In this Prime Talk Podcast Sponsored by GETIDA – Noemi Bolojan Podcast Host of Wizards of Ecom talks about going from Classical Music to Selling on Amazon and Leading a Community, also more information about her life's journey. #NoemiBolojan #WizardsofEcom
About Noemi Bolojan Podcast Host of Wizards of Ecom and Amazon Group Chat - Noemi Bolojan is a producer/composer/singer/songwriter. Her sound it’s defined by a mix of minimal piano pieces and electronic beats and loops. Classically trained (Piano and Classical Canto) and self-trained in the art of producing, she spans genres of Post-Classical, Minimal, Ambient, Experimental, and Electronic music.
Yoni Mazor 0:06
Hey everybody welcome to another episode of palm talk today I have a special guest today I'm having me borrow John Noemi is she's an Amazon seller, but also the podcast host of one of my favorite podcasts are called the wizard of E-commerce are wizards, wizards of ECOM rather, so know me, welcome to the show.
Noemi Bolojan 0:23
Thank you so, so much for having me on. It's a pleasure an absolute pleasure to be on the show.
Yoni Mazor 0:28
Our pleasure as well. Thank you so much for your time and for joining us today. So today's episode is going to be the story of you the story of Nomi bola John, you're gonna share with us everything who are you? Where are you from? Where'd you grow up? I mean, how you would begin your professional career station to station until you reached where you are today, especially in the world of E-commerce. So without further ado, let's jump right into it.
Noemi Bolojan 0:50
This is the best question what an introvert can tell me about everything? I
Yoni Mazor 0:55
Don’t hold back.
Noemi Bolojan 0:57
Questions, you know? Yeah. So um, right from the beginning story.
Yoni Mazor 1:01
Yeah. Well, you know, where were you born? Where'd you grow up?
Noemi Bolojan 1:04
Born in Romania, in a small town called orada Rand is very close to Hungary. So the city where we grew up most people speak Romanian and Hungarian parents also spoke both languages. So I think that was my first experience with people being very like mean towards me. It was like, yeah, it was like, this battle or it was always fought between Hungarians and Romanians, you know? And,
Yoni Mazor 1:34
Hungarian the ever name for the language is margarine. So what's it called? My dad, mug? Err, oh my god, I guess, and then their accent. Alright, cool. So you know, three languages, at least my your Romanian, English, maybe other languages. German, German. Amazing. Okay, so yeah, growing up, we had some fights, you know, because you were on the Romanian side, or the Hungarian side,
Noemi Bolojan 1:57
Romanian side. And the Romanian side. But the time we were speaking Hungarian, a lot of I mean, most of the time until we went to school, you know because there is where we learned Romania. So I had a lot of like, okay, you're hungry, your hunger and an outer circle type of stuff. You know that back then, you know, when you realize, hey, that was bullying. Now that they invented the sport of being bullied, you know, it's like, Hey, I was shocked by that, you know, and I didn't notice.
Yoni Mazor 2:24
You survived pretty well. And growing up your parents work in industries, where were they involved? Back in the day?
Noemi Bolojan 2:31
Yeah. So my mum was a home state mum, and my dad, he was working in this factory. He was and also afterward actually had an auto shop. So that was me growing up always. We were just triggers, you know, and they didn't have the voice. So we became boys, our pre-diabetic, our stuff, and so on. I enjoyed it.
Yoni Mazor 2:54
So you help them in the car shop. Do you help with all the mechanics and fixing cars?
Noemi Bolojan 2:58
Yes, yes. Yeah, yeah. I'm
Yoni Mazor 3:01
Sure your husband is pretty happy for you. No.
Noemi Bolojan 3:04
No, I think that it would be like him escalating now. So he's doing all this stuff.
Yoni Mazor 3:10
So keep it balanced. That's pretty cool. Okay, so and when you grew up, I know you're involved with anything entrepreneurial read, you're trying to make your money or business, anything like that.
Noemi Bolojan 3:18
Nothing, nothing, nothing in the intrapreneurial. I was very much into music. So I think that also if anyone is going to look me up at this point nothing shows up about me being an entrepreneur or being maybe the host of The Wizard of econ, but nothing like that. Everything was showing shows up still. It's regarding my music. So I was loved and very passionate about music. Since I was like, three, four years old. That was my super passion. And I thought that I am going to become one of the three things like either a musician, like an opera singer, either some type of doctor and either something like denarian I ended up not at
Yoni Mazor 3:57
All so I'll press anger doctor or veterinarian. That was yes. Yes. Pretty, pretty cool vibe. So music, you're a singer?
Noemi Bolojan 4:07
Yes. So I made played also instruments when we were the first. I'm not sure what it's called here, but it was like a high school, but from the first wrist until the 12th grade, you know, and it was an Art High School. And that's where I've gone and until like the 12th grade I was like into music. I was composing. I was writing songs. I was like, oh, all kinds of desktop-like classical music as well. So it's funny that you're asking if it was something entrepreneurial back then for me. It was like not being an entrepreneur yet. Now I understand. That's also part of entrepreneurship, you know, so,
Yoni Mazor 4:44
Yeah, and what instruments did you play or did you learn how to play?
Noemi Bolojan 4:48
Um, I mainly played the piano until the eighth grade and afterward from the ninth to the 12th. I learned classical singing. So those two were my
Yoni Mazor 4:59
Main Most of the thing was in your native language Romanian or English or
Noemi Bolojan 5:04
Now so because it's opera, you know, most it was classical Latin, Italian, Latin, German, like all the other languages actually in Romanian, we barely sing so.
