Marketing

One of the most common questions we hear from new sellers is:

 “Can I really get started with wholesale if I don’t have thousands to invest?”

The answer is a resounding yes.

You do not need a huge budget, a business loan, or a pile of savings to launch a successful Amazon wholesale business. In fact, many of our most successful students started with less than $1,000 and a focused approach.

Having a smaller budget can actually work to your advantage. It pushes you to be more thoughtful, more selective, and more careful with every decision. These are the exact habits that help sellers thrive over time.

Start Small, Think Smart

When you are working with limited capital, the best thing you can do is test wisely. Wholesale is not about gambling on one product. It is about gathering data, learning what works, and building up your wins.

Your first $1,000 is not meant to turn you into a millionaire. Its job is to help you understand how to evaluate suppliers, how to spot a good listing, and how to build a repeatable process. This is how you start laying the foundation for long-term growth.

The goal at the beginning is not to scale quickly. It is to take smart, low-risk steps that give you valuable experience.

How to Use Your First $1,000 Effectively

We always recommend spreading your investment across multiple test buys. This helps you minimize risk and gives you more chances to find a winner.

Here is one way to break it down:

• Test 5 to 10 products or brands
• Spend about $100 to $200 on each one
• Work with suppliers who allow small minimum orders
• Choose listings that already show steady sales

This approach lets you dip your toes in the water without diving in headfirst. You get to see which suppliers communicate well, which brands ship on time, and which products actually sell.

It is a bit like dating. You are not trying to commit forever. You are just learning what kind of partnerships you want to build.

The $1,000 Seller’s Risk Checklist

If your budget is tight, your margin for error is small. That means every decision matters. Use this checklist to protect your investment and make smart moves:

1. Avoid listings where Amazon is a seller more than 25% of the time
   When Amazon is on a listing, they usually win the Buy Box. You want to avoid direct competition with them whenever possible.
2. Look for at least three other FBA sellers
   A healthy listing usually has several sellers sharing the Buy Box. If you are the only seller, there may be a hidden restriction or limited demand.
3. Check for price stability
   Use a tool like Keepa to make sure the price has not dropped more than 10 percent over the last 90 days. Stable prices lead to more reliable profits.
4. Stick with products priced between $17.99 and $49.99
   These items are affordable for customers but still allow you to earn a solid return. They also require less capital to test.

Following these guidelines will not eliminate all risk, but they can help you avoid the biggest mistakes and give you a better shot at success.

Three Starter Product Ideas That Fit a Tight Budget

You do not need to chase trendy products or get into competitive categories to start strong. Some of the best beginner-friendly items are simple, practical, and often overlooked.

1. Kitchen and Dining: Branded Silicone Baking Mats

These are easy to source and lightweight, which means low shipping costs. They usually sell in the $20 to $30 range and tend to be reordered regularly.

2. Sports and Outdoors: Resistance Band Sets

Compact, profitable, and popular all year. Many brands offer versions you can bundle or improve slightly to stand out. These make great starter items for testing demand.

3. Industrial and Scientific: Blue Nitrile Disposable Gloves

High reorder potential and consistent demand from small businesses and labs. Focus on brands that are not already dominated by Amazon or large sellers.

All of these product types avoid common issues like expiration dates, hazmat labels, and meltable storage requirements. That means fewer headaches for you as a beginner.

Tips to Stretch Your Budget Even Further

If you want to get the most out of your initial investment, here are a few additional tips that can make a big difference:

• Negotiate lower minimums. Many suppliers are open to small test orders if you explain that you are just getting started.
• Use prep centers wisely. Depending on where you live, outsourcing prep work can actually save money and time.
• Ask for payment terms. Some suppliers may offer Net 15 or Net 30 options, which gives you time to sell inventory before paying.
• Keep detailed notes. Track your spending, profit margins, shipping times, and seller communication. This helps you double down on what works.

Final Thoughts

Starting a wholesale business with $1,000 or less is not only possible—it is often the smarter path. A smaller budget forces you to focus on what really matters. You will learn to make decisions based on data, not emotion. You will prioritize small wins that add up instead of chasing a single big score.

The students we have seen succeed are not the ones who spend the most. They are the ones who make the most of what they have.

If you take a smart, step-by-step approach and commit to learning through action, that first $1,000 could be the beginning of something much bigger.

When you’re running your wholesale business solo, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “I’ll just do it myself.” After all, that mindset got you this far. But at some point, you hit a wall—not because you’re not capable, but because your time becomes the bottleneck.

That’s when you know it’s time to level up.

Not to a giant company.

Just a small, smart team that helps you grow without driving you crazy.

Here’s how to build that team—simply, affordably, and without giving up control.

1. Tap Into the Global Talent Pool (Without Breaking the Bank)

Hiring help doesn’t mean bringing on a full-time employee.

You can start small. Think task-by-task solutions, not all obstacles have the same solutions!

• Fiverr.com: Great for one-time jobs like any Amazon value prop, logo design, product images, or copywriting.
• OnlineJobs.ph or Upwork: Hire virtual assistants overseas for $2–$5/hour on average.
  Many of these VAs have years of Amazon experience already—and they’re hungry to help.

Concerned about language barriers or trust?

Start with one simple task. Communicate clearly. You’ll be amazed how much easier life becomes when someone else handles repeatable tasks for you.

2. Use Simple Tools to Keep Everyone on Track

Even if your “team” is just you and one part-time VA, you’ll want a place to stay organized.

That’s where free task and workflow tools come in.

• Asana or Basecamp: These are like digital to-do lists on steroids.
• Assign tasks. Set deadlines. Track progress. Make incremental changes to dial in efficiency over time.
• No tech skills required—just drag, drop, and delegate.

These tools replace back-and-forth emails and keep your brain free for the big-picture stuff.

3. Don’t Overlook the People Around You

Sometimes the best “first hires” are people you already know.

• A college student who wants flexible income
• A retired family member with time on their hands
• A friend who loves organizing and spreadsheets

They don’t need to know Amazon. You can teach that. What matters is reliability and a willingness to help.

You’ll be surprised how many people around you are happy to pitch in—especially when they see you’re building something real.

4. “But I’m Scared to Let Go…”

Totally normal. Handing off tasks is hard when you built the business.

But here’s the truth:

If you want to grow, you must stop doing everything yourself.

The best part? You don’t have to let go of the important stuff.

Just start by handing off the repetitive stuff:

• Customer emails templates
• Scouting new products
• Reordering products
• Tracking shipments
• Seller Central maintenance tasks

When you do, your business grows without your hours growing alongside it.

Takeaways: Scaling Without Burnout
Start small—hire help for tasks, not roles
Use global marketplaces to find affordable talent
Lean on tools like Asana to stay sane
Don’t ignore the people already in your corner
Hand off repeatable tasks first—keep the critical ones yourself

Final Thoughts from Us

We didn’t build a $40M business by working 100-hour weeks.

We built it by learning to build systems and trust people.

Is entrepreneurship scary sometimes? Absolutely.

But the fear fades when you realize you’re not alone—and that every growing business has to face this same moment.

You don’t need to hire a big team.

Just take the next small step toward freedom.

You did it.

You reached out to a brand. You showed them how you could help. You explained your value. And they said yes.

Now what?

For most new sellers, this is the point where excitement turns to overwhelm. That first “yes” is everything—but it comes with responsibilities. You’re not just buying inventory; you’re becoming a trusted partner. And how you handle the next steps can determine whether that brand works with you long-term or walks away.

The good news? There’s a simple, repeatable workflow that removes the guesswork. Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Get the Price List

Once the brand agrees to work with you, request their wholesale price list. You’ll often receive a spreadsheet or PDF with product names, SKUs, and pricing.

What to look for:

• Minimum advertised price (MAP) policies
• Case pack or order minimums
• Product popularity and reviews (spot-check on Amazon)
• SKU consistency (Are these ASINs already live? Are there variations?

If anything looks confusing, don’t be afraid to ask. Brands respect clarity.

Step 2: Analyze and Select Test Products

Don’t go all in right away. Even if the brand is strong, every SKU is different.

This is where a fractional volume test buy can be your best friend. Instead of placing a $5,000 order off the bat, test buy only a few weeks’ sales volume per ASIN.

This lets you:

• Evaluate real sales performance
• Identify potential listing issues
• Reduce your upfront risk
• Keep cash flow healthy

Even more importantly, it builds trust with the brand. You’re not just a seller—you’re a responsible buyer.

