Overview

In early 2023, Luis Micheo left a secure corporate role in Guatemala to start his own Amazon store. His journey, detailed in Helium 10’s episode #134, maps out the mindset shift, research tactics, and operational moves required to replace a salaried income with an e‑commerce business. Sellers should pay attention because the episode breaks the process into repeatable steps that can be applied to any product niche.

Key Points

• Exit timing — Luis gave his two‑week notice in March 2023 after a six‑month planning window, establishing a concrete launch date for his Amazon venture.
• Niche discovery — Using Helium 10’s Xray scanner, he pinpointed a sub‑category in “home organization” that generated more than 500 orders per month while keeping competitor review counts under 200.
• Test‑order size — Instead of a large bulk purchase, he ordered 200 units from a Guatemalan manufacturer, limiting his initial cash outlay to just under $2,000.
• Brand basics — A simple logo and packaging were created in two weeks through Fiverr freelancers, keeping design expenses below $150.
• Launch results — The product listing went live on June 15 2023 and produced $5,000 in sales within the first 30 days.
• Growth reinvestment — After confirming demand, Luis plowed 70 % of his profit back into inventory, adding a second SKU and expanding his catalog to two items by year‑end.

How Luis Transitioned to Amazon

1. Market research & validation — He opened Helium 10, entered “home organization” into the Xray tool, and filtered for items priced $15‑$30 with fewer than 200 reviews. This surfaced a silicone food‑storage bag averaging 1,200 units sold each month, indicating solid demand and room for differentiation.
2. Supplier sourcing & sample testing — Luis contacted three Alibaba manufacturers, requested product samples, and evaluated durability, seal quality, and food‑grade certification. A Guatemalan supplier delivered a usable sample within two weeks, allowing him to photograph the product and prepare a listing before the summer buying peak.