Built by Business: Amazon FBA, E-Commerce, Brand Building

Struggling to decide if you should hire in-house or outsource? In this episode of Built by Business , Andy breaks down the real cost—and profit impact—of agencies, freelancers, virtual assistants, and full-time hires.   Learn how to evaluate ROI by role, avoid common hiring mistakes, and follow a smart three-phase framework to build a team that grows with your business, not against it.   This is a...

In today's episode, I'm breaking down the types of products you don't want to sell on Amazon—specifically, items that customers treat like rentals. These are the "use it once and return it" traps that kill margins and crush seller morale. I'll share why these products create constant headaches, including behind the scenes from my weekly internal meeting and coaching call with my students.  

In 2025, being "different" on Amazon isn't enough. Product tweaks and minor upgrades don't move the needle when the market is flooded with lookalikes. In this episode of Built by Business with Andy Isom , we unpack why traditional product differentiation has lost its edge—and what actually works today: strategic brand positioning.   I'm sharing behind the scenes of a consulting call, we'll review...

Hiring the right team is one of the biggest challenges brand owners face—especially in the early stages of growth. In this episode of Built for This , Andy Isom is joined by Michael Jordan, co-CEO of Bad Marketing, to break down a smarter hiring strategy for e-commerce and Amazon sellers.   We dive into which roles to hire first, where to find top talent outside of the usual "go hire a Filipino VA...

Great products on Amazon don't sell themselves. Great offers do.   In this episode of Built by Business , Andy breaks down why most Amazon and DTC founders are stuck, not because of bad ads or bad products, but because their offer simply isn't compelling. If your sales are flat, your CACs are climbing, and nothing seems to work… this is the episode you need to hear.   Learn the 5 traits of irresis...

What does it take to build a brand when nobody's watching?   In this episode of Built by Business , Andy shares the real talk on building in silence—the content, the operations, and the strategy that happens before the audience shows up. If you're stuck in the early grind and wondering if it's all worth it… this episode is for you.   Learn why consistency, delayed gratification, and long-game thin...

Helium 10 just dropped four new tools to help Amazon sellers break into TikTok Shop, and this episode breaks down exactly how to use them. From finding creators to syncing inventory and importing your listings with one click, it's never been easier to launch your Amazon brand on TikTok.   In this episode, Andy walks through Helium 10's new:   Listing Converter Profits Calculator Inventory Manager...

In this episode of  Built by Business , we break down the new 55% tariff President Trump just announced on Chinese imports. If you sell on Amazon or source any products from China, this could directly impact your margins, pricing, and product viability.   We cover the details of the announcement, market reactions, how to audit your supply chain for risk, and what actions to take immediately to pro...

Is your e-commerce brand stuck—despite your nonstop hustle? You might not be underfunded. You might be under-focused. In this episode of Built by Business , Andy Isom walks founders through a real-time audit to identify if you are the bottleneck in your brand's growth.   From split-channel confusion to delegation traps, you'll learn where most brand owners waste time, what clarity really looks lik...

Amazon has officially begun testing humanoid delivery robots in San Francisco—and it's not science fiction. In this episode of Built by Business , Andy Isom unpacks what this groundbreaking pilot means for the future of last-mile delivery and how it could transform e-commerce logistics as we know it.   Learn why Amazon is betting big on automation, how it's rewriting the cost and consistency model...

Most Amazon sellers try to compete on price, reviews, or ad spend. But in 2025, the smartest brands are avoiding direct competition altogether—and winning with better positioning. In this episode, Andy Isom breaks down the "zero-opposition" framework to help sellers stand out, carve uncontested niches, and build brands that convert on the strength of their identity—not just their specs.   Learn ho...

When you become a parent, everything about business changes—especially how you manage time, make decisions, and define success.   In this episode of Built by Business , Andy shares what operating a business looks like after the first kid. From scheduling deep work around nap time to redefining business goals with your family in mind, this is a real look at fatherhood and entrepreneurship.   All my...

