Overview

Two university students launched a private‑label product on Amazon while completing their degrees and, in just 2.5 years, grew the brand to exceed seven‑figure annual sales. Their method combined careful product validation, European manufacturing, credit‑based inventory financing, and outsourcing to a specialist agency. Sellers should pay attention because the playbook shows how disciplined sourcing, financing, and delegation can fast‑track a new Amazon business to high‑volume revenue.

Key Points

• Student founders — Santhos Thiru and his brother started the venture during their undergraduate studies, juggling coursework with product development tasks.
• European sourcing — They secured a manufacturing partner in Germany, cutting lead times to a few weeks and meeting EU quality standards without costly compliance hurdles.
• Credit‑based inventory financing — Rather than dipping into personal savings, the duo obtained a small business line of credit that funded their first 500‑unit order and associated freight costs.
• Agency partnership — The agency dype.me managed logistics, crafted optimized listings, and ran Amazon Sponsored Products campaigns, freeing the founders to focus on strategy.
• Seven‑figure milestone — After 30 months of operation, the Amazon storefront consistently generated revenue north of $1 million per year.

How the Brand Was Built

1. Market research and product validation — The brothers analyzed Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank and keyword data to locate a niche with low competition and steady demand; they then ordered a 10‑unit test batch, listed it, and measured conversion rates before scaling.
2. European manufacturer selection — Attending a trade fair in Cologne, they met a supplier capable of producing the exact specifications they needed, negotiated a minimum order quantity that matched their limited budget, and secured a contract that allowed rapid re‑orders.
3. Financing the first inventory run — They applied for a business line of credit, received approval within two weeks, and used the funds to place a 500‑unit order, covering manufacturing, packaging, and freight, thereby preserving personal cash for other expenses.