In this episode of The Free to Grow CFO Podcast, host Jon Blair, founder of Free to Grow CFO, is joined by his co-founder and Amazon expert Jeff Lowenstein to break down the basics of Amazon and explore how it can be used as part of the growth strategy for Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands. Jeff shares his extensive experience with Amazon, from working on strategic finance at Etsy to leading M&A at Boosted Commerce. The conversation delves into the differences between Vendor Central and Seller Central, the pros and cons of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) versus Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM), and the strategic reasons for expanding into Amazon. They also discuss the financial nuances and cash flow considerations essential for making the transition successful. Tune in to learn how Amazon can be a part of your overall strategic growth, balancing both near-term sales and long-term brand equity.


Meet Jeff Lowenstein
Jeff was previously leading M&A efforts at ecommerce aggregator Boosted Commerce where he was the 5th employee. He built processes across M&A, finance and operations to support rapid growth from 0 to 30 brands under management in 2.5 years.

He previously co-founded and exited an app for Shopify merchants and spent time in the Strategic Finance departments of Etsy and Caesars Entertainment. Jeff holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

He’s worked with hundreds of brands over his career and founded Free To Grow because of his passion for supporting entrepreneurs and helping them succeed. The analytical and financial tools he has developed over the years are specifically crafted for the modern consumer brand.


Episode Links
Jon Blair - [ Ссылка ]
Jeff Lowenstein - [ Ссылка ]
Free to Grow CFO - [ Ссылка ]
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, by Bill Gifford and Peter Attia - [ Ссылка ]


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00:00 Welcome to the Free to Grow CFO Podcast
00:30 Introducing Jeff Lowenstein
03:39 Jeff's Journey: From Etsy to Boosted Commerce
07:07 The Birth of a Partnership: Jeff and Jon's Story
13:29 Deep Dive into Amazon Strategy: Vendor vs. Seller Central
18:30 The Realities of Selling on Amazon: Opportunities and Risks
24:11 Building a Brand on Amazon: Strategy and Differentiation
28:48 The Journey from D2C to Amazon with Guardian Bikes
30:45 Navigating Vendor Central Challenges and Transitioning to Seller Central
32:44 The Financial Nuances of Selling on Amazon
35:39 Strategic Use of Amazon: FBA vs. FBM Explained
53:08 Final Thoughts

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