From Garage to Global: How I Built a 6-Figure Business with Amazon FBM
Why Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) May Be the Best-Kept Secret for Aspiring E-Commerce Entrepreneurs
From Garage to Global: How I Built a 6-Figure Business with Amazon FBM
BY [ WAQAR ALI ]
Why Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) May Be the Best-Kept Secret for Aspiring E-Commerce Entrepreneurs
It started with 12 boxes of kitchen gadgets in my garage and a dream I didn’t even know I had. I wasn’t looking to become a full-time e-commerce entrepreneur. In fact, I was just trying to declutter my home and make a little extra cash. What I stumbled into was Amazon FBM — a business model that would change my life in less than two years.
Let me back up for a second.
When most people talk about selling on Amazon, they think of FBA — Fulfilled by Amazon. You send your products to Amazon’s warehouses, and they handle everything: storage, shipping, customer service. Sounds great, right?
But there’s another way to sell on Amazon that’s often overlooked: Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM). In this model, you (the seller) store your own inventory and ship it directly to customers when they place orders.
FBM doesn’t sound sexy at first glance. It sounds like work. And yes, it is work. But for me, it also turned out to be the most flexible, profitable, and personally satisfying way to build an online business — and I’ll tell you why.
The First Sale
I remember my first FBM sale like it was yesterday. A stainless steel garlic press I had purchased from a liquidation sale for $1.50 sold for $12.99. After shipping and fees, I netted around $7.00. It wasn’t much, but it was a spark.
Unlike FBA, I didn’t need to prep products to Amazon’s specifications. I didn’t have to worry about long-term storage fees. And I didn’t need a huge upfront investment. I could test small batches of products without committing to sending pallets to a warehouse.
Every day, I learned more — about pricing, packaging, shipping labels, customer communication. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was real. And more importantly, it was scalable.
Scaling the Smart Way
Within 3 months, I had turned my cluttered garage into a mini-warehouse. I invested in shelves, a thermal label printer, and a shipping scale. I discovered that certain products — like lightweight electronics accessories and pet supplies — moved faster and brought better margins.
The beauty of FBM is that you control the process. You see your inventory. You respond to customer concerns directly. You can bundle products, include thank-you notes, and even test new offers without waiting for Amazon’s approval or risking your FBA metrics.
And if something goes wrong? You’re not locked into long refund chains or warehouse miscounts. You’re in charge.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
In year one, I grossed $88,000 in revenue with around 35% profit margins. Not enough to retire, but more than I ever expected from a side hustle.
By year two, I passed $175,000. I hired a part-time helper to handle packing and shipping. I built relationships with small wholesalers and local distributors. I no longer scrambled for product ideas — they started coming to me, from customer feedback and organic demand.
And yes, I could have switched to FBA for some of my best-sellers. But I didn’t.
Because I liked having control. I liked knowing that if a package got delayed, I could communicate with the buyer directly and save the sale. I liked that I wasn’t dependent on Amazon’s sometimes mysterious warehouse rules.
Why FBM Might Be Right for You
FBM isn’t for everyone. If you want to “set it and forget it,” it might not be your path. But if you:
Prefer lower startup costs
Want more control over inventory
Like building relationships with customers
Have access to storage space (even just a spare room or garage)
Are willing to learn the logistics side of e-commerce
Then FBM might be your perfect entry point into selling on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
People often chase the dream of passive income and forget the power of active, intentional business building. FBM is not passive — but it is sustainable. It allows you to learn, grow, and pivot quickly. It gives you insight into what real customers want. And best of all, it puts you in the driver’s seat.
I’ve gone from shipping garlic presses to managing a diverse catalog of 300+ SKUs. I work from home, on my own schedule. I’ve made mistakes, yes — but I’ve also built something real.
If you’re looking for a business model that rewards effort, teaches you fast, and doesn’t require tens of thousands in inventory, Amazon FBM is worth a serious look.
Who knows? Your garage could be the start of your own global business.
About the Creator
WAQAR ALI
tech and digital skill
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By Shah Fayaz 6 days ago in Motivation
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