Marketplace Mavericks

Jonathan Cutler, Peter Phillips, Blake Jennings
  • 5.0 (7)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Three 40+ old everyday guys stumbled into the world of Amazon arbitrage and share a transparent view of how online selling has changed their lives. The goal is to empower others with an unfiltered view of how the business works, what to look out for and how to get started with little experience.

  1. 4D AGO

    The Last Maverick Standing: The Real Truth About Scaling Brand Direct Wholesale

    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 jons-studio-95uqe_buyboxmaveric… . 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 jons-studio-95uqe_buyboxmaveric… . 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.

    12 min

  2. FEB 10

    How Social Media & AI Help Amazon Sellers Scale, Featuring Chris Grant (@cleartheshelf)

    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 BusinessAdaptation to Change Building relationships with brands is keyPersistence and follow-ups are crucial for success Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcasting06:08 Team and Operations11:09 Hiring and Business Growth16:28 Social Media and Networking23:38 Building Relationships with Brands

    38 min
  3. How Amazon Sellers Get Funded: Credit, Capital, and Scaling with Paulo | Ep 34

    JAN 21

    How Amazon Sellers Get Funded: Credit, Capital, and Scaling with Paulo | Ep 34

    In Episode 34 of Marketplace Mavericks, John welcomes back Paulo for a deep, practical conversation about one of the biggest bottlenecks Amazon sellers face as they grow: funding. Paulo originally joined us to talk about his Amazon wholesale business, but this time the focus is squarely on credit, capital, and how sellers actually get the money they need to scale. This episode hits especially close to home because John is now a client of Paulo’s, navigating funding firsthand as his business moves beyond bootstrapping and credit card flipping. We cover: - Why Amazon scaling always hits a capital wall - The difference between having “good credit” and being fundable - Common mistakes sellers make applying for credit on their own - Why hard inquiries quietly kill your funding options - How younger sellers struggle with credit access (even when profitable) - When $20K–$30K is just a band-aid and why $50K+ changes the game - How Paulo’s done-for-you funding process actually works - Why cash flow is the hardest part of Amazon at every level Connect with Paulo: Credit Repair : https://bizsparksolutions.com/credit-repair?utm_source=JonMavs Business Funding: https://bizsparksolutions.com/funding-application?utm_source=JonMavs Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/paulo.azevedos.profit/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Paulo_Profit_Corner Website: www.bizsparksolutions.com If you’re approaching the $50K–$70K range and feeling stuck, this episode explains why and what to do next before you miss real opportunities. 📧 Contact the Mavericks: marketplacemavericks@gmail.com Interested in joining Miles’ program? Put “MM” in your application where it asks how you heard about it so he knows we sent you there! 👉 https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056

    30 min
  4. One of Us is Stepping Away: Real Talk on Life, Amazon Priorities, and Scaling with Funding | Ep 33

    JAN 15

    One of Us is Stepping Away: Real Talk on Life, Amazon Priorities, and Scaling with Funding | Ep 33

    In Episode 33 of Marketplace Mavericks, we’re calling it what it is, a farewell episode for Blake (for now). Blake is stepping away from Amazon and the podcast, not because Amazon doesn’t work, but because real life is loud. Between building a home (and being the GC), driving back and forth to Missouri, Amazon Flex, a full-time job, and other commitments, something had to give. He’s still keeping a foot in the game, and the door is wide open for a comeback whenever the timing makes sense. We also talk about the bigger truth behind this whole podcast: we’ve always been transparent about the journey. Most Amazon podcasts start after someone “made it.” We started at the bottom, figuring out printers, ungating, Keepa, SellerAmp, and learning as we went. This episode is a reminder that Amazon success looks different for everyone, and sometimes the best move is to pause, regroup, and come back stronger. Next week, we bring on Paulo to talk about funding and business credit, because when you hit the $60K–$70K monthly sales range and you’re ready to scale, you need a real capital plan to keep the engine fed. Reach us: marketplacemavericks@gmail.com Interested in joining Miles' program? Put 'MM' in your application where it asks how you heard about it so he knows we sent you there! https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056

    22 min
  5. 2025 Recap, 2026 Goals and Setting Realistic Expectations | Ep 32

    JAN 8

    2025 Recap, 2026 Goals and Setting Realistic Expectations | Ep 32

    Happy New Year, Mavericks. In Episode 32, all three hosts are back together to kick off 2026 with a real talk recap of 2025: what worked, what didn’t, and what we learned after our first full Q4. We dig into: - FBM vs FBA in Q4, and why our sales bumps did (or didn’t) show up - Setting realistic expectations vs. “lofty goals” - PPC: agency vs DIY, and how to choose partners without getting sold a dream - The hidden costs of scaling (VAs, software, bonds, ads) and how to think about them - Our 2025 numbers and what we’re aiming for in 2026, including exclusive brand goals and seasonal product plays -- Plot twist: Blake reveals something really interesting and has pics to prove it! - We’re locking in goals for 2026 and coming back in 12 months to see who hit what. Buckle up, the Marketplace Mavericks are here for the full year. Reach us: marketplacemavericks.gmail.com

