E-commerce companies make money in a few distinct ways: selling their own inventory (first-party retail), taking commissions and fees as a marketplace, charging merchants for software and payments, selling advertising, and running subscriptions. Most large players mix several. In the United States, e-commerce was 17.1% of retail sales in the second quarter of 2026 (seasonally adjusted), according to the Census Bureau.
The company buys inventory and resells it, keeping the margin and the stock risk. In the quarter to 30 September 2026 Amazon's online stores brought in $68,470 million.
02
Marketplace
Independent sellers list goods and pay commissions and fulfilment fees. Amazon's third-party seller services earned $46,492 million in the same quarter, against $42,486 million a year earlier.
03
Commerce software and payments
Platforms such as Shopify charge merchants subscriptions and take payment-processing fees. Shopify's merchant solutions were 78% of its $3,742 million revenue in the September 2026 quarter.
04
Advertising and subscriptions
Sellers pay to appear in search results, and shoppers pay for membership. Amazon earned $19,637 million from advertising and $14,006 million from subscriptions in the September 2026 quarter.
What changed in 2025-26
Online share keeps rising
US retail e-commerce sales were $340.2 billion in the second quarter of 2026, seasonally adjusted, up 12.2% from a year earlier while total retail sales rose 6.7%. Online was 17.1% of retail.
Checkout inside an AI chat
On 29 September 2025 Stripe and OpenAI launched Instant Checkout in ChatGPT, letting US users buy from Etsy sellers in the chat, with Shopify merchants to follow. Stripe and OpenAI released the Agentic Commerce Protocol as an open standard for agent-led purchases.
Platforms grow faster than retailers
Gross merchandise volume on Shopify reached $119,145 million in the quarter to 30 September 2026, up from $92,013 million a year earlier, and revenue rose 32%. Software and payments sit under many independent stores.
Ads become a profit engine
At Amazon, advertising revenue grew from $17,703 million to $19,637 million year on year in the September 2026 quarter. Retail media lets marketplaces earn from sellers competing for the same shopper.
E-commerce business models in practice
First-party retail
Who paysShoppers, for the company's own stock
Example (filing)Amazon online stores (10-Q, Q3 2026)
Marketplace
Who paysSellers, through commissions and fees
Example (filing)Amazon third-party seller services (10-Q, Q3 2026)
Commerce platform
Who paysMerchants, for software and payments
Example (filing)Shopify (10-Q, Q3 2026)
Retail media
Who paysSellers and brands, for ads
Example (filing)Amazon advertising services (10-Q, Q3 2026)
Agentic checkout
Who paysMerchants, via the payment and platform fees
Example (filing)Instant Checkout in ChatGPT (Stripe, Sept 2025)
What it means for you
Merchants: decide where you want to own the customer (your store) and where you will rent reach (marketplaces), and price each channel's fees into margins.
Make your product catalogue readable by AI assistants: clear titles, structured attributes, prices and stock, so agents can recommend and buy.
Budget for retail media: on large marketplaces, visibility increasingly depends on paid placement.
Investors: separate first-party sales from fee revenue; marketplace, ads and payments carry different margins from reselling stock.
Track the share of sales that starts in AI chats and assistants, and test agent-ready checkout where your platform supports it.
The Business Engineer lens
E-commerce is shifting from stores people browse to systems that agents query, and the fees move with that shift: to whoever controls discovery, checkout and payments. The Business Engineer’s view is that merchants who make their catalogues machine-readable now will keep reach as more buying starts inside AI assistants.
By reselling their own inventory, taking commissions and fees from marketplace sellers, charging merchants for software and payments, selling advertising and running subscriptions; most large players combine several.
What share of US retail is e-commerce?
E-commerce was 17.1% of US retail sales in the second quarter of 2026, seasonally adjusted, according to the US Census Bureau.
What is the difference between a marketplace and an online retailer?
An online retailer buys and sells its own stock; a marketplace lets independent sellers list goods and earns commissions and fees on their sales.
What is agentic commerce?
Buying through an AI agent or assistant that finds products and completes checkout, such as Instant Checkout in ChatGPT launched with Stripe in September 2025.
The complete explainer, cleaned up and reformatted for mobile.
E-commerce, short for electronic commerce, refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet.
It encompasses various online transactions, including retail sales, digital downloads, subscription services, and business-to-business (B2B) transactions.
E-commerce has transformed the way consumers shop and businesses operate, offering convenience, accessibility, and global reach in the digital marketplace.
Amazon
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Vast Product Selection: Amazon offers a wide range of products. 2. Prime Membership: Membership with benefits like free shipping. 3. Marketplace: Third-party sellers can list products.
Core Value PropositionProviding a one-stop-shop for consumers with extensive product options, convenience, and Prime benefits like fast shipping and streaming services.
Customer SegmentsOnline shoppers, Prime members
Distribution ChannelsOnline platform, mobile app, Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Alibaba
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. B2B and B2C Marketplace: Alibaba operates e-commerce platforms for businesses and consumers. 2. Global Expansion: Expanding globally. 3. Payment Services: Offering payment solutions.
Core Value PropositionConnecting businesses and consumers worldwide, facilitating global trade, and offering a range of services including e-commerce and finance.
Customer SegmentsBusinesses, consumers
Distribution ChannelsOnline platforms, mobile apps, AliExpress, Alipay.
eBay
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Auction and Buy-It-Now: eBay offers both auction-style and fixed-price listings. 2. Seller Community: Empowering individual sellers. 3. Global Marketplace: Access to international buyers.
Core Value PropositionCreating a global marketplace where individuals can buy and sell a wide range of products through auctions, fixed-price listings, and a vibrant seller community.
Distribution ChannelsOnline platform, mobile app, seller tools.
Walmart
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Brick-and-Mortar Presence: Walmart combines online and in-store shopping. 2. Everyday Low Prices: Focus on affordability. 3. eCommerce Expansion: Expanding its online presence.
Core Value PropositionOffering a combination of physical and online shopping, providing affordability, and increasing convenience through various fulfillment options and services.
Customer SegmentsBargain shoppers, families
Distribution ChannelsOnline platform, mobile app, brick-and-mortar stores.
Shopify
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. eCommerce Platform: Shopify provides tools for businesses to set up online stores. 2. Customization: Users can design their storefronts. 3. Payments: Integrated payment solutions.
Core Value PropositionEmpowering entrepreneurs and businesses to create customized online stores with ease, offering a range of e-commerce tools and payment options.
Customer SegmentsEntrepreneurs, small to medium-sized businesses
Distribution ChannelsOnline platform, mobile app, Shopify Payments.
Zalando
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Fashion Focus: Zalando specializes in fashion and apparel. 2. Marketplace: Partnering with various brands and sellers. 3. Personalized Shopping: Tailored product recommendations.
Core Value PropositionOffering a fashion-focused online marketplace with a wide range of brands, personalized shopping experiences, and convenient delivery and return options.
Customer SegmentsFashion-conscious shoppers
Distribution ChannelsOnline platform, mobile app.
Rakuten
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Reward Program: Rakuten offers a loyalty program for users. 2. Global Expansion: Expanding into international markets. 3. Diverse Offerings: A wide range of products and services.
Core Value PropositionProviding users with rewards and incentives for shopping, along with access to a diverse range of products and services through its marketplace.
Customer SegmentsOnline shoppers, loyalty program members
Distribution ChannelsOnline platform, mobile app.
Etsy
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Handmade and Unique Items: Etsy is known for its unique and handmade products. 2. Seller Community: Supporting independent sellers. 3. Vintage: Offering vintage items.
Core Value PropositionConnecting buyers with sellers offering unique, handmade, and vintage products, fostering a sense of community and creativity in e-commerce.
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Fashion and Beauty Focus: ASOS specializes in fashion and beauty products. 2. Global Reach: Shipping to many countries. 3. Branded and Own Label: Offering both branded and ASOS label items.
Core Value PropositionOffering a wide selection of fashion and beauty products, global accessibility, and a blend of branded and own-label items, targeting style-conscious shoppers.
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. eCommerce Giant: JD.com is one of China’s largest e-commerce platforms. 2. Fast Delivery: Emphasis on speedy delivery. 3. Own Logistics: Owning its logistics network.
