Upside

Many brands struggle with agencies because the common "one-size-fits-all" model often prioritizes internal scalability over true strategic growth. To avoid this, it is crucial to find an external partner whose incentives align with your specific business goals, rather than just acting as a churn-heavy service provider. When evaluating a potential partner, look for transparency, proactive communica...

In this episode, we dive into the harsh reality of running an Amazon brand in today's shifting economy. As rising tariffs, fee updates, and supply chain shifts squeeze cash flow, the traditional "growth at all costs" playbook is officially broken. We discuss why prioritizing profit over raw revenue is the ultimate survival strategy, how to avoid the dangerous cash traps built into the platform, an...

In this episode, we explore why relying solely on standard dashboards can lead to costly strategic errors. Using the famous WWII "survivorship bias" bomber story, they explain that metrics often show an incomplete truth. To find real growth opportunities, brands must look beyond the raw numbers and factor in external context. Such as regional weather, competitor promotions, shipping deadlines, and...

In this episode of Upside, we sit down with public speaking coach and storytelling expert Rob D. Willis. Rob explains why most founders fail by pitching dry data instead of building real tension, breaking down why your customer must always be the true hero of the narrative. He shares his journey from running Berlin walking tours to coaching executives, his mindset shift for shipping high-performin...

In this episode, we explore the growing tension between Amazon and direct-to-consumer brands, why many businesses struggle to make D2C profitable, and what brands should be focusing on in 2025 and beyond. Whether you're an Amazon seller, brand owner, or eCommerce operator, this conversation will help you understand where the biggest opportunities and risks are today.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kishan Rees and Cormac Willer to explore one of the most valuable assets in business today: trust. From healthcare and patient education to AI, misinformation, and digital content, we discuss how organizations can build credibility in an increasingly noisy online world. The conversation also dives into personal experiences, leadership lessons, and why trust re...

Shivali Patel from Helium10 joins the pod to break down exactly how to start and scale an Amazon FBA business in 2026. From failed first products and KDP publishing to advanced keyword strategy, Prime Day prep, and the most powerful Helium 10 tools, this episode is packed with actionable Amazon seller insights for beginners and advanced brands alike.

Amazon officially killed Rufus… and we called it months ago. We break down why Amazon’s AI shopping assistant failed, what’s replacing it, and what sellers should really focus on instead of AI hype.

In this news episode, we break down the latest Amazon updates affecting sellers right now. We cover rising Amazon fees, the removal of Amazon prep services, Q1 profitability numbers, and what Amazon’s growing ad business means for brands and sellers moving forward.

In this episode, we come up with 4 business ideas you can start in a single weekend. From simple product ideas to fun, unconventional concepts, we break down low-cost ways to make money. Including AI-generated books, rental experiences, and creative twists on existing products.

In this episode, we break down what it really takes to expand into the US market, especially on Amazon. From advertising costs and inventory planning to cash flow and scaling challenges, this is a realistic, no-fluff conversation about why entering the US isn’t as simple as it seems. If you're thinking about launching or expanding your business into the US, this episode will help you understand th...

Welcome back to The Amazon Clinic — where we take real seller questions and give you straight answers that actually move the needle. In this episode, we cover: Why your packaging could be killing your product The 3 things you should prioritise every week on Amazon What a “good” profit margin actually looks like (and why most people get this wrong) If you're selling on Amazon (or planning to), this...

It’s that time of year again… Andy Jassy has dropped his annual shareholder letter. But this one is different. Amazon is making a $200 BILLION bet on AI … And it could completely reshape the future of the platform. In this episode, we break down: Why Amazon’s free cash flow is collapsing What this AI investment really means The risks the market is worried about And most importantly… how this affec...

This week we’re trying something a bit different. We break down the good, the bad and the ugly of modern advertising — from founder-led brands that are doing it right, to lazy campaigns that completely miss the mark, to the growing use of AI in big brand ads. We get into: Why founder-led content is driving so much engagement right now Why big brands struggle to replicate it The problem with modern...

In this episode of the E-commerce Clinic, we’re reviewing real Amazon listings and breaking down exactly what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve performance. From click-through rate issues to visibility, relevance, and conversion blockers — we go listing by listing and give practical, no-fluff advice you can actually implement. If you’ve ever wondered why your ads are getting impressions bu...

This week’s episode is a bit different. AI is everywhere right now. Everyone’s talking about it. Everyone’s telling you to optimise for it. But are we overthinking it? We break down what AI actually is (and isn’t), why most of the conversation is being overhyped, and what that means for Amazon sellers right now. We get into: Why AI isn’t “intelligent” (and why that matters) The real role of LLMs a...

In this episode of Upside, we take you behind the scenes of what it actually looks like to run a global e-commerce business. Over four weeks, we travelled across Scotland, South Africa, Dubai, and Germany working with our teams, meeting brands, and seeing first-hand how different markets operate. From climbing Table Mountain at sunrise to navigating trade shows, distributors, and even a bit of foo...

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeN7rpkudA_T0IALgGdc5Kw91OceonqYwjnLueNj3fE9miGug/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=116429926230531111521 Episode Summary In this episode of Upside , Ali and Zamir address the renewed pressure on global supply chains caused by escalating tensions in the Gulf. While the conversation acknowledges the human and regional impact of the situation, the focus remains o...

In this episode of Upside, Ali and Zamir open the E-commerce Clinic to tackle real questions from sellers facing everyday Amazon challenges. From account access issues to advertising performance and disappearing listings, the team works through practical problems submitted by listeners and breaks down how to diagnose and fix them. What’s Covered in This Episode The episode kicks off with a common...

In this episode of Upside, Ali and Zamir sit down with Umar to explore an extraordinary journey from engineering and telecommunications to building the foundations of Pakistan’s e-commerce ecosystem and now turning his focus towards human optimisation. From solving national-scale infrastructure problems to biohacking sleep and recovery, this conversation bridges technology, entrepreneurship, and p...

In this episode of Upside, Ali and Zamir are joined by Rafay Raheel, Head of Franchising at CUPP, to unpack the real dynamics between Amazon advertising and the Meta-owned world. Think marketplace versus direct to consumer. Performance marketing versus platform-native growth. The conversation explores how these ecosystems differ, where brands go wrong, and how to build a strategy that connects bot...

In this episode of Upside, Ali pitches a series of low-risk business ideas designed to be tested quickly and launched with minimal upfront investment. From art kits to print-on-demand products, the conversation explores how aspiring entrepreneurs can capitalise on trends without overcommitting capital. What’s Covered in This Episode The episode centres around a set of creative business concepts ai...

In this episode of Upside, Ali and Zamir break down why Next continues to thrive while many legacy retailers struggle, using Argos as a point of contrast. They explore how long-term thinking, disciplined financial control, and deep ownership of brand and supply chain have allowed Next to grow steadily in an increasingly unforgiving retail environment. What’s Covered in This Episode Ali and Zamir b...

In this episode of Upside, Ali and Zamir sit down with Dax Dupré, eCommerce Manager at International Beverage, to unpack what it really means to know your brand, know your customer, and build growth that actually converts. Drawing on Dax’s journey from frontline sales through global drinks brands and into e-commerce leadership, the conversation blends commercial reality with practical insight from...

In this episode of Upside, Ali and Zamir unpack a week of developments that could reshape the landscape for sellers and brands operating globally. From proposed US tariffs to the rise of TikTok as a serious commerce platform and new questions around Amazon’s affiliate practices, they explore what these shifts mean in practice for businesses of all sizes. What’s Covered in This Episode Ali and Zami...