As someone who has built a thriving dropshipping business, generating millions in sales and now mentoring others to achieve similar success, I understand the challenges and opportunities in this industry. When I first heard about Matthew Lepre’s Ecom Warrior Academy, I was intrigued by its promise to teach Shopify dropshipping with a focus on leveraging AI tools to streamline operations and cut costs. Dropshipping can be a game-changer when done right, but it’s also a space filled with pitfalls and steep learning curves.
In this review, I’ll share my perspective on whether Ecom Warrior Academy lives up to its claims, how it compares to other programs, and whether it’s worth the investment for aspiring entrepreneurs. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- What is Ecom Warrior Academy?
- Who Created Ecom Warrior Academy?
- What’s Inside Ecom Warrior Academy?
- Are Ecom Warrior Academy Students Making Money?
- Ecom Warrior Academy Pricing
- What I Like About Ecom Warrior Academy
- What I Don’t Like About Ecom Warrior Academy
- Should You Join Ecom Warrior Academy?
- Ecom Warrior Academy Alternative
What is Ecom Warrior Academy?
Ecom Warrior Academy is a comprehensive Shopify dropshipping mentorship program designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs build and scale their e-commerce businesses. The program includes a 12-module video training series that covers every step of the dropshipping process, from product research and branding to social media marketing and scaling operations. What sets this course apart is its emphasis on using AI tools to streamline tasks, such as creating product descriptions, designing logos, and optimizing marketing strategies, which can significantly reduce operational costs and time investment.
Participants also gain access to personalized coaching sessions, a private network of mentors and outsourcing agents, and monthly updates with trending product lists. The course aims to provide a clear roadmap for beginners while offering advanced strategies for those looking to scale their existing stores. However, while the training is thorough, dropshipping remains a challenging business model with a high failure rate, so success ultimately depends on the effort and adaptability of the student.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Who Created Ecom Warrior Academy?
Ecom Warrior Academy was founded by Matthew Lepre, an Australian entrepreneur who transitioned from working three jobs to becoming a self-made millionaire through dropshipping. Raised by a single mother in suburban Sydney, Matthew initially pursued dentistry but left university to explore e-commerce. His breakthrough came when he started selling beauty products through Shopify, eventually earning over $150,000 per month in revenue.
Matthew’s success story has been widely covered in media outlets like Forbes, CNN, and FOX. He was even a member of the Forbes Business Council in 2020. Beyond his financial achievements, Matthew is known for his ability to simplify complex business strategies into actionable steps for his students. However, some critics point out that his media features may have been paid placements, which raises questions about the authenticity of certain claims.
Today, Matthew uses his expertise to mentor thousands of students through Ecom Warrior Academy while continuing to grow his own ventures. His reputation as a successful entrepreneur is well-established, though opinions about his program vary due to its high cost and mixed reviews regarding long-term support.
What’s Inside Ecom Warrior Academy?
Ecom Warrior Academy offers a 12-module training program designed to guide students through every step of building and scaling a Shopify dropshipping business. The course content is comprehensive, covering essential topics such as product research, store setup, branding, marketing strategies (including paid ads and organic traffic), customer service, and scaling operations. One unique aspect of the program is its emphasis on leveraging AI tools to automate tasks like creating product descriptions, designing logos, and optimizing ads—saving time and reducing costs.
In addition to the core video lessons, students gain access to live coaching sessions, a private mentorship community, and regular updates on trending products. The program also includes templates for store design and marketing materials to help students hit the ground running. While the curriculum is beginner-friendly, it also introduces advanced strategies for those looking to scale their businesses further. Overall, the academy aims to provide a clear roadmap for success in dropshipping.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Are Ecom Warrior Academy Students Making Money?
The success stories shared by Ecom Warrior Academy are impressive on the surface. For example, Adam reportedly made over $100,000 in sales within six weeks of joining the program, while Ashwin scaled his store to $140,000 in under four months—all with no prior e-commerce experience. Other testimonials highlight students achieving milestones like $5,000 in sales within six days or generating over $47,000 in revenue within six months.
However, it’s worth noting that many positive reviews focus on the initial setup phase or the quality of mentorship rather than long-term profitability. Some critics have pointed out that these testimonials may not represent typical results and that dropshipping remains a high-risk business model with a steep learning curve. While some students have clearly succeeded, consistent effort and adaptability are crucial for replicating these outcomes.
Ecom Warrior Academy Pricing
The main Ecom Warrior Academy program is priced at approximately AUD 4,000 (around USD 2,700–3,000), which includes access to all training modules, live coaching sessions, and community support. For those who don’t qualify for the full mentorship program based on their application responses, a lower-cost option called the Millionaire Mastermind is available for USD 49. This alternative focuses more on mindset training rather than hands-on e-commerce strategies.
As for refunds, Ecom Warrior Academy has a strict policy. To qualify for their 90-day money-back guarantee, students must prove they’ve completed all action items outlined in the program—such as testing multiple products with specific ad spend levels and following all training steps meticulously. Refunds are not issued for reasons like lack of effort or unrealistic expectations of immediate success. This policy underscores the importance of commitment when enrolling in such a high-ticket program.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
What I Like About Ecom Warrior Academy
As someone who’s been in the dropshipping space for years, I can appreciate several aspects of Ecom Warrior Academy that stand out:
Comprehensive Training Modules: The 12-module structure covers everything from the basics to advanced scaling strategies. It’s well-organized and provides a clear roadmap for beginners who might otherwise feel overwhelmed. I especially like how the program integrates AI tools to simplify tasks like product descriptions and ad creation—this is a game-changer for saving time and money.
Personalized Mentorship: The access to 1-on-1 coaching and group sessions is a huge plus. When I started my own dropshipping journey, having direct guidance from experienced mentors made all the difference. The private network of outsourcing agents and mentors is also a valuable resource for those looking to delegate tasks effectively.
Focus on Trending Products: Monthly updates with trending product lists are a great feature, especially for beginners who may struggle with product research. Staying ahead of market trends is crucial in dropshipping, and this aspect of the program helps students avoid wasting time on outdated or oversaturated products.
Community Support: The private mentorship community allows students to connect with others on the same journey. This sense of camaraderie can be motivating, especially when you’re facing challenges or need inspiration from others’ success stories.
What I Don’t Like About Ecom Warrior Academy
While there’s a lot to admire about Ecom Warrior Academy, there are also some areas where I think it falls short:
High Cost: At AUD 4,000 (or around USD 2,700–3,000), the program is expensive compared to other dropshipping courses. While the content is valuable, this price point may be prohibitive for many aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those just starting out.
Strict Refund Policy: The 90-day money-back guarantee sounds reassuring at first, but the conditions are very rigid. Students must prove they’ve completed all action items and spent a specific amount on ads to qualify for a refund. This makes it difficult for anyone who feels the program isn’t right for them to get their money back.
Mixed Reviews on Long-Term Support: While the initial mentorship is strong, some students have reported limited support after their stores are up and running. Dropshipping requires constant adaptation, and ongoing guidance could make a big difference in sustaining success.
Pushy Sales Tactics: Some prospective students have mentioned feeling pressured during the application process or upsold additional features. As someone who values transparency in business, this approach doesn’t sit well with me.
Overall, while Ecom Warrior Academy has its strengths, these drawbacks are worth considering before making such a significant investment.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Should You Join Ecom Warrior Academy?
If you’re considering diving into the world of Shopify dropshipping, Ecom Warrior Academy might seem like a solid choice. The program offers a structured curriculum, personalized mentorship, and tools to help you build and scale an online store. However, based on my experience as a successful dropshipper and coach, I’d urge you to think carefully before committing.
Dropshipping is not an easy business model—it requires significant time, effort, and financial investment to succeed. While Ecom Warrior Academy provides valuable resources for beginners, the high cost (AUD 4,000 or more) and mixed reviews about long-term support make it a risky investment. Many students report success in setting up their stores but struggle to maintain profitability due to the challenges inherent in dropshipping, such as ad costs, competition, and slim profit margins.
If you’re passionate about e-commerce and willing to put in the work, this program could help you get started. But if you’re looking for a more flexible or less risky way to make money online, there are other options worth exploring.
Ecom Warrior Academy Alternative
E-commerce isn’t for everyone. If the idea of managing inventory, running ad campaigns, or dealing with customer service doesn’t appeal to you, affiliate marketing might be a better fit—and that’s where Wealthy Affiliate comes in.
Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform that teaches you how to make money online through affiliate marketing. Unlike dropshipping, affiliate marketing doesn’t require you to manage physical products or deal with shipping logistics. Instead, you earn commissions by promoting products or services from other companies.
Here’s why I recommend Wealthy Affiliate as the best alternative:
- Beginner-Friendly Training: Wealthy Affiliate offers step-by-step training on building websites, creating content, and driving traffic through SEO. It’s perfect for those new to online business.
- Low-Cost Entry: At just $49 per month (with discounts for annual plans), it’s far more affordable than Ecom Warrior Academy.
- No Inventory or Ad Costs: Since affiliate marketing doesn’t involve physical products, you avoid the upfront costs of inventory and paid advertising.
- Built-In Tools: The platform includes website hosting, keyword research tools, and a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs.
- Scalability: Once your affiliate sites are set up, they can generate passive income with minimal ongoing effort—a stark contrast to the hands-on nature of e-commerce.
While dropshipping can be lucrative for some, it’s not the only way to achieve financial freedom online. Wealthy Affiliate provides a simpler and less risky path to building an online business. If you’re looking for a sustainable way to make money without the headaches of managing an e-commerce store, this could be the perfect alternative for you.
James Johnson, the founder of DropshippingCourse.org, launched his first ecommerce store in 2008 with just a $500 investment. Through dedication, his initial store generated over $500,000 in sales in the first year. By the second year, the store’s sales had reached $1 million, and by the third year, sales soared to $1.5 million, granting him the financial freedom he had always dreamed of.
Motivated by his own success, James aimed to help others achieve similar financial freedom. So, he created the free Dropshipping Course. In this course, he offers comprehensive guidance on launching a dropshipping business, covering essential topics such as niche research, market analysis, store building, supplier approval, conversion optimization, traffic generation, and business automation.
For those seeking more personalized guidance, James also offers a 1-on-1 dropshipping coaching service. Through this mentorship, he shares his secret strategies with those eager to achieve extraordinary results in their own businesses.