Is moving your manufacturing out of China actually smart… or just reactive?

In this episode of The eCom Growth Show, Danan Coleman sits down with global sourcing expert Lyden Smithers, who oversees more than $100M in annual eCommerce sales, to break down why China continues to dominate global manufacturing, even in the face of tariffs and “China Plus One” strategies.

From negotiating better payment terms to navigating Canton Fair like a pro, Lyden reveals what separates transactional buyers from long-term supplier partners, and why most sellers are approaching factories the wrong way.

If you're sourcing products for Amazon, Shopify, or TikTok Shop, this conversation could dramatically improve your margins, leverage, and supply chain stability.

In this episode, we cover:

○ Why extended payment terms are about leverage, not just cash flow

○ The #1 negotiation mistake sellers make with factories

○ Why face-to-face meetings in China unlock better pricing & exclusivity

○ The truth about moving manufacturing to Vietnam, Mexico, and beyond

○ What most sellers misunderstand about tariffs

○ How to use Canton Fair as a strategic advantage

○ Why pre-shipment inspections are non-negotiable

○ How to turn your supplier into a true business partner

Lyden also shares insights from his China Magic Trip, where he takes eCommerce founders directly to Canton Fair to build high-level supplier relationships the right way.

🎁 Exclusive Listener Bonus

Mention The eCom Growth Show when booking a call at ChinaMagicTrip.com and receive $500 off your ticket!

🔗 Connect with Lyden Smithers:

Website: https://www.lydensmithers.com

China Magic Trip: https://www.chinamagictrip.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyden-smithers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydensmithers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talktolyden

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LydenSmithers

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lydensmithers1

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Lyden’s $100M eCommerce background

03:05 – Why you need a sourcing plan before Canton Fair

05:00 – Extended payment terms: Why they matter even if you have cash

07:40 – The costly mistake of skipping inspections

08:40 – The biggest negotiation mistake sellers make

12:05 – Why face-to-face meetings in China change everything

17:25 – Canton Fair vs Alibaba suppliers

18:30 – Should you move manufacturing out of China?

20:45 – The reality of “China Plus One” factories

23:30 – China’s infrastructure advantage

24:45 – The ultimate leverage strategy with manufacturers

26:40 – China Magic Trip + $500 listener offer

#TheeComGrowthShow #GlobalSourcing #CantonFair

KEEP IN TOUCH:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danancoleman

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomgrowthshow

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheeComGrowthShow

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/eComGrowthShow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eComGrowthShow

Danan Coleman is an expert in the Amazon field. He's been actively selling on Amazon since 2010 and in the SaaS and Service network for Amazon sellers since 2018. After helping companies like ManageByStats and Carbon6 scale and be sold, he started his eCom Triage [https://ecomtriage.com] to help sellers with solutions to complicated and seemingly impossible tasks like removing negative reviews and detecting critical and detrimental changes to your product detail pages. He also consults both brands and agencies in the Amazon space.

On paper, the business looks profitable.

In reality, the bank account keeps shrinking.

In this episode of The eCom Growth Show, Danan Coleman sits down with Nachman Lieser, founder of ConnectBooks, to expose the financial blind spots that cause Amazon sellers to go broke, even while their P&L says they’re “making money.”

From dead inventory and poor cash flow planning to delayed financial visibility, Nachman breaks down the real reasons profitable-looking ecommerce brands hit a wall. You’ll hear real-world examples of seven-figure sellers with no liquidity, inventory silently draining cash, and why profit alone is a dangerous metric if you don’t understand your numbers.

If you sell on Amazon (or across multiple marketplaces) and want to scale without choking your cash flow, this episode will change how you look at your business.

🔑 What You’ll Learn

○ Why profit doesn’t equal cash flow in ecommerce

○ How inventory quietly destroys otherwise healthy businesses

○ The biggest financial mistake Amazon sellers keep repeating

○ Why “making money” on paper can still lead to bankruptcy

○ How top sellers stay liquid—even in volatile markets

○ What knowing your numbers actually means

🔗 Connect With Nachman Lieser

Website: https://connectbooks.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nachman-lieser-166807ba

ConnectBooks LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connectbooks

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectbooks5693

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Why “making money” isn’t the same as staying in business

01:30 – How ConnectBooks was built from real bookkeeping pain

04:45 – Are Amazon sellers still making money today?

