SHS018: How To Make $$$ With An E Commerce Platform With Steven Pemberton!
Intro
E-commerce has been one of the most talked-about ways to make money online over the past decade.
From Amazon dropshipping to building your own brand, many people have seen the potential—but few understand what it actually takes to build a sustainable and profitable e-commerce business.
In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel sits down with an experienced e-commerce entrepreneur to break down the real game behind the industry.
This conversation goes beyond the hype and dives into the realities—the wins, the risks, and the strategies that actually work today.
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Intro to Steven Pemberton
E-commerce entrepreneur who has generated over $3 million in online sales
Built a seven-figure business after starting from scratch
Experienced in multiple e-commerce models including dropshipping and brand building
Helps coaches and business owners reach their ideal audience using “challenge-based” systems
Focuses on scalable and sustainable business strategies
👉 Website: https://www.hollowco.com/
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenkpemberton/
Episode Overview
This episode breaks down:
What e-commerce actually is
The different ways to get started
The risks of relying on platforms like Amazon
How to build a more stable and scalable business
Steven shares real experiences—from generating millions in revenue to dealing with account shutdowns—and what those lessons taught him about building a long-term business.
Listen to the Episode
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Quick Takeaways
Elijah Bilel explores the realities of e-commerce
E-commerce simply means selling products electronically
Dropshipping has a low barrier to entry—but high risk
Amazon can generate massive revenue—but lacks control
Steven emphasizes diversification across platforms
Building your own brand gives long-term stability
Platform dependency is one of the biggest risks in e-commerce
Cash flow and reinvestment strategies matter
Real assets (like real estate) provide stability outside e-commerce
Starting small and testing is key before scaling
What Is E-Commerce?
Steven breaks it down simply:
👉 E-commerce = selling products electronically
This can include:
Physical products
Digital products
Services sold online
From selling a single item to building a full brand, it all falls under e-commerce.
Different E-Commerce Models
1. Dropshipping
Low startup cost
No inventory required
Easy to start
But:
High competition
Platform restrictions (especially on Amazon)
Risk of account shutdowns
2. Amazon Selling
Pros:
Massive built-in customer base
Fast sales potential
Cons:
High fees
Limited control
Risk of account suspension
Steven shares that accounts can be:
Shut down unexpectedly
Funds held indefinitely
Businesses disrupted overnight
3. Owning Your Own Brand (Shopify)
Pros:
Full control
Long-term asset
Ability to scale
Cons:
Requires marketing
Takes longer to build
The Biggest Risk in E-Commerce
Platform Dependency
One of the most important lessons from this episode:
👉 If your business depends on one platform, you’re vulnerable
Steven shares real examples of:
Accounts getting shut down
Revenue dropping overnight
Inventory being locked up
The Power of Diversification
To reduce risk, Steven recommends:
Selling on multiple platforms
Building your own website
Using marketplaces as traffic sources—not your foundation
The Ideal Setup
Shopify (your base)
Amazon (traffic + sales)
Facebook Marketplace / social platforms (additional reach)
This creates:
👉 Stability + scalability
From Volatility to Stability
Steven explains that after experiencing setbacks:
They diversified platforms
Built their own ecosystem
Reduced reliance on any single source
Result:
👉 More control over revenue
Real Business vs Hype
A major theme in this episode:
👉 Not everything that’s trending is sustainable
Elijah Bilel points out that:
Fast-growing trends can be red flags
Many people jump in due to hype
Long-term success requires strategy
Investing vs Speculating
The conversation also touches on money strategy:
E-commerce profits should be reinvested wisely
Real assets (like real estate) provide stability
Not all opportunities are “investments”—some are speculation
Key Lessons from the Episode
1. Start Small & Test
Don’t go all-in immediately.
Learn the basics
Test different models
Validate what works
2. Avoid Platform Dependence
Build something you control.
3. Focus on Long-Term Strategy
Short-term wins don’t equal long-term success.
4. Build an Ecosystem
Use platforms as tools—not your foundation.
Who This Episode Is For
Beginners interested in e-commerce
Side hustlers exploring online income
Entrepreneurs looking to scale a product-based business
Anyone considering dropshipping or Amazon selling
Key Topics Covered
E-commerce fundamentals
Insights from Steven Pemberton
Business strategies from Elijah Bilel
Platform risks and diversification
Scaling online businesses