Selling on Amazon

For the past ten years, I’ve been on a mission to make money from home while managing my busy life as a mom. I’ve sold on eBay and Amazon to earn extra income, always looking for the best side hustle ideas that would allow me to contribute financially while being there for my family. Throughout my journey, I’ve explored various side hustles—some successful, some not—and I’ll be sharing those experiences on my blog to help others navigate the world of online income opportunities.

If you’ve ever searched for ways to make money from anywhere in the world, your Google results are likely flooded with side hustle opportunities, from drop shipping to freelancing to print-on-demand. In 2016, I decided to take a deeper dive into Amazon FBA business, a model that allows you to leverage Amazon’s vast customer base and fulfillment centers to sell products without having to handle shipping yourself.

How I Got Started with Amazon FBA

When I first started researching how to sell on Amazon, I quickly realized that I needed guidance. The internet was full of courses promising overnight success, but many of them came with a hefty price tag—some costing thousands of dollars. After careful consideration, I chose the Proven Amazon Course by Jim Cockrum.

This course stood out because it wasn’t outrageously expensive, and Jim had a reputation for being a genuine, knowledgeable mentor. Unlike other courses that push private labeling as the ultimate business model, this course offered a variety of strategies to fit different sellers’ needs, from beginners to advanced entrepreneurs.

In 2021, I attended the Proven Amazon Course conference in Louisville, Kentucky, and was incredibly impressed by how knowledgeable and friendly everyone was. It was a great opportunity to meet successful sellers and learn from their experiences. I also noticed a strong presence of homeschooling families in the Amazon FBA space. It makes sense—many parents are drawn to this business because it allows them to work from home while educating their kids and creating a flexible income stream.

Understanding the Amazon FBA Business Models

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting an Amazon FBA business is choosing the right business model. Here are the main options:

1. Retail Arbitrage (Reselling)

Retail arbitrage involves buying products at a lower price from retail stores or online marketplaces and reselling them on Amazon for a profit.

• Pros:
  • Low startup costs
  • Fast way to start making sales
  • Great for beginners
• Cons:
  • Time-intensive (requires finding deals in stores or online)
  • Profit margins can be slim
  • Not scalable in the long term

I personally did not enjoy retail arbitrage because I don’t like going from store to store searching for products. However, there were many times I ordered products online and opted for store pickup, which made it more manageable.

2. Online Arbitrage

Similar to retail arbitrage, but instead of sourcing products from physical stores, you buy discounted products online and resell them on Amazon.

• Pros:
  • Can be done from home
  • Less time-consuming than retail arbitrage
• Cons:
  • Requires constant research to find deals
  • Amazon competition can be high

As a busy sports mom, online arbitrage was a much better fit for my lifestyle. I could research products and place orders while sitting at hockey practice, making it an efficient way to manage my business without sacrificing family time. Once I figured out a system, I even had my products sent to a shipping center that handled labeling and shipping for me, which took a huge burden off my plate.

3. Wholesale

With this model, you buy products in bulk directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors at a discounted price and resell them on Amazon.

• Pros:
  • More stable and scalable than arbitrage
  • Easier to replenish stock
• Cons:
  • Requires more upfront investment
  • Approval needed for certain brands

4. Private Label

This involves creating your own branded products and selling them under your brand name. While it can be lucrative, it’s also one of the most challenging models to succeed in.

• Pros:
  • Higher profit potential
  • Full control over your brand
• Cons:
  • Expensive startup costs
  • High risk with product selection and competition

My Personal Experience with Amazon FBA

Initially, my husband and I were drawn to the private label model. We even consulted with one of Jim Cockrum’s private label specialists. However, as we dug deeper, we quickly realized just how competitive and oversaturated the market had become. The costs of launching a private label—product sourcing, branding, and marketing—were much higher than expected, and success was far from guaranteed.

Instead, I focused on reselling, starting with retail and online arbitrage. This approach allowed me to build a profitable business without the stress of creating a brand from scratch.

What You Need to Get Started with Amazon FBA

If you’re ready to dive into the Amazon FBA business, here’s what you need to get started:

1. An Amazon Seller Account

• Sign up for an Individual or Professional seller account on Amazon. If you plan to sell more than 40 items per month, the Professional account is the best option.

2. Product Research Tools

• Tools like Keepa, Jungle Scout, and Helium 10 can help you analyze product demand, pricing, and competition.

3. A Barcode Scanner App

• If doing retail arbitrage, apps like the Amazon Seller App or Scoutify will help you scan products in-store and check profitability.

4. Shipping Supplies

• Boxes, packing tape, labels, and a thermal printer make your FBA prep easier.

5. An Understanding of Amazon’s Rules

• Amazon has strict regulations, so read their guidelines carefully to avoid account suspension.

Pros and Cons of Selling on Amazon FBA

Pros:

✅ Work from home – Perfect for busy moms looking for flexible income. ✅ Extra income – Helps cover extracurricular activities, vacations, or savings. ✅ Low startup costs – You can start with minimal investment. ✅ Scalability – Potential to grow into a full-time business. ✅ Supportive community – The Amazon FBA seller community is incredibly helpful. ✅ Freedom to work from anywhere – Whether at home or traveling, you can run your business remotely.

Cons:

❌ Strict regulations – Amazon has rigorous rules you must follow. ❌ Finding profitable products takes time – Market research is essential. ❌ Logistics can be tedious – Labeling and packing shipments take effort. ❌ Additional software costs – Keyword research and SEO tools may require extra investment.

Ready to Start Your Amazon FBA Business?

If you’re ready to take the first step toward building a profitable Amazon business and want to learn how to make money from anywhere in the world, sign up for the Proven Amazon Course today. It’s one of the best investments you can make in your journey to financial freedom!

Click here to enroll now and start your Amazon FBA journey today!