In the vast and ever-expanding world of ecommerce, Amazon reigns supreme. As the largest online marketplace globally, the Seattle-based behemoth has unlocked new opportunities for businesses of all sizes to reach millions of customers. However, successfully selling on Amazon requires deep expertise— knowledge that often eludes fledgling brands and small business owners more accustomed to traditional retail models.
Guiding entrepreneurs to new horizons of conscious online ecommerce is Jillian Losik, whose specialized consultancy builds pathways to impact-driven growth. As founder of eMarketplace Management LLC (eMM), Jillian provides integral support enabling socially responsible small businesses to not only establish a presence on Amazon but also expand their reach and revenue in a strategic, streamlined way tailored to the unique platform.
“I enjoy helping founders, particularly startups and socially responsible brands, effectively launch and scale on Amazon,” Jillian explains. With extensive experience managing ecommerce operations, specifically on Amazon, for a variety of startup brands, Jillian discovered a passion for the fast-paced, ever-changing world of digital marketplaces. She also recognized an unmet need as more independent businesses shift toward ecommerce, yet lack the specialized knowledge required to thrive in that arena.
Learning the Ropes in a New Frontier
Jillian’s venture into the world of ecommerce and Amazon was ultimately born of a desire to redirect her career. After a brief stint in corporate finance following college, she quickly realized it was not the right fit. “I was restarting my career fresh out of college,” Jillian recalls. “I had gotten into this highly corporate finance area and realized very quickly that was not for me.” This prompted her to embark on a six-month sabbatical exploring Central America, after which she found herself settling down in Park City, Utah, where her boyfriend had recently started a new job.
Newly rooted in Park City and craving career fulfillment, Jillian discovered an intriguing startup hiring for an analyst role supporting Amazon operations for various merchant brands. “I found a job working for a startup company in the Amazon ecommerce space, which was simply looking for someone to build out reporting, manage inventory, oversee profitability—essentially, to handle all the demand planning and forecasting,” she explains. “I began learning about this entire world behind Amazon.com and how one can support a variety of sellers.”
Initially, Jillian focused solely on backend analytics while absorbing knowledge about branded stores on Amazon dubbed “virtual shelves.” “There was a lot to take in those first few months, but then it clicked,” she says. “I could see how empowering this was going to be for small businesses.” After quickly progressing into a management role directing client advertising and brand development on Amazon’s platform, Jillian pivoted yet again—this time, to build out the ecommerce program for one direct-to-consumer startup brand.
“I was working directly in-house for a company, focusing specifically on managing all 3rd party marketplaces, both domestic and international. I handled everything from customer service and demand planning to profitability and ads,” she explains. “I was managing too many hats, not able to just focus.”
This hands-on role provided Jillian with detailed insights into the complexities of nurturing a customer-focused brand on platforms like Amazon. However, she found herself juggling numerous responsibilities, a common scenario in the startup environment where wearing multiple hats is essential for rapid scaling. Still, Jillian missed the dynamism of supporting multiple businesses by leveraging strengths across her entire portfolio.
Founding a Niche Ecommerce Consultancy
Armed with extensive on-the-ground experience, shepherding brands both hands-on in-house and holistically via an agency model, Jillian realized the time had come to build something of her own on her terms. Guided by entrepreneurial aspirations, Jillian launched eMarketplace Management (eMM), a boutique Amazon specialty agency catering specifically to emerging brands focused on driving positive impact.
As a female-founded firm launched in 2016, eMM provides customized guidance, enabling startups and small businesses to effectively establish an Amazon presence optimized for sales velocity and scalability. “We work with the inventors, idea makers, and doers—the entrepreneurs developing innovative products centered on sustainability,” Jillian clarifies.
Whether supporting food and beverage artisans producing upcycled craft spirits or indie designers creating cruelty-free cosmetics, eMM grows consciously-minded brands strategically through Amazon’s vast marketplace. Their full-scope model encompasses extensive market research, controlled launches, advertising management, supply chain optimization, customer experience calibrations, and inventory/financial planning tailored to each startup’s unique needs for lasting success.
“We want to amplify the missions of purpose-driven businesses by building strong foundations for them not only to prosper on Amazon but to change their fields sustainably,” says Jillian. By catering specifically to mission-aligned startups seeking Amazon expertise, Jillian is able to pass on channel-specific education while ensuring brands stay true to their values as they grow online.
The Future of Socially Conscious Marketplaces
As a consultancy owner, Jillian feels compelled to pass on such dynamic education to other small businesses navigating rapidly accelerating digital commercial landscapes. At the same time, witnessing seismic shifts in consumer preferences and shopping habits nationwide spotlights the need for balance through conscientiousness.
When advising ecommerce startups, Jillian stresses that the first step for brands developing products is ensuring quality craftsmanship and value before considering Amazon. “Go outside your immediate network to get unbiased feedback,” she counsels. Host pop-up shops to offer samples, gauge reactions and fine-tune pricing based on direct customer input.
Once confident in the product-market fit, she prepares founders for Amazon’s unfiltered user commentary. “It’s okay if not everyone unconditionally loves your product,” Jillian says. Skillfully highlight both strengths and limitations transparently across branding so shoppers know what to expect. For example, call out higher sodium levels added to enhance flavor or unusual textures as part of an innovation formula.
Jillian also urges emerging brands to embed social responsibility and eco-conscious practices early on as “demand will only grow for sustainability details.” Consider how packaging, sourcing commitments, or manufacturing processes impact people and the planet. Millennials and Gen Z driving market growth already filter for ethics signifiers like fair trade, non-GMO, compostable, vegan, or upcycled when making purchases.
By instilling authenticity, transparency and conscience into the foundation guided by end consumer perspectives, startups can resonate emotionally on Amazon to drive launch success and longevity over time. Jillian prepares purpose-driven brands for digital commerce of tomorrow by helping fortify their stories and convictions today.
True to form in leading by example, Jillian continues providing specialized guidance enabling purposeful young brands to prosper responsibly in ecommerce—lighting the way forward for the next wave of conscious commerce.
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