Yoni Mazor 5:16
So it shows the performance is also your stage.
Noemi Bolojan 5:20
Yes. And now, it was a very, very small level, you know, back then it was between the ninth and the 12th grade, it was, like, basically school-related necessarily, like on stage and
Yoni Mazor 5:32
I like to make money just to perform it at school. Yeah, sure. Other things in the school itself. Got it. Okay, so let's tie it into, I guess, university. What was the next step for you after you graduated? You know this is like a special art school from you know, first grade to 12th. The grade is 12 years, really, really focused on music singing instruments. It's pretty amazing. And what was your next station for you?
Noemi Bolojan 5:51
The next station was I wanted to continue with music and sign up. I mean, I signed up to the university in Florida, actually, for music. And after two, three months, some sudden, happened to the family. And I moved to the States. And I lived here for a year, I think in 2008, in Arizona, Phoenix, and then after
Yoni Mazor 6:17
a meal, I mean, if it's okay, from asking, so what would you say that this is a family? I mean, what their parents or siblings are?
Noemi Bolojan 6:24
No, it was a sibling, and then my other sibling was because we are triggers my other sibling was living in the States. So we moved here for a while. And afterward, like after everything was done in the pay and the funeral and everything. And then we moved back to Romania. So afterward,
Yoni Mazor 6:42
Here, your sibling that passed away lived, that's what you can do America? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So, a year, I came back to Romania, and then what happened?
Noemi Bolojan 6:52
Yeah, and afterward, like, when I got back, I think, like, everything that was music-related, somehow died, because like, everyone already, like, was in their first year, you know, of college, and they were like, cool, and so on. And I was, like, somehow felt left behind, you know, I, it was, like, hard for me to go through and be you know, like, whenever something sad is happening, you know, everyone is like, trying to be so nice and kind and so on. And like, you know, I didn't really, I couldn't deal with it. So what I did was I started working in this shop that was like, clothing, accessories, and so on.
Noemi Bolojan 7:29
And then I started a lot of things doing I learned pathology and all the stuff. So nothing music-related, actually, like going fast forward through all these years. Within the two years, I met my husband, my actual husband, and right now we got married. We moved to Austria afterward and restarted my passion for music, you know, so and afterward, what happened is, I get again because you know, you didn't have the university and all that, apparently, like, in Europe, right?
Noemi Bolojan 8:00
We grew up, it's like, it's really important to have a University High School degree in everything to be considered. I don't know, in the last like menial jobs as well, you know, so for me, it was like, Okay, if I don't have it, then what, what, what do I know? Next, you know, I started freelancing, and I started composing music. And afterward, for two years or so on, while I was doing this processing, and I was like, doing other stuff like other jobs as well. Babysitting was one of them. Afterward, what happened? We sent a great contract with Red Bull Music, a media house
Yoni Mazor 8:35
From us, Red, Blue, Red Bull. Yeah, Australia.
Noemi Bolojan 8:38
And then the rest is history for the past five, six years. I was working with Dan, they enjoyed that. And afterward, that became my full week now.
Yoni Mazor 8:49
Okay, so let me get the timing straight. So you said you moved to the United States for a year? 2008?
Noemi Bolojan 8:54
Yep. Yeah. And then, yeah. Time we married,
Yoni Mazor 9:01
You, man. So 2008 you were in the United States for a year you came back to Romania. And then in 2010, you got married, but in those two years between 2008 and 2010, you were just, you know, working in the shop and the clothing store doing all these jobs? And then when did you start, you know, doing freelancing and composing music?
Noemi Bolojan 9:21
Yeah, around 2012 and until it became full-time, it was around 2013 15. Between that
Yoni Mazor 9:29
For three years you're freelancing, but also kind of doing other jobs like babysitting. And all of this is in in the United States or I'm sorry, you're sitting in Europe so you know, Austria, Austria, and your husband Romania, Austria, Austrian American.
Noemi Bolojan 9:44
So my husband is remaining as well. We went to the same high school. We know how yeah, not yesterday back because we didn't know each other
Yoni Mazor 9:54
Maybe they did in high school, but you know from your sweetheart as from high school. I first met him but okay, so you said on Austria what was the reason you settling in Austria because you're able to freelance there, he had a job.
Noemi Bolojan 10:08
He was going to school. So we married very young. He was 24. I was 22. You know, and it was like, a different country. It was full of opportunities. It was, he was like going to a really good school there. So we said, Okay, why not move and start our life there? You
Yoni Mazor 10:24
Know. So this is a Vienna area or
Noemi Bolojan 10:26
Other yeah, except, like in Vienna was yes.
Yoni Mazor 10:29
Okay, so in 2013 you were able to get the job with a revenue music group. Yeah. And then
Noemi Bolojan 10:38
Afterward, yeah, I continued with them.
Yoni Mazor 10:42
Got it. So tell me about that. Let's jump into that. What do you do for them? How do you do for them? What do you do for I do walk them they need a composer like you?
Noemi Bolojan 10:51
Well, they were looking for talent. And because they are like, so big, I think that they just started to do a lot of projects. One,
Yoni Mazor 10:58
Just to remind everybody Red Bull is not a music company. So as it stands, it's a brand for you know, energy drinks, you know, gives you wings, it gives you a lot of energy. Are you drinking right now? Yeah. Okay. That's cool. But, so but I guess, as a part of their marketing and culture, because they're very into the culture, they create all these events, you have all these extreme sports events, you need to make a special like car or flying thing and jump into the river, and things like that. So in between, they also have what their need for creating music.
