Episodes

  • Burnout, Branding Wins, and Amazon Seller Reality Check | Ep 28

    Burnout, Branding Wins, and Amazon Seller Reality Check | Ep 28
    Nov 20 2025
    In Episode 28 of Marketplace Mavericks, Jon and Blake sit down for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the emotional and strategic side of building an Amazon business. No guests this week, just two sellers talking openly about burnout, building your brand, fighting doubt, finding momentum, navigating social media, and trying to create something bigger than yourself. This one hits different. If you’re grinding through RA, OA, wholesale, brand-direct, or you’re stuck somewhere in between, this episode will feel like a mirror. It's the side of entrepreneurship nobody sees on Instagram. We cover: • Why burnout sneaks up on every seller • Letting go of perfection so you can actually win • Dealing with the messy middle of building a brand • What creating content really feels like • Why consistency beats motivation • The identity crisis of moving from OA to wholesale • How to keep going when nothing feels like it’s working • Support systems, relationships, and the people who keep us grounded • What’s next for Marketplace Mavericks Whether you're brand new or deep in the game, this is one of the most relatable episodes we’ve ever recorded. 👇 Drop a comment with where you're at in your journey. We read everything. Interested in joining Miles’ program? Put 'MM' in your application where it asks how you heard about it so he knows we sent you there! https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • From Tinder to 20 Clients: How a Couple Accidentally Launched Successful Amazon Prep Center | Ep 27

    From Tinder to 20 Clients: How a Couple Accidentally Launched Successful Amazon Prep Center | Ep 27
    Nov 13 2025
    How does a couple go from a Tinder date to running a full-scale Amazon prep center with 20+ seller clients? Andrew and Amanda Thompson from New Hampshire join the Marketplace Mavericks to share their story and it’s packed with hustle, heart, and heavy boxes. What started as casual RA runs after work turned into: 🛍️ Road trips to Delaware for Carhartt and Columbia flips 📦 Packing orders in a spare bedroom until mom kicked them out 🏢 Scaling into a 2,000 sq ft warehouse and launching a prep center—by accident In this episode, the Mavericks dig into: In this episode, the Mavericks dig into: - The realities of building a 2-person prep center from scratch - Balancing a warehouse, a family, and full-time jobs (for years) - Why communication is their #1 differentiator in the prep space - The types of clients they serve (hint: mostly OA, not wholesale) - Managing Q4 staffing, burnout, and Buffalo Wild Wings dinners - How networking at a single event led to 20+ clients without advertising 📈 If you’re a seller thinking about outsourcing prep or dreaming of building your own 3PL one day, this is a masterclass in real-world hustle and relationship-driven growth. 💬 Connect with Andrew & Amanda on IG: @allouttompsons 🎧 Like what you hear? Smash that subscribe button and never miss an episode! Interested in joining Miles' coaching program? Put “MM” in your application so he knows we sent you: 👉 https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056 📩 Contact the Mavericks: marketplacemavericks@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • How Gift Cards Became a Profit Hack – w/ Taylor from ArbitrageCard | Ep. 26

    How Gift Cards Became a Profit Hack – w/ Taylor from ArbitrageCard | Ep. 26
    Oct 29 2025
    Ever wonder how top Amazon sellers use discounted gift cards to supercharge profits? This episode is for you. Jon, Blake, and Pete are joined by Taylor Thomas, founder of ArbitrageCard.com, the only discounted gift card platform designed specifically for online arbitrage (OA) sellers. We dive into: 🎯 How Taylor evolved from sneaker flipping & manufactured spending into launching ArbitrageCard 💳 Why retailers offer gift cards below face value (hint: breakage & customer acquisition) 🔥 Game-changing features like a Chrome extension, custom-amount gift cards, and automated balance checker 🧠 Why gift cards sometimes get canceled (and how to avoid it) 🔐 Taylor’s fraud protection system and why some platforms sell compromised cards 📱 Future roadmap: building an RA-friendly mobile app for in-store gift card use 💬 Real talk on team building, seller trust, and scaling profitably in low-margin environments This is the episode for anyone who’s ever asked: “Can I trust these gift card companies?” Or… “How do I actually make gift cards work in my OA system?” 🎙️ Guest Bio – Taylor Thomas Taylor Thomas is the founder of ArbitrageCard, the only discounted gift card platform built specifically for online arbitrage sellers. Through innovative tools like a Chrome extension, automated balance checker, and custom-amount gift cards, his company helps sellers streamline operations and boost profit margins. 📧 Contact Taylor: info@arbitragecard.com Instagram: @arbitragecard_ 📬 Want to work with the Mavericks? Email us: marketplacemavericks@gmail.com 🚀 Interested in joining Miles’ coaching program? Put “MM” in your application so he knows we sent you: 👉 https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • From RA to Reviews: Unlocking the Amazon Influencer Program w/ Omar at Sellers United | Ep. 24

