Success Story: Three Wholesale Stores and an Exclusive Project with Paramount Pictures

Manvel Badalyan discovered his passion for Amazon at just 16 years old. Back then, he had neither the knowledge nor the funds to start his own business — only $100 in hand. Fast forward to today, at 25, he proudly owns three wholesale stores and is thriving on Amazon.

Manvel has a knack for building relationships with major suppliers, securing exclusive sales permissions from companies like Paramount Pictures, and mentoring fellow wholesalers to help them succeed on Amazon.

How did Manvel achieve such impressive results, and what impact did the Seller Assistant have on his journey to success? All the details are covered in our article.

From Student to Amazon Expert

Manvel's journey into the world of Amazon is quite unique. Unlike many, he didn't learn about the platform from friends, YouTube tutorials, or online ads.

His story began during his first year of university, where he was studying marketing. Unsure of his career path, he nonetheless felt a strong interest in business.

— One day, while living in Armenia, I went for a walk with my father and stumbled upon an advertisement for an Amazon course. My father encouraged me to attend. Although it was just a one-day session, it left a lasting impression on me, and I thought, "Yes, this is something I want to explore."

Manvel initially tried dropshipping with his $100, but soon faced challenges when his account was blocked. He then decided to venture into online arbitrage or wholesale. However, this required money. He immersed himself in learning about Amazon and began offering his services to companies for keyword research, listing optimization, and market analysis.

— I started working as an Amazon specialist for a prominent cosmetics company called Jonteblu. Over time, my responsibilities grew, and I ended up managing the entire business department.

Through this role, Manvel not only became adept at selling on Amazon but also gained valuable insights into the cosmetics industry. He dedicated about four hours per day to watching YouTube videos to learn about different cosmetic products, from eyeliners to lipstick shades.

In addition, he familiarized himself with various brands, their pricing strategies, and built connections with representatives from different cosmetic companies. These knowledge and experiences were instrumental in starting his own business.

How Manvel Opened Three Stores on Amazon

In 2020, Manvel teamed up with a partner to launch their own cosmetics wholesale store on Amazon.

— To get started, we needed about $10,000—around $2,000 for setting up the company, handling documentation, and covering government fees, while the remainder was allocated for purchasing inventory.

A year later, the partners decided to expand their business by opening another store that focused on household items, including brands like Colgate, Tide, and Crest.

In December 2021, Manvel launched his own store, BimBimPet, which specializes in pet supplies.

— This project is different from the first two. We are actively developing the BimBimPet brand, and the store has its own website where we also sell products. The brand has gained recognition, and some veterinary clinics in the USA are already placing significant orders with us.

Having a solid reputation for the store makes it easier to communicate with suppliers. Building these connections is crucial but can also be challenging in the wholesale business.

— Suppliers often hesitate to engage if you don't have a separate store outside of Amazon or if you are not physically present in the USA.

Manvel recalls his efforts to open an account with Phillips Pet, the world's largest distributor of pet products, which took him two years.

— We reached out to them every three months and made over ten attempts, but we faced rejection each time. However, one day luck was on our side: we finally connected with a manager who approved our account. I remember when I received the notification—I was in a hotel in Prague late at night. I rushed down to the lobby, printed the necessary documents, signed them, and sent them off right away. I knew that every minute counted because things could change in a matter of hours.

Manvel believes that persistence is essential for success. It enabled him to have a direct conversation with the sales director of Phillips Pet and achieve Elite Partner status. This status opens up new favorable pricing options and significantly enhances the way you are treated as a customer.

Negotiation Skills: Tips for Dealing with Distributors

However, Manvel advises against being overly persistent during initial interactions with distributors.

— Never try to negotiate lower prices on your first purchases. When you are just starting with a distributor, avoid even hinting at price negotiations. Purchase at the offered price, even if you break even in sales. Start selling, then gradually begin negotiating with sales managers.

Maintaining regular contact with distributors is crucial. It is advantageous if they know you personally, as personal relationships are key in wholesale. According to Manvel, you don’t have to be in the USA to build these connections. He spends half the year in Italy and the other half in Armenia, yet this doesn’t hinder his ability to maintain warm communication with his sales managers. For instance, he sends them gifts every New Year, believing this strengthens their relationships.

International exhibitions are also beneficial for discovering new suppliers and meeting distributor representatives.

— In March, I attended the Global Pet Expo, where pet product suppliers from all over the world gather. There were about 6,500 brands present. With such a scale, it is impossible to greet everyone personally, but it is definitely a great opportunity to meet new people in the industry. I returned from the expo with numerous valuable contacts and opportunities.

How Seller Assistant Helps in Business

While personal connections are crucial for building relationships with suppliers, Seller Assistant is an invaluable tool for streamlining the daily process of finding profitable deals.

— I discovered Seller Assistant about four years ago, thanks to my partner from California. He began using the tool, was extremely satisfied, and consistently urged me to make the switch. I remember our discussions—he was persuasive, while I stubbornly resisted, unsure of the tool's benefits. In the end, I lost that argument, but I have no regrets. I still use Seller Assistant today.

Seller Assistant significantly streamlines the daily work of a seller and his team.

— With Seller Assistant, we analyze estimated sales, use profit calculators, research which product variation sells better and which one sells worse. And this is just a small part of the Seller Assistant toolkit that we utilize in our work.

Additionally, Manvel trains wholesale sellers seeking his mentorship on using Seller Assistant in their work.

— I can’t say no to sellers who reach out to me through referrals, but I don’t intend to turn Amazon training into a full-fledged business—it's quite demanding in terms of energy and time.

Currently, Manvel's focus is on organizing his team's work and seeking new investments.

— We are embarking on an exciting project. Recently, we received official permission from Paramount Pictures to sell exclusive products featuring 'The Smurfs' trademark on Amazon. With a new Smurfs movie set to release in March, we are actively seeking investments to launch this project during this high-demand season. To kick off with four products, we need a minimum of $50,000, with plans to sell a total of 107 items. We have high hopes for this venture.

If you are interested in becoming a partner in this new project, feel free to reach out to Manvel using the contact information provided at the end of this article.

Amazon for Beginners: Business Models and Their Specifics

Is it worth entering the Amazon marketplace as a beginner today? Manvel answers without hesitation: "Absolutely—100% worth it!" However, it is important to understand the differences in business models and be prepared for their unique challenges.

— Private Label is akin to giving birth and raising a child. If you are willing to invest time and resources into it as it grows, only to see the rewards after it 'graduates' and starts generating income, then Private Label is the way to go. On the other hand, wholesale resembles a LEGO set made up of numerous pieces. The person who knows how to assemble this set is the one who profits. But it is not just about knowing how to put the pieces together; you also need adequate funding. In my opinion, entering wholesale with a budget of less than $10,000 is unrealistic. The ideal starting point is around $20,000.

Interested in trying your hand at the Amazon business? Use Seller Assistant, which streamlines the work for both newcomers and those who have been selling on this marketplace for some time.

📌Connect with Manvel Badalyan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manvel-badalyan-a95466241/