Step 3: Place a Purchase Order

Once you’ve picked your test SKUs, submit a formal purchase order (PO). Most brands will provide a template, or you can make your own from Google Sheets templates.

Include:

• SKU, product name, and quantity
• Price per unit
• Shipping terms (who pays, and where it’s going)
• Billing and delivery addresses

This is your first “official” transaction. Make it clean and professional.

Step 4: Receive the Invoice and Make Payment

The brand will then send you an invoice, typically net terms (e.g., pay in 30 days) or due upfront.

Pro tip: If you don’t have net terms, ask about them after your first order goes smoothly. Many brands are open to it once you build rapport.

Step 5: Track the Shipment

Once payment is confirmed, the brand ships the product. Usually you need to go into Seller Central, input their info to create labels, and attach via email for the Brand’s warehouse team. Then Amazon and UPS take it from there.

Keep an eye out for:

• Delivery times
• Damages or shortages
• Carrier info for check-ins if needed

If you’re using a prep center, arrange shipping with the brand’s accounts and add the price to the invoice if able. Then make sure they know the PC knows a shipment is coming and how to handle the goods when they arrive.

Step 6: Go Live, Track, and Prepare for Reorders

Once your inventory is live, monitor it daily.

What you’re looking for:

• Sell-through rate (How fast are units moving?)
• Buy box consistency
• Customer feedback or product issues

Use this data to make smarter decisions on your reorder timing and quantity. Reordering too late = out of stock. Too early = cash tied up.

And always keep the brand updated. Share wins. Ask for suggestions. Offer to improve their listings if you spot problems.

Key Takeaways

Here’s a quick summary of what to do after you get a “yes” from a brand:

• ✅ Request the wholesale price list and study the SKUs
• ✅ Choose a handful of products for a small test buy
• ✅ Submit a clear purchase order
• ✅ Pay invoice promptly and track the shipment
• ✅ Monitor sales and prepare for your first reorder
• ✅ Keep communication strong with the brand

If you’ve ever felt like starting an Amazon business means betting the farm, we’re here to tell you—that’s not true in 2025.

Over the last 10 years, we’ve seen $30 million+ sales on Amazon. And if there is one recent takeaway, sellers are chasing the “big fish” too much: start smaller and simpler. That’s the exact path we now recommend to new sellers, and we’re going to walk you through it step-by-step.

This post is all about how to find your first 5 profitable wholesale products—without overthinking, overspending, or overcommitting. We’ll show you what to look for, how to track it, and how to build momentum the smart way.

Why 5 Products?

We’ve taught over a thousand people how to succeed with wholesale on Amazon. The ones who win? They don’t try to find 50 “home run” products out of the gate. They start with just a few solid ASINs.

Here’s what those early wins do:

• Give you confidence and proof of concept
• Generate real profit you can reinvest
• Teach you how the model works firsthand
• Help build real relationships with brands

Let’s dive into the criteria you need to find those first 5 products.

What to Look For in a Starter Product

These filters help you avoid common pitfalls while keeping things simple and profitable:

Ideal Product Criteria:

• Buy Box Price: $20–$50
  Less than $20 and you may struggle with price instability or margins. More than $50 often means higher risk or slower sales initially.
• Monthly Sales: 20+ per competitive seller
  This tells you the product is moving. You’re not looking for viral hits—just steady, predictable sellers.
• At least 2 FBA sellers (not including the brand)
  This proves the brand allows resellers. If there’s only 1 seller and it’s the brand, move on.
• No Amazon Retail competing in the Buy Box
  If it says “Ships from and sold by Amazon,” that’s a red flag. Amazon Retail often prices aggressively and rarely loses a buy box.

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

We see new sellers fall into these traps all the time—but they’re easy to avoid:

• Mistake: Falling in love with the wrong product.
  Solution: Use data, not emotion. If it doesn’t meet the above criteria, skip it.
• Mistake: Thinking you need a massive budget.
  Solution: Start small. With 5 products, you can test the waters with just a few hundred dollars per ASIN. Each test buy then builds a bigger reorder month to month.
• Mistake: Worrying about perfection.
  Solution: Focus on progress. Your first 5 products won’t make you rich—but they will grow your capital in weeks.