Core Value PropositionProviding a wide range of products with a focus on speedy and reliable delivery, ensuring quality control, and leveraging an extensive logistics network in China.
Distribution ChannelsOnline platform, mobile app, JD Logistics.
Taobao
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Online Marketplace: Taobao is a popular online marketplace in China. 2. C2C and B2C: Supporting consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer transactions. 3. Discounts: Offering competitive prices.
Core Value PropositionOffering a vast online marketplace where individuals and businesses can buy and sell products, often at competitive prices, catering to a wide range of consumer needs.
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Luxury Fashion: Farfetch specializes in luxury fashion and designer items. 2. Global Boutiques: Partnering with global boutiques and brands. 3. Curated Selection: Offering carefully curated items.
Core Value PropositionProviding access to a curated selection of luxury fashion items from global boutiques, enhancing the luxury shopping experience with a wide range of unique products.
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Electronics and Tech Focus: Newegg specializes in electronics and tech products. 2. Tech Community: Catering to tech enthusiasts. 3. Product Reviews: Providing detailed product information.
Core Value PropositionFocusing on electronics and tech products, catering to tech-savvy consumers, and offering detailed product information and a supportive tech community.
Customer SegmentsTech enthusiasts, gamers
Distribution ChannelsOnline platform, mobile app.
Wayfair
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Home Furnishings: Wayfair focuses on home furnishings and decor. 2. Vast Catalog: Offering a vast range of products. 3. Personalized Recommendations: Tailoring shopping experiences.
Core Value PropositionSpecializing in home furnishings and decor, providing a wide product selection, and enhancing the shopping journey with personalized recommendations and insights.
Customer SegmentsHomeowners, interior decorators
Distribution ChannelsOnline platform, mobile app.
ThredUp
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Secondhand Fashion: ThredUp is a leading platform for secondhand fashion. 2. Sustainability: Promoting sustainable shopping. 3. Convenience: Simplifying the thrift shopping experience.
Core Value PropositionOffering sustainable and affordable secondhand fashion, promoting eco-conscious shopping choices, and making thrift shopping convenient and accessible to all.
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Grocery Delivery: Instacart focuses on grocery delivery and pick-up. 2. Retail Partnerships: Partnering with various grocery stores. 3. Convenience: Simplifying grocery shopping.
Core Value PropositionOffering convenient and fast grocery delivery from local stores, partnering with various retailers, and making grocery shopping hassle-free and time-saving for consumers.
Customer SegmentsBusy individuals, families
Distribution ChannelsMobile app, online platform.
Wish
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Affordable Shopping: Wish offers affordable products from various sellers. 2. Mobile Shopping: Primarily accessed via mobile. 3. Discounts: Providing discounted prices.
Core Value PropositionMaking shopping more affordable by connecting consumers with sellers offering a wide range of products at competitive prices, primarily through mobile devices.
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. South Korean eCommerce: Coupang is a major e-commerce player in South Korea. 2. Rocket Delivery: Fast and reliable delivery service. 3. Tech Integration: Utilizing technology for efficiency.
Core Value PropositionOffering a diverse range of products with a focus on fast and efficient delivery, enhancing the overall e-commerce experience with technology-driven solutions in South Korea.
Customer SegmentsSouth Korean consumers, online shoppers
Distribution ChannelsOnline platform, mobile app, Rocket Delivery.
Shopbop
Key Characteristics and Business Strategies1. Fashion and Accessories: Shopbop specializes in fashion and accessories. 2. Designer Brands: Offering products from designer brands. 3. Global Shipping: Delivering worldwide.
Core Value PropositionProviding a curated selection of fashion and accessories from top designer brands, catering to a global audience and offering high-end fashion choices.
E-commerce platforms serve as digital storefronts where businesses showcase their products and services to online shoppers.
These platforms provide features such as product listings, search functionality, and secure payment gateways, enabling users to browse, select, and purchase items from anywhere at any time.
Personalization and Recommendation:
E-commerce leverages data analytics and artificial intelligence to personalize the shopping experience and provide tailored product recommendations to customers.
Algorithms analyze user behavior, preferences, and purchase history to offer relevant suggestions, discounts, and promotions, increasing engagement and conversion rates.
Logistics and Fulfillment:
E-commerce relies on efficient logistics and fulfillment networks to deliver orders to customers’ doorsteps in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Fulfillment centers, transportation services, and last-mile delivery solutions optimize the supply chain and ensure seamless order fulfillment and customer satisfaction.
Key Features of E-commerce:
Multi-channel Presence:
E-commerce enables businesses to establish a presence across multiple online channels, including websites, mobile apps, social media platforms, and online marketplaces.
Omni-channel strategies integrate these channels to provide a seamless shopping experience across devices and touchpoints, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty.
Payment Options and Security:
E-commerce platforms offer a variety of payment options, including credit cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, and alternative payment methods.
Secure payment processing systems and encryption technologies protect sensitive financial information and ensure safe and secure transactions for both buyers and sellers.
Customer Support and Service:
E-commerce platforms provide customer support and service through various channels, including live chat, email, phone, and self-service portals.
Prompt assistance, order tracking, and hassle-free returns and exchanges enhance the shopping experience and build trust and loyalty among customers.
Benefits of E-commerce:
Global Reach and Accessibility:
E-commerce transcends geographical boundaries, allowing businesses to reach customers anywhere in the world and expand their market reach.
Online storefronts are accessible 24/7, providing convenience and flexibility for shoppers to browse and purchase products at their convenience.
Cost Efficiency and Scalability:
E-commerce reduces overhead costs associated with traditional brick-and-mortar retail, such as rent, utilities, and staffing.
Scalable infrastructure, automated processes, and digital marketing strategies enable businesses to grow and adapt to changing market demands without significant capital investment.
Data Insights and Analytics:
E-commerce platforms generate valuable data insights and analytics that help businesses understand customer behavior, preferences, and trends.
Data-driven decision-making allows businesses to optimize marketing campaigns, product offerings, and pricing strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
Challenges of E-commerce:
Competition and Saturation:
E-commerce markets are highly competitive, with numerous businesses vying for customers’ attention and market share.
Standing out in a crowded marketplace requires differentiation, innovation, and strategic marketing to attract and retain customers.
Cybersecurity Threats:
E-commerce platforms are vulnerable to cybersecurity threats such as data breaches, phishing attacks, and fraud.
Protecting customer data, securing payment systems, and implementing robust security measures are essential to mitigate risks and maintain trust and credibility with customers.
Logistics and Supply Chain Constraints:
E-commerce relies on efficient logistics and supply chain operations to fulfill orders and deliver goods to customers in a timely manner.
Challenges such as inventory management, shipping delays, and last-mile delivery issues can impact customer satisfaction and retention.
Case Studies of E-commerce:
Amazon:
Amazon is a global e-commerce giant that offers a wide range of products and services through its online marketplace.
The company’s Prime subscription service provides fast and free shipping, streaming media, and other benefits, driving customer loyalty and retention.
Alibaba:
Alibaba is a Chinese e-commerce conglomerate that operates online marketplaces, cloud computing services, and digital payment platforms.
The company’s Singles’ Day shopping event is one of the largest online shopping festivals in the world, generating billions of dollars in sales annually.
Shopify:
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that enables businesses to create and manage online stores with ease.
The platform provides a range of tools and features for website customization, payment processing, and order management, empowering entrepreneurs to start and scale their e-commerce businesses.
Conclusion:
E-commerce has revolutionized retail and commerce in the digital age, offering businesses and consumers unprecedented convenience, accessibility, and global reach. By embracing principles such as digital storefronts, personalization, and logistics optimization, e-commerce platforms provide seamless shopping experiences and drive growth and innovation in the marketplace. While challenges such as competition, cybersecurity threats, and logistics constraints exist, the benefits of e-commerce in terms of global reach, cost efficiency, and data-driven insights make it a strategic imperative for businesses seeking to thrive in today’s digital economy. Ultimately, by leveraging e-commerce technologies and strategies, businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth, resilience, and customer satisfaction in the ever-evolving landscape of online commerce.
Alipay is a Chinese mobile and online payment platform created in 2004 by entrepreneur Jack Ma as the payment arm of Taobao, a major Chinese eCommerce site. Alipay, therefore, is the B2C component of Alibaba Group. Alipay makes money via escrows transaction fees, a range of value-added ancillary services, and through its Credit Pay Instalment fees.Taobao is a Chinese eCommerce website, and it is among the most visited websites in the world. Within it also comprises its payment arm, Alipay. Taobao is part of the Alibaba Group, founded by Chinese tech entrepreneur Jack Ma. The company makes money via its Tmalls (e-commerce platform), and through Alipay, mostly via its Escrow service fees.
Google has a diversified business model, primarily making money via its advertising networks that, in 2019, generated over 83% of its revenues, which also comprise YouTube Ads. Other revenue streams include Google Cloud, Hardware, Google Playstore, and YouTube Premium content. In 2019 Google made over $161 billion in total revenues.
Amazon has a diversified business model. Amazon’s primary revenue streams comprise its e-commerce platform, made of Amazon labeled products and Amazon third-party stores. In addition to that, Amazon makes money via third-party seller services (like fulfilled by Amazon), advertising on its platform, AWS cloud platform, and Prime membership. Amazon is a consumer e-commerce platform with a diversified business model spanning across e-commerce, cloud, advertising, streaming, and more. Over the years, Amazon acquired several companies. As it operates across several industries, Amazon has a wide range of competitors across each of those industries. For instance, Amazon E-commerce competes with Shopify, Wix, Google, Etsy, eBay, BigCommerce.
While from a superficial look at its revenues streams, Best Buy seems the same company it was back in 2012. In reality, in the last decade, Best Buy has gone through a massive transformation of its business model.
Carvana is online-based used car retailer known for its collection of 24 used car vending machines. Carvana makes money when the company can sell a car for more than it paid, thus making a profit. Carvana also makes money by charging interest on their car finance options.
Craiglist is a local posting website that enables people to post any sort of classifieds on the platform, mostly for free, except for some categories of ads and the advertising of vehicles on the website. Therefore, craigslist monetizes based on some premium categories of listings (like job postings or apartment rentals).
eBay core business is a platform business model that makes money from transaction fees happening through its marketplaces (eBay and StubHub). eBay also makes money through advertising on its classifieds marketplace and other services. The company primarily makes money by charging fees on successfully closed transactions.
Etsy is a two-sided marketplace for unique and creative goods. As a marketplace, it makes money via transaction fees on the items sold on the platform. Etsy’s key partner is comprised of sellers providing unique listings, and a wide organic reach across several marketing channels.
With one of the broadest audiences and psychographics on earth, Facebook is still one of the most effective marketing platforms for brands to build both brand awareness and sales funnels. As part of a digital marketingstrategy, leveraging social media can effectively build a solid company. Instagram makes money via visual advertising. As part of Facebook products, the company generates revenues for Facebook Inc. overall business model. Acquired by Facebook for a billion dollar in 2012, today Instagram is integrated into the overall Facebook business strategy. In 2018, Instagram founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, left the company, as Facebook pushed toward tighter integration of the two platforms. Founded in 2009 by Brian Acton, Jan Koum WhatsApp is a messaging app acquired by Facebook in 2014 for $19B. In 2018 WhatsApp rolled out customers’ interaction services. WhatsApp might be transitioning toward a set of features from video chats to social commerce that might transform WhatsApp into a Super App.
Pinterest makes money by selling advertising for marketers and companies that can gain visibility for their brands and more sales for their shops. In 2018, Pinterest made over $755 million in advertising revenue and it had 250 million monthly active users.
Poshmark is a social commerce mobile platform that combines social media capabilities to its e-commerce platform to enable transactions. It makes money with a simple model, where for each sale, Poshmark takes a 20% fee on the final price, for sales of $15 and over, and a flat rate of $2.95 for sales below that. As a mobile-first platform, its gamification elements and the tools offered to sellers are critical to the company’s growth.
Postmates is a food delivery service built as a last-mile delivery service platform connecting locals with shops. Postmates makes money by collecting fees (commission, delivery, service, cart, and cancellation fees). It also makes money via its subscription service (called Unlimted – $9.99/month or $99.99 annually) giving free delivery on every order of more than $12.
Shopify is an e-commerce platform enabling merchants to commercialize their products via a monthly subscription fee, and additional services provided by the platform. Its core business is subscription-based, even though in 2018, the company made over 50% of its revenues from another stream called merchant solutions.In just fifteen short years, Shopify has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the fastest-growing eCommerce platforms online. The Shopify eCommerce solution is perhaps best suited to users who desire an easy, flexible and affordable starter solution for their online store. However, the continued success of any company in the dynamic digital market is never guaranteed.
Squarespace is a North American hosting and website building company. Founded in 2004 by college student Anthony Casalena as a blog hosting service, it grew to become among the most successful website building companies. The company mostly makes money via its subscription plans. It also makes money via customizations on top of its subscription plans. And in part also as transaction fees for the website where it processes the sales.
Tencent is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1998 by Ma Huateng, Zhang Zhidong, and Xu Chenye. Among its various global subsidiaries are companies in the online services, music, and artificial intelligence industries. But it is perhaps best known for its interest in the video game sector – both as a game developer for the Chinese market and the acquirer of several established gaming companies. Tencent is a vast company with a stake in more than 600 companies. Following is a look at some of the companies and subsidiaries it has a majority stake in.WeChat is a “super app” or an app that can do many things, from messaging to mobile payments and social media. Developed by Tencent, WeChat is among the most popular Super Apps in China. WeChat makes money via value-added services (with services like Moments, Public Accounts, and Gaming), advertising, and payments on the transaction processed through it.
Vinted is an online shopping marketplace with a strong secondhand component. The company makes money via its buyer protection service. The buyer pays a fee to Vinted in exchange for services like customer support, insurance, and tracked shipping; Shipping costs; Wardrobe Spotlight (helping users boost the visibility of their items). And Bumping listed items.
Vroom runs a peer-to-peer e-commerce platform selling used vehicles. The company makes money through the sales of used vehicles that passed the quality standards to be sold on the platform; Wholesale auction revenues for vehicles that didn’t meet quality standards to be sold directly on the platform; and fees from value-added products (insurance and financing).
The company operates three primary units that in 2018 comprise Walmart U.S. (approximately 64% of our net sales), Walmart International (about 24% of net sales), and Sam’s Club (approximately 12% of its net sales) a membership-only warehouse clubs and operates in 44 states in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico, as well as eCommerce.
Wish is a mobile-first e-commerce platform in which users’ experience is based on discovery and customized product feed. Wish makes money from merchants’ fees and merchants’ advertising on the platform and logistic services. The mobile platform also leverages an asset-light business model based on a positive cash conversion cycle where users pay in advance as they order goods, and merchants are paid in weeks.
Zalando is a multi-national eCommerce company founded in 2008 by David Schneider and Robert Gentz, created under the name Ifansho, changed to Zalando as a reference to the Italian word zalare – or “making jokes”. Zalando generates revenues by purchasing stock and then selling it for a profit. Zalando also charges brands it partners with a commission for the privilege of selling on its platform. The commission Zalando collects on each sale is undisclosed. Zalando also collects advertising revenue from ads placed on its website and app.
Gennaro Cuofano is a CRO and tech executive who has worked in AI since late 2015, starting with bringing NLP, natural-language generation, voice and chatbot products to the marketing industry. His background is in law and finance: he holds a Master's degree in Law and an International MBA with an emphasis on corporate finance (LUISS Business School and the University of San Diego, 2012), and worked as a financial analyst at a real-estate investment firm in San Diego and as an assistant controller. His work focuses on business model strategy, business engineering and, more broadly, structural analysis: how companies make money, read from their own filings. He created FourWeekMBA and leads research there and at The Business Engineer, his newsletter on AI and business strategy, with over 95,000 subscribers and more than 1,000 published analyses. His writing has also appeared on Entrepreneur (for example, How to Digitize a Family Business in Europe) and HackerNoon. Find him on LinkedIn and Substack. See how we source.
