Blair Forrest
@blair-forrest.bsky.social
Founder @ AMZ Prep | Global Amazon 3PL with 50+ warehouses globally
Amazon is ending its FBA prep service by 2026, requiring sellers to handle packaging, labeling, and pallet standards. Non-compliance will lead to shipment rejections, affecting sales and cash flow. Align your prep process with Amazon's standards to avoid delays and financial issues before Q1.
December 26, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Amazon is ending its FBA prep service by 2026, requiring sellers to handle packaging, labeling, and pallet standards. Non-compliance will lead to shipment rejections, affecting sales and cash flow. Align your prep process with Amazon's standards to avoid delays and financial issues before Q1.
Merry Christmas to our clients, partners, and operators. Thank you for trusting us this year. Here's to smooth operations and big wins ahead. Enjoy the day, recharge, and celebrate your success. From all of us at AMZ Prep, happy holidays and a strong start to the new year.
December 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Merry Christmas to our clients, partners, and operators. Thank you for trusting us this year. Here's to smooth operations and big wins ahead. Enjoy the day, recharge, and celebrate your success. From all of us at AMZ Prep, happy holidays and a strong start to the new year.
Q4 was the reminder nobody wanted.
Amazon inbound receiving hit 4 to 12 weeks.
Even off peak it is still 10 to 30 days.
That delay creates stockouts.
Forces overshipping.
Traps cash.
Hurts BSR.
Freight costs pushed brands to one warehouse.
Placement fees feel simpler.
But inbound delays remain.
Amazon inbound receiving hit 4 to 12 weeks.
Even off peak it is still 10 to 30 days.
That delay creates stockouts.
Forces overshipping.
Traps cash.
Hurts BSR.
Freight costs pushed brands to one warehouse.
Placement fees feel simpler.
But inbound delays remain.
December 23, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Q4 was the reminder nobody wanted.
Amazon inbound receiving hit 4 to 12 weeks.
Even off peak it is still 10 to 30 days.
That delay creates stockouts.
Forces overshipping.
Traps cash.
Hurts BSR.
Freight costs pushed brands to one warehouse.
Placement fees feel simpler.
But inbound delays remain.
Amazon inbound receiving hit 4 to 12 weeks.
Even off peak it is still 10 to 30 days.
That delay creates stockouts.
Forces overshipping.
Traps cash.
Hurts BSR.
Freight costs pushed brands to one warehouse.
Placement fees feel simpler.
But inbound delays remain.
Peak season shipping doesn't have to crush your margins.
We helped an apparel brand cut costs with one move: zone skipping.
Ship from Texas. Fly it to New York on regional planes. Release it from there.
Customer thinks it came from NY. It didn't.
Same speed. Fraction of the cost.
We helped an apparel brand cut costs with one move: zone skipping.
Ship from Texas. Fly it to New York on regional planes. Release it from there.
Customer thinks it came from NY. It didn't.
Same speed. Fraction of the cost.
December 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Peak season shipping doesn't have to crush your margins.
We helped an apparel brand cut costs with one move: zone skipping.
Ship from Texas. Fly it to New York on regional planes. Release it from there.
Customer thinks it came from NY. It didn't.
Same speed. Fraction of the cost.
We helped an apparel brand cut costs with one move: zone skipping.
Ship from Texas. Fly it to New York on regional planes. Release it from there.
Customer thinks it came from NY. It didn't.
Same speed. Fraction of the cost.
Being a founder is challenging due to silence, often mistaken for failure. However, silence usually indicates success if metrics like revenue, cash flow, and retention improve. The risk is confusing silence with stagnation and seeking unnecessary noise. What metrics do you use to measure performance
December 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Being a founder is challenging due to silence, often mistaken for failure. However, silence usually indicates success if metrics like revenue, cash flow, and retention improve. The risk is confusing silence with stagnation and seeking unnecessary noise. What metrics do you use to measure performance
Amazon MCF is misunderstood.
Yes, Amazon picks, packs, and ships your off Amazon orders.
No, it is not Prime.
No Prime badge.
Limited brand control.
Not white labeled.
MCF is great for testing.
Not great for long term scale.
At scale, control over inventory and brand experience matters.
Yes, Amazon picks, packs, and ships your off Amazon orders.
No, it is not Prime.
No Prime badge.
Limited brand control.
Not white labeled.
MCF is great for testing.
Not great for long term scale.
At scale, control over inventory and brand experience matters.
December 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Amazon MCF is misunderstood.
Yes, Amazon picks, packs, and ships your off Amazon orders.
No, it is not Prime.
No Prime badge.
Limited brand control.
Not white labeled.
MCF is great for testing.
Not great for long term scale.
At scale, control over inventory and brand experience matters.
Yes, Amazon picks, packs, and ships your off Amazon orders.
No, it is not Prime.
No Prime badge.
Limited brand control.
Not white labeled.
MCF is great for testing.
Not great for long term scale.
At scale, control over inventory and brand experience matters.
The Big Ideas Set to Shape 2026: Speed will matter more than size. Slow operators will get crushed.
I see where this is going because we live it every day across multiple warehouses.
I see where this is going because we live it every day across multiple warehouses.
December 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The Big Ideas Set to Shape 2026: Speed will matter more than size. Slow operators will get crushed.
I see where this is going because we live it every day across multiple warehouses.
I see where this is going because we live it every day across multiple warehouses.
The fastest growing brands all hit the same wall.
I saw it again last week on a call with a founder scaling fast on Amazon.
Sales were strong. Ads were working. Growth looked healthy. Then Q4 hit. Storage fees spiked. Inbound limits tightened. Restocks slowed.
I saw it again last week on a call with a founder scaling fast on Amazon.
Sales were strong. Ads were working. Growth looked healthy. Then Q4 hit. Storage fees spiked. Inbound limits tightened. Restocks slowed.
December 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The fastest growing brands all hit the same wall.
I saw it again last week on a call with a founder scaling fast on Amazon.
Sales were strong. Ads were working. Growth looked healthy. Then Q4 hit. Storage fees spiked. Inbound limits tightened. Restocks slowed.
I saw it again last week on a call with a founder scaling fast on Amazon.
Sales were strong. Ads were working. Growth looked healthy. Then Q4 hit. Storage fees spiked. Inbound limits tightened. Restocks slowed.
Most startups don’t fail because of competitors.
They fail from starvation.
It is running out of cash, time, or conviction that kills a business, not a rival.
Focus on your runway, your priorities, and your energy. Protect what actually keeps the company alive.
Everything else is noise.
They fail from starvation.
It is running out of cash, time, or conviction that kills a business, not a rival.
Focus on your runway, your priorities, and your energy. Protect what actually keeps the company alive.
Everything else is noise.
December 18, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Most startups don’t fail because of competitors.
They fail from starvation.
It is running out of cash, time, or conviction that kills a business, not a rival.
Focus on your runway, your priorities, and your energy. Protect what actually keeps the company alive.
Everything else is noise.
They fail from starvation.
It is running out of cash, time, or conviction that kills a business, not a rival.
Focus on your runway, your priorities, and your energy. Protect what actually keeps the company alive.
Everything else is noise.
One meeting > 10 Zoom calls.
Flew a $50M brand to Toronto. No deck. No demo. Just walked them through the warehouse.
Signed before lunch.
Seeing beats telling every time.
Trust isn’t built in Zoom. It’s built in your ops.
Flew a $50M brand to Toronto. No deck. No demo. Just walked them through the warehouse.
Signed before lunch.
Seeing beats telling every time.
Trust isn’t built in Zoom. It’s built in your ops.
December 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
One meeting > 10 Zoom calls.
Flew a $50M brand to Toronto. No deck. No demo. Just walked them through the warehouse.
Signed before lunch.
Seeing beats telling every time.
Trust isn’t built in Zoom. It’s built in your ops.
Flew a $50M brand to Toronto. No deck. No demo. Just walked them through the warehouse.
Signed before lunch.
Seeing beats telling every time.
Trust isn’t built in Zoom. It’s built in your ops.
Reflecting on BFCM. Entered the warehouse to see a sea of orders. The team was executing flawlessly. I joined in packing not out of necessity, but because true leadership shows up. Strong teams don't always need the founder, but they value their presence. Are you leading hands-on or just from data?
December 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reflecting on BFCM. Entered the warehouse to see a sea of orders. The team was executing flawlessly. I joined in packing not out of necessity, but because true leadership shows up. Strong teams don't always need the founder, but they value their presence. Are you leading hands-on or just from data?
In business, accountability is a rare gem. When hiring or collaborating, I ask about past failures. If they blame others, I move on. If they own up without excuses, I'm interested. True accountability sets high-performing teams apart. Responsibility is key to success. #Leadership #Accountability
December 16, 2025 at 4:29 PM
In business, accountability is a rare gem. When hiring or collaborating, I ask about past failures. If they blame others, I move on. If they own up without excuses, I'm interested. True accountability sets high-performing teams apart. Responsibility is key to success. #Leadership #Accountability
Stop Selling What Brands Already Have. Sell the Hard Stuff.
During a call with a major supplement brand, I expected to discuss our DTC operations. However, the VP of Ops interrupted me, saying, "Blair, stop. I don’t care about DTC. Walk me through your Amazon prep process."
During a call with a major supplement brand, I expected to discuss our DTC operations. However, the VP of Ops interrupted me, saying, "Blair, stop. I don’t care about DTC. Walk me through your Amazon prep process."
December 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Stop Selling What Brands Already Have. Sell the Hard Stuff.
During a call with a major supplement brand, I expected to discuss our DTC operations. However, the VP of Ops interrupted me, saying, "Blair, stop. I don’t care about DTC. Walk me through your Amazon prep process."
During a call with a major supplement brand, I expected to discuss our DTC operations. However, the VP of Ops interrupted me, saying, "Blair, stop. I don’t care about DTC. Walk me through your Amazon prep process."
TikTok Shop is not a replacement for your fulfillment stack.
For the right brand, it is a smart way to validate demand or handle light overflow outside Amazon.
The mistake is treating it as a long term strategy.
Use it to learn. Then graduate to a real fulfillment plan.
For the right brand, it is a smart way to validate demand or handle light overflow outside Amazon.
The mistake is treating it as a long term strategy.
Use it to learn. Then graduate to a real fulfillment plan.
December 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
TikTok Shop is not a replacement for your fulfillment stack.
For the right brand, it is a smart way to validate demand or handle light overflow outside Amazon.
The mistake is treating it as a long term strategy.
Use it to learn. Then graduate to a real fulfillment plan.
For the right brand, it is a smart way to validate demand or handle light overflow outside Amazon.
The mistake is treating it as a long term strategy.
Use it to learn. Then graduate to a real fulfillment plan.
Why I still love the game
Despite setbacks, stress, and risk, there's a core reason I keep building, leading, and innovating. It's not about the wins or metrics, but the challenge, growth, and moments when the team overcomes the impossible.
That's why I show up every day, regardless of obstacles.
Despite setbacks, stress, and risk, there's a core reason I keep building, leading, and innovating. It's not about the wins or metrics, but the challenge, growth, and moments when the team overcomes the impossible.
That's why I show up every day, regardless of obstacles.
December 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Why I still love the game
Despite setbacks, stress, and risk, there's a core reason I keep building, leading, and innovating. It's not about the wins or metrics, but the challenge, growth, and moments when the team overcomes the impossible.
That's why I show up every day, regardless of obstacles.
Despite setbacks, stress, and risk, there's a core reason I keep building, leading, and innovating. It's not about the wins or metrics, but the challenge, growth, and moments when the team overcomes the impossible.
That's why I show up every day, regardless of obstacles.
Most SFP failures aren’t about speed.
They happen because 3PLs don’t understand Amazon’s SLAs.
If your partner isn’t inside Seller Central daily fixing metrics, you’re risking the Prime badge.
They happen because 3PLs don’t understand Amazon’s SLAs.
