Side Hustle Interview: Become an Amazon FBA Seller

On this blog I enjoy sharing side hustle ideas and interviews with experts sharing examples of their side hustle. Today we are interviewing with a seller of an Amazon FBA Coaching Program that helps people start a FBA side hustle.

Tell us about yourself and The Amazon Selling Blueprint course.

Hi Julie, my name is Smiles, and I’ve been an internet entrepreneur since 2018. I started my online journey as a freelancer on Fiverr, offering ebook writing and low-budget graphic design services. With a keen interest in making money online, I was always on the lookout for new opportunities.

In late 2019, I came across Amazon FBA after getting a gig on Fiverr to write an ebook about intermittent fasting. My client, Kamil—I’ll never forget him—asked if I had experience selling on Amazon KDP after I completed the ebook and its design. To be honest, I didn’t, and even though he offered to pay extra for me to become his virtual assistant, I couldn’t take the job because I lacked the experience.

That encounter marked the beginning of my Amazon journey. I started researching Amazon KDP but found myself drawn to Amazon FBA. Then the pandemic hit, and I used that time to accumulate as much knowledge as possible. I took numerous courses on Udemy and binge-watched YouTube channels focused on Amazon FBA. By 2021, I became a virtual assistant, specializing in product research, managing PPC campaigns for clients, and even building my own Facebook group. I’ve also managed dozens of new sellers’ accounts.

Creating the Amazon Selling Blueprint has always been a goal of mine. Selling on Amazon is a complex business, and through my journey of learning, I realized that pre-recorded videos alone aren’t enough. I bought several courses, and while they were helpful, I quickly realized that to get the full benefit, I had to pay extra for 1-on-1 coaching.

That’s what inspired the Amazon Selling Blueprint—our program eliminates the need for pre-recorded videos. Why pay for those when you can have 1-on-1 coaching with lifetime student support? That’s the essence of the Amazon Selling Blueprint: a coaching program with continuous support to help you succeed.

 

What inspired you to launch The Amazon Selling Blueprint course?

We wanted to take a different approach. There had to be a way for people to learn how to sell on Amazon without paying hefty fees, so we set out to offer the same quality learning experience but at a more affordable price. That’s how The Amazon Selling Blueprint was born.

Our goal was to create a cost-effective course that delivers the same value, experience, and results as more expensive programs. Instead of relying on video archives that take up space on your computer, we focus on direct access to your coach. Why store videos when you can simply reach out to your coach with a WhatsApp message? That’s the convenience and support we offer with The Amazon Selling Blueprint.

 

What makes your Amazon Selling Blueprint course unique?

The Amazon Selling Blueprint isn’t your typical FBA course—this is a 90-day coaching program designed to offer a hands-on learning experience. We’ve crafted an 8-module program with over 80 lessons, but it’s structured in a way that isn’t overwhelming or too time-consuming. On top of that, we offer a “Done-With-You” service, which is available to all students at no extra charge.

Students will typically meet with their coach for 40 minutes a day, three times a week, via Zoom. During these sessions, the coach will share their screen and walk through the ins and outs of the Amazon Marketplace. The program is set to last 90 days, though it can be completed sooner—we just anticipate it won’t extend beyond that time frame.

Additionally, we provide a student-only WhatsApp group that is incredibly useful for things like getting initial reviews and sales boosts. There’s also a virtual assistant option, where students have access to experienced professionals who can design logos, create brand names, set up domains and websites, and even drive external traffic to listings through Facebook, Google, and Pinterest ads.

The Amazon Selling Blueprint really covers it all. We’ve created a one-stop shop for everything students need to succeed on Amazon. After completing the 90-day program, students receive lifetime support, meaning they can text their coach whenever needed and schedule a Zoom call once a week for ongoing guidance.

 

Describe what Amazon Selling is about for those of us not familiar with the side hustle opportunity.

Amazon FBA stands for “Fulfillment by Amazon,” a service that allows individual sellers, like you and me, to take advantage of Amazon’s warehousing and shipping services to sell products to customers. In this program, sellers source their own products and send them to Amazon’s fulfillment centers located across the U.S.

Amazon handles the storage of the inventory, so sellers don’t have to keep products at home. Once an item is sold, Amazon takes care of packing and shipping it to the customer. Additionally, Amazon manages customer service, including returns and shipping issues, allowing sellers to focus on other aspects of their business without dealing directly with those concerns.

 

How does The Amazon Selling Blueprint course help working moms?

The Amazon Selling Blueprint offers a flexible learning schedule to accommodate each student’s needs. While we generally meet for 40 minutes a day, three times a week, the specific days and times can be adjusted to fit each individual’s schedule. Our goal is to provide a learning experience that’s both effective and comfortable.

After enrolling, every student will be contacted by a coach to discuss and agree on the best time for their sessions, ensuring that learning fits seamlessly into their routine.

 

What are some of your favorite things about running your business?

The freedom is what stands out the most for me—I genuinely love what I do. Working online has allowed me to build a wide range of skills. I’ve worked as a VA, a ghostwriter, and I’ve also learned Pinterest marketing and social media marketing. I enjoy learning these new skills, and the freedom that comes with it is unmatched. I get to work from home, set my own schedule, decide when to take breaks, and choose my days off. It’s an amazing feeling, Julie!

 

What are some challenges you ran into when starting your business?

Oh, challenges—I had quite a few when I was starting out. The first was capital. I didn’t have enough to launch and scale an Amazon FBA business, so I initially tried dropshipping on Shopify, but that didn’t work out. Over time, I was able to save enough by selling the skills I’d acquired over the years.

Secondly, the competition on Amazon is intense and increasing every day. It requires constantly trying new things, learning new strategies, and implementing what you learn. That’s one of the reasons why the Amazon Selling Blueprint is a 1-on-1 coaching program with lifetime support. We aim to take the hassle out of having to figure everything out on your own.

Lastly, navigating the Alibaba marketplace was overwhelming at first—knowing who to trust and how to pay safely was a challenge. Thankfully, I created a cheat sheet about the Alibaba marketplace, which I’m giving away as a bonus in the course to help others avoid the same challenges I faced.

 

For someone interested in Amazon Selling, can you share what to expect as far as earning potential and effort?

Success on Amazon is largely dependent on each individual’s performance and dedication to the craft. On average, new sellers can earn between $3,000 to $5,000 each month, but this can vary based on a person’s attitude and work ethic. Selling on Amazon is not a get-rich-quick scheme; it requires time and effort to achieve success. Typically, new sellers start to see results within 3 to 6 months, though this timeline can be shorter or longer.

Regardless of the journey’s duration, we’ll be there every step of the way, providing guidance and support to ensure that our students have a fun and profitable experience.

 

What does it take for someone to get started with their own Amazon Selling side hustle?

The decision to start an Amazon business is just the first step. New sellers will need to set up an Amazon seller account, and while an Alibaba account is optional, it becomes necessary depending on the business model they choose—especially if they’re interested in private labeling, in which case an Alibaba account is essential.

They will also need a business name; it doesn’t necessarily have to be registered, but having a registered name can be beneficial. Additionally, an upfront capital investment is required. While this varies for each individual, a starting budget of between $2,500 to $5,000 is a solid range. It’s possible to start with less or more, but many new sellers find greater success when they begin with more capital, as it allows for a proper launch and better positioning in the marketplace.

 

 

Check out the Amazon Selling Blueprint and see if this side-hustle is right for you!