    30 min
  6. Brand Direct Wholesale with Operation Amazon: Brand Partnerships, Scaling, and Q4 Strategy | Ep 31

    12/31/2025

    Brand Direct Wholesale with Operation Amazon: Brand Partnerships, Scaling, and Q4 Strategy | Ep 31

    In this episode of Marketplace Mavericks, Jon sits down with Brandon and Brad from Operation Amazon to break down what brand direct wholesale really looks like when you run it like a business.  They share how they met (yes, scanning at Marshall’s), how they scaled into brand direct relationships, what “Amazon-proofing” your business actually means, and why Amazon keeps pushing sellers toward authorized inventory and brand partnerships. They also talk seasonality, running lean with a warehouse team, and why most sellers quit right before the snowball finally rolls downhill.  If you’re transitioning from OA/RA to wholesale, this is the roadmap talk you want in your ears.  Connect with Brandon & Brad at Operation Amazon: IG:  ⁨@operationamz⁩  X:  ⁨@operationamz⁩   Interested in joining Miles' program?  Put 'MM' in your application where it asks how you heard about it so he knows we sent you there! https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056

    41 min
  7. From OA to Brand Direct: Partnerships, Coaching, and Scaling Smart in Amazon FBA | Ep 30

    12/11/2025

    From OA to Brand Direct: Partnerships, Coaching, and Scaling Smart in Amazon FBA | Ep 30

    In Episode 30 of Marketplace Mavericks, Jon sits down with Kaj and Josh from Ecom Unlimited for a deep dive into building a real Amazon business through partnerships, systems, and long-term thinking. These guys started in private label, pivoted into RA and OA, and eventually found their stride in brand-direct wholesale. Now they’re running a multimillion-dollar operation with a tiny team and a whole lot of strategy. They break down what it takes to grow with a partner, how to divide strengths, when to hire VAs, how to avoid burnout, and why focusing on systems early unlocks everything else. They also talk coaching, community, prep workflows, building luck through consistency, and the weird way social media opens unexpected doors. Plus, a fun detour into the World Cup, Messi’s last run, and why every entrepreneur needs to experience a global soccer crowd at least once. Connect with today’s guest: Instagram / X: @CajuaRobinson If you’re transitioning from OA to wholesale, building a team, or trying to level up your ops, this one delivers. Interested in joining Miles’ program? Put “MM” in your application where it asks how you heard about it so he knows we sent you there! https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment about where you are in your Amazon journey.

    50 min
  8. Our First Q4: Black Friday Reality Check, Advent Calendar Hustle, and Scaling for 2026 | Ep 29

    12/04/2025

    Our First Q4: Black Friday Reality Check, Advent Calendar Hustle, and Scaling for 2026 | Ep 29

    In this episode of Marketplace Mavericks, the guys sit down and unpack their very first Q4 as Amazon sellers, from the hype to the actual numbers on the screen. John breaks down how he quietly doubled his business over Black Friday, what actually moved, and why Q4 for wholesale is a completely different animal than Q4 for OA. He talks about running coupons, squeezing margins for higher velocity, and how some wholesalers are locking in seasonal inventory as early as August and September for massive holiday runs. Pete shares how he and his wife went full road warrior in Central Texas, running a 250–mile RA loop through Walmart to scoop up Advent calendars, FBM them, and sell through all 40 units by Black Friday. They dig into why seasonal timing matters, how to read demand in tools like SellerAmp, and why some SKUs only have a 4–6 week window to shine. Blake talks Cyber Monday, seeing more random but giftable items selling, and what a “small bump” looks like when you are still in the early stages of building your catalog. The guys get honest about expectations: coming into Amazon in January, hearing the legends of Q4, and then experiencing the more nuanced reality. From there, they pivot into systems and scaling: - Why John ditched SellerBoard and moved to ConnectBooks + QuickBooks Online - Tracking true SKU level profitability, fees, returns, and cash flow - Using POs, invoices, and shipment linking to get accurate P&Ls - Setting up financial systems now to be ready for serious volume in 2025 and 2026 - Trimming unused software and “cutting the fat” from the tech stack If you are in your first or second Q4, this episode gives a grounded look at what actually happens, how to think about seasonal inventory, and why building systems matters just as much as sourcing. 📧 Have questions or want us to cover a topic on the show? Email us at: marketplacemavericks@gmail.com Interested in joining Miles' program? Put "MM" in your application where it asks how you heard about it so he knows we sent you there! https://www.flips4milescoaching.com/private-inner-circle1709691968056 If you enjoy the episode, hit like, subscribe, and drop a comment with how your Q4 is going so far.

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Three 40+ old everyday guys stumbled into the world of Amazon arbitrage and share a transparent view of how online selling has changed their lives. The goal is to empower others with an unfiltered view of how the business works, what to look out for and how to get started with little experience.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Cutler, Peter Phillips, Blake Jennings
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jonathan Cutler, Peter Phillips, Blake Jennings
  • Show Website
    Marketplace Mavericks