I’m planning to go full‑time solo with about $30k–40k in savings. I have almost no product research experience. My idea is to use a curated catalog / selective wholesale approach – find 3–5 sub‑categories, pick several products, and order 200–500 units each for testing.
I’d really appreciate advice on:
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Software & strategy – Which tools have a logical, data‑driven product research workflow? (Not just random filters.)
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Category & marketplace – What types of categories work best for small sellers doing this? Non‑commodity vs. commodity? US vs. smaller marketplaces?
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Price range – Low ($10–15), medium ($15–50), or high ($50+)? Which fits this model best?
Thanks in advance.
Answers (6)
With no experience, start with FBM (using a generic brand or no brand). Follow the New Release list. Get small wins first. Once you have a small success, register a brand and follow the same method. By then, you won’t need to ask these questions – you’ll have your own playbook.
Instead of asking “what to do,” first learn what kills most new sellers:
Curated catalog’s core logic: target categories with high market capacity and active demand within a specific time window. You don’t need to dominate – just ride the wave, make quick cash, and get out. This lowers promotion cost and shortens the payback period.
For $30k, US is tough; consider smaller marketplaces**
With $30k, the US market is very tight. Your money can disappear fast.
Two strategies:
If you have experience with smaller marketplaces (e.g., Japan, Australia), start there. Much lower ad costs and less competition. For the US, do extensive research before committing.
Budget allocation & success rate**
With $30k–40k, after covering living expenses, you might have $15k–25k left for products.
Assume 10 products, $1.5k–2.5k per SKU. For testing, order 30–50 units first, not 200–500. Replenish 100–200 later.
Your target retail price should be $30–50 (landed cost ~$10–15).
Filtering steps: