How to Expand Your Ecommerce Business Internationally With Andy Hooper [Ep.222]

International expansion can unlock significant growth for an ecommerce business. It can also create a lot of expensive problems if you move too quickly.

In this episode, Greg Elfrink sits down with Andy Hooper, CEO of Expandly, an ecommerce fulfillment and logistics platform, to discuss what it really takes to scale an ecommerce business internationally. 

They discuss how to approach international expansion, including choosing the right markets, preparing the business operationally, and navigating the logistics and compliance challenges that come with selling internationally.

The conversation also covers some of the common mistakes businesses make when expanding, as well as how founders can think about international growth without creating unnecessary complexity.

Greg and Andy also discuss acquisitions and investing in ecommerce service businesses, including what makes a business attractive to buyers and the challenges that can come with integrating acquisitions.

Whether you’re considering taking your ecommerce business into new markets or exploring acquisitions as a growth strategy, this episode offers practical insights from someone who has experience on both sides of the equation.

Listen to The Opportunity Podcast Episode #222

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 02:39 – From flipping products on eBay to 8-figure international domination
• 10:23 – Andy’s advice for US entrepreneurs wanting to expand to the EU
• 21:04 – The costs entrepreneurs often overlook when expanding internationally
• 27:57 – The logistics of international expansion
• 36:15 – Why Andy built a portfolio of service businesses  
• 38:44 – The processes Andy uses to effectively manage his portfolio of businesses
• 42:31 – Andy’s advice on using acquisitions as a growth channel
• 45:50 – Andy’s OATS business integration framework
• 49:48 – Why Andy rolled his main business into his acquisition, Expandly

Mentions: 

• • • Empire Flippers Podcasts
    • Empire Flippers Marketplace
    • Create an Empire Flippers account
    • Subscribe to our newsletter
    • Expandly
    • Andy’s LinkedIn

Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to expand your ecommerce business internationally.