What does a 24-year-old college student running track and pursuing his MBA have in common with a guy who used to own a taxi company? They're both building Amazon brand direct businesses — and this episode is proof that the entrepreneurial playbook doesn't care about your age

In this episode, host Jon sits down with Jared Russo, a Gen Z entrepreneur who started selling on eBay during COVID and has since evolved into the Amazon brand direct wholesale model. Jared shares how he went from minimum wage jobs and online arbitrage trial-and-error to landing his first exclusive brand partnership — signed just the day before recording.

Jon and Jared also get candid about the realities of scaling a wholesale business: cash flow challenges, when to invest in coaching, the power of follow-up, and why brand direct is the closest thing to passive income in the e-commerce world.

Whether you're a brand owner, an aspiring Amazon seller, or just curious what Gen Z entrepreneurs are actually doing — this one is for you

The conversation revolves around the themes of community building, networking, and learning from peers. It delves into the importance of creating relationships, adding value, and sharing experiences within a community. The discussion also highlights the significance of a roadmap for beginners and the exposure gained through networking and community engagement. The conversation delves into the significance of networking and community in the e-commerce industry, highlighting the power of connections and the support system needed for success. It also explores the challenges of scaling a business and the loneliness experienced by entrepreneurs. Additionally, it discusses the branding and direction of 'The Marketplace Mavericks Show' as a platform for knowledge sharing and community building.

Takeaways

• Community Building
• Networking
• Learning from Peers Networking is crucial for success in e-commerce
• Building a community and support system is important for e-commerce entrepreneurs

Chapters

• 00:00 Community Building and Networking
• 10:30 Creating Relationships and Adding Value
• 16:52 Roadmap for Beginners and Exposure
• 25:23 The Power of Networking
• 36:04 The Loneliness of Entrepreneurship
• 42:35 The Marketplace Mavericks Show

Pete and Blake are out — it’s just one Maverick left. In this episode, I break down the pivot to a fully brand-direct focus and what the first seven months have really looked like — the mistakes, the math, the capital requirements, and the patience it actually takes to build something real

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If you think you can quit your 9–5 without serious capital, you’re lying to yourself. If you think wholesale is instant gratification, you’re going to get humbled. I talk about why your first 60 days matter, why follow-ups are where the money is made, how CRM notes can make or break relationships, and what changes when you go from a $4K order to a $55K order with a brand.

I’m currently sitting around $70K/month in wholesale — but I also explain why that’s still fragile and how layering accounts is the real long-term strategy

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This is not theory. It’s not guru fluff. It’s what’s actually happening in real time — the phone calls, the test orders, the reinvestment, the push toward exclusives, and the shift from “getting approved” to building real brand partnerships.

One Maverick left.
Still building.
Still scaling.
Still making money.

The conversation covers the evolution of business and the adaptation to change, highlighting the experience in e-commerce, business evolution, transition to OA, team and operations, entrepreneurial journey, hiring and business growth, marketing and brand direct, social media and networking, and the power of social media. The conversation delves into the importance of building relationships with brands and the role of persistence and follow-ups in achieving success in the e-commerce space.

Takeaways

• Evolution of Business
• Adaptation to Change Building relationships with brands is key
• Persistence and follow-ups are crucial for success

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Podcasting
• 06:08 Team and Operations
• 11:09 Hiring and Business Growth
• 16:28 Social Media and Networking
• 23:38 Building Relationships with Brands