Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Alvarez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started selling items from local garage sales on eBay and then Amazon while working as a dairy clerk in Publix, delivering subs, AND selling cigars at a local cigar shop.
Sales online grew to the point I could quit one job and then another, and another until I was selling online full-time.
After many setbacks, I finally found success breeding and selling live insects online which led to an offer and a successful exit from the company. Once my non-compete ended I started another company in this space and it is now my largest company with insect farms in Miami, Florida.
With money from the exit, I started two new brands (wine accessories and cigar accessories respectively) as well as continued reselling other brands online (still eBay and Amazon selling).
Over the next 15-ish years, I successfully started and sold 17 brands, and started and own several local businesses with amazing partners (and my wife), including Salsa Kings which is probably one of the more known places to learn to dance Salsa and Bachata (also how I met my wife).
In addition to starting brands:
I am the host of a top 50 Ecommerce & Business podcast called Wizards of Ecom (https://link.chtbl.com/WizardsOfEcom), and the sibling show Wizards of Ecom (Español) (https://link.chtbl.com/WOEes).
I am the founder of Blue Bird Media & Marketing Solutions, an agency that helps people get started selling on Amazon as well as helping large brands scale on Amazon. (https://bluebirdmarketingsolutions.com/)
I am the founder of Wizards of Ecom, a school based in Miami that teaches e-commerce in a series of free classes/Meetups 16 times a month and is located at 14254 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33184. (https://wizardsofecom.com/). We have branched out to now have chapters in Miami, Tampa, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Hope to open another chapter in Orlando mid-next year and want to have it coincide with Brightline.
I am the founder, and very active Organizer, of the largest Amazon Seller Meetup group in the world located here in Miami, Florida which has been active for the past 6 years. (https://www.meetup.com/South-Florida-FBA/)
I am the founder of an annual and organizer of an annual event called Online Seller Cruise. A week-long event that sails each year from the Port of Miami and is full of presentations and workshops. (https://onlinesellercruise.com/).
I am a frequent speaker at local organizations to help people get started and succeed with their own respective brands/businesses.
Finally, I am happily married to an amazing wife of nearly 10 years and have two miracle babies (a son age 5, and a daughter age 3).
When not working, always, I love to read, play chess and play scrabble.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not smooth, made all the mistakes one could make a long way. Amazon and eBay were new when I started selling on them for example, and without a road map, there was a lot of errors and growing blindly.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wizards of Ecom is the public-facing name of my agency whose legal name is Blue Bird Media & Marketing Solutions Inc.
Weekly, free, in-person, classes on how to sell on Amazon.
Weekly, free, in-person Meetup events on how to sell on e-commerce/Amazon/Shopify/Airbnb.
Consulting.
Amazon Pay-Per-Click Advertising Management.
Amazon Full Account Management.
Google SEO ranking and management.
Google Pay Per Click Advertising Management.
Wizards of Ecom Academy monthly membership.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a troublemaker, a rebel, and never paid attention in school (eventually got my GED).
I was always trying to start a business, trying to mow lawns, wash cars, and sell blow pops/other candies in school.
I played baseball, and boxing, and used to love video games as a kid.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wizardsofecom.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wizardsofecom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WizardsofAmazon
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/WizardsOfEcom
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WizardsofEcom
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wizards-of-ecom-miami
- Other: https://wizardsofamazon.mykajabi.com/amazon-meetup-videos-1?preview_theme_id=2151702735
