Episode 311 - How Leverage Can Make or Break Your Business

The Smartest Amazon Seller

Scott gets into the real-world financial decisions Amazon sellers face, especially when it comes to leveraging debt. He shares firsthand experience navigating inventory demands, Q4 cash crunches, and the lure of fast growth, while also examining the dangers of borrowing, from overvaluing inventory to the addictive cycle of continual loans.

Hear case studies, cautionary tales, and reflections on what separates sellers who survive from those who flame out. Whether you’re debating your first credit line or considering a private label acquisition, this episode offers grounded insight—and a compelling argument for building debt-free, sustainable Amazon businesses.

Episode Notes:

00:09 - Iconic Companies That Haven’t Taken Loans

01:12 - The Need for Cash in Amazon Selling

02:04 - Navigating Financial Leverage

02:26 - Types of Financial Leverage Used

06:32 - The Downside of Leverage

12:10 - A Case Study: Private Label Acquisition During Leverage

13:52 - Survival and Demise of Major Amazon Sellers

16:12 - The Case for Debt-Free Growth

18:21 - Amazon Accelerate

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