Are you planning on building an Amazon business? Before you do, you need to understand that creating a successful business on Amazon is not a walk in the park.
Growing a profitable brand takes more than just listing a product and hoping for sales. It requires smart strategies, strong customer engagement, and continuous optimization.
New Wave Swim Buoy started as a simple idea and grew into a million-dollar Amazon brand. In this blog, our Amazon agency will break down the strategies behind its success and how they can still be applied in 2025.
Business Origins and Early Strategies
Andrei, the founder of New Wave Swim Buoy, spotted a market gap when he noticed overpriced swim buoys on Amazon. He validated demand by asking his triathlon community about their needs.
The brand started out small by launching with just 40 units. Then, Andrei reinvested the profits to fund larger orders and gradually scaled the business.
Direct sales played a crucial role in the early days. Selling in person allowed him to gather immediate customer feedback and improve his product.
Before committing to large-scale production, he partnered with a professional swimmer. This helped validate the product’s quality and functionality.
Scaling and Operational Efficiency
New Wave Swim Buoy didn’t scale overnight. Growth was gradual, with order sizes increasing step by step to minimize risks and improve supplier management.
Operating as a lean business kept costs low and allowed for quick decision-making. Specific tasks were outsourced to trusted service providers to maintain efficiency.
Amazon’s fulfillment services streamlined logistics, freeing up time to focus on product sourcing and brand expansion. Attention to packaging and color correction ensured product consistency, enhancing customer satisfaction and brand trust.
Social Media and Content Strategy
New Wave Swim Buoy utilized social media to increase Amazon brand awareness and drive sales. By using user-generated content and strategic advertising, a cost-effective marketing system was built.
- User-Generated Content (UGC)
Customers were encouraged to share photos and tag the brand, creating trust and authenticity.
- Automated Rewards
Shopify promo codes simplified incentives, making it easier to collect images and boost engagement.
- Organic to Paid Ads
High-performing organic posts were repurposed as Facebook and Instagram ads, reducing costs while improving conversions.
- Amazon Posts
Amazon Posts helped increase visibility and attract more traffic to product listings.
- Content Curation
High-quality visuals were prioritized to strengthen brand perception and stand out in a competitive market.
Business Mistakes, Challenges, and Solutions
Every business faces obstacles, and New Wave Swim Buoy was no exception. Overcoming these challenges required smart problem-solving and strategic adjustments.
- Packaging Issues
Poor print quality and water-soluble ink caused durability problems. This was fixed by sourcing multiple suppliers and rigorously testing samples before production.
- Time-Consuming Content Collection
Manually gathering customer photos took too long. The brand encouraged users to tag its social media account, making reposting quicker and more efficient.
- Inefficient Swag Distribution
Sending promotional items manually was too labor-intensive. Automating the process with promo codes streamlined distribution and saved time.
- Quality Control Challenges
Supplier inconsistencies in China led to product defects. Switching to manufacturers in Taiwan improved product quality and reliability.
- Unsuitable User-Generated Content
Some customer posts didn’t align with the brand’s image. Encouraging creators to post directly on their own accounts maintained authenticity while still boosting brand visibility.
Applying These Amazon Business Strategies in 2025
The strategies that helped New Wave Swim Buoy succeed are still relevant today. Sellers in 2025 can apply these lessons to build a strong Amazon brand and drive growth.
- Encouraging customers to share their experiences helps build trust and keeps marketing costs low.
- Using organic post performance to guide paid ad strategies improves return on investment and lowers acquisition costs.
- Automating processes and using Amazon’s fulfillment tools save time and reduce logistical challenges.
- Sourcing from reliable suppliers and closely monitoring production prevents costly mistakes and ensures consistency.
- A lean approach to decision-making allows brands to adapt quickly to changes and maintain strong customer relationships.
- Using new features and exploring platform innovations helps brands stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Key Takeaways for Building an Amazon Business
The success of New Wave Swim Buoy shows that adaptability and smart decision-making are essential for growth. This journey highlights valuable lessons for Amazon sellers.
Applying these strategies can help build a strong and profitable brand. Focusing on effective marketing, quality control, and efficient operations leads to long-term success on Amazon.
Having trouble with building an Amazon business? Reach out to our full-service Amazon agency and let our experts help you!
