👉 Ready to start your own online store? Start here →
https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep169-how-2026-is-punishing-the-wrong-business-decisions

🗣 In this in-person Dropship Unlocked Podcast episode, Lewis Smith and James Eardley sit down to talk candidly about what’s really changing as we head into 2026 — and why the next year will reward smart, lean operators while punishing outdated business decisions.

With rising costs, mainstream AI adoption, layoffs across traditional industries, and changing consumer behaviour, this episode breaks down what actually matters if you want to build a resilient, profitable e-commerce business going into 2026 — and what mistakes are quietly killing businesses before they get traction.

🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/JCZl0oVsEm4

🧭 Topics Discussed
★ Why 2026 will be unforgiving for bloated, slow, high-overhead businesses
★ How AI is changing execution speed — without replacing real business owners
★ The difference between being scared of AI and leveraging it as an advantage
★ Why high-ticket e-commerce is still resilient (even with economic pressure)
★ The skills that won’t disappear as automation increases
★ Why supplier relationships matter more than ever
★ Escaping negative news cycles and focusing energy where it compounds
★ Using data (not passion or guesswork) to validate products and niches
★ Why demand comes before supply — always

🛠 Links & Resources Mentioned
Lewis’s Book → https://dropshipunlocked.com/book
Shopify £1-for-3-months Offer → https://dropshipunlocked.com/shopify
Free Trial of a Professional Phone Line → https://dropshipunlocked.com/circle

💡 Key Takeaways
★ 2026 Rewards Speed & Leverage: AI won’t replace business owners — but it will replace slow ones.
★ The Model Matters More Than Ever: High-ticket, low-overhead businesses have room to breathe and scale.
★ Don’t Manufacture Demand: The safest businesses sell what people are already searching for.
★ Ignore the Noise: Worrying about politics and tax changes doesn’t build profit — execution does.
★ Follow a Proven Path: Strategy beats motivation, and systems beat guesswork every time.

📲 Follow Us
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dropshipunlocked/
X / Twitter → https://twitter.com/DropshipUnlockd
LinkedIn → https://uk.linkedin.com/company/dropship-unlocked
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/dropshipunlockedlewissmith
Website → https://www.dropshipunlocked.com

🚀 Free Training
🌏 Want to create location, time, and financial freedom?
Watch our free training →
https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep169-how-2026-is-punishing-the-wrong-business-decisions

👉 Ready to start your own online store? Start here → https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep168-if-we-had-to-start-again-in-todays-uk-economy

🗣 In this episode, Lewis Smith and James Eardley run a thought experiment: if they had to start from zero today in the UK — with rising costs, higher overheads, and changing buyer behaviour — what would they do differently?

They break down the “overhead trap” that kills most new businesses, why high-ticket is more attractive in this economy, and the practical blueprint they’d follow to build a resilient store without stock, staff, or a physical premises.

🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/O5d5bHukNJM

🧭 Topics Discussed
★ The Overhead Trap — Why rent, rates, payroll, stock and fixed costs crush new businesses before they ever get momentum.
★ The Lean-First Principle — Starting online-only, keeping costs tiny, and building from cashflow instead of debt.
★ Why High Ticket Is Easier Right Now — Fewer sales needed, more profit per order, and more margin for error.
★ Using AI the Right Way — Speed up tasks (copy, research, drafts) without outsourcing the strategy to a robot.

🛠 Links & Resources Mentioned
Lewis’s Book → https://dropshipunlocked.com/book
Shopify £1-for-3-months Offer → https://dropshipunlocked.com/shopify
Free Trial of a Professional Phone Line → https://dropshipunlocked.com/circle
Free Training / Roadmap → https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep168-if-we-had-to-start-again-in-todays-uk-economy

💡 Key Takeaways
★ Avoid Fixed Costs Early — Don’t start your business from “minus 10” with rent, stock, staff, and big commitments.
★ High Ticket = Fewer Customers Needed — Build around bigger profit per order so you can reach meaningful income with a small number of sales.
★ Use Live Data, Not Guesswork — Validate demand and price points with real numbers, then commit with confidence.
★ Resilient Models Win in Tough Times — If your model works in a hard economy, imagine what it does when the cycle turns.

📲 Follow Us
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dropshipunlocked/
X / Twitter → https://twitter.com/DropshipUnlockd
LinkedIn → https://uk.linkedin.com/company/dropship-unlocked
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/dropshipunlockedlewissmith
Website → https://www.dropshipunlocked.com

🚀 Free Training
🌏 Want to create location, time, and financial freedom?
Watch our free training → https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep168-if-we-had-to-start-again-in-todays-uk-economy

👉 Ready to start your own online store? Start here → https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep167-can-chatgpt-make-you-10k-month-ecommerce

🗣 In this episode, Lewis Smith and James Eardley dive into one of the biggest questions people are asking right now — Can ChatGPT actually build you a £10k/month ecommerce business… or is that just clever marketing?

They break down where AI genuinely helps (and where it absolutely doesn’t), why experience and real market feedback still win, and how to blend AI with a proven system so you’re not gambling your future on a fancy prompt.

🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/vTvaAJYBMOo

🧭 Topics Discussed
★ Can ChatGPT Really “Run” a Business?
Why AI on its own can’t yet run a high-ticket ecommerce business for you — and why treating it as an autopilot business builder sets you up for disappointment.
★ Confidence vs Accuracy in AI Answers
How tools like ChatGPT give confident, persuasive responses that sound right… but often ignore real-world margins, suppliers, and demand.
★ Why Experience Still Beats Automation
How human judgment, pattern recognition, and real-world testing trump theory — especially when choosing niches, validating products, and negotiating with suppliers.

🛠 Links & Resources Mentioned
Lewis’s Book → https://dropshipunlocked.com/book
Shopify £1-for-3-months Offer → https://dropshipunlocked.com/shopify
Free Trial of a Professional Phone Line → https://dropshipunlocked.com/circle

💡 Key Takeaways
★ Use AI for Speed, Not Strategy
Let AI help you brainstorm ideas, write copy, generate FAQs, and test ad angles — but don’t outsource niche selection, supplier choice, or overall strategy to a language model.
★ Don’t Build on Shaky AI Assumptions
If you let ChatGPT decide your niche and products without real validation, you can easily spend months building a business that was doomed from day one.
★ You Set the Direction — AI Helps You Get There Faster
The people winning right now are using a proven roadmap, real supplier partnerships and community support, then layering AI on top as a powerful assistant, not a replacement.

📲 Follow Us
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dropshipunlocked/
X / Twitter → https://twitter.com/DropshipUnlockd
LinkedIn → https://uk.linkedin.com/company/dropship-unlocked
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/dropshipunlockedlewissmith
Website → https://www.dropshipunlocked.com

🚀 Free Training
🌏 Want to create location, time, and financial freedom?
Watch our free training →
https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep167-can-chatgpt-make-you-10k-month-ecommerce

👉 Ready to start your own online store? Start here →
https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep166-build-a-5k-month-business-between-bedtime-and-the-school-run

🗣 In this episode, ecommerce founders Lewis Smith and James Eardley dive into how busy parents are building £5,000/month UK ecommerce businesses without sacrificing bedtime stories, school runs, or family weekends.

They unpack the belief that you need long, uninterrupted four-hour work blocks to build a real business — and show why 60–90 minutes a day, used properly, can be more than enough when you follow the right high-ticket, UK-focused ecommerce model.

🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/PMXiv2Iownw

🧭 Topics Discussed
★ The Danger of Accidentally Building the Wrong Business
• Why blindly following flashy TikTok/YouTube models (cheap AliExpress/TEMU dropshipping) often creates chaos at home.
★ How High-Ticket UK Ecommerce Fits Into a Parent’s Life
• The Home-Turf Advantage model: high-ticket products, UK suppliers, next-day delivery, low refund rates.
★ Building a £5k/Month ‘Between Bedtime and the School Run’
• Why 60–90 minute windows (evenings, lunchtimes, nursery/school hours) are the perfect amount of time.

🛠 Links & Resources Mentioned
Lewis’s Book → https://dropshipunlocked.com/book
Shopify £1-for-3-months Offer → https://dropshipunlocked.com/shopify
Free Trial of a Professional Phone Line → https://dropshipunlocked.com/circle

💡 Key Takeaways
★ You Don’t Need More Time — You Need a Better Model
Long, uninterrupted 4-hour blocks are nice, but not necessary. With the right model and roadmap, 60–90 focused minutes a day can be enough to build a serious business.
★ High-Ticket + UK Suppliers = Calm, Parent-Friendly Business
A handful of high-profit orders from UK suppliers with next-day delivery is far more manageable than hundreds of low-ticket orders with long shipping times and constant complaints.
★ Choose a Proven Roadmap Over Random Advice
Trying to piece together TikTok clips, YouTube shorts and scattered podcasts leads to overwhelm. Following one clear step-by-step plan dramatically increases your odds of success.

📲 Follow Us
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dropshipunlocked/
X / Twitter → https://twitter.com/DropshipUnlockd
LinkedIn → https://uk.linkedin.com/company/dropship-unlocked
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/dropshipunlockedlewissmith
Website → https://www.dropshipunlocked.com

🚀 Free Training
🌏 Want to create location, time, and financial freedom?
Watch our free training →
https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep166-build-a-5k-month-business-between-bedtime-and-the-school-run

👉 Ready to start your own online store? Start here → https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep165-why-you-have-no-free-time-and-how-uk-ecommerce-fixes-it

🗣 In this episode, ecommerce founders Lewis Smith and James Eardley dig into one of the biggest pain points for UK professionals and parents: feeling like you have zero free time.

