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Q&A: This Amazon Entrepreneur Started A $1.2M Dropshipping Store. Here’s How He Did It (And How You Can, Too)

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The pandemic’s been tough on everyone, crippling economies and leaving the world in disarray. However. It’s also forced mass pivots, mass adaptation, leading to more mass opportunity. 

One of the ones who’s actually been able to keep his business afloat is Andrew Loucks—AKA the Manimal (what an epic name, just for the record)—who runs a seven-figure dropshipping store on Amazon.

Obviously, as people stayed in the house, online shopping (i.e. Amazon!) has gone up. In fact, Amazon recently became the first company to be valued at over $2 trillion dollars.

Yes, we know what you’re thinking…

Amazon dropshipping is one of those scammy get-rich-quick setups those YouTube hucksters peddle in their ads, doing little else but syphon cash from eager wantrepreneurs.

In reality, however (and you know we don’t interview pretenders ‘round these here parts!), there’s always a reality from which these dreamy plots are concocted.  

And one of the real ones is the Manimal who legitimately teaches people how to dropship on Amazon. He also is a bodybuilding BEAST and has a super strong Instagram following.

So we had a chat with him about how to get that set up.

To people who don’t know you, what do you do and what are your biggest accomplishments?

I am a seven-figure Amazon seller in the e-commerce business. I started my own Amazon Dropshipping business a year and a half ago and have done over $1.2M sales on my seller account. My store does over $150k sales per month. Now, I mentor and teach other people how to set up their own six or seven-figure Amazon dropshipping stores.

This pandemic has seen lots of chaos in the public markets. Did you invest during the pandemic—and if so, where?

I have been consistently investing into getting more funding for my Amazon store, the stock market, and researching real estate to reinvest some of my profit from Amazon dropshipping.

How has it affected business? Tell us a bit about Manimal and MegaFit Meals!

The great things about selling on Amazon is that it’s a market that will continue to get sales no matter what the economic conditions are. When the pandemic hit, I wasn’t worried about keeping my job, or worrying about getting a paycheck to pay the bills. I had my Amazon store running 24/7 getting sales, and direct deposits coming in every two weeks. 

Love that. Passive income all day.

Exactly. My profit margins and store sales actually increased during the pandemic. People were ordering even more products online that usual! 

People are shopping from home. Unlike physical retail where people have to manage a store, I assume it’s easier to run a digital store?

One of the biggest benefits about my Amazon store is that it doesn’t require any of my time to run or manage. I have it automated, which means everything is managed for me. 

Explain. 

A team handles all the product research, listings, shipping, returns and even the customer service. I did months of research before getting into the business, which gave me the knowledge to not only set up my own store, but to help others set up their own as well. 

How does it work this dropshipping thing?

Throughout the past year and a half in the e-commerce business, I have gained a lot of experience. Mostly through trial and error, but also through my own successes and failures. I am continuing to learn more every day as I’m helping new sellers get started with stores of their own. Just shoot me a message on Instagram and I will show you how my store works, what profit margins to expect, and what you’ll need to get started with your own.

 

There are tons of parallel correlations between health and wealth, especially from a discipline standpoint. Do you find your athletic background gives you an advantage in life, business and so on?

Health is wealth! But yes, absolutely. Being healthy and having a routine will teach you how to develop the dedication and drive you’ll need to become successful with anything. Taking care of your body is just as important as taking care of your mind. Keeping both sharp will take you far in life. Having the discipline to stick to a workout and meal routine for months or even years, has given me the dedicated mindset that I have today. 

I always say that pro sports, fitness and military are the best preparers for business success. Just because of the commitment and discipline both require.

If you are willing to put in the time to build and change your body’s appearance, then you can do anything. Fitness has given me a platform on social media to share my business ventures with others. Not only am I able to share my workout routines, meal prepping, and other fitness tips, but I’m also able to help others make a living and start their own businesses.  

Switching gears slightly to fitness. What are some basic pointers you give people that come to you asking how to get in shape?

Make sure to get your nutrition right. That’s the most important factor with any fitness training program. Depending on your goals, your training and diet will vary. Lift heavy, train often, and get your protein in.

We now live in a digital world, increasingly virtual, especially because of the pandemic. Do you use social media assets professionally?

Yes, I use my Instagram and Facebook pages. Mainly my Instagram, which is where I post most of my fitness and business-related content.

What’s next for your industry? Will we return to normal or has that ship sailed?

I keep hearing phrases like “the new normal”, but honestly it’s hard to tell where the economy will go from here. However, in my industry, I’m not worried. The good news about investing into the Amazon dropshipping business model is that it’s continuing to grow. That’s one of the main reasons why I invested in this business and recommend it to others. 

Love that. I think now more than ever it’s important to have recession-proof business models.

Right. Even if the economy continues to stay on the same path it has been on for the past five months, that has only increased my store’s sales and profit margins for my business. I’m all for reopening society and all the businesses. But when we’re talking about investing money, I know I would rather invest into a business model that will succeed in all economic conditions, even during a global pandemic. 

I’m a real estate guy. Residential is cool but office, hospitality and retail asset classes are suffering. And you’re gonna see a bloodbath here that won’t end anytime soon.

Unlike traditional retail with bricks and mortar stores, e-commerce businesses aren’t confined to walk-in person traffic. People are always buying things on Amazon, regardless of what’s going on in the world. This business has been one of the best investments I have made so far.

Entrepreneurs

The Top 10 Investment Opportunities To Capitalize On During A Recession

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A recession can be a challenging time, but it can also present opportunities for investors to make smart investment decisions.

During a recession, certain industries tend to perform better than others, and identifying these opportunities can be the key to success.

Here are the top 10 investment opportunities to capitalize on during a recession:

1. Defensive Stocks

Defensive stocks are those that tend to perform well EVEN during economic downturns.

These include companies that provide essential goods and services, such as healthcare, utilities, and consumer staples.

Defensive stocks may not offer the highest returns, but they can provide stability and protection during a recession.

Defensive stocks include Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, and Walmart, among others. (You can buy them all inside the NYCE app.)

2. Gold

Gold is often seen as a safe haven during times of economic uncertainty.

As a tangible asset, it can provide a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations. During a recession, the price of gold may rise as investors seek a safe haven for their money.

READ: 3 Ways To Invest In Gold (In 3 Minutes Or Less)

3. Real Estate

Real estate can be a good investment opportunity during a recession. Especially if you are looking for a long-term investment. (Hence why NYCE exists.)

While property values may dip during a recession, they tend to recover over time. In addition, rental properties can provide a steady stream of income, even during a recession.

After all: Real estate has created more millionaires than any other asset class.

4. High-Quality Bonds

High-quality bonds, such as U.S. Treasury bonds, can be a safe investment during a recession.

These bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, which makes them less risky than other types of bonds. (Though this has become less safe today than in the past.)

They may not offer the highest returns, but they can provide stability and protection during a recession.

5. Consumer Discretionary Stocks

Consumer discretionary stocks are those that are tied to consumer spending, such as retail, travel, and entertainment companies.

During a recession, these stocks may suffer as consumers cut back on non-essential spending.

However, if you believe that the economy will recover, investing in consumer discretionary stocks can be a good bet.

6. Healthcare Stocks

Healthcare stocks tend to perform well even during economic downturns, as people still need healthcare services regardless of the state of the economy.

In addition, the aging population in many countries is driving demand for healthcare services, which can provide long-term growth opportunities for investors.

7. Technology Stocks

Technology stocks can be a good investment opportunity during a recession, as many companies in this sector have strong balance sheets and cash reserves.

In addition, the shift towards remote work and online shopping during the pandemic has increased demand for technology products and services.

8. Emerging Markets

Emerging markets can be a good investment opportunity during a recession, as these countries may be less affected by the economic downturn than developed countries.

In addition, emerging markets often have higher growth rates than developed countries, which can provide long-term growth opportunities for investors.

9. Dividend Stocks

Dividend stocks can be a good investment opportunity during a recession, as they provide a steady stream of income even during tough economic times.

Look for companies with a history of paying dividends and a strong balance sheet.

10. Cash

Finally, cash can be a good investment during a recession, as it provides flexibility and liquidity. Having cash on hand can allow you to take advantage of investment opportunities as they arise.

In conclusion, while a recession can be a challenging time for investors, it can also present opportunities for smart investment decisions.

By identifying the top investment opportunities during a recession, you can position yourself for long-term success.

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Entrepreneurs

From Zero to Millionaire: How 9-5 Marketing Guy Made A Fortune Selling Pet Rocks As A Joke (1)

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No BS—this is actually a real story.

The pet rock—a seemingly ridiculous idea—became a sensation and made its creator, Gary Dahl, a millionaire in the 1970s.

Dahl, a marketing executive, came up with the idea as a joke during a conversation with friends.

He packaged rocks in a cardboard box with holes and called them “pet rocks,” complete with an instruction manual on how to care for them.

There was virtually no upfront investment, as the rocks themselves were free, and the packaging was inexpensive.

“It was a joke,” Dahl told ABC News years later. “It was a satire. It was fun. And it became an overnight success.”

The pet rocks became an instant hit, with Dahl selling over a million of them in six months.

LEARN: How to build a $100K side hustle in 1 hour.

He appeared on popular TV shows and even wrote a book about his success. The pet rock craze died down after a year, but Dahl had already made his fortune.

After the pet rock craze died down, Gary Dahl continued to work in marketing and advertising.

He also tried to launch other novelty products, such as “sand-breeding kits” and “mood rings,” but none of them achieved the same level of success as the pet rock.

“I think that’s one of the things that is wrong with business today. People are so serious, they forget to have fun,” Gary Dahl said.

The success of the pet rock shows that sometimes the most unconventional ideas can lead to great success.

Case Study: How A $49 Investment Could Make You $100K+ In 6 Months

Why Gary’s story matters to you…

The story of Gary Dahl and his pet rock is a testament to the power of thinking outside the box. Sometimes, it’s the seemingly ridiculous ideas that can lead to the biggest successes.

Dahl’s story is not only inspiring, but it’s also a reminder to keep a sense of humor and not take ourselves too seriously.

In business, it’s easy to get bogged down in strategy and analysis, but we should never forget the importance of creativity and fun.

The success of the pet rock is also a lesson in the power of marketing.

Dahl’s packaging and instruction manual turned a simple rock into a desirable product. It’s a reminder that sometimes it’s not the product itself that’s important, but how it’s presented to the world.

So if you’re feeling stuck in your business or just need a little inspiration, take a cue from Gary Dahl and his pet rock.

Keep an open mind, don’t be afraid to take risks, and don’t forget to have a little fun along the way.

Who knows…you might just come up with the next big thing.

About author:

wealthlab is a platform for hustlers, doers, entrepreneurs and investors to do epic s&%. Our mission is to create 100M new investors worldwide. Join our academy here.*

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Business

How Big Real Estate Moguls Avoid Taxes (And How You Can, Too) 👀

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I was looking around Google for an old article on tax strategies and this five-year old video of myself happened to pop up.

I’m interviewing a tax expert about how real estate investors avoid paying taxes in perpetuity—AND how everyday citizens can do the same thing.

(Real estate—our TEMPLE I and TEMPLE II projects included—has a number of tax benefits savvy investors have capitalized on for years, including Opportunity Zone breaks and 10-year tax abatements.)

There’s the 1031 exchange, of course, which I’ve shared with you guys before. 

Just to refresh your memory, the 1031 Exchange allows you to roll over gains from your last project into a new property TAX FREE—as long as said property is worth the same or more.

But there’s ANOTHER TAX LOOPHOLE that can take your portfolio to an entirely new level by splitting your capital gains into MULTIPLE properties.

So I thought I’d share it with you guys. 💎

You can check it out here.

Let me know what you think. 😎

PS: In our next update, I’m going to break down how real estate moguls get paid from their properties…tax free. 👀
PPS: If you want to learn how to implement generational wealth strategies like this one, you can join our NYCE wealth academy (TRIBE U) here.

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