AF255 - E-Comm Wisdom and Thrift Stories

Today, I’m welcoming back one of my favorite guests, Scott Zilke, aka The Bearded Picker, an expert in Amazon FBA and eBay flipping. First up, Scott tells us what he’s been up to in the last few months, including changing his business model, reworking his eBay store, and redesigning his storage setup. Then we chat about our shared love of thrifting and yard sales, and both of us emphasize the importance of finding a balance between making money and having fun, something that’s much easier when you do what you love and delegate what you don’t (Scott recommends hiring an accountant!).

We also talk in detail about the processes involved in yard sales, estate sales, and auctions (both online and in-person) and emphasize that knowledge is a weapon you can wield to your advantage, whether that’s how the business of flipping works or what items are particularly valuable in a specific market. Scott then discusses the importance of looking forward, knowing where your audience is going, and embracing change to ensure you don’t lag behind and give yourself every profit-making opportunity possible. And finally, we wrap up the episode by focusing on the importance of surrounding yourself with a positive and supportive community and trying to push out the negative. Life is too short to be miserable, so stop waiting for the perfect time, follow your passion, and spend time with the people you love.

You can learn more about thrifting and auctions in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword PICKER to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.

This week on the Amazon Files:

• Scott’s background and what he’s been up to recently
  
• Finding the balance between business and fun
• Yard sales, auctions, estate sales, and thrifting
  
• Using knowledge to your advantage
  
• Being forward-looking in business and life
  
  

“If you’re going to be an entrepreneur, you don’t do it for the money. That’s part of it, but you do it for the passion, you do it because you can’t do anything else because nothing else suits you.”

- Kristin Ostrander

WATCH:

LISTEN:

Quotes:

“I kept telling people, do what you love, do what you love, but the light never came on. It finally… I was selling some stuff, I’m like, why am I doing the dropshipping for somebody else whenever I can be making all the profit? And that was where the light came on.”

“One thing I have preached and I’ve tried not to do is never, never rule, never, never legislate out in your business the fun part. You’ve got to have fun, you got to enjoy this. There’s a reason you do this, and you made it into your business, but the accounting, all that crazy stuff can drag you down, you’ve got to have the fun stuff.”

“If you sit around and complain and moan and groan, you’re behind everybody else who’s going, ‘You know what? I can do this and that.’ These new rules, you adapt to the new rules.”

“I’m a firm believer that, you know, find the remote, find the cable, find the whatever because they’re not gonna charge you. There’s a VCR there, they’re not gonna charge you any extra with a remote or without the remote. But you sell it for a lot more money on eBay or Amazon with the remote.”

“Follow your passion, do what you love, surround yourself with positive people. You only get one shot at this go-around. Make what’s important to you.”

Related Content:

• 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
  
• Wholesale Bundle System
• Graphic Rhythm Design
  
• Email questions
  
• Learn With Us
  
• Coaching
  
• The Amazon Files Hub
  
  

Grow Your Amazon Business!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword PICKER to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.