💰$10M in Sales Without Ads

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Ecommerce In Focus 📦

📰 News:

• Streaming into the future of e-commerce: Where AI and shoppertainment converge

• Holiday ecommerce start surpasses record-breaking forecast

• NBC integrates Walmart ecommerce platform into NFL Thanksgiving coverage

• Shopify Promotes Commerce Platform to Enterprise Customers

• CyCognito report highlights rising cyber risks in holiday e-commerce

• Global eCommerce Product Photography Software Market Size

• Ecommerce looks to cut delivery timelines as quick commerce competition looms

🔗 Resources:

• The 5 BEST AI Tools For E-Commerce In 2025 (Not ChatGPT!)

• 100% FREE Amazon FBA Course - By: Travis Marziani

• 11 Best Print on Demand Companies and Sites (2025)

• Get a Shopify store up and running for only $1.00

• Join the Dropshipp.com community FREE

💡 Pro Tips:

• How To STILL Find Winning Dropshipping Products In 2024

• 7 Tips To Use E-mail Marketing for Dropshipping

• Step-by-Step Guide to Building an Ecommerce Brand

• How To Fulfill Dropshipping Orders In 2025 (Fast Shipping)

7 Simple Rules for Choosing an Ecommerce Domain Name

Empire

$10M in Sales Without Ads: Karthik’s Empire Story

Today we’re talking about Karthik Shanadi—a guy who turned $500 into a $10 million business, all while juggling a full-time job. Yep, you read that right. Four brands, millions in revenue, and he started it all from his college dorm. His journey isn’t just inspiring; it’s packed with actionable lessons for anyone looking to carve their path in e-commerce.

The Numbers

📅 Years in Operation: 10+

💰 Initial Investment: $500

📈 Revenue Generated: $10M+

🔥 Businesses Built: 4 Brands

💡 Marketing Spend on Ads: $0

🌍 Licenses Secured: 300+

How It All Started

Karthik wasn’t handed a golden ticket. Like so many entrepreneurs, he started small. His first gig? Selling custom merchandise to fraternities and sororities at his college. He and his fraternity brothers hustled hard—texting friends, pitching at student events, and showing up at every opportunity.

It worked. That little side hustle grew into Greek House, which now dominates the college custom-merch niche. From there, he expanded into College Thread, providing apparel for universities, and Threadly, which focuses on corporate clients and nonprofits. His latest venture, Athlete’s Thread, taps into NCAA rule changes, allowing student-athletes to monetize their personal brands.

It’s all about finding the right niche and delivering massive value.

Lessons You Can Steal From Karthik’s Playbook

1. Start With What You Know
Karthik’s first customers were people he understood—college students. He knew their budgets, their needs, and where to find them. This gave him a competitive edge.

💡 What You Can Do: Identify a community or niche you already know inside out. Whether it’s pet owners, gamers, or fitness enthusiasts, start with what feels familiar.

2. Build Relationships, Not Just Sales
Karthik didn’t just sell T-shirts—he built trust with his audience. By delivering custom solutions and listening to his customers, he turned one-off buyers into repeat clients.

💡 What You Can Do: Focus on serving your customers’ needs. Go the extra mile to solve their problems, and they’ll keep coming back.

3. Turn Hustle Into Habits
Even while working full-time at Amazon, Karthik put in the hours. He’d finish his shift at 5 AM, catch some sleep, and dive right back into building his business.

💡 What You Can Do: Treat your side hustle like it’s already your full-time gig. Dedicate time consistently, even if it’s just an hour or two daily.

4. Find Your Unique Angle
Athlete’s Thread became a hit because it capitalized on a new market—co-branded merchandise with college athletes. Karthik spotted the opportunity and moved fast.

💡 What You Can Do: Look for trends or untapped niches in your industry. What’s missing, and how can you fill that gap?

5. Leverage Systems to Scale
To handle growth, Karthik created tools and processes that streamlined his operations, from order management to customer service.

💡 What You Can Do: Start simple with tools like Trello, Notion, or Zapier to automate repetitive tasks. Scaling becomes easier when your systems are solid.

Key Takeaways

📌 Start small, but think big.
📌 Hustle hard, but stay consistent.
📌 Build trust by serving your niche deeply.
📌 Be ready to pivot and seize new opportunities.

Karthik’s story isn’t just about making millions—it’s about grit, resourcefulness, and creating value. If you’re ready to take the first step in your entrepreneurial journey, there’s no better time than now.

