The Smartest Amazon Seller

Episode 311 - How Leverage Can Make or Break Your Business

Scott gets into the real-world financial decisions Amazon sellers face, especially when it comes to leveraging debt. He shares firsthand experience navigating inventory demands, Q4 cash crunches, and the lure of fast growth, while also examining the dangers of borrowing, from overvaluing inventory to the addictive cycle of continual loans.
Hear case studies, cautionary tales, and reflections on what separates sellers who survive from those who flame out. Whether you’re debating your first credit line or considering a private label acquisition, this episode offers grounded insight—and a compelling argument for building debt-free, sustainable Amazon businesses.
 
Episode Notes:
00:09 - Iconic Companies That Haven’t Taken Loans
01:12 - The Need for Cash in Amazon Selling
02:04  - Navigating Financial Leverage
02:26 - Types of Financial Leverage Used
06:32 - The Downside of Leverage
12:10 - A Case Study: Private Label Acquisition During Leverage
13:52 - Survival and Demise of Major Amazon Sellers
16:12 - The Case for Debt-Free Growth
18:21 - Amazon Accelerate
 
Related Post: Nike and Amazon's Renewed Partnership
 
Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
 
 

Episode 310 - Prime Day Changes, Sellers United News & Behind-the-Scenes Updates

Scott returns from Prosper to share some personal updates and Amazon insights.Prime Day is expanding to four days this year — a move that makes sense as Amazon tries to give shoppers and sellers more time to take advantage of the buzz.Scott also talks about the return of Sellers United this October near New York City, a conference built for resellers of all sizes.Plus, he gives a casual rundown of what’s new at SmartScout. From tools that help track where your products get mentioned online to ways of better understanding pricing trends. It’s a laid-back, behind-the-scenes update with a bit of everything for Amazon sellers.
Episode Notes:
00:15 - New developments and Upcoming Announcements
01:14 - Amazon Prime Day – Strategy and Insights
02:30 - Sellers United Conference Announcement
05:57 - New Tools: Traffic Links
09:43 - Pricing Intelligence
14:40 - Content Marketing and Brand Awareness
Related Post: Who Competes with Circana? The Top Alternatives for Retail and CPG Data Intelligence
 
Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Episode 309 - Building Better Tools for Amazon Sellers with Andrew Smith of Swapt

Kicking off with a surprising connection through pickleball that led to discovering shared passions in e-commerce innovation, Scott sits with Andrew Smith, founder of Swapt and former Klaviyo engineer, about building smarter tools for Amazon sellers.
Andrew shares his journey from working at IBM and Oracle to witnessing rapid growth at Klaviyo, which shaped his understanding of what marketplace sellers truly need.
They dive into how Swapt is helping Amazon-native brands drive customer engagement and reviews through one-time use QR codes, while staying fully compliant with Amazon’s strict policies.
With a successful case study generating $100K in sales and 500 reviews in three months, this episode is packed with insights for CPG, beauty, and supplement brands looking to boost performance and build direct customer relationships without risking their margins.
 
Episode Notes:
00:19 - Andrew Smith Introduction 
01:52 - Andrew’s Background
02:23 - Scaling at Klaviyo and E-commerce Ecosystem Insights
05:39 - Data, Email Marketing, and the Amazon Challenge
08:59 - The Impact of Recent E-commerce Headwinds
09:52 - The Genesis and Evolution of Swapt
13:16 - Discovering the Amazon Brand Opportunity
19:57 - Technical Innovations and Results
20:38 - Navigating Amazon Compliance and Risk
25:00 - Who Should Use Swapt?
27:05 - Getting Started with Swapt
 
Related Post: Top 10 Tennis Racket Brands on Amazon
 
How to Reach Andrew:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewsm1th
Website: https://swqr.link/
 
Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
 

Episode 308 – The Death of Arbitrage? Jasim Eisa Explores Big Shifts in the Market

Jasim Eisa, Founder and CEO of Voadera, built an $80 million e-commerce business from the ground up, and here, he shares what’s working now—and what’s not.
Scott and Jasim explore big shifts in the marketplace, such as Nike coming back to Amazon and what that means for resellers. Jasim also breaks down how major brands such as Adidas and Michael Kors are changing the way they sell on the platform and what sellers need to know about the growing “diversion economy.”
With Amazon tightening its supply chain rules, Voadera is moving away from traditional arbitrage and focusing on direct brand deals and smart acquisitions. You'll also hear practical tips on adapting to Amazon’s policy changes, rising FBA fees, and optimizing your logistics to stay profitable.
 
Episode Notes:
00:18 - Jasim Eisa Introduction
00:26 - The Big Brands’ Approach to Amazon
07:12 - Reseller Economy and Marketplace Double-Dipping
08:45 - 1P vs 3P Strategy and Policy Cycles
12:18 - Diversion and the Gray Market
14:45 - Moving Beyond Arbitrage: Brand Direct and Acquisitions
16:03 - Adapting to Amazon’s Fee and Policy Changes
18:18 - Arbitrage’s Diminishing Role and Supply Chain Optimization
19:52 - Warehousing, Fulfillment, and Grade B Marketplaces
21:28 - Future Investments: Supply Chain, AI, and Creative Tools
23:19 - Building a Top Brand Direct Business
24:29 - Favorite Tools & Technology Stack
Related Post: The Best Nielsen IQ and Data Impact Alternatives for Amazon Market Intelligence — Starting with the One Built for Visibility, Not Vanity
 
How to Reach Jasim:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasim-eisa-425735145
Website: voadera.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JasimEisa
 
Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Episode 307 - How CPG Brands Win on TikTok with Rob Principe

Scott welcomes industry veteran Rob Principe to explore the explosive growth potential in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG).
Drawing from his extensive experience at Jungle Scout and Netrush, Rob shares insights on how emerging brands can leverage strategic positioning and TikTok's unparalleled reach to transform from unknown startups to market leaders. Learn why TikTok has become the essential platform for modern CPG marketing as Rob breaks down the critical differences between micro and macro-influencer strategies and their impact on consumer trust.
This is a masterclass in social media marketing for e-commerce brands, revealing how the right digital presence can dramatically accelerate brand growth and establish lasting customer relationships.
 
Episode Notes:
00:13 - Robert Principe Introduction
01:23 - Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
03:07 - CPGs and Top 10 Lists
05:50 - Challenger Brands: Growth and Positioning
08:51 - GLP-1s, Protein Trends, and Product Positioning
12:10 - The Evolution of Protein Bars & Consumer Tastes
14:44 - Identifying PE-Backed Versus Bootstrapped Brands
15:37 - Multi-Channel Launch Strategies for Brands
17:17 - Matching Brands with the Right Service Providers
20:43 - The Critical Role of TikTok for Modern Brands
24:12 - Navigating TikTok Agencies and Service Providers
28:47 - Brick and Mortar: Still Relevant for CPG?
31:54 - Influencer vs. Affiliate Strategies on TikTok
37:45 - The Value of Human Touch and Relationship Building
 
Related Post: The Top 10 Amazon Sellers in the U.S. Marketplace
 
How to Reach Robert:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/etailfounder
Website: etail-advisors.com
 
Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Episode 306 - What Every Brand Needs to Know About AI, Influencers, and Social Video

Justin Willhite, Senior Influencer Marketing Manager at Twitch and Owner and Principal Talent at CommQuest, shares invaluable insights from his journey from YouTube creator to running a successful video production studio.Discover why "dark social media" is transforming marketing strategies, how brands can create genuinely shareable content, and the delicate balance between leveraging AI tools and maintaining authentic connections with audiences.Also, don't miss Justin's predictions on where video marketing is headed and how to stay ahead of the curve!
 
Episode Notes:
00:22 - Justin Willhite Introduction
01:52 - Justin Willhite Background and Industry Experience
05:18 - What is dark social media?
07:30 - Starting a Video Production Company & Working with Brands
10:18 - The Social Media Content Playbook for Brands
13:52 - Creating Viral and Engaging Product Content
19:35 - The AI Revolution in Video Marketing
21:10 - Implications of AI for Content Creators and Marketers
27:45 - Favorite AI Tools and Practical Tips
29:50 - UGC Strategies: In-House vs. Outsourced Creator Content
 
Related Post: How To Be a Trusted Seller on Amazon
 
How to Reach Justin:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justinwillhite | linkedin.com/company/commquestofficial/
 
Scott’s Links:
 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Episode 305 - Amazon Ads Are Evolving — Here’s What You Need to Know

Neha Bhuchar, co-founder of Atom11 and former Amazon Advertising insider, shares Amazon Advertising secrets—revealing the game-changing concept of "retail-aware advertising" that integrates inventory, pricing, and search rank signals with advertising automation to maximize ROI.Discover how Amazon's algorithms work, from the critical difference between click-through and conversion rates to strategic approaches for the newly democratized Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC). Neha breaks down complex concepts into actionable strategies for sellers at every level, from optimizing audience targeting to balancing conversion improvements with cost efficiency.The conversation explores 2024's pivotal changes to AMC access, practical thresholds for implementation, and bold predictions for the future of e-commerce advertising. Whether you're managing campaigns in-house or evaluating automation tools, this episode delivers a rare insider perspective on Amazon's advertising ecosystem and Atom11's transparent approach to helping sellers thrive in an increasingly AI-driven marketplace.This is for Amazon sellers, e-commerce marketers, advertising strategists, and anyone looking to understand the future of retail advertising technology.
Episode Notes:
00:26 - Neha Bhuchar Introduction
00:20 - Neha’s Background and Atom11
06:00 - Retail Aware Advertising
07:25 - Dynamic Bidding & Audience Creation
10:39 - Amazon Marketing Cloud
13:36 - Audience Targeting Challenges
14:01 - Look-alike Audience
15:50 - Mainstream Adoption of AMC
26:45- Tariff and Amazon Ads
31:05 - Impact of AI on Ads
Related Post: Amazon PPC Services: A Guide to Boosting Sales and Choosing the Right Partner
How to Reach Neha:
 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nehabhuchar
Website: https://www.atom11.co/
 
Scott’s Links:
 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Episode 304 - Why Carrier Central Demands Your Attention with Tyler Allgaier

Discover the underutilized potential of Amazon Carrier Central for enhanced shipment trackability, effective management, and avoiding costly delays, especially during peak times such as Prime Day. Tyler Allgaier, Founder & CEO of Pitted Labs, breaks down how live loads directly at fulfillment facilities can be a game-changer for your operations.
But that's not all – Scott and Tyler dive deep into Amazon bundling strategies, exploring how recent policy updates impact consumable categories and how creating unique offers can give you a competitive edge. Learn how smart bundling can significantly increase your AOV, thereby reducing the percentage impact of FBA fees, much like Costco’s successful model.Tyler also shares insights on using virtual bundles as a low-risk way to test market demand. Plus, get tips on navigating D2C shipping and direct carrier negotiations in light of changing postal service rates.
Episode Notes:
00:22 - Tyler Allgaier Introduction
02:20 - Background and Origins of the Carrier Central
03:32 - The Importance of Carrier Central: Practical Advice
09:07 - Amazon’s Bundle Policy Updates
13:19 - The Benefits and Strategy of Bundling on Amazon
14:29 - Types of Bundles and Customer Behavior Insights
16:00 - Bundling Tactics: Operational Considerations and Virtual Bundles
20:11 - Catalog Expansion vs. Profit Optimization Through Bundling
21:31 - Innovative Bundling: Cross-Brand Collaborations
23:47 - Trends in Logistics and the Role of Direct Carrier Relationships
26:52 - Tyler Allgaier Future Plans and Final Thoughts
Related Post: How to Leverage Amazon A+ Content for Brand Building
How to Reach Tyler:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tylerallgaier
Website: pittedlabs.com | pittedlogistics.com
 
Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
 

Episode 303 - Tariffs, HTS Codes, and Supply Chain Wisdom with Burak Yolga

Learn legal strategies to minimize tariffs with Burak Yolga, CEO and co-founder of Forceget.
Discover the importance of understanding HTS codes and how they impact global shipping costs. Burak shares creative, legal methods like product disassembly and reassembly that businesses use to mitigate the financial burden of import tariffs. Drawing from his recent visit to China, Burak provides firsthand observations on the evolution of China's manufacturing and export strategies, offering a fresh perspective on global sourcing.Explore the shifting landscape of global sourcing as businesses look beyond China to countries like Vietnam, India, and Turkey, and understand the inherent risks and challenges in international supply chains, including the crucial need for verifying suppliers' country of origin claims.Burak delves into the current impact of tariffs on shipping container volumes from China, the strategic use of bonded warehouses, and makes predictions on how persistent tariffs will affect product pricing and consumer markets.Learn how Forceget is assisting businesses with global shipping and marketplace entries, and gain actionable advice on navigating these turbulent times without panic.
 
Episode Notes:
00:30 - Burak Yolga Introduction
01:30 - Background and Global Trade Insights
03:28 - Understanding Tariffs and HTS Codes
05:15 - Strategies to Minimize Tariffs
07:29 - Risks and Challenges in International Supply Chain
09:10 - Shifts in Global Sourcing
12:33 - The Unfair Competition
14:15 - Balancing the Playing Field
18:35 - Impact on Shipping and Consumer Markets
23:00 - Market Responses and Predictions
 
Related Post: How to Leverage Amazon A+ Content for Brand Building
 
How to Reach Burak:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/burakyolga1 | linkedin.com/company/forceget/
 
Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Episode 302 - Aaron Conant on Building BWG Connect and Solving Amazon Challenges

Discover the challenges large brands face on the Amazon marketplace and how to navigate this complex landscape with Scott and Aaron Conant, Co-Founder & Chief Digital Strategist at BWG Connect.
Aaron shares his journey from corporate executive to building BWG Connect, a key platform for networking and sharing knowledge. Learn how peer-to-peer learning is crucial for overcoming operational hurdles, finding trusted service providers, and adapting traditional business models for Amazon.
This episode tackles critical issues affecting brand profitability on Amazon, including rising costs, tariffs, and the growing impact of retail media networks. Aaron also offers insights on how AI tools can boost profitability and explores the debate around Amazon's role as a sales channel versus a marketing powerhouse.
 
Episode Notes:
02:22 - Aaron Conant Introduction
01:10 - The Genesis of BWG Connect
03:09 - The Dynamics of Networking and Knowledge Sharing
05:43 - Challenges Faced by Large Brands on Amazon
08:51 - The Role of Retail Media and Advertising Technology
17:02 - Navigating Profitability and Unit Economics
21:39 - The Impact of PE and VC Money on Tech Industry
22:11 - BWG Connect as a Resource for Brands and Agencies
 
Related Post: Why Amazon Vendors Feel Ignored and What They Can Do About It
 
How to Reach Aaron:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aaronconant
Email: aaron@bwgconnect.com
 
Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog