eCOM Startup Mindset for Success

STARTUP

I have always wanted to be taken seriously by those closest to me.

In high school I was defiant, but I posted up big numbers for grades.
I learned how to work the system to output my desired results with the least amount of work.

Then in college I learned that I could drive people to work / class and charge them for the ride. This was the earliest form of Uber back in 2001 I guess.

In 2004 I started buying lots of video games on eBay then individually selling them back. This side-hustle ended up passing up my full-time job overseeing all the radio ads and imaging on a dozen radio stations.

Then in 2006 I got involved in direct sales, where product was given to me and I could sell it, so I built eCom sites and was able to move around $1m within 1 year.

At no point in time did anyone truly take me seriously…
Then I took a job as creative director of one of the top 100 websites…
Still I was not taken seriously because it was the internet.

I wrote a bestselling book, then went on to build several eight-figure companies. All eCom / SaaS internet businesses. And still not taken seriously.

If you are getting into eCom and searching for validation from family and friends, take it from me… you are never going to get it.

When getting into eCom, the most important thing is to keep your head in the game. Lose your head and you lose your momentum forward.

Here are some tricks that I have used to keep me moving forward:

1. Work on two eCom stores at one time

2. Set a 90 day goal for both stores

3. Focus on the store showing the best movement

4. Sell the store the other store

I know that is against what the gurus are teaching…
Only focus on 1 thing till it is successful.

I can tell you, there are some products that just won’t sell, regardless of how hard you work on the project.

And some products that will “sell themselves” with very little effort.

Here is another tactic that worked really well for me…

We bought sample products for a store then did a photoshoot.
Launched the store with the sample products all listed as sold out with the BACK IN STOCK app
(https://www.appikon.com/back-in-stock)
RIZZ SCORE: 9.5 out of 10
Easy to install and manage

Ok, so now you have products with no inventory, and a BACK IN STOCK sms alert opt in for the product page. Now send in some traffic from ads (Instagram or TikTok) and now you know which products are the most desirable.

When you order your inventory, then add it, BACK IN STOCK alerts go out and you will see sales flying in.

We did this and made $10k on launch, and we had not spent $10k on products, the store build, the photography, or ads! Profit on day 1!

It’s easier to keep your head in the game when you have something to show.

Once you can get over the startup hump, eCom business becomes more frustrating but for other reasons. But that is running a company!

Focus on your mental drive, your staff and your customers.
If you can persevere through the startup hard times, then the hard times of facing sold out products, difficult logistics, ad account bans, customs holding product, and all the other problems that come with running a massively successful eCOM business, then you can overcome anything.

The noise from your family talking sideways about your ventures and the other distractions will fade away, and all that is left is choosing which super car you want to buy as your daily driver.

And even then… some people still won’t take you seriously and they are just miserable with their lives, which has nothing to do with you

I didn’t get into this eCOM business to change the world or create some life-changing business that would make my family proud.

I got into this to make a lot of money and have the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want. I was selfish and it’s time for you to be selfish.

Define what it is that you want.

Then take a piece of paper and write on one side where you are, and on the other side where you want to be.

Then figure out what you need to do in order to get from point A to point B as fast as possible.

And if that means you need to fold the paper in half, then do it.
Order samples, launch a store with no inventory, see what people want and then figure out how to order the products you need to fill those demands.

Do this a few times, and before you know it…
You are running a seven figure a year business.