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Execution

This documents how I build Amazon private label accounts from scratch, specifically during the pre-launch phase.

My strongest execution experience is in taking an account from zero to launch-ready, not inheriting already-running accounts and making surface-level changes.

What follows is the actual operational flow I use before a product ever goes live.

Scope of Execution

This execution framework applies to:

  • New Amazon private label accounts
  • Products being launched for the first time
  • Situations where capital risk must be controlled before revenue exists

The goal at this stage is not scale. The goal is validated launch readiness.

Pre-Launch Execution Flow

1. Broad Product Research

I start wide.

Multiple product ideas are explored simultaneously instead of forcing a single idea too early. This avoids emotional attachment and keeps decision-making objective.

Focus areas include:

  • Demand presence
  • Market saturation
  • Listing quality gaps
  • Operational feasibility

Only products that survive this initial filtering move forward.

2. Iterative Shortlisting

Shortlisted products are refined through multiple passes.

At this stage, I deliberately eliminate ideas that:

  • Look attractive on paper but fail operationally
  • Depend on fragile pricing
  • Cannot be differentiated meaningfully

The objective is not to find a “winning product”, but a defensible first product.

3. Competitor Identification & Benchmarking

For each shortlisted product:

  • Direct competitors are identified
  • Listing structures are analyzed
  • Offer positioning is reviewed

Where required, competitor units are ordered to a home address (Canada) for hands-on comparison.

This step is critical for understanding:

  • Actual product quality
  • Packaging standards
  • Common weaknesses that can be corrected

4. Supplier Sourcing & Validation

Supplier sourcing is done in parallel.

For each product:

  • Multiple manufacturers are contacted
  • Quotations are compared across pricing, MOQs, quality, and responsiveness
  • Supplier capability is evaluated beyond just cost

No supplier is finalized based on price alone.

5. Sample Production & Review

Samples are produced only after supplier shortlisting.

These samples are:

  • Physically inspected
  • Compared against competitor units
  • Reviewed for quality gaps, packaging issues, and improvement areas

Feedback is sent back to suppliers before any bulk commitment is made.

6. Controlled Manufacturing Commitment

Manufacturing is committed in stages, not all at once.

  • Initial payments secure production slots
  • Balance payments are released only after validation checkpoints
  • Third-party inspections are used before shipment authorization

This approach limits downside risk while maintaining momentum.

7. Parallel Listing Preparation

While manufacturing is in progress, listing work runs in parallel.

This includes:

  • Keyword research
  • Listing structure planning
  • Bullet points and descriptions
  • Backend attribute setup

Listings are not treated as an afterthought once inventory arrives.

8. Logistics Planning & FBA Readiness

Before inventory is dispatched:

  • Shipment workflows are planned
  • FBA requirements are validated
  • Labeling and compliance issues are resolved in advance

The goal is to avoid reactive fixes once inventory is already in transit.

Execution Principles I Follow

Across all steps, a few principles remain constant:

  • Capital is deployed only after validation
  • Tasks are sequenced based on necessity, not habit
  • One-time decisions are not rushed
  • Tools and subscriptions are adopted only when justified by stage

These principles come from experience building accounts from scratch, not from templates.