Scott Needham is the Founder of SmartScout. An Amazon software developer for 10 years his company BuyBoxer has done over $300m in sales on Amazon. Scott has acc...
Episode 290 - From High School Hustler to Serial Entrepreneur with Uri Rahimi
Join host Scott as he sits down with Uri Rahimi, a serial entrepreneur whose diverse ventures span the worlds of e-commerce, manufacturing, and software development.
From humble beginnings flipping iPhones in high school to building a multi-million dollar wall decor brand, Uri’s story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurial spirit and relentless pursuit of opportunity.
In this episode, we delve into Uri's journey, exploring his early forays into Amazon selling, the challenges of scaling a physical product business, and the strategic decision to open his printing facility in Miami.
Uri shares invaluable insights from navigating the complexities of manufacturing, including his experiences at global trade shows and firsthand observations of production processes in China.
Tune in to discover how diversification can create unexpected synergies between seemingly unrelated businesses, the strategic advantages of manufacturing your product line, and the importance of embracing the learning process inherent in every entrepreneurial journey.
Episode notes:
00:17 - Uri Rahimi Introduction
02:00 - Uri Early Ventures in High School
04:00 - Entrance into Amazon and First Brand
06:00 - Learning from China and Import Challenges
06:25 - Scaling the Business
07:25 - Product Research
07:55 - Increasing Conversion Rate
10:45 - Number of SKUs Created and Removed
11:41 - Reaching 7 Figures
12:00 - Uri Continued Interest and Involvement in Software Development
16:30 - Vertical Integration and Becoming a Manufacturer
17:55 - Overcoming Manufacturing Challenges
18:34 - Expansion to Print-On-Demand
20:45 - Technological Limitations and Innovations
26:15 - Artelo Specialization
29:07 - Seller Utilities
30:20 - Value of Having SQP Reports
32:35 - The Keepa Model
34:50 - What’s Next for Uri?
36:23 - Beating China
37:22 - The Platform Risk
39:05 - The Future of Amazon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uri-rahimi/
Related Posts: How to Leverage Amazon A+ Content for Brand Building
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41:58
Episode 289 - The Best Free Tools for Amazon Sellers
Boost your Amazon business without breaking the bank!
Scott explores an array of free tools that can transform your selling strategy on Amazon. From price trackers such as Keepa to innovative solutions such as Veeqo's profitability analyzer — there’s something for every seller looking to maximize profits while minimizing costs.
Episode Notes:
00:10 - Best Free Tools Overview
03:00 - David Zimmerman's curated list of free tools (@ddzim)
04:19 - Profit Analyzer: Veeqo
05:35 - PPC: Advance
06:45 - Search Query Performance: Amazon Seller Central
07:42 - Product Opportunity Explorer: Amazon Seller Central
09:07 - Sales Estimator: JungleScout
09:48 - FBA Calculators: Profit Guru, Jungle Scout, Amazon FBA Calculator
10:13 - Exploding Topics: SmartScout
10:55 - Google Trends
12:34 - Amazon Seller Map: SmartScout
13:52 - Price Tracker: Keepa
Related Post: The 10 Largest Amazon Vendor Brands
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15:52
Episode 288 - Is The Amazon Dream Still Alive in 2025?
Scott takes a deep dive into the evolving Amazon marketplace to determine whether it still offers the same potential for success as it once did.
From shifting trends in product sourcing and search traffic to the challenges of launching new private-label products, he explores sellers' strategies to thrive despite increasing competition and changing policies. He also tackles many sellers' pain points, such as account suspensions, bundling complexities, and changes to Amazon’s reimbursement policies.
As Amazon continues to grow, so do the opportunities for partnerships and expansion. However, the platform’s rapid evolution comes with growing pains, and he discusses how sellers can navigate these challenges while staying profitable.
Join Scott as he uncovers what it takes to succeed on Amazon in 2025 and beyond.
Episode Notes:
01:30 - Marketplace Pulse Year in Review
05:20 - Amazon Haul
06:15 - Starting a New Private Label Product
07:05 - Increase in Section 3 Suspensions
09:15 - Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC)
10:40 - Exceptions on Bundles
12:40 - Jungle Scout and Helium 10 Search Traffic
14:20 - Alibaba to Amazon Search Volume
15:40 - Amazon Fees not Going Up
16:15 - Amazon Business Growing
17:10 - Growing Pains of Amazon
17:30 - Amazon Partnerships
17:55 - Amazon Reimbursement Policy
18:55 - Next Podcast Topics
Related Post: Top 50 Amazon Marketing Agencies for 2025
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20:53
Episode 287 - The Art of Merchandising on Amazon with John Aspinall
Scott welcomes John Aspinall from PickFu after a two-month hiatus on guests.
Unlock the secrets to eye-catching Amazon listings and skyrocket your sales with John and learn how non-designers can create compelling product images that drive clicks and conversions on Amazon.
John breaks down the key differences between graphic and merchandising designers, emphasizing the importance of storytelling through "hero" images to boost click-through rates. He also highlights how China's advancements in merchandising are challenging U.S. sellers and shares strategies to stay competitive.
Packed with actionable insights, this episode covers innovative tactics for showcasing products effectively while adhering to Amazon’s guidelines. Tune in now to transform your listings and make your products stand out!
Episode Notes:
01:30 - John Aspinall Introduction
03:00 - Graphic Designer vs Merchandising Designer
06:30 - The Clickthrough Rate Comeback
08:30 - Best Practices on Merchandising
14:10 - Optimizing for Humans and Bots
15:10 - Designing Product Images
19:45 - The Image Guidelines
22:20 - Seasonal Merchandising
24:40 - The Risk/Rewards of Merchandising Experiments
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaspinall
Website: AmazonCTR.com | pickfu.com
Related Post: 7 Pro Amazon Listing Optimization Tips to Send Your Sales Soaring
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28:46
Episode 286 - Insights and Opportunities for the Amazon Marketplace
Scott breaks down the two primary types of Amazon professionals (service providers and brand owners) and discusses the potential of categories such as grocery, beauty, consumables, and pet products.
He demonstrates how SmartScout can help identify valuable brands and gain insights from trade show analysis without attending in person.
The podcast also explores the shift in the beauty industry from “luxury” to “premium” and the implications for resellers due to brand gating initiatives. Plus, a real-world example of how price points can influence consumer choices is shared, using the AMD vs. Intel case study.
Episode Notes:
00:10 - Two Types of Amazon Professionals
01:35 - Strategies for Type 1 Sellers
06:15 - Strategies for Type 2 Sellers
10:30 - Observations and Industry Insights
13:10 - Intel vs AMD Amazon Advertising
SmartScout Tradeshows
AMZ United
Voice of the Amazon Seller
Related Post: Amazon Ungated Categories: Everything You Need to Know
Scott Needham is the Founder of SmartScout. An Amazon software developer for 10 years his company BuyBoxer has done over $300m in sales on Amazon. Scott has accumulated a deep knowledge about selling product online, and in the podcast he shares his knowledge with you to help you become a better Amazon seller.
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