion since everything you do in business has a financial impact. We’ll bring you practical tips, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you thrive in ecommerce.
December 18, 2024 | 1 min | Trailer
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VAT vs Sales Tax Explained for US Sellers
In this episode, Stephen Brown speaks with Oliver Blackmore from Elver Ecommerce Accountants about the complexities of VAT (Value Added Tax) for ecommerce businesses, particularly those looking to expand into the UK and EU markets. They discuss the differences between VAT and sales tax, the registration process for American sellers, common mistakes in VAT compliance, and the tools available for calculating and filing VAT.
The conversation also covers the implications of selling on platforms like Amazon versus direct sales, the importance of understanding filing frequencies, and the challenges of navigating GST in English-speaking countries. Oliver shares insights on best practices for managing VAT refunds and offers recommendations for businesses looking to expand internationally.
December 10, 2025 | 39 mins | E21
VAT vs Sales Tax Explained for US Sellers
In this episode, Stephen Brown speaks with Oliver Blackmore from Elver Ecommerce Accountants about the complexities of VAT (Value Added Tax) for ecommerce businesses, particularly those looking to expand into the UK and EU markets. They discuss the differences between VAT and sales tax, the registration process for American sellers, common mistakes in VAT compliance, and the tools available for calculating and filing VAT.
The conversation also covers the implications of selling on platforms like Amazon versus direct sales, the importance of understanding filing frequencies, and the challenges of navigating GST in English-speaking countries. Oliver shares insights on best practices for managing VAT refunds and offers recommendations for businesses looking to expand internationally.
December 10, 2025 | 39 mins | E21