Partner Spotlight: The Next Step Up for Proven Ecommerce Entrepreneurs with Ian Sells From Million Dollar Sellers

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Hey, thanks for tuning in to another Partner Interview at EcomBalance. At EcomBalance, we’re all about creating win-win partnerships where we are able to grow with other companies in the ecommerce space.

In this exclusive interview, we have a conversation with Ian Sells from Million Dollar Sellers.

Ian is a serial entrepreneur who founded MillionDollarSellers.com (MDS), an elite Amazon community with over 500+ top sellers representing over $7 billion in 2021-2022 Amazon sales. He also founded RebateKey, Pixelfy.me, and most recently JoinBrands.com, a marketplace for brands and content creators to connect, create content and promote products on TikTok.

Connor: Hey Ian, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. As a company, one of our goals is to highlight our partners so that our clients can benefit where it makes most sense. To get started, can you give us a high-level introduction to Million Dollar Sellers and a little bit about how the company got started?

Ian: Million Dollar Sellers is an exclusive community of experienced Amazon sellers who have reached or exceeded $1 million in annual sales. Collectively we do over 7 billion annually and have members all around the world. We provide our members with access to expert resources, valuable networking opportunities, and proven strategies for growing their businesses. The company was founded with the intention of creating a community of successful Amazon sellers where they could share their knowledge and experience with like-minded individuals in the industry.

Connor: Thanks for sharing that! Can you dive a bit more into managing an exclusive community?
Our audience is always looking for reputable communities that they can lean on for specific parts of their eCommerce businesses.

Ian: Managing a community like MDS requires a lot of attention to detail and a strong commitment to providing value to our members. Each applicant is carefully screened to ensure that they meet our criteria for membership, and we work hard to foster a sense of community among our members. We host regular events, provide access to exclusive resources and tools, and facilitate connections between members to help them build their businesses.

Connor: Jumping off of that…when you’re thinking about your ideal customer, who is that? Where are they selling online? Where are they located in the world? How much sales do they typically have in a year? If there’s any other qualities, please include them as well. We’re all about making introductions where it benefits both parties.

Ian: Our ideal customer is an experienced Amazon seller who has already achieved or exceeded $1 million in annual sales. They are looking to take their business to the next level and are committed to learning and growing as entrepreneurs. Our members come from all over the world and sell in a variety of categories on Amazon, but they all share a dedication to success and a desire to connect with like-minded individuals who can help them achieve their goals. MDS has now extended into chapters – in various states as well as in Europe.

Connor: For our audience to truly understand what makes you stand out from other companies with eCommerce communities, can you share a story of how Million Dollar Sellers truly helped one of its customers?

Ian: One of our members was struggling with relaunching their listings and reached out to the community for advice. The community was instantly engaged in helping launch by giving tips, suggestions and even walking them through the process they use. After implementing all these ideas, the member was able to successfully relaunch a failed product listing. This type of thing happens daily. Members are encouraged to follow one of our core values – Give More, Get More.

Connor: As you and your company think about the next year ahead, what does it look like? Are there any specific initiatives that you’re working on as a team to better your service for your customers?

Ian: We’re very excited about the next year and are always looking for ways to improve the experience for our members. One of our top priorities is to continue to expand our network of expert resources and industry partners, so that we can provide even more value to our members. In addition to that we are continuing to add more regional chapters – we have launched 11 so far. We are also rolling out a comprehensive on demand content library for our members.

Connor: How about this…everyone loves a company’s growth story. We all naturally go through ups and downs as a company. What was one of the biggest challenges that the company faced in its growing stages?

Ian: Figuring out how to scale the business while maintaining the quality and value of the community. However by hiring the right team and implementing scalable systems, we were able to successfully navigate this challenge and continue to grow. We focus on quality over quantity. Our members are the lifeblood of the business and 9 out of 10 people are referrals by members or partners and we are so proud of how highly people think of us.

Connor: Thanks! Let’s talk some eCommerce! Where do you see the industry heading in the next 1-2 years? Any big changes that you’re predicting for the industry? How can eCommerce companies prepare for it?

Ian: The eCommerce industry is expected to experience a significant rise in social commerce in the next 1-2 years. Social media platforms will play a crucial role in driving sales, and eCommerce companies that can leverage social media effectively will be better positioned for success. JoinBrands.com a software I co-founded can help scale social commerce efforts by helping brands easily work with content creators and influencers.

Connor: Changing gears a little bit…When it comes to bookkeeping and accounting, what do you think the biggest pain points for eCommerce business owners are? Feel free to speak from personal experience as well.

Ian: Biggest pain points would be managing sales tax, understanding financial statements and keeping up with changing tax laws and regulations. Also finding the right bookkeeping software to meet your unique needs can sometimes also be difficult.

Connor: Okay, here’s an open mic opportunity. If there’s one thing that you’d want the EcomBalance community to hear from you, what would it be?

Ian: Running an eCommerce business can be challenging and isolating, and having a community of like-minded individuals who can provide guidance, support, and feedback can be invaluable. That’s why Million Dollar Sellers is so passionate about creating a space for eCommerce business owners to connect, learn, and grow together.

Connor: As we close this out, I just have one more question. Where is the best place to find and follow you and the company online? Also, if you have one, is there any special offer that you’ll be offering to the community today?

Ian: