TAS 143 – from $6,000 to 7-figures – Mari and Fernano from Living in a Bubble
Jun 9, 2023
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Mari and Fernando, a dynamic Brazilian couple, share their inspiring journey from dropshipping on eBay to building a thriving private label business in Australia. They discuss the challenges of aligning their business with a balanced lifestyle, and their innovative approach to developing hemp-based wellness products. Their experience with launching a magnetic fly screen product illustrates how community feedback has fueled their ideas. With a remarkable rise from $6,000 to seven figures, they emphasize the power of social media and collaboration in achieving entrepreneurial success.
Mariana and Fernando's journey from dropshipping to a successful product launch emphasizes the importance of resilience and adapting to market challenges.
Their approach to community engagement and feedback played a crucial role in refining their product offerings and establishing a loyal customer base.
Deep dives
Journey into E-commerce
Mariana and Fernando share their journey of moving from Brazil to Australia in 2014 and their pursuit of entrepreneurship. Initially, they ventured into dropshipping on eBay in 2018, focusing on products sourced from AliExpress. Their first experience was challenging, particularly due to shipping times during the holiday season, leading them to shut down that business after just two months. However, this initial venture ignited a passion for e-commerce, culminating in an inspiring realization that they could generate income online, despite starting with minimal resources.
Transition to Private Labeling
The couple's next significant step was a foray into private labeling, inspired by the burgeoning hemp market in Australia. They established a range of hemp-based products, including healing balms and remedies for pets, but faced hurdles with licensing and regulations. After a year and a half, they decided to pivot due to the complexities and costs associated with the hemp industry. This experience helped them better understand market limitations and led them to a breakthrough product that would eventually propel their business to success.
Product Development and Community Building
The development of their successful product, a magnetic fly screen for camper vans, originated from their love for camping and the frustrations they encountered while searching for compatible products. After testing their initial idea through Facebook Marketplace, they secured funding for their first purchase order, which marked the beginning of significant growth. Mariana and Fernando innovated by incorporating feedback from their community and customers, who not only actively contributed ideas but also helped promote their products. This collaborative approach has been essential in refining their offerings and establishing a loyal customer base.
Navigating Seasonal Challenges and Expansion
Operating in a seasonal market posed challenges for inventory management, especially during peak sales periods. Through trial and error over a year and a half, the couple learned to forecast demand and positioned their products strategically across various platforms, including eBay and Amazon. They successfully expanded their reach into international markets, including the US and Europe, while managing cash flow to mitigate risks associated with excess stock. Despite hurdles, they emphasize the importance of resilience and continuous learning in their entrepreneurial journey.
Time is almost up to come to the Amazon Collective Mastermind Regina and I are holding in June this year, between the 18th and the 22nd in beautiful Ubud, Bali. You’ll be joined by our invited VIP guests, Kirsty Verity, Leo Sgovio and Bradley Sutton and Steve Simonson.
This week I had the funnest chat with Mari and Fernando from http://www.livinginabubble.co/! These 2 are such a wonderful couple, in our chat, they literally complete each other’s sentences and are infectiously enthusiastic.
Anyway, originally from Brazil, they landed in Australia 2014 and sorted out their visa so they could start a business here.
In 2018 they started their first online business selling dropshipped items on eBay. Then in 2021 they started their first Private label business before moving onto their latest venture which honestly has just exploded. Their story is an ongoing inspiration.
And I am offering private coaching so please head over to www.theaustralianseller.com/chris to book an hour session with me to make sure you’re heading in the right direction!
If you own or work for a consumer products brand and need help setting up or running your Amazon business, feel free to get in touch with me – I have a new agency, www.Amasphere.com.au – an official Amazon Service Provider.