As I continued selling, I started noticing a pattern that made everything even more frustrating. Amazon itself often released products that looked strikingly similar to designs created by independent sellers. It became clear to me that the platform wasn’t just a marketplace—it was also a place for thieves. On top of that, the profit margins were disappointing. Amazon took a significant portion of every sale, and the small amount I earned from the few shirts I sold didn’t come close to covering the money I invested in models, mockups, and marketing.
Eventually, I had to admit that the whole experience was more loss than gain. While some sellers do manage to make impressive profits on Amazon, I realized that I didn’t want to be part of a system where my creativity could be exploited and my earnings minimized. I wanted control over my work, my brand, and my income. That realization pushed me to rethink my entire approach to selling products online.
So I made a major decision: I hired a lawyer, established my own business, and built my own platform. Instead of sending customers to Amazon, I now direct them to my personal website, where I can protect my designs and keep the profits from my hard work. Running my own store has given me a sense of independence and ownership that I never felt while selling through Amazon Merch. It’s more work, but it’s also far more rewarding.
In my view, more sellers should consider building their own platforms instead of relying on Amazon. Unfortunately, many people don’t share that perspective, and as long as sellers continue to depend on Amazon, the company will keep benefiting from their ideas and labor. I can’t change how others choose to run their businesses, but I can choose what’s best for mine—and for me, that means staying far away from Amazon’s marketplace and focusing on growing my own brand on my own terms.
Eventually, I had to admit that the whole experience was more loss than gain. While some sellers do manage to make impressive profits on Amazon, I realized that I didn’t want to be part of a system where my creativity could be exploited and my earnings minimized. I wanted control over my work, my brand, and my income. That realization pushed me to rethink my entire approach to selling products online.
So I made a major decision: I hired a lawyer, established my own business, and built my own platform. Instead of sending customers to Amazon, I now direct them to my personal website, where I can protect my designs and keep the profits from my hard work. Running my own store has given me a sense of independence and ownership that I never felt while selling through Amazon Merch. It’s more work, but it’s also far more rewarding.
In my view, more sellers should consider building their own platforms instead of relying on Amazon. Unfortunately, many people don’t share that perspective, and as long as sellers continue to depend on Amazon, the company will keep benefiting from their ideas and labor. I can’t change how others choose to run their businesses, but I can choose what’s best for mine—and for me, that means staying far away from Amazon’s marketplace and focusing on growing my own brand on my own terms.