“We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.” - Aesop

🔍 Beware the Siren Call of the "Instant Amazon Mogul" 🔮

Hello, Aspiring E-commerce Champions! Steve Simonson here, with a bit of elder wisdom from the trenches of actual entrepreneurship.

Have you seen those youthful faces on your feed, promising the express train to Amazon riches for the price of a latte a day?

Let's have a chat. 🛑 ☕️

Before you mortgage your piggy bank at the behest of a TikTok teenager who claims to have cracked the code of commerce from their treehouse, here’s a friendly PSA:

• 🧠 Experience Matters: Real knowledge comes from years of trial and error, not just from watching tutorials between class periods.

• 📚 Gurus Vs. Doers: Seek out those who have walked the fiery path of fulfillment and customer service marathons, not only those who talk a good game from the comfort of their ergonomic gaming chairs.

• 🏗️ Building Over Night: Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a legitimate e-commerce empire. Anything worth building takes time, effort, and more than a magic drop-shipping guide.

• 🔎 Due Diligence: Do a background check more thorough than a detective on a true-crime binge. If their biggest success story is their ability to sell you success stories, take a hard pass.

• 🚀 Timeless Tactics: Real long-term success doesn’t come from exploiting the latest “hack”; it comes from timeless business principles applied with a modern twist.

Entrepreneurship is not a "get-rich-quick" screenplay; it's more like a documentary—a whole lot of real, sometimes mundane, hard work with a few moments of Oscar-worthy triumphs.

So friends, let's champion the real heroes – the seasoned vets who’ve earned their stripes and are willing to mentor without the mirage of overnight billions. 💼

Here's to building sustainable businesses that last longer than a meme's lifespan, and to success stories rooted in reality, not just retweets. 🌿

Wishing you real growth, real learning, and real success!

Steve Simonson

#NoBSBusinessBuilder

Tips from Kevin King on the Day 2 Podcast about getting into eCommerce (Get his newsletter FIRST!)

Scammer Audit Checklist:

Here’s a checklist to help e-commerce sellers, or any entrepreneur for that matter, avoid falling prey to scammers, especially those masquerading as "experts" or "gurus" in the industry:

☑️ Verify Credentials:

• Confirm the legitimacy of their experience. Look for an established online presence, professional references, testimonials, and actual case studies.

• Check their LinkedIn profile for endorsements and a history of real professional accomplishments.

☑️ Beware of Extravagant Claims:

• If they promise overnight success, exponential growth with little effort, or secrets no one else knows, be very skeptical.

☑️ Ask for Proof:

• Request to see evidence of their business success - not just earnings snapshots but sustained business activities and growth.

☑️ Research Reviews and Testimonials:

• Look for reviews of their services or products from independent and verified sources.

☑️ Seek Out Peer Opinions:

• Consult with peers or online communities in your industry to get second opinions on the guru or service.

☑️ No High-Pressure Sales:

• Don't be swayed by high-pressure tactics or time-sensitive offers. Quality advice and products don’t need gimmicks to sell.

☑️ Understand the Refund Policy:

• Make sure there is a clear refund policy in case the service or advice doesn’t meet expectations.

☑️ Know What You’re Paying For:

• Insist on a clear outline of services, deliverables, and what exactly your money is going towards.

☑️ Use Secure Payment Methods:

• Only pay through secure channels that offer buyer protection, such as credit cards or established payment platforms.

☑️ Limit Initial Investment:

• Don’t pour substantial money into untested programs or mentorships. Start with a minimal investment to assess quality.

☑️ Protect Your Intellectual Property:

• Don’t share sensitive business information or intellectual property with advisors until trust and confidentiality are established.

☑️ Trust Your Instincts:

• If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your gut and walk away.

☑️ Continuous Education:

• Stay informed about common scams in the industry. Knowledge about current scam tactics can be your best defense.

☑️ Legal Consultation:

• If the dealings involve contracts or large sums of money, it’s wise to consult with a legal professional.

Always remember, genuine experts and mentors are in it for the long haul and care about your success, not just their financial gain. The best partnerships are transparent, mutually beneficial, and based on realistic projections and honest business practices.