So, there I was in August 2023, reclining on my maternity leave couch, cradling my newborn and anxiously avoiding the looming return to my high-pressure software engineering job at a big tech company—because who doesn’t want to come back to endless meetings and existential crises? It was all fun and games until I realized burnout had knocked on my door like it was delivering pizza.
Despite years of painstakingly climbing the corporate ladder, I was burning out faster than my brain could say, “Work-life balance!” I could almost hear my dreams of financial freedom calling me from the other side—maybe a little louder than they should have been. My parents, good souls from Nigeria, had flown in to help with the baby, and bless them, they gave me just enough sanity to explore a plan B that didn’t include fluorescent lighting.
My husband and I had a portfolio of rentals that had all the charm of a post-apocalyptic dystopia thanks to the post-COVID-19 interest rate hike. I needed a cash cow—something with beefier margins and quicker returns than my last dating app. I wasn’t looking for a quaint little side hustle; I aimed to replace my $120,000 income, preferably without sacrificing sanity or sleep.
The Nudge That Changed Everything
Enter my wise business mentor, Opeoluwa Fatunmbi from Nigeria, who dropped the FBA bomb on me—Fulfilled by Amazon, for the uninitiated. I mean, who wouldn’t want to join a program that promised scalable operations? It was like the corporate dream but without the oppressive office banter. Count me in!
The First $200 and the Power of Q4
So, there I was, still in my pajamas, sending my first shipment to FBA—12 bottles of sunscreen for a cool $200. Late summer? Perfect timing for the retail whirlwind. I registered my LLC, opened a business account, and began the exhilarating yet chaotic journey of sourcing products from everywhere including the local discount stores—hello, retail arbitrage! Yes, I was basically treasure hunting in stores named after your wealthy aunt.
My phone quickly became my most dedicated employee, scanning barcodes and weaving through Amazon’s approval mazes. As I gained history, I felt like I was leveling up in a video game. Those little green-approved badges felt like an employee of the month award I’d never received at my corporate job.
Fueling Growth Without Draining Savings
Fast forward five months, I racked up $60,000 in sales with only $20,000 of my own capital. My remote job granted me flexibility like I was a yoga instructor—if yoga were boring spreadsheets and code. I woke up at 4 a.m. to pinch pennies while my husband dutifully dropped off my meticulously prepared packages at UPS. Who knew my life would be a never-ending cycle of commerce at dawn?
Build the Machine Early
I hired a prep center familiar with Amazon’s rules—because who wants to navigate the jungle of packaging labels alone? I also enlisted a virtual assistant, who performed a remarkable impersonation of me. Suddenly, I could strategize instead of stress-eat snacks out of despair. This was teamwork; let’s call it outsourcing magic.
The Layoff That Pushed Me All In
Then came the ultimate plot twist: a layoff in November 2024! Because who needs a steady job when you can freelance on uncertainty? With my severance package lining up with Black Friday, I boldly dove into deals that had me feeling like a caffeinated squirrel. By the end of that holiday season, my Amazon store was a cash-generating machine, racking up around $560,000 in sales with a tidy 20% margin. I swear it felt surreal—like winning the lottery but without the pesky ticket fees.
I Expanded My Product Offerings
I kickstarted my venture with beauty products and swung into apparel like a fashionista. Shoes? Oh, darling! They brought in the dough, but I often felt like a reluctant coupon queen regretting every return. I diversified, and while Amazon still claimed 90% of my sales, my revenue stream now flowed from other avenues like Walmart and TikTok Shop. Who knew “going viral” could have monetary benefits?
Tools That Turn Guesswork into Decisions
Amazon can feel emotional—if you allow it. Instead, I strapped on my analytical goggles. Tools like Seller Central and Keepa became my bread and butter, while my repricer, Aura, worked in the background like a silent but deadly ninja, ensuring I stayed competitive without plunging into financial oblivion. Returns became weather forecasting—sometimes sunny, sometimes stormy. Me? I just adapted.
What I Would Tell My Earlier Self
To my former self in August 2023, I’d say: Start as if you mean business. Secure the LLC, open a business account—don’t mess around. Invest in smart helpers (prep centers and VAs) faster than I can say “personal burnout.” And finally, respect the data. If a product isn’t pulling its weight, drop it like a bad habit.
The Road to Seven Figures
Now, I’m comfortably paying myself a modest $3,200 per month while earmarking the rest for expansion. As the fourth quarter of 2025 looms, I’m on track to hit $1 million in sales. It wasn’t magic, folks; just maintaining a relentless eagerness to tweak and explore.
This is the Best Job I’ve Ever Had
People often ask if I miss my old tech job, and I assure them I don’t. I surely miss some colleagues and the thrill of pushing software updates, but asking for a raise? Forget it! This new business has gifted me flexibility and the thrill of immediate rewards. Good decisions are visible in my dashboard next week; mistakes are mere stepping stones. Would I do it all again? Absolutely—minus the meetings, please!
