FBA Storefront & Shopify Luxury Watch Themed Store ⌚💎

This six-year-old e-commerce business specializes in premium watch box organizers and sells them under a private-label brand on Amazon FBA and Shopify. It has solid foundations and a global reach - in my mind, it could be a really great opportunity to buy an inexpensive account to fill with related products.

Most revenue comes from Amazon in the U.S., with a good amount from Australia. The business features several top-rated products and has a loyal customer base. The elephant in the room here is the stock…in my opinion, it’s the problem with this business (there’s too much for how quickly it sells) and possibly the main reason for sale. However I can’t imagine anyone agreeing to pay the price quoted, so I’d make a tight combined offer for the account and stock…if rejected, I’d suggest offering to buy the stock ‘as and when’ it sells.

Apparently there’s a new product design ready to launch. I’d personally fill this store to the rafters with watch related items. Expanding into more Amazon marketplaces and putting more effort into the Shopify store are also great growth strategies. Plus, ramping up digital marketing with PPC ads and social media could really drive traffic.

My Checklist:

• You want Amazon seller central summary reports that detail all sales and fees/costs.

• Really delve deeply into that stock, check buying prices and amazon storage costs.

• Check the Amazon account is fully active and in good standing following the recent temporary deactivation.

• Check out the competition, is these items competitively priced? What else are competition selling that this account isn’t?

• Look into the 550+ reviews to confirm product satisfaction and areas for improvement.

• Review plans for launching the new SKU and expanding to other marketplaces.

FBA Storefront - 6-Year-Old Silk Products Store 🧵👗

This Amazon FBA store specializes in high-quality 100% Mulberry silk products like pillowcases, bedding, and home accessories. With FBA handling most operations, it’s fairly hands off. The brand has built a loyal customer base and is known for its quality. Please note that a Non Disclosure Agreement will need digitally signing before you can view all the company details.

The sale includes the Amazon FBA account, complete with product listings, customer reviews, and existing inventory. Since there’s minimal marketing, the business mainly relies on organic traffic, so there’s plenty of room to grow.

You could expand the product line with more silk accessories, like scarves or sleep masks, which could boost revenue. Improving marketing, especially with Amazon PPC, and setting up a Shopify store could create new sales channels. Plus, exploring international markets or developing a subscription model could bring in steady revenue.

My Checklist:

• Again, ask for Amazon summary reports that detail all sales and fees/costs, also get some supplier invoices to verify stock costs (since an NDA will have been signed).

• Does the price include stock? If it doesn’t, it should, because otherwise I’d be aiming to pay no more than half the advertised price.

• Do suppliers offer other items you can sell? Do they have low MOQ (Minimum Order Quantities) and good pricing?

• Ensure the seller account is in good standing, and check product reviews, ratings, and any recent changes to listings.

• Evaluate the current stock levels and fulfilment status in Amazon warehouses.

SaaS Platform Audio Content Creation and Distribution 🎤📡

This SaaS platform has been around for five years, which, for me, makes this a great contender for a confident marketer looking for a trustworthy project to let loose on. It makes it easy for users to create and share audio content like podcasts and Alexa flash briefings—no coding skills needed! It integrates with Amazon and has an iOS app, which makes it really user-friendly.

The business runs on a subscription model, including free and premium price points. The current workload is light and the sale includes customer databases, domain and hosting accounts, and social media.

You could really boost this business with better marketing and partnerships. More digital marketing—like SEO and paid ads—could help attract a wider audience. Also, adding new features to the mobile app or creating different service tiers could bring in even more subscribers, especially since audio content is on the rise!

My Checklist:

• Backend and Platform reports are needed along with bank statements (if utilized/relevant).

• Get Google Analytics access and see where users are coming from…if acquired from a paid source, you’ll need access to those reports so you can verify profitability.

• Analyze the customer database for engagement and retention rates among free and paid users.

• Check the performance and reliability of the software, including any ongoing support or updates. Understand what technical support or resources will be needed post-sale.

• Research competitors in the SaaS audio market to understand positioning and potential challenges. Is this adapted white label software? If so, that’s ok, but remember it affects the price.

SaaS Platform SEO Internal Linking Tool 🔗🛠️

This SaaS platform (3 years old - nice) is doing a great job helping SEO pros simplify their internal linking process. It automatically suggests links based on data from Google Search Console and keyword insights, saving users time and boosting their SEO. While most of its growth has come from influencer shout-outs, there’s a lot of room to expand with a solid marketing plan.

The platform uses a B2B model with a tiered subscription system that fits businesses of all sizes. I could actually imagine using it myself for a project if the price was right. Currently, the marketing is pretty minimal, which is a golden opportunity for someone new to step in and ramp things up.

With some investment in digital marketing, like social media and targeted ads, the business could attract a lot more subscribers. Plus, adding new features could draw in a wider audience and really boost user engagement and retention!

My Checklist:

• Personally test the platform's user interface to ensure it's intuitive for potential customers.

• Backend and Platform reports are needed along with bank statements (if utilized/relevant).

• Get Google Analytics access and cross reference where users are coming from against the given advertising costs to check all costs are accounted for.

• What’s the customer retention rate and check all online reviews.

• Do you have the skill to fix backend issues with the software or can the seller pass a contact on to you that can?

• Is this market competitive? Is this adapted white label software? (again, remember it will affect the price).

• Discuss potential expansion strategies and features with the current owner.

BUYER TIP: Buying a Business on Flippa - Payment & Transfer 💰🔄

Naturally, as a result of this weeks challenge, all roads led me to Flippa. For those of you who are new to buying businesses—or even if you have some experience but haven’t dived into Flippa yet—it can seem a bit overwhelming. And yes, like any online marketplace, Flippa has its share of scams to be wary of. But don’t worry, I’m here to walk you through how payments and transfers work.

Buying on Flippa is a process—a bit of an art, actually. Over time, it’ll become second nature, but until then, there’s some groundwork to do. I intend to speed up that learning curve for you with this newsletter.

First things first, start chatting with the seller. Ask them a range of important questions (think of the checklist I provide for businesses in the newsletter). You want to build a good rapport because it helps with negotiating and you may be working with this person throughout the sale. Don’t settle for vague answers—make sure everything is verified, especially the financials. Always demand proof and never buy a business that can’t back up it’s claims.

As you can imagine, there’s pages of content I could write on how to steer clear of scams (sounds like I’ve just nominated myself to create a future newsletter special!) However, if you are inexperienced, a good tip is to stick to older established businesses, they have more data to back up claims and so are less likely to be a sham….however if you’re inexperienced and looking for a start-up, that’s ok too, just make sure the price you pay reflects the young age of the project and the associated risk.

How the Escrow and Payment Process Works

Once you’ve settled on a price and done your due diligence, it’s time to move forward. Flippa uses Escrow to hold your funds until both parties meet their obligations. Here’s how it goes:

1. Deposit Funds: After agreeing on terms, you’ll deposit the purchase price into an escrow account. The seller knows the money is there but can’t access it yet.

2. Asset Transfer: The seller hands over everything—domain, website files, social accounts, customer lists, supplier agreements, etc. You confirm that everything’s in place.

3. Verify and Release: Once you’re sure you have control of all the assets, the funds are released to the seller.

Why Escrow?

Escrow protects both buyer and seller. As a buyer, you know your money stays safe until the deal is done. As a seller, you’re assured the buyer has the funds ready. It’s a great way to minimize risk and make the transition smoother.

My Thoughts

While Escrow doesn’t shield you from misrepresented businesses, it does ensure the seller doesn’t run off with your money and that you get everything promised. It’s a crucial part of buying on Flippa, and once done, you can confidently move forward with your new business venture. 🚀📈

KDP Account Established with Travel Guide 📚✈️

KDP Accounts are in my top 3 most requested businesses (both within this newsletter and with my clients) so naturally I’m very bullish on them personally. This Amazon KDP account has shown great growth potential with impressive profit margins. It’s already generating solid royalties with minimal ad spend and an effective strategy, it’s perfect for newcomers wanting to make their mark. However, it’s young age naturally affects the price and should be negotiated down.

This account benefit’s from what appears to be a popular book and some degree of coaching from the seller. A successful TikTok strategy is already driving free traffic to the listings, boosting organic sales.

Publishing more titles could really increase revenue, and expanding marketing efforts on social media or enhancing the TikTok strategy can boost visibility. Engaging with readers through newsletters or social media will also help build loyalty for repeat purchases. Plus, optimizing book listings and ad strategies will keep that profitability high!

My Checklist:

• Review Amazon Report Summaries for breakdowns of sales and costs.

• Current book offering is a 2024 Travel Guide…how easily could the cover & text be changed for 2025?

• Analyze existing marketing strategies…are they sustainable? Is a cost involved?

• Check all customer reviews and the Amazon account health.

• Consider strategies for building relationships with readers to foster loyalty and the direction of your future publications.

• You’ll need written confirmation that the seller owns the rights to the book, content and artwork.

• Ensure you understand the level of support and resources offered post-sale.

KDP Account Established with Cooking Books 📖👩‍🍳

This self-publishing business is in the cooking niche on Amazon KDP. It’s got six paperbacks and most sales are organic. There was a brief hiccup with the account being blocked by Amazon, but that appears to be sorted (must be verified).

It’s focused on a popular niche and there’s plenty of room to expand the title line-up. Plus, it only takes a few hours a week to manage KDP ads, ideal for entrepreneurs short on time.

Adding more titles could really boost revenue and attract a broader audience. Investing in marketing can help get the word out, and engaging with the cooking community on social media or blogs can drive organic traffic without relying too much on ads. Gathering feedback from readers can also spark new ideas and ensure you’re meeting their needs.

My Checklist:

• Analyze existing marketing strategies and costs.

• Assess the current range of titles and identify opportunities for new releases.

• Review Amazon Report Summaries for breakdowns of sales and costs.

• Written confirmation is required, stating that the seller owns the rights to the books, content and artwork, along with a full written Declaration explaining the previous account block and written proof from Amazon that it’s fully resolved.

• Will you be writing books or can you utilize Ai or ghostwriters?

BONUS - AI Essay Writer SaaS 🤖✨

OK, so I lied (well sort of!) I couldn’t resist including a business above 15k and it’s a handy mobile app on iOS and Android that uses advanced AI GPT tech to help students and creators with their writing. The subscription model is already working well, with the demand for AI writing tools on the rise, it’s drawing in a solid user base and making good revenue.

It has a user-friendly interface and smart monetization options, like in-app purchases and targeted ads. It has cool features like plagiarism detection and grammar checking, making writing easier for everyone. Plus, the app keeps growing because it really focuses on customer satisfaction.

Boosting marketing, especially with targeted ads and influencer partnerships, could attract even more users. Adding new premium features and getting user feedback will help improve the app. Could the app have different language versions or have specific niche writing sections. Partnering with schools or other organizations could also connect with students who need writing support!

My Checklist:

• Review financial reports from the app backend and platforms for sales. Ask for bank / payment processor statements to verify costs.

• Assess how the app stands against competitors in the AI writing assistant space, can it stay competitive & grow?

• Review existing features and consider what new capabilities could attract more users.

• Verify traffic sources and advertising costs.

• Check for user reviews and feedback to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

• Understand user retention rates and develop plans to keep subscribers engaged long-term.