Want to dive deeper into Karthik’s strategies? Check out this video from Starter Story

Last editions polling results coming soon…

Recommended Resources

🌐 Dropshipp.com Community: Join Now

💻 Ecom Website - Shopify: Start Free

🎓 Dropship Courses - Udemy: Dive In

🌍 Domain Name - Namecheap: Get Yours

🎨 Graphic Design - Looka: Begin Now

🚚 Dropship Suppliers - Spocket: Discover More

✉️ Email Marketing - GetResponse: Learn More

🔍 SEO Tools - SEMrush: Start Here

💰 Sales Funnels - ClickFunnels: Explore Here

💵 Business Broker - Flippa: Find Out More

VA’s

Hiring Virtual Assistants: Guide for Dropshippers

In the journey of building a thriving e-commerce business, scaling becomes essential. One of the most impactful ways to scale effectively is by hiring virtual assistants (VAs). Many business owners hesitate, concerned about the costs, risks, or simply how to begin. But the truth is, hiring VAs not only lightens your workload but also allows you to focus on growth while creating a system that can run itself.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to hiring, training, and working with VAs to take your business to the next level.

Why You Need a Virtual Assistant

Scaling an e-commerce business as a solo entrepreneur is challenging. Managing orders, updating product pages, handling customer service, and marketing leave little time for strategic growth. A VA can take over repetitive tasks, freeing you up to focus on higher-level activities. The key is creating a clear process to ensure your hire delivers value without adding stress.

Where to Find the Right Candidates

Platforms like Upwork are perfect for sourcing VAs. It offers a user-friendly system for job postings, time tracking, and payments. While alternatives like Fiverr are available, Upwork’s hourly tracking system, including app-based time monitoring and screenshot functionality, ensures transparency and efficiency.

Writing an Effective Job Post

A clear, detailed job post is essential to attract the right candidates. Highlight the specific tasks, required skills, and any prior experience you’re looking for. Include a unique keyword, such as “corn dog,” for applicants to include at the top of their proposals. This ensures they’ve read the description carefully and helps you filter out unqualified applicants.

Example:

• Responsibilities: Order fulfillment, customer support, product page updates.

• Skills: Familiarity with Shopify, attention to detail, and good communication.

• Requirements: ID verification and the ability to follow detailed instructions.

Screening and Selecting Candidates

Evaluate candidates based on:

• Verified reviews and completion rates from previous jobs.

• Attention to detail (e.g., did they include the unique keyword?).

• Promptness in responses during the application process.

• A willingness to learn and adapt, especially if they lack prior experience.

Don’t rush to hire. Review multiple candidates, and prioritize those with strong feedback and a proven track record.

Onboarding and Training Your VA

Training is crucial for setting your VA up for success. Start by creating a Google Drive folder with all necessary files and instructions. Record videos of yourself performing tasks like order fulfillment or product page updates, narrating the steps as you go. This not only provides clarity but also serves as a reusable resource for future hires.

Ask your VA to watch the videos, take notes, and review the instructions. Follow up with a one-on-one call to address any questions and observe them performing tasks live. This process ensures they understand the work before starting independently.

Managing Tasks and Communication

Use tools like Upwork’s built-in communication system or create a feedback sheet for ongoing updates. This helps track progress without micromanaging. Set clear expectations, such as:

• Order fulfillment within 24 hours.

• Completing a specific number of product updates per day.

• Regular updates on task progress and any issues.

Addressing Security Concerns

Security is a common concern when hiring VAs. Minimize risks by:

• Restricting access to sensitive accounts. Use Shopify’s staff accounts to grant limited permissions.

• Creating separate email accounts for order-related communications.

• Regularly backing up your website and files.

• Verifying each VA’s identity to build trust and accountability.

When and How to Hire

Hiring your first VA should align with your business’s growth. Aim to hire when your monthly profit consistently reaches $2,000–$3,000. Start with entry-level tasks, which can be outsourced for $5–$10 per hour, depending on the VA’s location. Over time, you can expand your team with specialized roles to cover order fulfillment, product updates, and customer service.

Benefits of a Specialized Team

Rather than assigning all tasks to one person, hire multiple VAs for specific roles. This improves efficiency, as each VA becomes highly skilled in their area. For example:

• VA 1: Order fulfillment (weekdays).

• VA 2: Order fulfillment (weekends).

• VA 3: Product page updates.

• VA 4: Customer service.

This approach not only enhances productivity but also reduces the risk of errors.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a virtual assistant can feel daunting at first, but with the right processes, it becomes a game-changer for your e-commerce business. By delegating tasks, you’ll free up time to focus on growth, innovation, and profitability. Start small, refine your systems, and scale your team as your business grows.

For a deeper dive into this hiring process, including actionable tips and insights, check out this video by Tia TX

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That's it for this week, hope you got some value out of it.

Cheers,