Every startup feels a bit like jumping in at the deep end. When I started out as an Amazon retailer, I didn't know where the journey would take me. Today, a few years later, I have built up three successful own brands and founded Stacvalley, a marketing agency that is one of the leading providers for Amazon retailers in Germany and Europe. In this article, I share my personal story, my most important learnings and tips on how you too can become successful on Amazon.
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The starting point for me was a big seminar at the end of 2016, beginning of 2017. The speakers included personalities such as Gary Vaynerchuk and Tony Robbins. It was a completely new world for me back then. It was the first time I saw Amazon FBA as a business model. The presentations were in English and focused on the US market, but the basic principle quickly became clear: buy products, sell them on Amazon, and Amazon takes care of storage and shipping. That sounded like an opportunity I didn't want to miss.
My first big learning:
Amazon FBA works, but you have to be willing to keep learning and exchanging ideas with others.
At the end of 2017, I launched my first own product on Amazon. I still remember it clearly: after just three weeks, my product became a bestseller in its category. Back then, the competition was even more manageable than it is today. My turnover with just one product was between 30,000 and 40,000 euros a month.
What helped me during this phase:
If you want to get started with your own Amazon business today, you will find many valuable tips for the first steps on Start Amazon FBA: Step-by-step experiences from experts.
At first I thought I had the game figured out. Launched the product, had success, everything worked. That was my mistake. When I launched the second, less successful product, I quickly realized how important it is to exchange ideas with more experienced retailers. I lost 10,000 to 20,000 euros back then because I thought I knew everything myself.
Lessons learned from mistakes:
My first brand was mainly focused on cash flow. It was about generating sales and building up liquidity for further products. But I quickly realized that Amazon is not just about sales, but also about the perception and presentation of the products.
The aim was to present my products in the same high-quality and professional way as the big brands on TV. It was less about quick profits and more about sustainable brand building. But I was faced with a problem: I couldn't take photos and there were hardly any photographers who understood Amazon at the time.
Anyone looking to build their own brand on Amazon will find practical tips for brand building and customer loyalty in the beginner's guide for brand owners.
The solution lay in collaboration. I found a photographer to whom I explained everything about Amazon. This resulted in a strong synergy: I brought in the Amazon know-how, he brought in the photography. Together we developed our own strategies and later trained other photographers and designers.
This is how Stacvalley was born - today we have over 25 employees, two offices and are the leading provider of product images, videos and more in the Amazon sector in Germany and throughout Europe. Our claim: top marketing that brings our customers to the top of their niche.
As my experience grew, I built up my second brand together with an experienced partner. For the first time, the focus was clearly on building a real brand - with repeat purchases and long-term customer loyalty. Amazon was the springboard, my own online store was the means to build lasting loyalty.
I founded the third brand in order to concentrate fully on marketing. My goal: to use specialists for every task and use my own time more effectively.
My three brands at a glance:
There are only a limited number of hours in the day. If you try to do everything yourself, you quickly lose focus. That's why today I concentrate on one main project and build teams around me that work independently.
My motto:
Focus is the key to success.
More than 25 employees now work at Stacvalley. We have two offices in Germany and support more than 700 customers - from ambitious newcomers to retailers who are among the top 100 on Amazon Germany. We offer everything to do with product images, videos, A+ content and PPC management.
If you are looking for insights into our work and the experiences of other customers, you can find honest feedback on our Trustpilot page.
My three own brands run with smaller but highly specialized teams of five to six employees each. The operational business is leaner, but the demands are high. I am still directly involved, especially when it comes to important decisions and marketing.
The daily Amazon business is still my priority. I am convinced that marketing determines whether a product is visible and successful in the tough Amazon competition.
I do everything I can to ensure that our clients become the top providers in their niche - with unique images, videos and presentations that stand out from the crowd.
I have learned that I can't do everything on my own. That's why today I mainly take on strategic tasks and train my team so that they can work independently and efficiently in day-to-day business.
Working with many of the largest Amazon retailers in Germany has given me a good feel for how far you can grow with Amazon FBA in various niches. The key is to know your own limits and realistically assess the potential.
My claim is clear: I want to offer the best marketing and the best presentation for Amazon products. My goal is for our customers to be at the top of their respective niche - with a presence that is better than anything that has existed on the market to date.
If you want to be part of this success, I invite you to book a strategy meeting with Stacvalley. Together we'll develop a plan to take your marketing to the next level - whether you're just starting out or already in the middle of your business.
1. always remain willing to learn and listen to experienced experts.
Everyone makes mistakes. The key is to remain open to advice and continue to develop.
2. use Amazon as a springboard, but build your own brands.
Long-term success comes from brands, not from anonymous merchandise.
3. focus on high-quality marketing and product presentation.
Customers often make a decision based on their first impression. Invest in top photos, videos and A+ content.
4. focus on the essentials and delegate the rest.
You can't do everything at the same time. Build a team that supports you.
5. build customer loyalty beyond the Amazon store.
Use Amazon for acquisition, but work on binding customers to your own store.
6. have realistic expectations of growth and effort.
Quick success is possible, but sustainable growth takes time, patience and ambition.
If you would like to delve deeper into building your own brand, you will find many examples and strategies in the official Amazon guide to brand building.
My journey from my first steps as an Amazon retailer to three brands of my own and a successful agency shows that there is no ideal path. More important than perfect planning is starting at all, learning from your mistakes and improving step by step. With focus, perseverance and the will to keep learning, you can achieve a lot on Amazon.
If you need marketing support for your Amazon business or want to find out how to present your products in the best possible way, book a no-obligation strategy meeting with Stacvalley.
I wish you every success on your journey - and look forward to perhaps meeting you in person soon!
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