He Built A Great Business Making $25k A Month

From starting on Amazon in 2014 and scaling five brands to over $10 million in sales to a lucrative $5 million exit in 2019, Jon's journey through the e-commerce industry is incredibly inspiring.

After dominating Amazon, Jon shifted gears to consulting, aiming to elevate other Amazon sellers to top-tier status by sharing his expertise.

In this exclusive interview, Jon Elder of Black Label Advisor shares the genesis of his consulting venture, the challenges he's overcome, and the strategies that have defined his success in the dynamic and ever-evolving Amazon marketplace.

What’s your high level business story?

Started selling on Amazon in 2014, grew 5 brands from scratch to do over $10 million in sales, and exited in 2019 for $5 million. I then pivoted to consulting in 2020 after taking a year off with my family.

What does your business do?

I consult Amazon sellers and help them to position themselves to be a top 5 seller in their space. We cover everything from optimization to inventory management, and staying in compliance with Amazon rules. Pretty much every touch point on Amazon as a seller.

What inspired you to start your business?

The Amazon space is filled with garbage gurus, to be honest. I have my own story of building up 5 brands on Amazon and doing over $10 million on Amazon. I exited in 2019 for $5 million and saw a GREAT need to provide authentic consulting for sellers.

How did you identify the opportunity?

[☝️Proof of revenue☝️]

I just scoured the social media platforms to see if this type of service existed and it didn’t!

Can you describe the moment you first had your idea?

It was definitely during my exit. Selling a business that you’ve put your blood, sweat, and tears into is emotional. I did some soul-searching and had to ask some questions about what was next. I’ve always loved 1:1 mentorship so the lightbulb turned on. Why not provide something really exclusive and give my time to sellers and refuse to outsource that to someone else? It felt good on paper and I asked myself if I felt comfortable hiring someone like this if the roles were reversed. My answer was HECK YES so I knew I had something strong here.

What were the biggest business challenges you faced in early stages?

Just getting the word out! The Amazon space has tons of scammers so it was brutal in year 1 to get people to trust me. My solution was to provide an endless stream of valuable content for free mainly on X and LinkedIn. It worked extremely well.

How did your background and experience give you an edge in the market?

99% of Amazon gurus out there have either zero or very little Amazon selling experience. I’m the polar opposite. I have been through it all: Amazon changes, colossal inventory needs, hiring virtual assistants, firing agencies, deciding on what product to sell next, and then optimizing for an exit. There is just so much there - and having gone through it, I can truly now speak from a place of authority.

How did you validate the market for your business idea?

Honestly, I just did some digging on what was already out there. My success on Amazon was always rooted in exploiting micro niches and this time was no different. No one was doing it so why not offer something new in the space?

What were some initial assumptions about your business that changed?

I realized that finding new clients was going to be really hard!

Can you share an important pivot or change that was critical to your success?

I think my newsletter changed a lot. Social media is great for small, valuable posts but the newsletter Amazon Insiders (sign up here!) really allowed me to showcase my true expertise via long-form content. This made a huge impact on how potential clients viewed me. Trust was amplified!

How did you gather the resources to launch your business?

Launching was fairly simple. I shared my website with everyone I could on social media and started producing content on a daily basis. My focus has been X, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Overall my startup costs were extremely minimal!

In what ways has your business evolved from its original concept?

On Day 1, I just assumed I would be a consultant for Amazon sellers and nothing more. Now, I’m a think tank of sorts and run the fastest-growing Amazon seller newsletter in America. It’s all about following the needs of the industry. Who knows, maybe a podcast is next haha.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking for an idea?

Find your next niche and make sure it’s something you’re deeply interested in!

Conclusion

As we wrap up our conversation with Jon Elder, it's clear that his hands-on experience, coupled with a proactive approach to consulting, provides a solid blueprint for anyone looking to make their mark on Amazon. By focusing on authenticity, valuable mentorship, and strategic content delivery through his newsletter and social media platforms, Jon has not only carved out a niche for himself but has also set a new standard for what success looks like in e-commerce consultancy.

You can connect with Jon Elder below:

Newsletter: https://blacklabeladvisor.ck.page/amazon-insiders

Website: https://www.blacklabeladvisor.com/

X: https://twitter.com/BlackLabelAdvsr

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonelder/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackLabelAdvisor

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the first steps to becoming a successful Amazon seller?
A1: Start by researching the market to find a viable niche that interests you. Invest time in understanding Amazon's guidelines and focus on building a solid brand from the start. Quality over quantity is key.

Q2: How can I differentiate my Amazon products from competitors?
A2: Focus on unique product enhancements that add real value, use high-quality images, and gather customer feedback to continually improve your offerings. Effective SEO practices and a strong brand story also play crucial roles.

Q3: What common pitfalls should new Amazon sellers avoid?
A3: Avoid rushing into product launches without thorough research, underestimating the importance of inventory management, and ignoring customer service. These elements are crucial for long-term success.

Q4: How important is social media in growing an Amazon brand?
A4: Social media is vital for brand visibility and direct customer engagement. It's a powerful tool to drive traffic, promote products, and build community around your brand, which can significantly enhance trust and customer loyalty.

Q5: Can you recommend any resources for up-and-coming Amazon sellers?
A5: Jon Elder's newsletter, Amazon Insiders, is a fantastic resource. Additionally, Amazon’s own Seller University provides a wealth of information, and books like "The Everything Store" by Brad Stone offer insights into Amazon's broader impact and operational tactics.