They unpack why so many mid-career professionals feel permanently stretched — commuting, meetings, targets, kids, life admin — and explain how the right UK ecommerce model can actually give you time back rather than piling more onto your plate.

🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/5a6aTYzGVtg

🧭 Topics Discussed
★ The Myth: “Starting a Business Will Make Me Even Busier”
• Why most people assume that building an online business must add chaos.
• The uncomfortable truth: the wrong business model absolutely will.
★ Choosing the Right Vehicle: The Home-Turf Advantage Model
• How this model is designed to remove stress: lower refund rates, calmer operations, fewer fires to fight.
★ Habits of the Parents Who Actually Win
• Why consistency beats heroic, once-a-week “big work sessions”.
★ Real Member Wins & What’s Possible
• A member landing a £49,000 B2B order early on — a life-changing jump-start.

🛠 Links & Resources Mentioned
Lewis’s Book → htabook.com
Shopify £1-for-3-months Offer → https://dropshipunlocked.com/shopify
Free Trial of a Professional Phone Line → https://dropshipunlocked.com/circle

💡 Key Takeaways
★ You’re Time-Poor Because You’re on Everyone Else’s Schedule
As long as your income is tied directly to hours worked for someone else, you’ll always feel like your days are spoken for.
★ The Model You Choose Either Drains Your Time or Gives It Back
Low-ticket, overseas-shipping setups often create a second stressful job. A high-ticket, domestic-supplier model with next-day delivery and systems can free up your days as it grows.
★ Affiliate Is Not Enough If You Want a Real Store
If a “supplier” only offers you an affiliate link, it’s not the right fit for this model. You need trade pricing, your own margins, and control over the customer relationship.

📲 Follow Us

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dropshipunlocked/
X / Twitter → https://twitter.com/DropshipUnlockd
LinkedIn → https://uk.linkedin.com/company/dropship-unlocked
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/dropshipunlockedlewissmith
Website → https://www.dropshipunlocked.com

🚀 Free Training

🌏 Want to create location, time, and financial freedom?
Watch our free training →
https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep165-why-you-have-no-free-time

👉 Ready to start your own online store? Start here → https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep164-the-overlooked-business-model-thats-quietly-printing-income

🗣 In this episode, ecommerce business owners Lewis Smith and James Eardley lift the lid on the “unsexy” business model that’s quietly generating consistent income for everyday people – without them needing a big social media following, massive capital, or advanced tech skills.

They unpack why most online businesses fail, what makes their high-ticket, supplier-partnered Shopify model different, and how it can create genuine lifestyle freedom whether you’re a parent with school runs or a remote worker travelling the world.

🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/o0yRpQL0XM0

🧭 Topics Discussed
★ Why Most Online Businesses Fail
• The three big reasons people crash and burn online: treating it like a hobby, unrealistic expectations, and trying to figure everything out alone.
★ The Overlooked Business Model Explained
• Why selling high-ticket physical products on Shopify stacks the odds in your favour from day one.
★ Asset Building vs Short-Term Hustling
• The difference between a fragile side hustle and a sellable ecommerce asset.
★ Why This Model Is Still Largely Unknown
• What happens when you mention “ecommerce” or “dropshipping” to people outside our niche.

🛠 Links & Resources Mentioned
Lewis’s Book → htabook.com
Shopify £1-for-3-months Offer → https://dropshipunlocked.com/shopify
Free Trial of a Professional Phone Line → https://dropshipunlocked.com/circle

💡 Key Takeaways
★ Treat It Like a Real Business, Not a Hobby
Most people fail not because they’re incapable, but because they dabble, expect overnight results, and try to do everything alone.
★ You’re Building an Asset, Not Just a Paycheque
Done properly, this isn’t just side income – it’s a real asset you can grow, optimise, and potentially sell, or keep as a long-term “cash-printing” machine.
★ Recurring Revenue Is the Next Level – Not Step One
The core model is high-ticket sales. Once that’s working, adding subscriptions or recurring offers on top can create very healthy, stable month-on-month revenue.

📲 Follow Us
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dropshipunlocked/
X / Twitter → https://twitter.com/DropshipUnlockd
LinkedIn → https://uk.linkedin.com/company/dropship-unlocked
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/dropshipunlockedlewissmith
Website → https://www.dropshipunlocked.com

🚀 Free Training
🌏 Want to create location, time, and financial freedom?
Watch our free training → https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep164-the-overlooked-business-model-thats-quietly-printing-inc

👉 Ready to start your own online store? Start here: https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep163-why-most-online-business-ideas-fail-but-this-one-works

🗣 In this episode, Lewis Smith and James Eardley break down why most online business ideas never get off the ground — and why their UK-based high-ticket e-commerce model continues to work in 2025 and beyond.

