Over the last decade, Amazon has evolved into one of the most important — and formidable — companies in the world.
But Amazon’s fast-growing dominance didn’t intimidate Kale Abrahamson. Eager to find a new fulfilling pursuit after ending his career as a Division 1 college basketball player, the 25-year-old embraced Amazon’s popularity as an opportunity to build his own business. Like more than 2 million entrepreneurs before him, Kale began selling products with the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program. As the name suggests, FBA is a popular platform where participants market and sell products but have Amazon handle the storing, picking, packing, shipping, and tracking for them.
“As a basketball player, I dedicated 100 percent of my time to training,” says Kale. “The fact that I was able to learn and be successful on Amazon without prior business experience is a testament to how far work ethic and vision can take you. That’s what gets me fired up about Amazon — anyone can be successful if you put your mind to it.”
After enjoying success as an Amazon seller, Kale decided to take things up a notch and teamed up with former computer salesman and fellow entrepreneur Taylor Hiott. Together, the duo was able to utilize the power of Amazon FBA to grow a seven-figure business.
It wasn’t long before aspiring sellers began coming to Kale and Taylor for advice on starting an Amazon FBA store. In response to the overwhelming interest, the pair began sharing their knowledge on YouTube and eventually launched the Nine University KT V.I.P.’ mentorship program in 2017. Since then, Kale and Taylor have grown Nine University into one of the most trusted online Amazon FBA training courses available, with 130 employees and more than 1,500 clients.
About the Nine University KT V.I.P.’ Program
“Here’s the thing: we are way more than just a course,” stresses Kale. “Starting a real online business requires real support. The cookie-cutter model doesn’t work when it comes to Amazon. ”That’s why Nine University not only includes coaching, but also hook students up with a global community of successful entrepreneurs who provide mentorship and advice, along with resources needed to be a successful FBA seller.
The program includes seven weeks of step-by-step, “over-the-shoulder-style” training in multiple formats to suit different types of learners — including HD video, mp3 recordings, and written transcripts — plus 6 to 8 live streams per week. Students also receive six weekly face-to-face coaching calls with Kale, Taylor, and other six- and seven-figure FBA sellers. Around the clock on any day of the week, participants can consult with Amazon coaches via live chat. Students also get access to tools needed for Amazon success, including lists of verified supplier sites and professional product photography services.
Nine University learners also are also supplied with sophisticated software that helps them determine what products will sell. “There are 100 million products listed for sale on Amazon, so finding the right product for your business can’t be daunting,” says Kale. “Our software narrows down products to identify which products offer the magic blend of high demand and low competition.”
Beyond training and resources, Nine University sets itself apart from other online training platforms with its highly selective acceptance process. Although the course is advertised to a wide audience on outlets like Google and Facebook, only a select few students are accepted. “Most courses will work with anyone who pays them,” says Kale. “At Nine University, we only take on students who have a clear vision, and who are committed, teachable, and very stubborn.”
Kale emphasizes that selling on Amazon is hard work that involves learning new skills and mastering advanced software — it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. “We are not going to coddle you,” he warns students. “You are going to do the work and learn a lot. Serious sellers have good training, and if you come in with knowledge backed by vision, commitment, and determination you are going to smoke the competitors who are just trying to make a quick buck.”
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Amazon and Nine University?
When asked about the state of the market for Amazon sellings in 2020 and beyond, Kale says he sees no stopping the bemouth online marketplace. “The opportunity is just going to get bigger,” he predicts. “More and more people are trying to sell on Amazon, but Amazon’s customer base is growing at the same rate.”
In addition to growing in buyers and seller numbers, Amazon is expected to expand its international reach. Currently, international revenue makes up around 30 percent of the company’s revenue, but the company has already begun to aggressively fuel growth in key markets like Brazil, Austalia, Turkey, Mexico, and India. “Right now, it is a little tricky to sell to foreign markets because of challenges like language and international shipping costs,” notes Kale. “In a few years, I think FBA users will be able to sell to customers across the world with one click.”
As Amazon grows, Kale plans to grow Nine University with it. By providing select students access with the training and resources they need to succeed, Nine University has helped already helped fledgling entrepreneurs earn millions of dollars on Amazon. Kale and Taylor track their clients’ earnings on a scoreboard in their office, and are shooting to hit the $100 million mark before the end of the year.