06:40 – What profitable sellers do differently

08:10 – Case study: Turning losses into real profit

11:50 – The danger of misunderstanding margins

14:05 – Profit vs cash flow (the mistake killing sellers)

15:20 – How inventory quietly drains cash

18:55 – Inventory aging & why dead stock is deadly

21:40 – The 90-day inventory rule

23:10 – When buying more inventory actually makes sense

25:00 – What Amazon sellers can learn from Costco & Walmart

26:55 – How to connect with Nachman & ConnectBooks

#TheeComGrowthShow #AmazonSellers #CashFlowManagement

KEEP IN TOUCH:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danancoleman

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomgrowthshow

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheeComGrowthShow

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/eComGrowthShow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eComGrowthShow

Danan Coleman is an expert in the Amazon field. He's been actively selling on Amazon since 2010 and in the SaaS and Service network for Amazon sellers since 2018. After helping companies like ManageByStats and Carbon6 scale and be sold, he started his eCom Triage [https://ecomtriage.com] to help sellers with solutions to complicated and seemingly impossible tasks like removing negative reviews and detecting critical and detrimental changes to your product detail pages. He also consults both brands and agencies in the Amazon space.

Amazon doesn’t reward sellers who try to figure everything out alone.

In today’s Amazon ecosystem, the sellers who survive — and scale — are the ones plugged into the right communities before problems hit. Suspensions, IP complaints, supply chain enforcement, and sudden policy changes don’t come with warnings… unless you’re already in the rooms where that information is shared.

In this episode of The eCom Growth Show, host Danan Coleman sits down with Ed Rosenberg, founder of ASGTG (Amazon Sellers Group) and one of the most trusted voices in the Amazon seller ecosystem. With over 25 years in eCommerce, Ed explains why serious sellers rely on communities like ASGTG to stay compliant, identify risk early, and adapt as Amazon continues to professionalize and tighten enforcement.

If you sell on Amazon — or plan to — this episode breaks down why information, community, and timing have become competitive advantages, and why the most serious operators no longer build in isolation.

🔗 Connect with Ed Rosenberg

ASGTG Website & Seller Resources: https://asgtg.com

ASGTG Events (Brooklyn – March 5, 2026): https://asgtgevents.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edrosenberg1/

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Ed Rosenberg

00:34 – Selling online since the early eBay days

02:53 – The biggest reasons Amazon sellers get suspended

03:17 – Supply chain enforcement & Section 3 violations

04:09 – Why reselling has become so risky

05:14 – IP complaints & “unauthorized seller” claims

07:20 – Safer Amazon business models going forward

09:16 – Where Amazon selling is headed in 2026

10:11 – Strategic Account Services (SAS): advantage or tax?

12:37 – Are sellers still winning on Amazon?

13:12 – Amazon vs Shopify, TikTok Shop & Walmart

17:50 – Why Amazon struggles to identify good sellers

18:00 – Why Ed created ASGTG

21:46 – The real value of seller communities

24:32 – ASGTG Brooklyn 2026 preview

27:20 – Diversifying beyond Amazon

29:26 – AI, TikTok Shop & what’s next

#TheeComGrowthShow #AmazonSellers #ASGTG

KEEP IN TOUCH:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danancoleman

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomgrowthshow

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheeComGrowthShow

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/eComGrowthShow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eComGrowthShow

Danan Coleman is an expert in the Amazon field. He's been actively selling on Amazon since 2010 and in the SaaS and Service network for Amazon sellers since 2018. After helping companies like ManageByStats and Carbon6 scale and be sold, he started his eCom Triage [https://ecomtriage.com] to help sellers with solutions to complicated and seemingly impossible tasks like removing negative reviews and detecting critical and detrimental changes to your product detail pages. He also consults both brands and agencies in the Amazon space.

Launching a supplement or cosmetic brand sounds simple—until manufacturing, compliance, inventory risk, and marketing costs hit all at once.

In this episode of The eCom Growth Show, host Danan Coleman sits down with Lorand Fabian, Founder & CEO of IngredientSage, to break down what actually determines success in private label supplements and cosmetics.

With over 20 years of hands-on manufacturing experience, Lorand shares what most founders get wrong, why U.S.-based GMP manufacturing is becoming a competitive advantage, and how to launch products without getting buried in overhead or regulatory landmines.

This episode is essential for:

• Amazon sellers entering supplements or beauty

• Founders considering private label vs custom formulations

• Brands struggling with inventory, compliance, or scaling

• Anyone tired of vague manufacturer promises

If you’re serious about building a compliant, scalable product—this conversation will save you years of mistakes.

🔗 Connect With Lorand Fabian (IngredientSage)

Website: https://ingredientsage.com

Business inquiries: info@ingredientsage.com

🔗 Follow IngredientSage & Lorand Fabian:

LinkedIn (Lorand): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorand-fabian/

LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/ingredientsage

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingredientsage/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ingredientsage

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ingredientsage

X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/Ingredientsage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingredientsage

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ingredientsage

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ingredientsage

Rumble: https://www.rumble.com/user/IngredientSage

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/ingredientsage

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ingredientsage.com

Clapper: https://www.clapperapp.com/@ingredientsage

Lemon8: https://v.lemon8-app.com/s/OgjeekyjTF

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to The eCom Growth Show

00:32 – Lorand Fabian’s 20+ year journey in supplements & cosmetics

02:12 – Why U.S.-based manufacturing is becoming a competitive advantage

04:12 – The real risks of overseas supplement manufacturing

07:18 – The #1 mistake that kills supplement brands in year one

08:47 – Why PPC alone won’t save a new brand

09:55 – How to tell if a manufacturer actually knows their stuff

11:28 – Multi-channel marketing most founders ignore

12:44 – Inventory mistakes that destroy momentum

14:19 – Why you shouldn’t expect profits in year one

15:19 – Custom formula vs existing formulations (what to choose)

16:49 – Stability testing, PET testing, and why R&D takes time

18:24 – Why gummies are one of the riskiest supplement formats

21:51 – How to stand out when competitors sell the same product

22:34 – Influencers, branding, and pre-selling products

23:03 – Where to find Lorand & IngredientSage

25:15 – Final thoughts & closing

#TheeComGrowthShow #PrivateLabelSupplements #SupplementManufacturing

KEEP IN TOUCH:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danancoleman

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomgrowthshow

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheeComGrowthShow

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/eComGrowthShow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eComGrowthShow

Danan Coleman is an expert in the Amazon field. He's been actively selling on Amazon since 2010 and in the SaaS and Service network for Amazon sellers since 2018. After helping companies like ManageByStats and Carbon6 scale and be sold, he started his eCom Triage [https://ecomtriage.com] to help sellers with solutions to complicated and seemingly impossible tasks like removing negative reviews and detecting critical and detrimental changes to your product detail pages. He also consults both brands and agencies in the Amazon space.

Paid ads are getting more expensive. Attention spans are getting shorter. And eCommerce brands that rely only on PPC are quietly falling behind.

In this episode, Justin Willhite, Founder of CommQuest and former Senior Influencer Marketing Manager at Twitch, breaks down why influencer marketing has shifted from a “nice-to-have” to a critical survival channel for eCommerce brands in 2026.

Justin shares a rare insider perspective from both sides of the table — enterprise-level influencer strategy at Amazon-owned Twitch and real-world execution as a creator himself. You’ll learn how brands should approach influencers, what metrics actually matter, how to repurpose creator content for Amazon and DTC, and why micro-creators often outperform massive accounts.

If you’re selling on Amazon or DTC and still treating influencer marketing like an experiment, this episode will change how you think about growth.

🔗Connect with Justin Willhite

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinwillhite/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comm_quest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commquest1

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/consumerquest

🕰️Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome back to The eCom Growth Show

00:58 – Why influencer marketing is now critical for eCommerce brands

02:45 – The attention economy & short-form content reality

04:25 – Why buyers trust creators more than brands

06:18 – How low-ticket and high-ticket products both rely on influencers

07:54 – Justin’s background at Twitch & Amazon influencer strategy

09:26 – How Twitch creators build powerful communities

11:20 – Leveraging influencer communities to build your own brand community

12:33 – Why brands must engage on influencer posts

13:29 – The biggest mistakes brands make when pitching influencers

15:39 – How to outreach without sounding salesy

17:55 – Why most legitimate brands still ignore influencer marketing

19:43 – Turning influencer content into long-term conversion assets

22:19 – Amazon Creator Connections explained

25:31 – KPIs that actually matter (beyond vanity metrics)

27:22 – Why follower count is misleading

28:57 – Can influencers actually drive sales?

29:53 – What Justin does now & how he helps brands scale

#TheeComGrowthShow #InfluencerMarketing #AmazonSellers

KEEP IN TOUCH:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danancoleman

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomgrowthshow

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheeComGrowthShow

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/eComGrowthShow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eComGrowthShow

Danan Coleman is an expert in the Amazon field. He's been actively selling on Amazon since 2010 and in the SaaS and Service network for Amazon sellers since 2018. After helping companies like ManageByStats and Carbon6 scale and be sold, he started his eCom Triage [https://ecomtriage.com] to help sellers with solutions to complicated and seemingly impossible tasks like removing negative reviews and detecting critical and detrimental changes to your product detail pages. He also consults both brands and agencies in the Amazon space.

What if the simplest marketing tactic is also the most powerful?

In this episode, host Danan Coleman sits down with David Wachs, Founder & CEO of Handwrytten, to unpack why handwritten notes are becoming one of the highest-ROI tools for customer loyalty, retention, and reviews in eCommerce.

David shares how brands can stand out in a world flooded with emails, texts, and ads — and why customers crave appreciation more than discounts. From Amazon inserts to fully automated Shopify workflows, this conversation breaks down how emotional connection drives repeat purchases, better reviews, and long-term brand loyalty.

If you’re looking for a way to cut through the noise without racing to the bottom on discounts, this episode is a must-watch!

🔗 Connect with David Wachs & Handwrytten

Website: https://www.handwrytten.com

LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/handwrytten

LinkedIn (David Wachs): https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwachs/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbwachs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handwrytten

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/handwrytten

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & why handwritten notes still matter

01:00 – David Wachs’ background in messaging & marketing

02:45 – Why digital communication is overwhelming customers

03:40 – How Handwrytten robots actually write real notes

06:30 – Paper, ink, texture & the psychology of authenticity

08:40 – Using handwritten notes at scale in eCommerce

10:30 – Survey insights: why customers don’t feel appreciated

12:00 – The most personal vs most annoying communication channels

15:15 – Amazon vs Shopify: where handwritten notes work best

17:50 – Automating handwritten notes with Shopify

19:00 – Why handwritten notes increase reviews & retention

22:00 – The power of “snail mail” in modern marketing

24:40 – How brands can cut through the noise today

27:00 – Customer loyalty mistakes brands keep making

32:50 – Tracking ROI & measuring handwritten note performance

34:30 – Final advice for eCommerce founders

#TheeComGrowthShow #CustomerRetention #Handwrytten

KEEP IN TOUCH:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danancoleman

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomgrowthshow

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheeComGrowthShow

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/eComGrowthShow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eComGrowthShow

Danan Coleman is an expert in the Amazon field. He's been actively selling on Amazon since 2010 and in the SaaS and Service network for Amazon sellers since 2018. After helping companies like ManageByStats and Carbon6 scale and be sold, he started his eCom Triage [https://ecomtriage.com] to help sellers with solutions to complicated and seemingly impossible tasks like removing negative reviews and detecting critical and detrimental changes to your product detail pages. He also consults both brands and agencies in the Amazon space.

In this episode of The eCom Growth Show, host Danan Coleman sits down with Eric Young, senior strategist at Bullseye Sellers and host of the Ecom Marketing Lab Podcast, to break down how eCommerce has evolved from the early Amazon gold rush to today’s omnichannel reality.

Eric shares his journey from building a seven-figure Amazon brand to helping scale hundreds of brands across Amazon, TikTok Shop, and emerging marketplaces. They dive deep into why Amazon has become the bottom of the funnel, how TikTok is recreating early Amazon growth, and what brands must do now to stay competitive.

If you’re relying on Amazon alone — or wondering how TikTok, Meta, and omnichannel traffic actually work together — this episode is a must-watch.

🔗 Connect with Eric Young

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-young-01b2175a

Bullseye Sellers: https://bullseyesellers.com

Book a Call with Eric: https://calendly.com/hello-ecommarketinglab or https://links.bullseyesellers.com/widget/booking/M3S9m3Z4t1YVzEBlli2Z

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ecommarketinglab

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to The eCom Growth Show

00:55 – Eric’s background: from tech nerd to Amazon seller

02:31 – Building and scaling a 7-figure Amazon brand

03:30 – How Amazon has changed over the last decade

05:08 – Why Amazon is still essential (but no longer enough)

07:16 – The shift from secrecy to community in eCommerce

08:43 – Masterminds vs large communities

11:40 – Post-COVID Amazon & increased competition

12:36 – Why omnichannel is no longer optional

13:32 – Getting early into TikTok Shop

14:02 – TikTok growth vs early Amazon days

15:31 – Amazon as bottom-of-funnel traffic

16:04 – Being everywhere your customer shops

18:27 – New marketplaces & the impact of AI

20:16 – Global selling opportunities today

22:17 – Bullseye Sellers & scaling hundreds of brands

23:32 – Launching the eCom Marketing Lab Podcast

25:35 – How to connect with Eric Young

#TheeComGrowthShow #AmazonFBA #TikTokShop

KEEP IN TOUCH:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danancoleman

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomgrowthshow

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheeComGrowthShow

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/eComGrowthShow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eComGrowthShow

Danan Coleman is an expert in the Amazon field. He's been actively selling on Amazon since 2010 and in the SaaS and Service network for Amazon sellers since 2018. After helping companies like ManageByStats and Carbon6 scale and be sold, he started his eCom Triage [https://ecomtriage.com] to help sellers with solutions to complicated and seemingly impossible tasks like removing negative reviews and detecting critical and detrimental changes to your product detail pages. He also consults both brands and agencies in the Amazon space.

Thinking about expanding your eCommerce brand into Latin America?

Mike Begg — entrepreneur, Amazon expert, and co-founder of AMZ Advisers, AMZ Courses, and GoAvance, breaks down the real roadmap to winning in Mexico, Brazil, and the rest of LATAM.

If you’re even thinking about going into Mexico or Brazil, this episode will save you months of frustration.

🔗 Connect With Mike Begg

Personal:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m1ke_begg/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbegg/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mike_begg

Business:

• AMZ Advisers: https://amzadvisers.com

• GoAvance (LATAM expansion services): https://goavance.com

• Mike’s site: https://mikebegg.me

• Facebook: https://facebook.com/amzadvisers

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amzadvisers/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10895001

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/amzadvisers

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro to the episode

00:37 – Mike Begg joins the show

00:57 – When sellers should consider expanding into LATAM

01:25 – Mexico vs. US: red tape, compliance & complexity

01:38 – Expected sales volume in Mexico

02:09 – Comparing LATAM expansion to Walmart’s growth impact

02:40 – Why NARF underperforms vs. in-market FBA

03:11 – Conversion rates and consumer behavior in Mexico

03:57 – Customs issues, taxes & canceled orders

04:50 – What the eCommerce market looks like in Mexico & Brazil

05:37 – How much localization sellers actually need

06:23 – Amazon vs. Mercado Libre: major platform differences

07:29 – Why seller reputation matters more on Mercado Libre

09:25 – Customer service expectations in LATAM

10:24 – Recommended launch strategy for Latin America

11:17 – Using TikTok, influencers & DSP for brand discovery

11:47 – Why DSP outperforms Campaign Manager in Mexico

12:07 – Localization: images, Spanish, and using regional models

13:14 – Packaging mistakes sellers make

14:27 – The importance of market-aligned visual branding

14:47 – PickFu & A/B testing for LATAM-specific creative

14:48 – Biggest challenges when entering LATAM

15:15 – Fiscal setup, legal structure & banking hurdles

16:15 – Taxes, VAT, monthly income tax & deductions

17:23 – Product compliance issues and timelines

18:03 – Marketing differences and marketplace limitations

18:44 – How to generate demand in Mexico & Brazil

18:52 – How GoAvance helps brands expand into Latin America

19:20 – Closing remarks

#TheeComGrowthShow #LATAMExpansion #AmazonMexico

KEEP IN TOUCH:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danancoleman

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomgrowthshow

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheeComGrowthShow

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/eComGrowthShow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eComGrowthShow

Danan Coleman is an expert in the Amazon field. He's been actively selling on Amazon since 2010 and in the SaaS and Service network for Amazon sellers since 2018. After helping companies like ManageByStats and Carbon6 scale and be sold, he started his eCom Triage [https://ecomtriage.com] to help sellers with solutions to complicated and seemingly impossible tasks like removing negative reviews and detecting critical and detrimental changes to your product detail pages. He also consults both brands and agencies in the Amazon space.