Buying Online Businesses Podcast Best Amazon Business To Acquire, What They Look Like & How To Scale Them with Jon Elder
In this value-packed episode, Jaryd Krause speaks with Jon Elder, an Amazon veteran who has sold over $10 million worth of products and successfully exited five private label brands for $5 million.
Now a strategic consultant at Black Label Advisor and the force behind Amazon Insiders—the fastest-growing newsletter for Amazon sellers—Jon brings years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of what makes an Amazon business truly scalable.
This conversation is valuable for anyone interested in acquiring and growing Amazon-based businesses. Jon breaks down what a great Amazon business looks like—from the product catalog to innovation levels and inventory management. He highlights the red flags buyers should avoid and the markers of long-term potential that smart investors should prioritize.
Gain insight into:
✔️ The difference between average and investable Amazon businesses
✔️ Why product innovation matters more than ever in a saturated marketplace
✔️ What “good” vs “bad” inventory management looks like
✔️ How to scale an Amazon business post-acquisition using smart strategies
✔️ When and how to turn on Amazon PPC ads for maximum impact
✔️ How to get quality reviews and leverage Amazon tools for viral visibility
✔️ Risks Amazon sellers must navigate—and how to stay compliant
Jon also shares thoughts on emerging platforms like Root, the social media space designed specifically for Amazon brands, and how to use them as growth levers.
Whether you're a seasoned investor or exploring your first acquisition, this episode delivers tactical advice from one of the most respected voices in the Amazon FBA world. Don’t miss it.
Episode Highlights
04:10 – Key metrics buyers look for in an Amazon business
05:35 – Two categories of Amazon businesses that are highly desirable
12:45 – Why buyers want simplicity and clear financials
17:00 – Using PPC to build momentum early in a product launch
19:30 – How to leverage Amazon Vine for hundreds of quality reviews
22:15 – Building long-term brand credibility through authentic influencer gifting
Key Takeaways
➥ Amazon businesses with $1M–$5M in annual revenue are the sweet spot for buyers, especially aggregators and private equity.
➥ Clean financials and simple operations make your business significantly more attractive to acquirers.
➥ Having a hero product is fine—but not at the expense of diversification and risk management.
➥ Amazon Vine and influencer gifting are powerful tools for building credibility and organic momentum.
➥ Starting with a smart launch strategy—using PPC and early reviews—can create a lasting flywheel effect.
About Jon Elder
Jon Elder is an Amazon veteran. He first started selling on the platform in 2014 and sold over $10 million until he sold all 5 of his private label brands in 2019 for $5 million. Now he works as a strategic consultant at Black Label Advisor. He also runs the fastest growing Amazon seller focused newsletter in the world called Amazon Insiders. He has one passion: seeing Amazon native brands crush it on Amazon.
Connect with Jon Elder
➥ https://www.blacklabeladvisor.com/
➥ https://blacklabeladvisor.kit.com/amazon-insiders
➥ https://x.com/blacklabeladvs
Resource Links
➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com
➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/
➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/
➥ Google Ads Service - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/
➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause
➥ Hostinger (Website Hosting) - https://bit.ly/3HUqW0s
➥ SEM Rush (SEO tool) - https://bit.ly/3lINGaV
➥ Convert Kit (Email Software Provider) - https://bit.ly/3o10Xgx
🔥Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥
➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE
➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5
➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO
➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR
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