    From RA to Reviews: Unlocking the Amazon Influencer Program w/ Omar at Sellers United | Ep. 24
    Oct 22 2025
    Recorded live at the Sellers United Conference, this special episode of Marketplace Mavericks features returning guest Omar, now a 3x guest, diving deep into one of Amazon’s most talked-about programs: the Amazon Influencer Program. 🎯 Omar shares how he evolved from RA/OA selling into building multiple income streams by reviewing everyday products, earning affiliate commissions, stacking bonuses through Amazon’s Creator Connections, and landing free gear. 💡 Whether you're an Amazon seller, side hustler, or content creator, this episode breaks down: - How the Amazon Influencer Program actually works (onsite vs offsite videos) - How to get accepted, what gear to review, and why velocity still matters - Secret sauce: Airbnb product reviews, dad-centric branding, and bundled product links - Scaling strategies: 500 videos, strategic outreach, and maximizing commissions - Real talk about free stuff, product selection, and optimizing for long-term passive income - Omar and Jon also talk mindset, content efficiency, and why this gig isn’t just for “influencers”—it’s for hustlers with a camera, a voice, and a strategy. 🎁 Bonus: Omar even does a live unboxing of some Amazon review products on the episode—don't miss the beverage blaster moment 🤣 Interested in joining Miles' program? Put "MM" in your application where it asks how you heard about it so he knows we sent you there! 👉 https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • What We Learned at Sellers United 2025 + Brand Leads from LinkedIn?! | Ep. 25

    What We Learned at Sellers United 2025 + Brand Leads from LinkedIn?! | Ep. 25
    Oct 22 2025
    In this episode of Marketplace Mavericks, Jon returns from the Sellers United Conference with a suitcase full of takeaways, connections, and momentum. We dive into: 🧠 Big insights from top Amazon sellers & tool creators (SmartScout, Aura, Arbitrage Card, SellerAmp) 🔥 How Jon’s new LinkedIn strategy brought inbound leads from brand owners 💼 What made the conference so valuable, even for smaller sellers 🎤 How in-person networking opens new doors (and future podcast guests!) 🛠️ A behind-the-scenes look at the Amazon tools we all use and who really runs them 🏁 Plus: Jon’s next exclusive brand deal might just come from a tattoo aftercare product line If you've ever wondered if going to Amazon seller conferences is worth it, this episode gives you a real look at what happens when you show up, ask questions, and start building. 📬 Got a question or want to share your experience? Email us at: marketplacemavericks@gmail.com 🚀 Interested in joining Miles’ program? Put "MM" in your application so he knows we sent you: https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056 🎧 Upcoming guests include Taylor from Arbitrage Card and more sellers Jon met at Sellers United. You won’t want to miss what’s coming.
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • No Agenda, Just Real Talk - Amazon Updates, Taxi Stories & Influencer Tease | Ep. 23

