🌴 The Hawaiian Snowman

What you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:

• 🌴 The Hawaiian Snowman [True Story]

• 🌎 Top Amazon News and Updates

• 🚀 How to Start Your Business in 10 Steps

• ✅ 6 Bold Mindsets For Success

• 🤖 10 Must Try AI Tools

• 🚨 The Future of Amazon AI with Vanessa Hung

 🌴 THE HAWAIIAN SNOWMAN- [TRUE STORY] 

Here’s a story from when I lived on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Every Christmas, the locals would look up at Mauna Kea, the island’s biggest volcano, hoping to see a fresh layer of snow at the summit.

If we got lucky, that’s when things got interesting.

People would load up their trucks with snow, haul it down to the beaches, and build snowmen right there in the sand.

Picture it — a snowman sitting under a palm tree, the ocean rolling in behind it.

It was surreal.

But here’s the best part — some years, Mauna Kea stayed bare.

No snow.

Did that stop anyone? Not a chance. Instead, they got creative and built sandmen instead.

Same idea, just a different material.

You’d see these sandy figures riding around in the back of pickups or standing proudly on the beach.

What stuck with me wasn’t just the tradition—it was the mindset. No snow? No problem. 

The islanders didn’t sit around complaining.

They made it work.

They had fun with what they had.

And honestly?

That’s a lesson that applies to just about everything.

And this is just one of the many reasons why I love Hawaii.

Lessons For Amazon Sellers: When things don’t go as planned, don’t panic.

Get creative.

Whether it’s fixing a supply chain issue or figuring out how to make your product stand out, adaptability will keep you ahead of the game.

Lesson For Business Owners: Sometimes the tools or resources you think you need aren’t available.

That’s okay.

Look around, figure out what you do have, and find a way to make it work.

This mindset can turn obstacles into opportunities—and keep your business moving forward.

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

— Norm

🗞️ AMAZON NEWS & UPDATES 🗞️

🔥 JOIN ME IN ICELAND AT THE BILLION DOLLAR SELLER SUMMIT

I’m heading to the Billion Dollar Seller Summit in Iceland this April and I’m looking forward to seeing Beardos there.

If you’ve never been to this event, Kevin King personally selects every speaker for his or her ability to deliver next-level actionable content. You can't apply to speak. You have to be selected.

The speakers are incentivized with cash prizes ($5,000.00 to winner).

So you know they bring their best insights and carefully guarded secrets.

This is not the same old stuff you hear on podcasts, webinars or at other events.

That is prohibited at BDSS.

Guests include Dan Ashburn, Leo Sgovio, Tomer Rabinovich, Michelle Barnum Smith, and many more!

🚨 Check out Billion Dollar Seller Summit on April 4-9 + Elevate 360 at the Blue Lagoon April 9-12.

🚀 HOW TO START YOUR BUSINESS [10 STEPS TO TAKE ACTION TODAY]

Excerpt from Colin C. Campbell’s StartUp Club Newsletter

1. Get Over Your Fear and Make the Leap

Fear of failure is natural, but remember, every entrepreneur faces it. If you fail, it’s a learning lesson. If you succeed, you’re well on your way to creating wealth. Doing nothing will eventually create a sense of loss. It’s time to take the jump.

2. Ideas Are Everywhere

Your million-dollar idea might be hiding in plain sight. Pay attention to problems people face daily. If you’re struggling to find anything, get a job in an industry you love. Ideas are everywhere when you’re in the thick of it. If you experience an issue, chances are others are experiencing it too.

3. Vet Your Idea with Everyone Except the Yeah-Sayers and Nay-Sayers

You need real feedback—not just head nods or criticism. Talk to unbiased friends, industry experts, and even skeptics. They’ll help you refine your plan and avoid costly missteps. Seeking advice is a sign of strength, not weakness. You’d be surprised how many people in your network want to see you succeed.

4. Define Your Why – Your Purpose

What drives you? Is it freedom, impact, or financial success? Understanding your “why” will keep you going when times get tough. Business is tough—it’s a roller coaster of highs and lows. To get through the tough times, you need to focus on something you love.

5. Take Action – Don’t Wait for Someone Else to Beat You to It

Ideas are great, but execution wins the race. Too many entrepreneurs sit on their ideas, only to see someone else launch them. Build your prototype or minimum viable product (MVP) now. Even if you don’t plan to launch for a year, take the first step today.

6. Pick a Great Name, Domain, and Logo Now

Names and visuals matter!

If you have a budget, you can get a good name for under $2,000. Choose a name that reflects your brand and secure the domain immediately. Don’t overthink it. Use platforms like 99designs or Fiverr to create a logo and get moving.

7. Set Up a Stage Gate – Pivot or Kill It at the Right Time

Think of a stage gate as a checkpoint. Set specific goals, like breaking even within six months or launching an MVP in three months. Be prepared to pivot or stop if you miss the mark. Sometimes the best decision is to kill a losing concept rather than dragging it out for years.

8. Create a 4-Sticky-Note Business Plan

Forget 50-page plans. Focus on a concise, actionable, and adaptable four-sticky-note plan.

Why sticky notes? They force you to be succinct and stick to the point. It emphasizes practicality, particularly for startups.

9. Join an Incubator

Incubators offer mentorship, funding, and networking. They help you test ideas, refine processes, and make valuable connections for customers and funding. Surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs accelerates learning and helps you avoid beginner mistakes. It takes a village to raise a startup.

10. Use AI to Get the Business Off the Ground

AI tools like ChatGPT can help draft business plans, generate marketing content, and analyze data quickly.

There’s an “AI for that” for almost every business need. Think like Tony Stark with his Iron Man suit—time to strap on that AI suit and launch your startup.

🚨 If you want more tips like this subscribe to the Start Up Club Newsletter 🚨

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE BEARD GUY?

Can you find Norm in the picture below? Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to see the answer!

🔥 6 MINDSETS THAT DRIVE SUCCESS!

The corporate world loves its rules, but if you’re an entrepreneur, playing by the book won’t get you far. The biggest wins come from breaking the mold, thinking differently, and trusting your gut.

Here are six mindsets that separate the real builders from the dreamers:

1. Say "Yes, We Can"

The best entrepreneurs don’t wait until they know everything—they say yes and figure it out along the way. Opportunities don’t wait for you to be ready, so jump in and learn as you go.

2. Solve Problems, Not Just Sell Products

Success isn’t about making something slightly better—it’s about solving real pain points. The biggest breakthroughs come from tackling frustrations people didn’t even know they had.

3. Own a Niche Before You Scale

Nike didn’t start as a global empire—they dominated a niche first. Too many people try to go wide before going deep. Master one space, build trust, and then grow from there.

4. Get Paid First

Cash flow is king. Why wait to get paid when you can secure revenue upfront? Tesla took deposits before building cars. Smart entrepreneurs find ways to get customers to commit early.

5. Use What’s Already There

You don’t have to build everything from scratch. Companies like Go Ape launched a tree top adventure business on public land instead of buying their own. Use existing resources and scale faster.

6. Act Now, Ask Later

If you wait for permission, you’ll never launch. Uber didn’t ask regulators for approval before flipping the industry upside down. Sometimes, you have to start, adjust, and push forward.

Entrepreneurship isn’t about following the rules—it’s about rewriting them. So, which of these mindsets are you putting into action?

🚨 WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK!

🔥 AMAZON SEARCH JUST CHANGED FOREVER… AMAZON AI RULES FOR 2025

Here’s Takeaways From This Episode:

1. Optimize Listings for AI Discovery – Rufus and Cosmo now influence search results by interpreting content contextually. Ensure your listings answer key customer questions to avoid AI pulling incorrect or negative information from reviews.

2. Prioritize Audience-Based Content – Search results are now personalized to individual shoppers based on demographics, past behavior, and preferences. Tailor content for different customer segments rather than relying solely on keyword optimization.

3. Dynamic Titles Will Change – Amazon is shifting to adaptive product titles that change based on search queries and customer context. Avoid stuffing keywords, as AI will determine which title variation is shown.

4. Semantic Content Matters More Than Keywords – Instead of just inserting keywords like "waterproof yoga mat," explain the function and benefits in natural language, e.g., "keeps grip steady during 90-minute hot yoga sessions."

5. Monitor Rufus’ Answers for Accuracy – Amazon AI pulls responses from reviews, past Q&As, and product descriptions. If Rufus provides incorrect information, update your listing to ensure AI-generated responses align with reality.

6. Leverage AI for Customer Insights – Rufus reveals what customers are actually asking. Use those questions to refine your bullet points, A+ content, and FAQ sections to directly address their concerns.

7. Optimize Listings for Futureproofing – As AI-generated search results evolve, focus on filling out all backend attributes and fields to improve discoverability beyond traditional keyword targeting.

8. Multiple Paths to Visibility Exist – Amazon's personalized search means different customers see different top-ranked products. Instead of fighting for one #1 keyword ranking, optimize for multiple audience-specific queries.

9. Listing Content Must Sell to AI, Not Just Humans – Rufus and Cosmo use machine-learning-driven inferences. Write listings in a way that AI understands functionality, audience, and use cases clearly.

10. AI-Powered Search Will Only Grow – Amazon, Walmart, and other marketplaces are integrating AI deeper into search and recommendations. The brands that embrace AI-driven listing optimization first will have a competitive edge.

🚨 Watch this week’s LIVE episode here at 12 pm ET on Wednesday

🤖 10 MUST-TRY AI TOOLS FOR BUSINESS

• Presentations.ai – AI-powered tool for creating professional presentations effortlessly.

• Adobe Firefly – AI-driven design tool for generating creative visuals and image edits.

• Zapier – Automates workflows by connecting different apps and services to improve productivity.

• Twain – AI-powered business advisor that enhances decision-making and strategy.

• Ocean.io – AI-driven B2B sales and marketing tool for better lead targeting and segmentation.

• Hostinger Website Builder – AI-assisted website creation with easy-to-use tools for beginners.

• Autopod – AI automation for video editing, perfect for content creators and editors.

• DoNotPay – AI lawyer that helps users fight legal battles, dispute bills, and handle paperwork.

• ChatGPT – AI assistant for writing, brainstorming, coding, and problem-solving.

• CoralAI – AI tool designed to assist with content moderation and improve online discussions.

🚀 CATCH UP WITH THE MARKETING MISFITS!

Here are my favorite TIPS from this episode!

1. Follow Up Immediately After Meeting People: After networking events, send a personalized message the same day. Mention a specific part of your conversation to make it memorable. This keeps you top-of-mind and builds a strong relationship from the start.

2. Prioritize Adding Value Before Asking for Anything: Instead of immediately pitching or asking for favors, offer something useful first—whether it's an introduction, insight, or resource. This builds trust and makes people more willing to help you in return.

3. Use Soft Skills to Stand Out in Business: Many entrepreneurs focus solely on technical skills, but mastering communication, relationship-building, and emotional intelligence will set you apart. Learn how to make people feel valued and understood.

4. Learn to Handle Rejection Quickly: The person who gets the most “no’s” wins in business. Embrace rejection as part of the process, and don’t take it personally. The faster you move past rejection, the quicker you’ll find opportunities that work.

5. Create a Tribe That Reflects Your Goals: Surround yourself with like-minded entrepreneurs who uplift and challenge you. Your environment shapes your success, so be intentional about who you spend time with.

   🚨 Watch the full episode here

MARK DOWN THESE EVENTS! 

Market Master II

Feb 20 - 24 - Austin - Starting at $2997

ASGTG

Mar 20 - New York - $161.69

MDS Inspire

Mar 24 - Las Vegas - $1495

Prosper Show

Mar 25 - 27 - Las Vegas - Starting $399

BDSS 2025

April 4 - 9 - Reykjavik, Iceland - Starting at $5497

Amazing Days

Apr 28 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Starting at €99

→ FULL CALENDAR ←

And that’s it, Beardos!

P.S. Make sure you don’t miss any updates by joining our community here.

See you next Monday!

- Norm

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