Noemi Bolojan 11:28
And because they like they are so big, so they said why not, we are creating our own, like music pool, you know, were from our other work and licensing, and they started a lot of projects. This was one of those projects that actually like, came to live, and stayed alive, you know. And, what I did for them, I composed the music for them, like 2030 tracks per year, you know, and that was nice. And
Yoni Mazor 11:52
It was classic music, pop music.
Noemi Bolojan 11:56
It was some type of in-between hybrid of classical music and minimal music, you know, so kind of like the classical piano and the between with the drum beats, and so on and snippets. So it was
Yoni Mazor 12:11
The user, where do they? Why did they take the music to who do they give it to? Who do they cater to?
Noemi Bolojan 12:17
It was for them. And also, they are catering it as they were saying they are making it available in case that you're going to work you're on a field project or something like that. So they are also making it available for everyone to enjoy and use it.
Yoni Mazor 12:32
So the team, they go in and do all these exercises, and either soundtrack boom, they have the music of the soundtrack and they create their own. So cool. I never realized that the company is so involved in those degrees on the creation of content and music. Okay, so you still work for them today. You start in 2013. So what was your next station or trajectory?
Noemi Bolojan 12:51
No, nothing more. So we moved. We fell in love in 2000, I think when it was Hurricane Katrina, or something like not working for like two or three years and it is a very, very big curriculum here in Florida.
Yoni Mazor 13:04
Florida. Got it? I'm not sure. I know that we had Hurricane Sandy. And then there's the Northeast. This was 2013 I want to say something like that here. But he said you're saying oh, this was 2018? In Florida, big, big hurricane. I don't Okay, we didn't know. He doesn't do a hurricane that hit in Florida. But how's that? But you're in Austria, you know, Australia already moved in?
Noemi Bolojan 13:29
Yes. So. So as I was saying, I was I also have one more sister who is living here in, in Arizona Phoenix. And we were visiting, you know, we were visiting family. And, my, my brothers, my husband's brother, and my parents are also here. So basically living here, only we were in Austria, and we were visiting. And we just said, Okay, why not have a short honeymoon, three days, four days vacations account to vary that to see Miami, you know, and we fell in love with everything that's here, you know, and that's something that motivated us to look.
Yoni Mazor 14:06
You want to visit Florida in 2018 Right after the storm before the storm.
Noemi Bolojan 14:10
Right when it happened the storm so we ready fell in love. It's
Yoni Mazor 14:13
In Miami, with Miami and Florida during the storm. So if you fall into the storm, not thinking of moving away from Florida.
Noemi Bolojan 14:20
Yeah. So, um, yeah, I love this year. And then we said, okay, you know, because, like in Austria and Europe, in general, it's very, like, nine they have the four seasons. So it's around nine months, and it's very cold, you know, and then it's like three months when it's like very warm, and that's it, you know, and here is like, warm all the time is nice and sunny all the time. So like, I think this has a lot of effect on you like physically as well. Because yeah, exactly. Yeah. And it helped us as well, you know, to be positive to see like, things positive in a positive way in life, you know? Yeah, but
Yoni Mazor 14:57
Also, there's a big culture there. There's a nice ambiance and you know things kind of a very clean very nice world, I suppose a lot of Latino community, so they kind of spice things up. That's what I feel I've been to Miami twice in my life and or three times, actually malaria. And every time I go, I feel like you know, it's a rhythm that it has. So definitely connect to what you're saying. The lifestyle, the attitude, the atmosphere, the positivity, and the good energy. So that captivated you and your husband. So he said, bye, bye, Austria, we're saying?
Noemi Bolojan 15:26
Yes. But there's only we're saying what we're going to make a possibility to get a job here to or to move here or something here, you know. And then we were looking for, for jobs, obviously, and a very good position opened up. And yeah, luckily, my husband got the position. And that's helped me sedated in 2000, like two years, in 2020. Here in the States, and since then we're living in
Yoni Mazor 15:51
2020. So all from 2018 until 2020, you're ready to still be in the States? Charlotte? Job?
Noemi Bolojan 15:57
No, no, we moved back to Austria. So we moved back to Austria for a year. And then we came back. And actually, we moved here in 2019. Like December, you know, end of December. So basically, we still
Yoni Mazor 16:10
Had the big money on what to do, what kind of job?
Noemi Bolojan 16:13
He's an architect. He's an architect and assistant professor. And he's good. Also, I did. So I think that was also a reason why we like had the chance or the opportunity to move here, you know, otherwise, it would have been like, harder, I guess,
Yoni Mazor 16:30
For sure. Yeah. It's amazing that as you know, he's a professional and he has a professional job. And yeah, it's, I think now Miami, after the building crash, there's probably more demand for good architecture structure, right. So hopefully, this is going to help his industry become more professional and make sure that they use the best type of, you know, architects and structures. So this kind of issue, though, doesn't happen again. Okay, but, you know, this is all nice and good, you know, you you're in Europe, and you migrate to the United States. But the reason we're here today is to talk, you know, get into E-commerce. So how does e-commerce or Amazon fit into all this picture of what happened? Take us there.