    No Agenda, Just Real Talk - Amazon Updates, Taxi Stories & Influencer Tease | Ep. 23
    Oct 8 2025
    This week on Marketplace Mavericks, the guys toss the script and hit record. No agenda. No outline. Just Jon, Blake, and Pete catching up, talking shop, and keeping it real. Inside this off-the-cuff convo: 🎥 Tease for next week's guest: Omar returns to talk Amazon Influencer Program 🎟️ Jon’s heading to his first-ever Sellers United Conference 🧠 Why content creation might be the side hustle Amazon sellers need 🤝 Building community in the most unexpected Amazon spaces 🚕 BONUS: Jon’s epic taxi cab confession (you won’t believe his brother’s response to a fare runner) Whether you're driving, prepping, or just burnt out from sourcing - this one is meant to be a breath of fresh air. Sometimes the best episodes are the ones that just happen. 📬 Have a question or want to share your own wild story? Email us: marketplacemavericks@gmail.com 👉 And don’t forget - if you're applying to Miles’ program, enter ‘MM’ in the referral field: https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056 🎙️ Coming next week: Omar joins us to go deep on making money with the Amazon Influencer Program, product review videos, and repurposing your content into passive income streams. Stay tuned.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • Q4 is Coming: Exclusive Launches, VA Systems, and Our First Real Amazon Holiday Season | Ep. 22

    Q4 is Coming: Exclusive Launches, VA Systems, and Our First Real Amazon Holiday Season | Ep. 22
    Oct 1 2025
    The Mavericks are back in full force! Jon, Blake, and Pete reunite to break down their current Amazon moves as Q4 kicks into high gear. Whether you're launching a private label, stocking up for FBM chaos, or building brand-direct relationships, this episode has something for every seller trying to win big this holiday season. We cover: 🚀 Jon’s plan to launch 2 exclusive brands by Black Friday 🛠️ Building a VA-powered team (graphic design, PPC, outreach) 🧠 Blake’s leap into his first brand-direct exclusive 🕯️ Pete’s wife's launch of Positive Llama Co. and navigating handmade/private label on Amazon 🧾 PPC strategy: why you must understand your ad spend even when outsourcing 📞 Cold call hacks, brand registry access, and how Jon uses LinkedIn as a sourcing secret weapon 🏗️ Why Amazon sellers are really just project managers in disguise This is your Q4 momentum check-in. Don’t miss the real talk, tactical gems, and signature Maverick laughs as the guys gear up for their first full holiday season in the trenches. 💥 Want to join the coaching program we recommend? Put 'MM' in your application so Miles knows we sent you! 👉 https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056 📬 Got questions? Feedback? Wanna join us? Email us: marketplacemavericks@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Inside a Real Amazon Prep Center: Startup Costs, Family Hiring & Q4 Forecasting | Ep. 21

    Inside a Real Amazon Prep Center: Startup Costs, Family Hiring & Q4 Forecasting | Ep. 21
    Sep 24 2025
    Ever wondered what it really takes to start and run a successful Amazon prep center? In Episode 21 of Marketplace Mavericks, we sit down with Joel and Laura Smith of Zero Tax Prep Center (Delaware) for a transparent, behind-the-scenes look at their journey from full-time logistics professionals to prep center entrepreneurs. We cover: 💰 How much it costs to start a prep center (startup vs monthly overhead) 🛠️ Managing staffing, forecasting, and fluctuating clients 📦 The difference between seller-prepped vs. brand-prepped inventory 🧾 What kind of insurance coverage prep centers need 🧑‍👩‍👧‍👦 Running a family-run business (employee #1 is Dad!) 🗨️ Why communication is the #1 reason prep centers succeed or fail Plus, Jon shares how Joel’s team helped him catch a sketchy OA shipment before it went to Amazon, and Pete digs into the pros and cons of FBM support from a prep center during Q4. Whether you're thinking of starting your own prep center, or just want a better partner for your Amazon business, this episode is a must-watch. 💼📦 📍 Connect with Zero Tax Prep Center Website: zerotaxprepcenter.com X: @zerotaxprep2 📬 Got questions? Drop a comment below or email us at: marketplacemavericks@gmail.com Interested in joining Miles' program? Put 'MM' in your application where it asks how you heard about it so he knows we sent you there! 👉 https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins