Alexander Avanth is the Co-founder and Chief Relations Officer of Alpha Rock Capital, a digital acquisition company. Alpha Rock Capital’s mission is to acquire FBA businesses and build a new generation of digital retail conglomerates. It provides an easy and fast exit opportunity for Amazon sellers in the $100,000 to $1 million acquisition space.

Alexander is a global entrepreneurial nomad running businesses in the Philippines, Denmark, and the US. In addition to his role at Alpha Rock Capital, he is also an angel investor with Digital Dividends and a Senior Executive Advisor at the PTC (Philippine Transmarine Carriers) Group.

Thanks to their low barriers to entry and large opportunities for success, private label brands have been a popular option among digital entrepreneurs for years. These Amazon entrepreneurs have worked hard to grow and scale their FBA businesses—usually without the intention of exiting. However, increased interest from investors is changing all that, and many private label sellers are now considering a sale.

Although the Amazon marketplace is evolving, it is still important that FBA aggregators and brokers take the time to learn about the history of a private label business before buying it. These brands are the products of an entrepreneur’s blood, sweat, and tears over a long period of time. Because of this, Alexander Avanth believes in carrying out organic outreach, and he always makes a point to meet sellers where they are.

In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Alexander Avanth, the Co-founder and Chief Relations Officer at Alpha Rock Capital, to talk about the importance of meeting private label sellers where they are during the sales process. Alexander discusses the value of doing organic outreach, the future of investments in the Amazon space, and the role of FBA aggregators in driving growth for e-commerce businesses. Stay tuned.

Riccardo Bruni is the Co-founder of Heroes, a UK-based firm that acquires, operates, and scales FBA businesses. Riccardo and his brother Alessio founded the firm in 2020 after a series of successful entrepreneurial ventures. Heroes focuses on Amazon brands with outstanding customer reviews and a proven track record of leading bestseller lists in high-growth niches.

Before starting Heroes, Riccardo was the Co-founder of Many, a direct-to-consumer healthcare company. He also has years of experience in venture capital and investment banking.

Over the last couple of years, many investors have started buying and scaling FBA private label brands. In light of this, entrepreneurs are entering the Amazon marketplace with the intent of eventually selling their businesses. However, not every seller or brand is prepared for a successful sale.

When acquiring private label businesses on Amazon, one of the main things Riccardo Bruni looks for is an established brand. As he says, a large product portfolio is less important than a cohesive brand that consumers love. That’s because a brand with great reviews has the potential to experience massive growth and become a category leader. 

In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Riccardo Bruni, the Co-founder of Heroes, about what investors in the European market are looking for when buying FBA private label brands. Riccardo explains why he and his brother decided to start investing in Amazon brands, how Amazon founders differ from traditional entrepreneurs, and what makes his company different from other players in the market. Stay tuned.

Alex Kopco is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Forum Brands, a CPG operating company that buys Amazon FBA businesses and grows them into world-class consumer brands. 

Prior to founding Forum Brands, Alex worked in vendor and product roles at Amazon for over five years. During this time, he co-founded Connect@Amazon, an internal organization of global employees designed to connect Amazonians through professional networking and social opportunities.

What should FBA private label brands do to prepare their businesses for sale? According to Alex Kopco, if a business founder wants to achieve a smoother sale, they should be as open as possible with potential buyers. When vetting businesses to buy, he looks for sellers who allow him to get under the hood of a brand to see what he’s working with.

In order to move the selling process along, Alex recommends that sellers prepare all business reports, financial records, and information necessary to close the deal. They should also be proactive and open about notifying the buyer about potential issues that may arise in the course of the purchase—such as pending trademarks, a lack of stock, and any other issues that could affect business operations. This way, both the seller and the buyer can be confident in the sale.

Alex Kopco, the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Forum Brands, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about the best practices for FBA private label brands looking to sell their businesses. Alex discusses the importance of both parties being open and transparent during the selling process, why he uses brokers as a primary source of deals, and how his firm differentiates itself from other FBA investors on the market. Stay tuned.

Ryan Gnesin is the CEO of Elevate Brands (formerly Recom Brands), a firm that acquires, launches, and operates a portfolio of e-commerce brands centered around Amazon. Ryan has guided Elevate Brands through several smart acquisitions, leading the firm to the top 1% of Amazon sellers by size.

Ryan has built up two decades of experience in commodities trading, management, business development, and startups. Before founding Elevate Brands, he was the Director of Commodities Training at Glencore’s South East Asia branch.

Without a doubt, FBA businesses are experiencing a boom in acquisitions and investments. But, what exactly is generating this recent interest in FBA private label businesses, and what does it mean for the future of the Amazon marketplace?