They unpack the real reasons people stall out (half-hearted effort, chasing trends, “YouTube University”, and relying on AI alone) and show how treating your business like a serious asset changes everything.

🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BFwrD-40qMM

🧭 Topics Discussed
★ Shiny-Object Syndrome & Unrealistic Expectations — How TikTok/Instagram “side hustle” culture sells overnight success, and why real businesses require front-loaded effort and a long-term vision.
★ The Limits of YouTube & AI as Your Only Mentors — Why free videos and generic AI advice can’t give you context, accountability, or clear direction when you hit real-world roadblocks.
★ The Power of Proven Systems & Community — How a step-by-step roadmap, live Q&A support and a room full of people doing the same thing removes 90% of the guesswork.
★ Why the Home Turf Advantage Model Works — Building a brand-first UK store with domestic suppliers, strong margins, and a long-term asset you can grow, automate and eventually sell.

🛠 Links & Resources Mentioned
📘 Lewis’s Book → htabook.com
🛒 Shopify £1-for-3-months Offer → https://dropshipunlocked.com/shopify
📞 Free Trial of a Professional Phone Line → https://dropshipunlocked.com/circle

💡 Key Takeaways
★ Treat It Like a Business, Not a Hobby — If you only “dabble”, you’ll protect your ego but sacrifice your results.
★ Failure ≠ You’re Broken — Often it’s the model (low margins, bad suppliers, flawed strategy) that’s stacked against you — not your work ethic or potential.
★ Front-Loaded Effort, Long-Term Leverage — Build the systems, then let VAs, automation and a dialled-in niche turn your store into a cash-flowing asset that gives you time freedom.

📲 Follow Us
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dropshipunlocked/
X / Twitter → https://twitter.com/DropshipUnlockd
LinkedIn → https://uk.linkedin.com/company/dropship-unlocked
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/dropshipunlockedlewissmith
Website → https://www.dropshipunlocked.com

🚀 Free Training
🌏 Want to create location, time, and financial freedom?
Watch our free training: https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep163-why-most-online-business-ideas-fail-but-this-one-works

👉 Ready to start your own online store? Start here → https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep162-this-business-model-will-make-you-1m-zero-employees

🗣 In this episode, Lewis Smith and James Eardley reveal the exact business model that’s helping everyday people scale to £1M+ in revenue — without hiring a single employee.

They break down how high-ticket e-commerce creates leverage, how to find products that consistently generate £1,000+ profit weeks, and why traditional side hustles and social media “grind” models can’t compete with this approach.

🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/w2pnYGAYhLI

🧭 Topics Discussed
★ The £1M Business Model — Why high-ticket e-commerce remains the most scalable, low-overhead business in 2025.
★ Leverage from Day One — How to build systems, SOPs, and automation so your store runs without you.
★ No Employees, No Problem — The smart way to use virtual assistants and AI to scale while keeping lean.
★ The Power of Domestic Suppliers — How UK-based supply partners give you next-day delivery, better margins, and less risk.
★ The Fastest Route to £1M — The three principles Lewis used to go from £0 to seven figures: high-ticket products, local suppliers, and data-driven decisions.
★ The CEO Mindset Shift — Why thinking like a founder (not a freelancer) is the key to seven-figure growth.

🛠 Links & Resources Mentioned
Lewis’s Book → htabook.com
Shopify £1-for-3-months Offer → https://dropshipunlocked.com/shopify
Free Trial of a Professional Phone Line → https://dropshipunlocked.com/circle

💡 Key Takeaways
★ Think Big, Start Lean — You don’t need employees to scale; you need leverage through systems, VAs, and automation.
★ High Ticket Wins — Fewer orders, higher margins, and faster path to profit — that’s how the £1M stores are built.
★ Low Risk, High Control — Selling from UK suppliers to UK customers creates fast delivery, happy customers, and a business that compounds in value.
★ Build a Brand, Not a Store — The real money is made by building equity in a branded, sellable asset — not just generating short-term cash.
★ Momentum Over Perfection — The biggest wins come from taking action now, not waiting for the “perfect” time.

📲 Follow Us
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dropshipunlocked/
X / Twitter → https://twitter.com/DropshipUnlockd
LinkedIn → https://uk.linkedin.com/company/dropship-unlocked
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/dropshipunlockedlewissmith
Website → https://www.dropshipunlocked.com

🚀 Free Training
🌏 Want to create location, time, and financial freedom?
Watch our free training →
https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep162-this-business-mode