Tariff talks between the U.S. and China have officially started in Switzerland, and they’re expected to continue through Sunday. But before you celebrate the potential for an 80% import tax on Chinese goods, here’s the uncomfortable truth:

These tariffs may actually help Chinese sellers more than they hurt them.

In this episode, I break down how Chinese factories are still able to undercut U.S. brands—thanks to lower cost of goods, undervaluing shipments, and manipulating HS codes. I reference a recent Marketplace Pulse article that reveals how direct-from-China Amazon sellers are still thriving despite rising tariffs.

https://www.marketplacepulse.com/articles/paradoxical-tariffs-will-benefit-chinese-sellers

I also share a live case study with one of my agency clients, who's dealing with excess inventory, aged stock fees, and Amazon’s inventory utilization rate surcharges. If you're ignoring your FBA inventory metrics, you're probably paying way more than you realize.

All my resources to help and services can be found on my website: https://www.andyisom.com

Want a custom audit of your brand’s Amazon performance? DM me or visit the link to my Weavos agency on my website.

Nobody talks about what happens after you hit your first $10K month on Amazon. The excitement fades. The adrenaline wears off. And suddenly, the business you were fired up about starts to feel... repetitive.

But here’s the truth: this is the part that actually builds a brand.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what happens after the initial wins—and why learning to master the boring stuff is exactly what separates sellers who scale from those who stall.

Plus, I cover this week’s Amazon updates:

FBA restock delays are affecting West Coast fulfillment centers—some shipments are taking over a week to be received.

Trump has proposed lowering Chinese import tariffs from 145% to 80%, which could have ripple effects for your sourcing strategy.

All my resources to help and services can be found on my website: https://andyisom.com/

In this kickoff episode under the new Built by Business name, I’m catching you up on everything I’ve been doing behind the scenes… and why I’m back behind the mic with a clearer mission than ever.

This episode is for founders, sellers, and brand builders who know the game has changed — and are ready to scale smarter in 2025.

• Why I renamed the podcast from Selling on Amazon to Built by Business
• What I’ve been working on inside my Amazon agency Weavos
• Helping students in my Jaguar program and Black Panther Done-For-You launches get their products live
• Why I stepped back from social media and what I learned from going quiet
• What’s going on right now in e-commerce — including U.S.-China trade talks in Switzerland, Trump’s recent tariff comments, and why it matters to your brand
• What to expect from the podcast moving forward (hint: 90 episodes in 90 days)

📩 Want a free Amazon brand audit?

DM me “audit” on Instagram or LinkedIn, or hit the link below. We’ll review your product, listing, and ads — and send you 3 real things you can improve immediately.

▶️ Connect with Andy: Instagram: @theandyisom LinkedIn: Andy Isom Free Brand Audit: www.weavos.io

Subscribe to Built by Business for daily no-fluff episodes on Amazon strategy, brand growth, and founder life.

In this episode, I’m giving you the real reason I hit pause on the podcast — and why I’m back with a clearer vision than ever.

Over the last few months, I’ve been deep in the trenches building brands, scaling my agency (Weavos), launching new products, and getting sharper as both an operator and a content creator.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever taken a step back to move forward — and for sellers who are serious about building a business that lasts.

• Why I rebranded the podcast from Selling on Amazon to Built for This

• What I've been up to lately

• How I’m approaching content, growth, and strategy differently going forward

• A quick update on tariffs

• What to expect from the show moving forward (and why it’s worth tuning in daily)

📩 Want a free audit of your Amazon brand?

DM me “audit” on Instagram or LinkedIn, or hit the link below. We’ll review your product, ads, listing strategy — and send back 3 real things you can improve right now.

▶️ Connect with Andy: Instagram: @theandyisom LinkedIn: Andy Isom Free Brand Audit: https://www.weavos.io/

🎧 Subscribe + follow for daily episodes. Strategy, systems, and real-world brand building.

In this episode, I share a critical lesson we learned the hard way—why relying solely on past sales data to forecast inventory for seasonal products can be a big mistake.

For the first three years of our brand, we experienced consistent growth, fueled by marketing, new SKUs, and the surge in demand during COVID. But what we didn’t account for was the actual market demand beyond our own sales numbers.

I break down the risks of over-relying on historical data, how we adjusted our approach, and what you can do to avoid the same mistake.

➡️ All my resources: https://www.andyisom.com/

Artificial Intelligence continues to change the landscape of humanity and business. Throughout history we've seen technology disrupt industries, and as technology continues to advance quicker than ever, this disruptions will take place more frequently. In this episode, I share my thoughts about how to stand out in a "level playing field" with AI impacting almost every stage of the business process.

➡️ All my resources: https://www.andyisom.com/

Most Amazon sellers think branding alone lets them charge premium prices, but that’s not the full picture. In reality, two key factors determine if you can charge more: Supply & Demand dynamics and Obvious Perceived Value.

If you don’t get these right, no amount of fancy branding will justify a higher price. Today, I’m breaking down the real strategy behind pricing premium on Amazon and how you can make customers choose your product over cheaper alternatives.

➡️ All of my resources: https://www.andyisom.com/

The biggest shake-up to e-commerce in years is happening right now, and if you’re selling on Amazon, you have to adapt… or risk getting crushed by rising costs and supply chain chaos. Let’s talk about what these new tariffs and policies mean for you—and how you can still win in 2025!

New tariffs on Canada and Mexico, the end of the de minimis threshold, and rising costs—what does this mean for Amazon sellers? Today, I’ll break down the biggest changes and, more importantly, what you need to do to protect your margins and scale smart in 2025.

➡️ All my resources: https://www.andyisom.com/

This is it! The final episode in my Selling on Amazon 5 Years Later mini-series, where I bring everything together.

Since recording my original 8-episode mini-series in 2020, I’ve launched over 90 products, worked with hundreds of sellers, and learned some game-changing lessons about what actually works on Amazon in 2025.

In this episode, I’m sharing my biggest takeaways, the mistakes I made, and the most important things I would do differently if I were starting today.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why product selection is still the biggest factor in success
• The power of customization and how to find pre-made factory designs
• How to avoid launching into monopolized product categories
• What actually makes an Amazon listing convert in 2025
• The real impact of reviews and how to manage them properly
• Why customer service and branding separate the winners from the rest

If you’re still on the fence about starting, just remember: the risk of taking action is always better than the regret of never trying.

Thank you for being part of this series, and I can’t wait to see what you build.

All My Resources: https://www.andyisom.com

Your Amazon business is growing, and now it’s time to take it to the next level.

In this episode, I’m diving into scaling your Amazon FBA business the smart way—without burning out or running out of cash.

We’ll cover how to manage inventory as sales grow, strategically launch new products, outsource tasks to save time, and run ads profitably to boost visibility.

Scaling isn’t just about adding more products; it’s about controlled, steady growth that protects your cash flow and positions your business for long-term success.

Key Topics Covered:

• Managing inventory like a pro to avoid stockouts
• When and how to launch new products to diversify income
• The importance of outsourcing and delegating tasks to save time
• Using Amazon PPC ads effectively to drive sales and build momentum
• Cash flow tips for scaling, including negotiating with suppliers and using debt wisely

If you’re ready to grow your Amazon business without overwhelming yourself, this episode will give you the roadmap you need to scale confidently.

All My Resources: https://www.andyisom.com