I started in 2021. Feels like half a lifetime ago. Back then, Amazon was pretty much the only real game in town. It was the golden age – some people called it “picking up money with your eyes closed.” A lot of folks made their first real cash just by jumping in. A single fidget spinner could set you up for months.

Now? Everything’s flipped. It’s not just Amazon anymore – you’ve got Temu, TikTok Shop, all these other platforms fighting for the same customers. Products feel more commoditized than ever. Sellers are grinding harder for thinner margins. The market is totally saturated. “Going global” isn’t just for big exporters anymore – any manufacturer, even small suppliers, thinks about selling direct to consumers.

So many factories that couldn’t survive the price wars in their own local markets jumped into cross-border without a second thought. For some of them, profit isn’t even the main goal – they just need to move excess inventory. That kind of oversupply has been a massive force reshaping the whole industry.

I remember the insane boom of 2020, then that crazy peak and the anxiety that came after. Now we’re in full saturation. New seller growth is slowing down. Old-timers and newcomers exchange nervous “good luck” nods. Last year’s tariff changes kept me up for a month. Did any of you actually come out ahead during those trade disputes? Did all those sleepless nights lead to anything?

My own mindset has shifted quietly. I used to believe the era would reward anyone who worked hard. After all the wild ups and downs, that fire has cooled. Now my most modest wish is to keep my business alive in the middle of all the platform battles and economic uncertainty.

What about you? Have your expectations changed? Are you still going full speed with the same drive, or have you pulled back?

This year, trade tensions are still intense. Tax and customs compliance are looming closer. What’s your plan?

  • Scale back and play it safe?

  • Push forward and try to be first?

  • Something else?

Even if you don’t have a clear plan, let’s just share some encouragement. Learn from each other and keep going.