Most founders quit in year one—not because their business can't work, but because they burn out right before it starts to.   In this episode of Built by Business , Andy unpacks the "One Year Rule"—why everything feels so hard in months 1–9, and what actually starts to click after 12 months in the game. From building momentum to trusting your process, this episode is for anyone stuck in the messy m...

DTC brands are facing a brutal reality in 2025—skyrocketing ad costs, shrinking trust in influencers, and declining performance from email and SMS. Meanwhile, Amazon continues to provide profitable, scale-ready infrastructure for e-commerce brands who know how to leverage it.   In this episode, Andy breaks down why Amazon is becoming the safer bet for brand builders in today's economy and how to r...

Amazon PPC in 2025 doesn't have to be complicated. In this episode of Built by Business , Andy Isom breaks down the simplest ad funnel that still works for profitable growth on Amazon.   You'll learn how to structure your campaigns using a three-stage funnel—discovery, conversion, and defense—while avoiding the over-complication that kills budgets. From auto campaigns to exact match winners, Andy...

Most Amazon FBA sellers say they're building to exit—but few are building a brand someone actually wants to buy.   Ryan Condie from QuietLight joins as a micro-guest to share real-world insights from buying and selling dozens of brands. He reveals the hidden red flags that kill deals—and what sellers can do now to prepare for a successful exit in the next 12–24 months. In this episode, Andy and Ry...

Amazon SEO isn't just about your title and backend keywords. One of the most underrated ways to increase traffic and conversions is through your product Q&A section—and most sellers are completely overlooking it.   In this episode, Andy Isom breaks down how Amazon's A10 algorithm rewards listings with depth and clarity, and why the Q&A box on your listing might be your best SEO asset in 2025. You'...

Think your Amazon product isn't selling because it's too expensive? The real problem might not be your price—it might be your branding.   In this episode, Andy breaks down the difference between being overpriced… and being under-branded . You'll learn how perceived value impacts conversion rate, and why strong branding—not discounts—is the real way to win in 2025.   From main images and reviews to...

In this episode of  Built by Business with Andy Isom , we walk through the exact process our agency uses to audit Amazon brands and identify the biggest opportunities for profit, growth, and operational clarity. Whether you're a 7-figure seller or just starting out, this is the checklist you didn't know you needed.   Stop guessing and start auditing like a pro.   Get your free Amazon Brand Audit a...

Amazon is less competitive than it was four years ago—and it's not just a feeling. It's backed by data.   In this episode, Andy breaks down key insights from a recent Marketplace Pulse article showing how casual sellers have exited the platform, leaving behind stronger, more strategic brands.   Read the full article here: https://www.marketplacepulse.com/articles/amazon-is-less-competitive-than-fo...

In this episode, Andy breaks down what conversion rate actually means on Amazon, how the data is split between different tools, and how to avoid making decisions based on the wrong numbers.   You'll learn the difference between session-based CVR and ad clicks, how attribution inflates your results, and what to track weekly to know if your product is truly converting well.   If you're optimizing yo...

3D product listings and augmented reality tools are no longer future tech—they're live, tested, and converting at higher rates.   In this episode, Andy breaks down a powerful article about Fibbl, a startup making it fast and affordable for brands to create interactive 3D models of their products.   You'll hear how Samsonite saw a 50% lift in conversions with 3D viewers, how shoe brand Kybun Joya s...

This massive brand is officially back on Amazon—for real this time. After a five-year hiatus, one of the world's most iconic brands is once again selling directly on the marketplace. But what changed? And why now?   All my resources and services can be found here: www.andyisom.com    

Amazon is powerful—but it's not the whole game.   In this episode, Andy breaks down the key differences between building an Amazon-first brand and building a true e-commerce brand . From platform dependency and customer ownership to exit multiples and long-term equity, this episode helps sellers see the bigger picture.   You'll learn: Amazon Brands Vs. E-Commerce Brands. What's the difference? The...

In today's e-commerce world, do you launch from scratch—or buy a brand that's already working?   In this episode, Andy breaks down the critical decision every brand builder faces: when it makes sense to build your own brand from zero, and when buying an existing business is the smarter, faster play. With seller fatigue rising and undervalued Amazon brands popping up, 2025 is a prime time to consid...