As the Founder and CEO of Elevate Brands, Ryan Gnesin has years of experience acquiring, launching, and operating Amazon businesses. According to Ryan, there are a number of contributing factors to the recent spike in FBA brand acquisitions, from updates on Amazon to the COVID-19 crisis. And, as he says, this spike is having a serious impact on the Amazon flywheel, causing an increase in sellers, customers, and aggregators. So, what is Ryan’s advice to FBA private label brands looking to sell their businesses this year?

In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Ryan Gnesin, the CEO of Elevate Brands (formerly Recom Brands), about the recent spike in acquisitions of FBA private label businesses. Ryan shares his criteria for finding businesses to invest in, his best practices for Amazon brands looking to sell, and his perspective on the future of the Amazon marketplace. Stay tuned.

Idan Barzilay is the Founder of Bnext, a private label brand of virtual reality headsets and toys for kids. After growing his business for over two years on Amazon, eBay, Sears.com, Walmart.com, and other channels, Idan sold it to an FBA aggregator in 2020.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the e-commerce industry had been growing exponentially for a number of years. Now, thanks to even greater demand caused by the pandemic, the interest in FBA private label businesses is at an all-time high. More and more investors and aggregators are purchasing these Amazon brands for large returns—and it doesn’t look like this trend is going away anytime soon.

This was the case with Idan Barzilay, who successfully sold his e-commerce business, Bnext, in 2020. Although he didn’t start his business with the intention of selling it, he grabbed the opportunity when it presented itself—and made a big return by doing so. Now, Idan is using the lessons he learned from this exit to effectively build, grow, and scale his next business. So, what is his advice to Amazon entrepreneurs looking to prepare their businesses for a sale?

Idan Barzilay, the Founder of Bnext, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to share his experience building and successfully exiting his FBA private label business. Idan explains how he prepared his business for sale, the professionals who helped him take it to market, and the unexpected discoveries he made during the process. Stay tuned.

Scott Deetz is the Founder and CEO of Northbound Group, a leading strategic finance, corporate development, and sell-side M&A advisory firm focused on Amazon and e-commerce businesses. Scott advises on strategic transactions such as improving cash flow through partner-supplier negotiations, debt financing, and minority equity investments. 

Scott is also the Owner and CEO of Entrepreneurial Advantage, where he helps small and medium-sized businesses achieve higher growth rates through improved strategic and internet marketing. After selling his first business for eight figures, Scott has made it his passion to help other entrepreneurs get the right valuation for their companies.

As the Founder and CEO of Northbound Group, Scott Deetz is an expert at helping FBA private label sellers get the right valuation for their businesses. He was inspired to follow this path after his educational experience selling his business. When Scott first tried to make a sale, his initial deal fell through. However, he saw this as an opportunity to improve his company’s value—and, with the help of a mentor, he ended up selling his business for more than three times the amount of the original offer.

So, what are Scott’s strategies for improving your valuation in order to make a greater exit? As he says, there are four main things buyers look for when valuing a business: a good profit percentage, a solid growth rate, risk diversification, and more earning sizes. These will determine how valuable a business is and whether or not the seller will get a good price when exiting.

In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Scott Deetz, the Founder and CEO of Northbound Group, about how to maximize the valuation of an FBA private label brand before an exit. Scott shares his advice to brand owners on how to prepare for a sale, the ins and outs of the different lanes of investors, and why you should always meet with an advisor before selling. Stay tuned.

Richard Jalichandra is an investment banker who specializes in selling and financing Amazon businesses, as well as a consultant for multiple institutional Amazon investors. Currently, Richard is the Global General Manager at Spiceworks Ziff Davis, a global marketplace for connecting technology buyers and sellers. He is also the General Partner & e-Commerce Advisor at Incline Capital Investments LLC.

Between 2017 and 2019, Richard was the Founder and CEO of 101 Commerce, a firm that publicly announced that it would acquire 101 FBA brands. While Richard and his team didn't end up acquiring a full 101 firms, he continues to advise Amazon investors and FBA sellers today.

In recent months, there has been an increasing amount of interest in the sale and purchase of private label Amazon brands. Because of this, many sellers, both mid-sized and large, have been selling and exiting their Amazon businesses—and getting good returns from the sales.

However, as this market continues to grow and more investors get involved, some private label Amazon sellers are struggling to effectively prepare for an exit. Their books may not be in order, or they may lack optimal growth opportunities—which could adversely affect their sale and lead to low returns. So, how can FBA brands better evaluate their options to ensure that they make a successful exit? 