Noemi Bolojan 17:07
So what happened? It's funny, as I was mentioning, it was freelancing beforehand, but I always say, one of my strengths is learning, I don't always love to learn, I always love to explore new things. And one of these things was, first of all, affiliate marketing, when I just figured out there's also another way how to make money, you know, and then it was Amazon, how to sell on Amazon. And so you know, and we were like, Okay, this is such a cool opportunity, you know, and we took a few courses, and yeah, obviously, unfortunately, actually, now, I know that those were those type, of course, this where people just made like, I made $2,000 on Amazon, and Jeff, I'm dropping my course. You know, which, yes, now, I understand that you know, because I have some experience, but back then it was like, okay, that doesn't make sense. You know,
Yoni Mazor 17:55
When that was this is when you already were here in the United States, or this is already in Europe. What was the moment when you know, discovered all you know, those courses,
Noemi Bolojan 18:05
It was, it was in Europe, and I think that we tried already there as well to somehow like enter the market or amazon.com market because everything that you found there so in here, like, everything is supersaturated, but in Europe, everything was fine there. It's in English, you know, everything that we were, like, entrepreneurial type of stuff. It's in English, you know, and it applies to the states. So then, when we started, I think in 2016 2017, really, like gave a talk, you know, two
Yoni Mazor 18:35
Years ago with Red Bull still doing he was still in school already graduated and started in architecture.
Noemi Bolojan 18:41
He already like was teaching back he saw he was teaching also in Austria as
Yoni Mazor 18:45
Well. Yeah. So he's a teacher even right now, ma'am. In Florida. He teaches you gotta So Susan, academics, and architecture. So you're both we know what your jobs professional jobs, and you want to experiment with things entrepreneurial, you know, the monster comes out of you, so to speak gently. You find this content. It's English and it's 2015 2016.
Noemi Bolojan 19:07
Yeah, yeah. Around that time. And it's not necessarily that it's in English, because we were like, for our jobs were both speaking English. So wasn't English wasn't English. The problem? I think the only problem was that everyone, everything or most concepts were taught here in the States, you know, and then it was like, because Europe, it has a different system, you know, and everything. For example, here, like we just open LSE, like in two hours, you know, not even two hours, they are to open an LLC, it's a lot of hassle. You have to have a lot of you have to show that you have at least 20,000 euros or
Yoni Mazor 19:39
More bureaucratic. Yeah, much higher barriers to entry, not as entrepreneurial societies or cultures as it is here in the United States.
Noemi Bolojan 19:48
Exactly. So this is why I think that was somehow like something that kept us back, you know, but back here like coming back to the states, you know from the story. Here I've seen the opportunity to learn so easily and do things very, very easily. So, for example, the best since we are here, and this is started, and we are so started the journey in the Amazon journey, you know, it's so, so easy compared to there, you know, and this is what I love about the states. Because if you have, like, if you put something to your mind, and you working your butt off, you get there, you know, when back in Austria or back in Europe, that's a bit harder.
Noemi Bolojan 20:28
And also there are like, different social levels, like status levels as well. So it's very, very hard if you're not born in a very, like, rich family to get their or to be considered, you know, here as it used, you see, like, also the wizard, like everyone is like the front end, if you have it, and if you have passion for it. And if you're working for it, everyone is going to notice it, you know, their back, it wasn't like that. No. And I think that also, that's something that propelled us to work even harder. And to see that, it's working, you know, but then I think that wasn't there.
Yoni Mazor 21:01
But let me ask you this. So 2015 and 2016, you see all these courses that you already took action, you open a company, in the United States after living in Europe now. So what do you do? Did you get into the game, so to speak?
Noemi Bolojan 21:12
Here COVID happened, basically, and then okay, what to do, you know, because you are
Yoni Mazor 21:17
Saying only three, four years later, after kind of sparked your interest to be into the eCommerce and then begin Amazon. So only when you were able to, you know, finally kind of migrated in the United States into I know, in 2020, the COVID happened, only then you were able to take action.
Noemi Bolojan 21:32
Yeah, I think I also was very much like into, I'm coming from I say everything that's so many entrepreneurs around me, you know, like, now I see, I can compare to that. Because we have like, the wizards of penicillin, everyone is like thinking outside the box or feeling very small bugs in trying to solve problems, the better. And then the time comes for it's much more like all the friends that I have for worry, like, oh, it's not possible, you cannot do it, you so and so on, you know, and I said, How much effect does the test on someone's mentality?
Noemi Bolojan 22:02
You know, and I think also, that was one of the reasons why might it might be that we could have started then back then as well. But you know, when you're surrounded by so many people, first that don't see the opportunity, second, that is not doing the thing that you want to do, you know, it's very hard as well, for you, especially since it's like, totally out of your comfort zone, because it's a different industry, you know, from whatever you were learning, we were very creative, and so on Amazon, it's numbers, Amazon's like business and Athena. So I think also that had a huge impact on our mindset, you know,
Yoni Mazor 22:35
God, so once again, the 2020 pandemic strikes, you create a company, and you launch your product on Amazon.
Noemi Bolojan 22:44
Yes, great to the contrary, it is just exactly like that. So we were, we were looking for a few months. And after one afterward, he found, okay, I didn't know which product to choose. Because whenever you're starting and you're new at something, you don't know what you want to do. They want to go for the product that's bringing in numbers, and you're not passionate about the product, you want to go for the product that you're passionate about. And you can work your way around, or you can motivate yourself, you know. So it's funny that, in February or March, something like that, in 2020, I was at one of these meetups of missa Fika, when back when it was still in-person meetups, you know, and
Yoni Mazor 23:26
What was the first moment you discovered the wizards of UConn? Because today you're you know, you're part of the leadership team. You're the host of the podcast, which we're going to touch very, very soon. So. So there's a combination of discovering Amazon launching a product and Amazon, did you launch and then discover wizards of EUCOM? Or did you discover wizards to become and then that helped you with the launch? What was the dynamic there?