Where to Go from Here

Once you’ve found 5 solid products that meet the criteria, the next step is outreach. You’ll contact the brands (or their distributors), open wholesale accounts, and start placing small test orders.

But for now, your only job is to build your scouting list. Treat this like you’re building your first portfolio—low risk, steady potential, and lots to learn from. Input the info from each ASIN in a table like this one:

Keep Track with This Simple Spreadsheet

ASIN Title	ASIN Link	BuyBox Price	Monthly Sales	# of Competitive Sellers	No Amazon Retail (Yes/No)

You can fill this out using tools like Keepa, Amazon’s own data, or research software like SmartScout or Jungle Scout. Keep adding rows as you scout new products. Don’t overcomplicate it—just stick to the filters above.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Be an Expert

You don’t need a warehouse, a team, or a massive budget to get started. You just need to know how to pick the right products, and be willing to take the first few steps.

We’ve helped thousands of people launch wholesale businesses from scratch—and we’re dedicated to helping you. 

Keep checking back for more updates

The Quintessential Guide to Results-Driven Brand Outreach

Are you tired of sending emails to potential brand partners only to be met with deafening silence? 

We’ve been there. 

When we first started our Amazon journey, our outreach emails were, frankly, embarrassing. 

Today, we manage over $30 million in annual Amazon sales across dozens of brands, and we can tell you—that first impression is everything.

Most Amazon sellers overthink their brand outreach. They craft long-winded emails explaining their life story, business model, and future plans. Here’s the truth: brands don’t care about your dreams. They care about results.

Why Most Amazon Sellers Fail at Brand Outreach

The painful reality is that 97% of Amazon sellers craft outreach emails that scream “AMATEUR!” Brand managers can smell inexperience from a mile away, and that first impression can permanently damage your chances of securing lucrative partnerships.

When we review our students’ initial outreach attempts, we consistently see the same critical mistakes:

• Emails that ramble on for paragraphs
• Focusing on what the brand can do for them (not vice versa)
• Unprofessional language and formatting
• No clear call to action
• Desperation seeping through every word

Each of these mistakes signals to brands that you’re not worth their time. 

But here’s the good news: fixing your outreach approach can literally transform your business overnight.

The Psychology Behind Successful Brand Outreach

Brand managers and product owners are overwhelmed with partnership requests. They don’t have time to read your manifesto about why Amazon is the future of retail.

What they need to see is professionalism, confidence, and brevity.

The Golden Rule of First Contact: Less Is More

Remember this: Every word in your outreach email is an opportunity for objection.

The longer your email, the more reasons you give the brand to say “no.” Our data across thousands of successful partnerships shows that emails between 4-7 sentences have the highest response rate.

Strong vs. Weak Outreach Examples

WEAK EXAMPLE:

“Hello there! My name is John and I’m really excited to reach out to you about potentially selling your amazing products on Amazon! I’ve been an Amazon seller for about 3 months and I’m looking to expand my product line. I really love your products and think they would sell really well on Amazon because I’ve seen similar products doing well. I don’t have much experience yet but I’m a hard worker and fast learner! Would you be willing to sell me some products at wholesale so I can try listing them? I promise I’ll do my best to represent your brand well! Looking forward to hearing from you! Thanks so much for your time!”

This email screams amateur. It’s too long, too enthusiastic, lacks confidence, and focuses entirely on what the brand can do for the seller.

STRONG EXAMPLE:

“Hi, my name is John, and I represent Prime Retail Partners.

We have researched Superb Skincare products, and believe you would align well with our customer base.

Please let us know what wholesale options are currently available.

Thank you, John Smith Prime Retail Partners”

Notice the difference? The strong example is concise, confident, and professional. It suggests you’ve done your homework and are approaching the partnership as a business opportunity—not begging for a chance.

The Perfect Outreach Template (That Actually Works)

After testing hundreds of variations with our 8-figure Amazon business, we’ve refined our outreach to this proven template:

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I represent [Company Name].

We have researched [Their brand] products, and believe you would align with our customer base.

Please let us know what wholesale options are currently available.

Thank you,

[Your Name]

[Company Name]

This template works because:

1. It’s concise and respectful of their time
2. It positions you as a professional business, not a hobbyist
3. It suggests you’ve done your research
4. It has a clear, specific call to action
5. It doesn’t overwhelm with unnecessary details

Why This Approach Consistently Wins

When we implemented this exact template across our outreach campaigns, we saw a significant increase in positive responses. The psychology is simple: brands want to work with professional partners who understand business communication.

What happens next is equally important. Once a brand responds positively, you’ll move to the qualification phase—but that’s a topic for another article.

The Truth About Amazon Success Nobody Tells You

Here’s what everyone misses: success on Amazon isn’t about finding the perfect product or mastering PPC campaigns. Those things matter, but what separates 7-figure sellers from everyone else is their ability to secure exclusive brand relationships that others can’t.

What’s Holding You Back?

Every day you continue using amateur outreach methods, you’re leaving money on the table and damaging your reputation with potential partners.

The approach we’ve outlined isn’t complicated—it’s simple enough that anyone can implement it today. But simple doesn’t mean easy. It requires discipline to keep your message concise and professional when you’re eager to share all your ideas.

Key Takeaways:

• First impressions determine whether brands see you as a professional or amateur
• Keep your outreach emails between 4-7 sentences for maximum response rate
• Position yourself as a business partner, not a hopeful seller
• Use our proven template for immediate improvement in response rates
• Focus on professionalism, confidence, and brevity
• Remember: less copy means fewer objections
• Follow up professionally if you don’t receive a response within 5 business days

After building our 8-figure Amazon business, we’ve developed a simple formula to identify winning wholesale products. 

Today, we’re sharing our methods for beginners here. 

Our Four-Factor Product Selection Formula

When evaluating potential products, we insist that ALL four of these criteria must be met:

1. Price Over $20 Buy Box Monthly Average
Products priced above $20 typically provide enough margin after Amazon fees and wholesale costs. Higher-priced items mean more profit per sale and usually attract less penny-pinching competition, any potential price instability will impact your margins less at higher overall prices..

2. No Amazon Retail in the Buy Box
This is non-negotiable.

When Amazon Retail sells a product, they dominate the Buy Box and can price at levels impossible for third-party sellers to match. 

We built our business by avoiding direct competition with Amazon Retail. This looks like “Sold by Amazon. Ships from Amazon” under the Buy Box.

3. Multiple Competitive Sellers
Look for products where there are at least 2 sellers at Buy Box price to avoid exclusives. Also where the brand itself might be selling, PLUS at least one other competitive FBA offer. This pattern proves two things: the brand allows third-party sellers, and there’s established demand for the product.

4. At Least 20 Sales Per Month Equity

Sales equity = Your expected share of total monthly sales

If a product has 60 monthly sales and 3 equally competitive sellers, your equity if you test bought would be about 15 sales per month. We define competitive offers as those with the lowest FBA price or within 2% of it.

How to Apply Our Formula: Step-by-Step

Here’s our exact workflow:

Step 1: Verify the Buy Box Price Average
Use the free version of Keepa to check if the 90-day Buy Box price average exceeds $20. If not, move on.

Step 2: Check for Amazon Retail
Look at the current Buy Box and recent history. If Amazon Retail appears frequently, reject this product.

Step 3: Analyze Seller Competition
Look for multiple FBA offers. If the brand sells, ensure there’s at least one other established FBA seller.

Step 4: Calculate Your Sales Equity
Estimate the product’s total monthly sales, then divide by the number of competitive offers +1 to include your new offer. If it’s fewer than 20 units monthly, pass.

Step 5: Verify Profitability
For products passing the first four criteria, calculate exact profits using the Amazon FBA Calculator.

Real-World Example

Product: Professional Salon Hair Styling Flat Iron

• Buy Box 90-day average: $79.99 (✓ Over $20)
• Amazon Retail: Not present (✓ No Amazon Retail)
• Competitive Sellers: Brand + 2 other FBA sellers (✓ Multiple sellers)
• Monthly Sales: 150 units
• Competitive Offers: 3 sellers within 2% pricing
• Your Sales Equity: ~30 units per month (✓ Over 20 sales)

Profitability:

• Wholesale cost: $40.00
• Selling price: $79.99
• Amazon fees: $19.50
• Profit per unit: $20.49
• Monthly profit potential: ~$400+

This product passes all four criteria with flying colors! Many of the most successful products are mundane and “under the radar” of other sellers. They only require ~$1000 for a monthly order to bring in hundreds in profit.