Richard Jalichandra, an investment banker and expert in selling and financing Amazon businesses, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to share what he has learned from his years of experience acquiring FBA brands. Richard talks about how private label brands can prepare for a successful exit, what investors need to look out for when evaluating a business, and the essential steps to take after making a purchase. Stay tuned.

Michael Zagare is the Founder and CEO of PPC Entourage, a tool that efficiently optimizes and expands Amazon sponsored product campaigns to increase sales and profits. PPC Entourage helps sellers build profitable brands on Amazon by maximizing ad revenue, slashing ACoS, and improving profit margins.

Michael is also the Founder of the annual 12 Days of Nuggets charity event, which supports Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R) in ending human trafficking and slavery. He has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of all things Amazon and loves sharing that knowledge with other sellers to help them take steps toward personal and financial freedom.

An advertising strategy is the approach and philosophy you take to advertise your brand on different platforms. To have an effective strategy, it’s important to know who your target market is and how to successfully convert them into customers. If you know exactly what resonates with your audience, you can create advertisements and brand messages that work every time.

So, what is the secret to creating an effective advertising strategy on Amazon? According to Michael Zagare, you should try to put yourself into the mind of your customer and design ads based around the customer journey. Once you’ve created these ads, you can more easily track the behavior of your target audience and collect data about your customers. This data will help you improve your product listings, increase your conversion rates, and reduce your future ad spend.

Michael Zagare, the Founder and CEO of PPC Entourage, joins Joe Hansen in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to share his advice on how to create an effective advertising strategy on Amazon. Michael explains how his company's tools help sellers increase sales, his process for capturing the customer lifetime value on Amazon, and what brands should do to improve their product listings today. Stay tuned.

Tyler Jefcoat is the Founder and CEO of Seller Accountant, an accounting firm that helps e-commerce sellers drive profitable results by taking their bookkeeping headaches away. At Seller Accountant, Tyler provides financial coaching for sellers totalling more than $100 million per year in e-commerce sales. In addition to this, he also leads the Sellers Roundtable, an exclusive mastermind group for seven- and eight-figure sellers.

Prior to starting Seller Accountant, Tyler co-founded and sold Care to Continue, a home health care company that grew to 100 employees in four years.

With shifting consumer preferences brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and rapid growth in the technology space, now is the perfect time to make your move to e-commerce. However, selling on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon comes with its own set of challenges—namely, how to handle your finances. 

Amazon sellers have to make the right financial decisions to ensure that they have enough cash flow to generate maximum profitability, expand their market reach, and meet customer demands. Because of this, good accounting systems are essential for brand owners looking to enter, or even exit, the Amazon marketplace. So, what do you need to know about e-commerce accounting as an Amazon seller? 

In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Tyler Jefcoat, the Founder and CEO of Seller Accountant, to discuss why e-commerce brands should invest in proper accounting systems. Together, they talk about the best strategies for cash flow and SKU level management, how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted sellers without proper accounting records, and Tyler's advice to brands looking to join or exit the Amazon marketplace. Stay tuned.

Michelle Covey is the Vice President of Partnerships at GS1 US, a company that improves supply chain visibility and efficiency through GS1 Standards. GS1 US is also responsible for issuing Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) and Universal Product Codes (UPCs) to brands. In her role at GS1 US, Michelle manages external partner relationships and programs designed to support efficient and accurate GS1 Standards implementation.

Prior to joining GS1 US, Michelle worked as a Project Manager for both GXS and Inovis, where she handled operational efficiency and strategy roadmap initiatives. Michelle has a proven track record in product analysis, market launch, leadership, and more in the services and software industries.

Why are UPCs and GTINs so important for Amazon sellers? According to Michelle Covey of GS1 US, not only do these codes help brands ensure compliance with Amazon's ever-changing policies, but they also help customers accurately identify an online product’s information. Because of this, UPCs and GTINs are essential for providing a valuable customer experience on Amazon and other e-commerce platforms.

However, in order to reap their benefits, it is important that sellers obtain these codes from the right source. Buying a UPC or GTIN from eBay or other third-party sellers could result in stolen, recycled, or fraudulent codes. As Michelle says, the best way to avoid any negative impacts to your product listings is to seek help from GS1 US.

Michelle Covey, the Vice President of Partnerships at GS1 US, joins James Thomson in this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about the ins and outs of Universal Product Codes (UPCs) and Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) on Amazon. They discuss the benefits of obtaining these codes as a private label seller, how GS1 US works to remove hijacked UPC codes, and Michelle’s thoughts on the future of innovation and standardization on Amazon. Stay tuned.