From dropshipping flop to Amazon FBA bestseller: How two friends became a sales success

Many people dream of having their own Amazon business, but the road to becoming a bestseller is often a rocky one. In this interview with Maximilian Hartmann and Nick, we find out what really counts when it comes to getting started on Amazon, what mistakes they made and why their successful product comes from Europe rather than China, as is usually the case. Here you can read about their journey from their first dropshipping attempts to the bestseller award, with all the learnings and concrete tips - comprehensible, honest and practical.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RONQdI-LCcw

From shared flat to Amazon Business: the first steps

Maximilian and Nick are not classic founders, but best friends from Kampen in Westphalia. They lived together in a shared flat while they were still students. That's where the desire arose: We want to do our own thing.

Dropshipping as an introduction

As the start-up capital for Amazon FBA seemed too high at the beginning, the two opted for dropshipping. Low investment, quick tests - but the big breakthrough never came. They tried out various online stores, learned a lot through self-study and even ventured into Christmas market sales. The result: lots of practical experience, but no scalable success.

The switch to Amazon FBA

After various attempts at dropshipping, their main goal remained clear: Amazon. After some time, they took the plunge, put their money where their mouth was and signed up for Amazon mentoring. One of their first important decisions: They immediately focused on high-quality product photos and worked with Stacvalley to achieve this. It quickly became clear how crucial professional images are when entering the FBA business.

Important learnings:

• Friends can be strong business partners.
• Dropshipping is good for building up capital, but is not a sure-fire success.
• Without professional support and a network, mistakes creep in and time and money are lost.
• They invest in quality right from the start - especially when it comes to product images.

From first product to bestseller: the path to Amazon success

First product developments and hard learnings

The pair's first Amazon product was solid, but not exceptional. The mentoring helped to avoid many mistakes, but the wow effect was missing. For the second product, they really wanted to do everything better. No more compromises. The result was a clear strategy:

Step by step to a bestseller

1. Product selection: They scanned Amazon for niches with high sales figures but weak ratings. Customer comments in particular helped to find real weaknesses in the competition.
2. Own product idea: They opted for an existing product category, but combined proven technology with a simple, elegant look instead of kitschy variants.
3. Sourcing in Europe: The motto was not "cheap from China", but European production - for reasons such as shorter delivery times, better cash flow and fewer risks in the supply chain.
4. Manufacturer search: The search was more difficult than on Alibaba, but Google provided the solution. A manufacturer from Europe, with a German subsidiary, produced the desired product to the highest quality. With 3D designs, numerous emails and phone calls, everything was finally finalized.
5. Production and launch: After intensive negotiations and adjustments, it took just under a year from initial contact to the first major distribution.

Within just three to four months of its launch, the second product had already become a bestseller on Amazon.

European sourcing vs. China: what really worked better

Many Amazon retailers rely on China when it comes to production. However, Maximilian and Nick show that the supposedly more difficult route via Europe is often the more rewarding one.

Advantages of European manufacturers

• Fast delivery times: Instead of two months by sea, delivery from Europe usually takes just one week. Products are therefore in stock more quickly.
• Better payment terms: From the third order onwards, the two were able to enforce a payment term of 30 days, with 50 or 60 days to follow later. This means that the money remains available for longer.
• Flexibility for repeat orders: Particularly crucial for seasonal products. Fast re-production and delivery prevent out-of-stock problems.
• Personal contact: German contact persons, fewer language barriers, better basis for negotiation.

Disadvantages and challenges

• Manufacturer research is more difficult: there are fewer providers, contacts are usually not found straight away. A simple e-mail is often not enough; following up on the phone is mandatory.
• European manufacturers are more cautious: small companies in particular need convincing.

Comparison table: Sourcing Europe vs. China

Conclusion: Sourcing in Europe saves time, retains more capital and can react more quickly - a clear advantage, especially in dynamic markets.

Marketing and customer focus: the key to a bestseller

Many products fail because they do not fulfill customer wishes or communicate their benefits poorly. Maximilian and Nick were different.

Using the competition's problems as an opportunity

To begin with, they analyzed countless reviews from the competition. One recurring point of criticism stood out: A feature that had been overlooked by all previous providers became the new main USP.

USP strategy:

• Clear and visible: The photos clearly show how this problem is solved.
• Additional USPs: Additional benefits are present on the images and in the Amazon listing, but the main benefit is the focus.
• speak the customer's language: As both of them are users of their product themselves, they know exactly what is important.

Collaboration with professionals

High-quality photos and a clearly structured listing (text, bullet points, A+ content) made a difference right from the start. The product clearly stood out as a result.

Product images and USP hierarchy

• Main USP: Problem solution that no one in the niche has previously made visible
• Secondary USPs: appearance, additional functions, better handling

Important: Always focus on the customer benefit. Beauty alone rarely sells.

Practical learning: The "remission" - a logistics disaster as a wealth of experience

Success is rarely a straight line. An instructive challenge awaited the founders when an entire delivery had to be returned from the Amazon warehouse due to incorrect packaging.

What had happened?

The goods were delivered in a set of two, but were incorrectly labeled. Amazon separated the products. As a result, everything had to be taken out again, repacked and labeled with QR codes.

Own solution found

With the help of friends and family, the two organized an assembly line production in their home office. 2,500 units were manually reworked, labeled and prepared for re-entry - in just three weeks.

Success through pragmatism: Despite the setback, they remained motivated. Mistakes were accepted as learning opportunities, the goal was always clear: move forward, don't give up!

Growth, goals and visions: What will happen in 2025?

Expand product range and brand

The launch of the third product is already underway. The aim is to achieve bestseller status here too. At the same time, the range is being broadened - for example by adding more colors and variants in order to stand out from imitators and strengthen the brand.

Long-term strategy

• Leaving the 9-to-5 job: the goal is complete independence.
• Further optimize cash flow: Negotiate payment terms, check financing options, secure better purchasing conditions.
• Improve logistics: Prompt reorders, own goods in stock at the producer
• Weekly planning: The two rely on to-do lists with clear priorities so that important steps don't get lost.

Challenges remain, but also the drive

Mistakes and setbacks are part of the process. The difference: don't give up and learn from every setback.

The most important tips for Amazon beginners

1. Show patience and learn: Success does not come overnight, mistakes are part of the process.
2. Quality over quantity: Professional product images and a clear USP are the key.
3. Make a conscious choice of manufacturer: Use the advantages of European production, but also keep an eye on China if necessary.
4. Maintain contacts: telephone, follow up - e-mail is rarely enough.
5. Clever cash flow management: payment terms and flexible warehousing bring growth.
6. Customer focus: Build your marketing precisely to the real target group and solve their problem.
7. Think long-term: Don't just launch a single product, build a brand.

Resources & further links

You can find out more about product photography and how you can stand out from the competition by contacting Stacvalley directly for a free initial consultation.

You can also find inspiration and tips on Stacvalley's social media channels:

• Instagram: stacvalley.de
• Facebook: Stacvalley

Whether you are just planning to get started or are already selling: professional support, exchange and ambition always pay off.

Conclusion

The path to becoming an Amazon bestseller rarely leads in a straight line. Maximilian Hartmann and Nick prove that perseverance, independent thinking and the courage to swim against the tide - for example when sourcing in Europe instead of China - are rewarded in the end. Those who focus on quality, customer benefits and clear communication have the best chance of making it to the top with their product.

Take the first steps, invest in the right areas and learn from setbacks. The goal is achievable - and it may be closer than you think.