Noemi Bolojan 23:47
I discovered Wizards of the calm and also that have been with the launch. It helped me to choose my product in the sense that I went for something that I'm passionate about, you know, all this course, all the information that I got was like, maybe not the first one, maybe not the second one, not the third, but the fourth fifth product is going to be a winner, you know? And for me, it's like, yeah, that means like, this other option for me, you know, and Carlos was the only one who said that he never had a failing PL brand, you know, and it's like, wow, why, you know, and he was saying he was passionate about it, and he made it work. You know,
Yoni Mazor 24:23
I just want to put some perspective in here. So wizards of EUCOM you know, we should have kind of maybe started with the beginning. But this is one of the largest, if not the largest Amazon, you know, meet up and community group. It's based in Miami, South Florida, Carlos Alvarez founded it as a legend of its merit. You can check out his episode in our show, also Carlos Alvarez. So you're saying once you came to Miami, you came to Florida, you know, he discovered the meet-up group you already knew back in 215 to 16 that you want to do stuff on Amazon and E-commerce. But and being a member of the wizards of Yukon community, you know, the middle group and then and in Miami, South Florida with Carlos that helped you with the launch and then Understanding from Carlos that all of his private label launches was a, you know, a product he was passionate about. Right. So what you, you, you took that advice, and that's what you did?
Noemi Bolojan 25:11
That's exactly what I did we went for something that you're passionate about, and so will affect who you are and for a product that solves a problem for cat parents, you know, and yeah, this is how I started. And honestly, if I would have known how many difficulties are along the way, probably I would have started you know, especially since you know, but then you're like, Oh, yes, let's go for the cat you have, no clue, like, How much keyworkers How much like all that, you know, the market everything that you see, you know, and understand competition as well, you know, so feel like very passionate, but very newbie mindset because you didn't know things you know. So I think that's why I was so blessed with wizard-like meeting Kairos like the Wizard of AECOM, and the Wizard of Amazon as well, because honestly, each episode, each podcast episode, and it's now funny that I am on the I am the host.
Yoni Mazor 26:07
That means you know, being new to the United States moved to Miami, New to the meet-up group new to Amazon. Nevertheless, you got to the advisor, you got to help. But then you transition to a position where you helping you’re leading. So how did this happen? How did this opportunity come up where you're hosting the podcast, for example?
Noemi Bolojan 26:24
I think passion for learning is very much curiosity and willingness and trustworthiness and loyalty.
Yoni Mazor 26:32
That's funny. So basically, you're involved with all the meetings, all the sessions, and then you start taking, say, hey, why don't you I organize these meetings? Or lead them or host them? The physical meetings? But of course, so and so you hosted first, like physical meetings, and then the podcast, first, the podcasts and then physical? Or can we all at the same time?
Noemi Bolojan 26:51
No. So when COVID happened, everything went to zoom meetings, and meetings, were something like totally new, also, for Carlos, you know, as I was something new. But honestly, as I was saying, for me, it was so exciting to see these many people who are in the same industry that I want to be in, and they are like, they made it in that industry, you know, and as I was saying beforehand, like in Europe, for me, it was like a hard concept to imagine that I would ever get into this culture or between these people, you know, and here, it was, like, everything was available, and people were really like, friendly and helpful, you know, and for that, I was like always saying, like, this is the answer to my prayers. I was praying so long for this, and it's happening, you know, so I think that also, that propelled me to really, like, give my 100% you know, and be there all the time. And honestly, maybe I missed two or three meetings out of like two or 300 repeats, you
Yoni Mazor 27:43
Know, and dedication, right there. Yeah. During that time,
Noemi Bolojan 27:47
I learned a lot, you know because most people are attending, but they are just there. You know, and, and I also think, because you are saying, what made me be in the position Fam today. I mean, I didn't like work out like this is, like, strategically, these are some steps that I have to do, you know, but it was all the time, hey, I want to learn and I'm learning and then, you know, I noticed also, once that I learned something, it was also easy for me to have, like have other sellers as well, you know, and for that given take was always there, you know, and I also see that most people are not like that. Like Carlos was saying was not like it, you know, and I think that's also a reason why and how I ended up with the podcast and the podcast, as you were asking. I Carlos was doing a great job.
Noemi Bolojan 28:33
And he was like always offering the perspective of like, advanced salary. No. And what I saw is that it's hard to be relatable to someone new because you know, all the tricks, so you wouldn't even ask the questions that they are like, wondering or pondering, or they don't know what to do with it, you know? And those were the type of questions I was asking for myself, you know, and it was like, hey, why not just bring that part as well? Because I, I have all these questions for myself. And maybe some of them I know the answer you don't, but I'm thinking okay, once that I was a new seller, what were the things that were super interesting for me and no one told me about you know, so I think that's the perspective that I'm bringing basically to the podcast. And apparently, that's something that more people are wanting than they are willing to say you know,
Yoni Mazor 29:24
it's all in the basics. We don't We cannot take anything for granted all the fundamentals, all the basics, it's important to discuss it discover it because sometimes you're even very advanced but realize oh, this is basic things I can do better or I'm not doing and if I will do my results will be better. So that gives that ability on content level for the podcast, how that spectrum between Carlos being an advanced seller he does over 100 and maybe even 200 million any newcomers alone. Pretty advanced and high-volume selling.
Yoni Mazor 29:55
Your perspective is you know the entry the coming breaking to the market launching into the market. can make the making this a sustainable viable business or to make this a real business so they can spread their wings and gain financial freedom and the whole dream, the E-commerce Dream, which is the American dream in a way are you able to kind of start from nothing and dedicate yourself to something and do something valuable for others, they acknowledge you get financially compensated.
Yoni Mazor 30:16
I do want to mention that. So there's you right now may be bullish on hosting the wizards of E-commerce podcast, econ podcast, but there's also call us Alvarez, but there are more hosts, right? So why don't we maybe share a little bit about them?
Noemi Bolojan 30:29
Of course, we also have two more great hosts, and they are the hosts of our sister show, which is the Wizard of econ in Espanol. So they are speaking to a Spanish audience, you know, and they're also like, we have like, Alexis who's like, for the past eight years, like, she's been doing an eCommerce, you know, and she says, like,
Yoni Mazor 30:51
Alexis, Alexis,
Noemi Bolojan 30:53
And we also have Vanessa Han, who's also not necessarily at my level beginner eCommerce, but she is like, more on the service side, you know, so she can come from that side as well. And ask all the questions and have all the audience you know, and I think that's most important is that everything is in Spanish. So I understand how much impact that can have on someone who one doesn't speak the language, the language and then two, they have the chance to be spoken to, like in their native-like, tongue in another
Yoni Mazor 31:25
Language. So that what's also great is that you all meet together now nothing's opened up, y'all meet together. So you got the four holes physically coming to the events and meeting so you have the four fingers, where you have your memorial, you know, kind of focus on the entry-level, breaking into the market launching, Alexis is ready eight years into the mix. You have Vanessa, she's very good with, you know, you know, managing and operating businesses, regardless of level. And of course, you got Carlos, which is he's kind of touching the upper echelon.
Yoni Mazor 31:54
So all this mix of leadership is physically also present. When you guys do the meatus and physic at Miami, there's a wizard to become facility. It's great. I encourage any Amazon Seller that's listening to this or watching this, if you ever reach out to Miami, you know, just go to Facebook, for example, go to wizards, be calm, reach out to know me or to Carlos, and say, Hey, I'm coming, when is the next meeting or anything like that the whole shoot and you're engaged with other members of the community. It's great. It's supportive. And of course, if you'd like it, there are also virtual events you can attend afterward, or you can just attend right away. So it's a nice mix-up. And of course, you got the show. But okay, so now you know very, very like lightning speed, you might get the United States in 2020 you launch your business, you're an E-commerce seller.
Noemi Bolojan 32:38
I'm an introvert, I told you the other like small.
Yoni Mazor 32:45
Yeah, from being classical, you know, musician, which is, you know, super classic old school Europe, you know, now you're living America, like, like, the full American dream, entrepreneurship, you know, financial freedom, podcasting, all the new mediums of making no money, there's a new economy, they call it right to the, you know, super-advanced super because this whole industry is about learning, data mathematics, operations, you know, it's kind of an orchestra, very much like music, all these instruments, but all have to kind of work in harmony. So it all makes sense and brings out a beautiful thing. So I think you have that background of understanding these elements. But looking into the future, what do you see in the next three to five years happening in E-commerce, for example?
Noemi Bolojan 33:27
I like this or that it's exactly like an orchestra. It's and I'm going to answer that question, what is going to happen? Honestly, no one knows what's going to happen. Everyone has their speculation, everything is like, and everyone thinks that something is going to happen. But not everyone has to prove something that is going to have us take a stand. Let's put it that way.
Noemi Bolojan 33:49
I think the only thing that I see for now happening that it's kind of for sure is I also had Steve Simpson recently on the podcast, and he worked, he was talking about China's supply chain, and how to manage property or inventory and everything that's happening right now with where do you find your manufacturers? You know, I think that's something that it's going to still happen in the future because it's affected. So you're going to think twice Are you going to manufacture from China from other parts of, the world? Or are you going to manufacture from the States? Are you going to find here products, you know, so I think that's, that's a shift that I see coming that is like, kind of like, for sure, you know, all the others
Yoni Mazor 34:32
I want to add to the perspective, you know, we're at the end of 2021 recording this session. So the episodes probably gonna come in 2022 you know, a global supply chain issue, the pandemic created all these disruptions all around. And you know, ports are too busy. The container ships are too busy factories in China have issues with actual energy power.
Yoni Mazor 34:50
I know they said that Germany had a bad season with energy with the thermal and when and that's what they had to buy coal and because of that now wasn't enough coal for China so they didn't have enough coal to have power plants have power. So the shutting down factories. So there's they're shorter supply plus when they can put on the ships, too many ships too many containers, all these disruptions. So supply is tough, especially coming from Asia and China in particular. So you're saying, this is an issue, and looking to the future, you don't see this subsiding? In a few weeks or a few months, it's gonna be kind of a long-term issue.
Noemi Bolojan 35:22
Yes, it is a long term issue, because like, you can go for like, one year, two years, three years, you know, but at the end, like you're an entrepreneur, and your business depends on this, you know, and if you plan your business to be like, more than five years, six years, 10 years, you know, you should look into Okay, other whatever your competition is not there, you should be, you know, and the competition, probably, if they're not thinking of this, you know, they will be very relaxed, and you will have a competitive advantage there, you know, so I'm thinking, yeah, look into, like, how can you bring faster products here?
