Summary of This Former Boy Scout Created A Million-Dollar, One-Person Business—Joining A Growing Number Of Seven-Figure Solopreneurs

  • forbes.com
  • Article
  • Summarized Content

    Amazon Success Story: How One Man Built a Million-Dollar Backyard Games Business

    Jaron Lodge, a young entrepreneur, turned his passion for backyard games into a thriving business on Amazon. Starting with a simple idea for a stone-skipping game, Lodge's company, SCORE NN’, has generated over $1 million in annual revenue, and is on track to reach $3 million this year.

    • Lodge's journey began with a childhood passion for stone-skipping, which he transformed into a unique backyard game called SKIP ‘NN Hole, a combination of stone skipping and cornhole.
    • He leveraged online resources like YouTube, podcasts, and crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter to learn, develop, and launch his product.
    • Lodge's innovative product, SKIP ‘NN Hole, gained popularity through Amazon, sporting goods chain Scheel’s, and his own website.

    The Rise of Million-Dollar, One-Person Businesses on Amazon

    Lodge's story reflects a growing trend in the business world: the rise of million-dollar, one-person businesses, especially on Amazon. The number of businesses with no payroll hitting $1 million to $2.49 million in revenue has skyrocketed, demonstrating the potential for solopreneurs to achieve significant financial success.

    • The U.S. Census Bureau reported a 48% increase in nonemployer businesses reaching this revenue level since 2012.
    • Factors contributing to this trend include the availability of online resources for learning, free and low-cost tools, and the ease of finding freelancers and contractors.
    • However, it's important to note that most nonemployer businesses do not reach the million-dollar mark, making these businesses the elite of the small business world.

    Leveraging Amazon for Backyard Games Success

    Lodge’s success story highlights the power of Amazon as a platform for launching and scaling a business. His SKIP ‘NN Hole game has found a strong market on Amazon, allowing him to reach a wider audience and generate significant sales.

    • Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program enabled Lodge to streamline logistics and distribution, allowing him to focus on product development and marketing.
    • Amazon's vast customer base and robust search engine provided Lodge with a ready-made market and increased visibility for his product.
    • Amazon's platform also offered Lodge valuable data insights into customer preferences and market trends, allowing him to optimize his product and marketing strategies.

    SCORE NN’s Success: From Kickstarter to Amazon

    SCORE NN’, the company behind SKIP ‘NN Hole, exemplifies the power of crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter in launching new products. Lodge successfully used Kickstarter to raise funds, build a community, and generate early buzz for his game.

    • Lodge raised over $53,000 on Kickstarter, exceeding his initial goal by a significant margin.
    • The success on Kickstarter provided him with the financial resources and validation needed to manufacture and distribute his product on a larger scale.
    • Lodge's story demonstrates the potential for solopreneurs to leverage crowdfunding platforms to launch innovative products and gain market traction.

    Building a Million-Dollar Business on Amazon: Lessons from Lodge’s Success

    Jaron Lodge’s journey to building a million-dollar business on Amazon offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs:

    • Passion and Innovation: Lodge’s success began with his passion for stone-skipping, which he transformed into a unique product that caters to a specific market need.
    • Leveraging Online Resources: From YouTube and podcasts to crowdfunding platforms, Lodge effectively utilized online resources to learn, develop, and launch his business.
    • Strategic Marketing: Lodge employed effective marketing strategies on Facebook, Instagram, and Kickstarter to build a loyal customer base and generate demand for his product.
    • Amazon as a Powerful Platform: Lodge utilized Amazon's reach, FBA program, and customer base to scale his business and achieve significant financial success.
    • Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Lodge's journey is a testament to the importance of continuous learning, adaptation, and a willingness to embrace new technologies and trends.

    The Future of SCORE NN’ and the Million-Dollar, One-Person Business Trend

    Lodge's success story signifies a shift in the entrepreneurial landscape. As the world embraces the digital age, solopreneurs are increasingly finding ways to leverage technology and online platforms to build profitable and scalable businesses.

    • Lodge is preparing his million-dollar business for further growth, focusing on expanding production, marketing, and product offerings.
    • He plans to further capitalize on Amazon's platform and its reach to broaden his customer base and achieve even greater success.
    • Lodge's journey highlights the potential for entrepreneurs to achieve significant financial success through online channels, even without traditional business structures.

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