Noemi Bolojan 35:55
How can you manufacture here? How can not here and maybe Mexico, maybe in Vietnam, or mid wherever, but it's like, China is not the only option anymore until now, or until like, as a new seller as well, you saw every course sell their honestly, as well, Alibaba, how to source from Alibaba. So, which worked brilliantly I also, like, last year worked brilliantly. This is how we started, you know, but now I see. And now I understand the whole issue when I'm talking to sellers, who are like doing eight, nine figures now because they see these things. And if, if they have did not this knowledge, and they are willing to share it, why not you as a small seller number six, or seven figures smaller? Take all those things, what they see, you know, and, like implemented in your business now, why wait, you know, so I think that's, that's, there's something that's going to happen. And to not be like careful there, I think it's like, really not a good
Yoni Mazor 36:51
thing, this kind of big news, what you're saying, as far as I understand, because China has worked for the past 30 years to become the world's factory became the superpower of the factory for the world. But this model is being disrupted for them. For the world, especially as owning down into E-commerce, you know, the Alibaba game sourcing, that's being the model is being disrupted completely. So that will lead to new opportunities for other factories around the world to be a sourcing agents for the sellers. And they're the ones who are going to adopt it, as soon as possible, they're gonna have a real reliable global supply chain, they can keep China but if they still work with other factories to have a good balance a mix, so the next pandemic or next disruption comes in, they're good, and they never get stuck. And then they're the winning the game in the next 510 2030 years. And they're building a strong, strong business that can go to the fingers, not fingers in the sky's limit and beyond. So that's kind of the news you want to bring today. With this updated look into the future. Yeah,
Noemi Bolojan 37:42
Yeah, I think there's been this something important. Also, one more update is like Amazon and PPC cost and beta and CPC, I don't think that it's going to be nicer as it was beforehand, like not like last year, at least, it's going to be way more expensive and way more expensive. So it's going to become even more a pay-to-play game. And that's something like also for new sellers, who are just thinking to come in tomorrow for the market doesn't matter if you are in a very competitive or not. So competitive niche, this is still going to happen because the platform progress. So you should think out of the only Amazon PPC and only like PPC launches, this is how I started and even if it was successful, you know, now it's not working anymore.
Noemi Bolojan 38:26
And you really should think of okay, what's my other play? It's Amazon PPC, only everyone is going to have the same place. So think outside of how can I do better? How can I bring something else that my competitors wouldn't have thought of, you know, so influencer marketing and building out an email list and all the stuff that you know, was like, oh, I don't need that I just have this product and it's selling well on Amazon, I don't have to do anything, you know, our concept worked brilliantly beforehand, but now it's not so sure that it's going to work. So why not the same with like with the supply chain, Hey, be sure that you are prepared for that, you know,
Yoni Mazor 39:03
so like, it was only gonna diversify your ability to source your products and with you know, few channels, same thing sourcing, traffic, and engagement with consumers are not just solely relying on Amazon and PPC, and in platform and traffic and Java and try and platform conversion, you got to open it up to other platforms and other streams and maybe Google more social media. And of course, if you can build up a mailing list and engagement list where you can Garner an audience and the following and brand loyalty and things of that nature to step out of just in the private label seller know I'm I have my brand and I'm an entrepreneur and I have my brand, I have an E-commerce brand.
Yoni Mazor 39:42
But if you do even well with that, it can be a brick and mortar brand, or you know, a real you know, full-time blown brand. That should be the trajectory of success. Unless you're going to sell or you made some income you want to do something else or you may be sold it and then you can do something else. But as long as you're in the E-commerce game, looking and this is the map, this is the roadmap, how you can build a Long sustainable brand if you're in that game, once again, we ignored the other game, which is still around the reselling the arbitrage, the wholesale, you know, everything that they call that what you guys also cover you guys wizard to be calm yourself content for that you have also, of course, the sellers and the community that engages and engage with those models.
Noemi Bolojan 40:17
We do and also like to besides mentioning leadership, so do not forget to keep Gabrielle Cosio. He's also like, basically on that side on O Ara, and that's what he's like main
Yoni Mazor 40:32
Business model. Yeah,
Noemi Bolojan 40:34
Business model as well. But like also, like mean helpful within the group, you know, because he will understand that. And that's also super, super important. And I think my other tip there, because you were asking, Okay, what do I see in the future private label is going to be setting a private label, then it's going to be way more expensive than it was before. Because now if you want to start a brand, you need first inventory, you will need a brand registry, you will need all the tricks up until now you didn't need it.
Noemi Bolojan 41:02
So just take care, like think carefully if you want to step like with your food or, or just to start and to see first off if this is for you, or you like it or saw you know, so I think it also must be mentioned that our different business models as well. And I'm saying this because for example, when we started, we had no clue that e-commerce for us, it was like selling on Amazon. That's e-commerce for us, you know, when actually in fact, like more, most people don't know that there's this only just one of the party now, it can be all only can be ra can be wholesaling. It can be maybe you can do like Kindle publishing, or maybe there are also so many options. I think that would be good for you, if you want to start with EECOM it's not only the private label, and the courses and so on, those might make the most money when you exit. Yes, for now, they are not making money, you know, maybe making money, but it's like still like cash flow trap all the time. You know. So you also have to think of that, yes, it's making money, but it's inventory. So
Yoni Mazor 42:05
You got to keep reinvesting the profit and more inventory and grow the business with your cash unless you're taking a loan in debt, which puts you at a different risk level. Financial. Exactly. Got it. Got it. Okay, beautiful stuff. So know me. So I want to kind of capture, see what we got so far, and try to, you know, conclude the episode from there. So born and raised in Romania, in 2008, you came here for a year, you know, the United States. Yeah, and you kind of, I guess, first days, but then went back to Romania, and then 2008 2010, you kind of moving around, you already relocated to Austria, and 2010. And you started kind of doing music composing until around 2013.
Yoni Mazor 42:44
That's when we started working within Red Bull music group to the larger antenna until I would say, probably 218 or 2020, when you migrate to the United States, but right around 2015 16 while being in Austria, being in Vienna, your husband is no petition architecture and you're doing music, you already kind of saw there's, you know, the world of E-commerce opening up you kind of took some courses, that was your first attraction to this industry. But once you're able to migrate united, late 2019, early 2020, run into the pandemic, the global pandemic, that's when you, you know, settle in Miami, he joined the words as if you calm you know, you know, seller Meet up group in Miami, Florida would call us offers, you engage there and helps you with your launch with your own business needs.
Yoni Mazor 43:28
You, of course, attend all the meetings, all the sessions, and most of them, you learn, and then it helps you to teach others. So it helps your business but it helps you to help others and be a productive member of the community, then you start slowly kind of taking leadership, and then then you become a host of, you know, the wizards of your calm podcast. And then you know, even though I grew into its dimension, there's a sister podcast, it's in Spanish, but all of you together come in also into the actual physical location and engage with the sellers. So and you know, so you migrate to a new country, a new industry a new community, and then leave the community all within the lightning speed of fewer than two years. So I congratulate you on that. That's amazing you're living the American dream and wish you much continued success there so that we get the summary correctly so far.
Noemi Bolojan 44:16
You know that I am also the hostname next. So curious now how are you doing? What are you doing?
Yoni Mazor 44:24
That is logistics. I'm just packaging the episodes. I understand. Like, you know, this is what we discussed, right to make sure that it's all packaged properly. And this helps me move on to the aka the net, the last part of the show. Two more things. The first will be if somebody wants to reach out and connect and engage with you or maybe the community where can they find you. So give them some information about that. But the last thing will be is what is your message of hope and inspiration for entrepreneurs listening out there?
Noemi Bolojan 44:46
Sure. So the best way to reach out still it's like via our telegram chat. We have a very, very active telegram chat group or you can do so by Amazon group chat that comes and there you're going to be connected to our groups.
Yoni Mazor 45:00
Also when they go on the URL Amazon Chow group com that's the way they can join the telegram group. Yeah. Correct. And it's Amazon group chat.com amazon.com. Gary will show how to run. Okay, good.
Noemi Bolojan 45:13
Awesome. And so this is the best way. And the easiest way to get me. We also started offering services because there are so many people asking, Okay, what do you do? You know, because it's like, this is what to do? Yeah, we also started offering services, PPC services, and also listing creation optimization. At this point. I think I will also have the official link of the business.
Yoni Mazor 45:38
Yeah, we can zoom in. Yeah.
Noemi Bolojan 45:39
But that's also a way and also, as I was saying what you can do is, listen to our podcast, please listen to our podcast, we feel so much pressure and so much like a lot
Yoni Mazor 45:50
Of people, a lot of leaders from the industry, the community is so rich with content and understandings and insights about the industry are just very helpful. And it's free. So why not just you know, if you are in the industry, if you're serious about it, or you already are serious about it, you want to keep growing, the party has given you that access to the largest Amazon meets up seller group in the world, right. So just bring all that knowledge into the show. So this way, the group, the actual physical community is projected outside into a digital space. So enjoy adopted, so hopefully, you can tune into that.
Noemi Bolojan 46:19
Yeah, definitely. And my message of hope, I think would be honest, I never thought that I have it can be it sounds may be very strange, because I am very, like, optimistic all the time. Very, like, yeah, let's do it. Attitude, you know, but I didn't return that. And for entrepreneurs, you know, if you are just starting for yourself, yes, you have to believe in yourself and learn as much as you can.
Noemi Bolojan 46:45
And I think that if you are at it, and you're just really working constantly to improve everything, what you're doing yourself first, and then also your business model and everything, like your PR product because you were talking about private label, you know, there's hope there. And the second thing, but I will say there is like, most of the time, what I noticed also me and like maybe other sellers as well. They are like whenever they're starting something new is like also frightened, like, oh, how do I do that? And so, um, you know, and yeah, that's a normal reaction to have, however, something that I noticed in myself because it was funny that you only put it that way that you're going to orchestrate things like with, like a music producer would be orchestrating things, you know, in the Amazon business.
Noemi Bolojan 47:29
So I think for you as well, like, whenever you have those moments that you have to start something new, totally new, that you're out of your comfort zone, think of it that you already have the experience, it just like translated into a different nuance or in a different ways universe saying, Hey, I was a music producer I had this I nailed it. And I like that's what music production is like really composing structures, everything is structured, you know. And for me, like structures, I was like, what I have to talk to the manufacturers and so on, you know, so it was very, very frightening for me. So I think that would be the second thing that was saying you are the habit is just like make the connection, you know, make the connection because you already have a lot of experience there in that new thing that you think that you're going to invest time in. So you can adapt it to your business, email marketing, influencer marketing, whatever would be you already have it, it's just like make the connection. What do you have already that you can connect with? Whatever it’s new that you're learning
Yoni Mazor 48:23
Now? Yeah, so what are the standards don't be afraid to try new things. You know, rely on your experience so you have your experience that's your boat, right? And then the new experience is just another layer it's not gonna crash you just another layer if it works well you adapt if it doesn't work well, childhood things and when it works with attitude later, so do not be afraid of the unknown and the new things and just keep pursuing your dream. Beautiful stuff. So no, no, me. I know. Thank you so much. I learned so much. I hope everybody else enjoyed it. Stay safe and healthy the next time.