If your partner isn’t inside Seller Central daily fixing metrics, you’re risking the Prime badge.
December 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Most SFP failures aren’t about speed.
They happen because 3PLs don’t understand Amazon’s SLAs.
If your partner isn’t inside Seller Central daily fixing metrics, you’re risking the Prime badge.
They happen because 3PLs don’t understand Amazon’s SLAs.
If your partner isn’t inside Seller Central daily fixing metrics, you’re risking the Prime badge.
What is the best sub-$250 purchase you made this year?
December 12, 2025 at 10:37 AM
What is the best sub-$250 purchase you made this year?
Prime standards are tough. The right SFP partner safeguards your account & fuels growth. #SFP #Logistics
December 11, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Prime standards are tough. The right SFP partner safeguards your account & fuels growth. #SFP #Logistics
Many brands struggle with a single warehouse for fast delivery. We use over 22 sites nationwide to enable Seller Fulfilled Prime with dependable 1-2 day shipping. By distributing stock across 3-7 locations, you reduce costs and increase sales. Analyze a year's orders to identify network gaps.
December 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Many brands struggle with a single warehouse for fast delivery. We use over 22 sites nationwide to enable Seller Fulfilled Prime with dependable 1-2 day shipping. By distributing stock across 3-7 locations, you reduce costs and increase sales. Analyze a year's orders to identify network gaps.
Stop trying to be perfect.
Perfection is procrastination in a suit.
Ship the work. Get feedback. Improve. Repeat.
Speed beats perfect every time.
Perfection is procrastination in a suit.
Ship the work. Get feedback. Improve. Repeat.
Speed beats perfect every time.
December 9, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Stop trying to be perfect.
Perfection is procrastination in a suit.
Ship the work. Get feedback. Improve. Repeat.
Speed beats perfect every time.
Perfection is procrastination in a suit.
Ship the work. Get feedback. Improve. Repeat.
Speed beats perfect every time.
Most brands don’t realize how much money they lose in dock to dock delays.
National average: 20+ days
Our average: under 2
If your inbound speed sucks, your Amazon business suffers.
Dial in prep, carriers, and FC strategy. Fast inbound is a real advantage.
#AmazonFBA #Ecommerce #FBAInbound
National average: 20+ days
Our average: under 2
If your inbound speed sucks, your Amazon business suffers.
Dial in prep, carriers, and FC strategy. Fast inbound is a real advantage.
#AmazonFBA #Ecommerce #FBAInbound
December 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Most brands don’t realize how much money they lose in dock to dock delays.
National average: 20+ days
Our average: under 2
If your inbound speed sucks, your Amazon business suffers.
Dial in prep, carriers, and FC strategy. Fast inbound is a real advantage.
#AmazonFBA #Ecommerce #FBAInbound
National average: 20+ days
Our average: under 2
If your inbound speed sucks, your Amazon business suffers.
Dial in prep, carriers, and FC strategy. Fast inbound is a real advantage.
#AmazonFBA #Ecommerce #FBAInbound
Most founders chase talent. The real advantage? Discipline. Showing up daily. Shipping when no one’s watching. Following up when it’s boring. Consistency wins long-term. Are you disciplined enough to stack your daily wins?
December 8, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Most founders chase talent. The real advantage? Discipline. Showing up daily. Shipping when no one’s watching. Following up when it’s boring. Consistency wins long-term. Are you disciplined enough to stack your daily wins?
Stranded inventory on Amazon often results from poor preparation—incorrect labels, cartons, or barcodes, and non-Amazon-focused 3PLs. Once flagged, your items stall, halting sales and cash flow. Avoid this by ensuring compliance early on. Who manages your Amazon prep today? #AmazonFBA
December 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Stranded inventory on Amazon often results from poor preparation—incorrect labels, cartons, or barcodes, and non-Amazon-focused 3PLs. Once flagged, your items stall, halting sales and cash flow. Avoid this by ensuring compliance early on. Who manages your Amazon prep today? #AmazonFBA
Founders who endure aren't the fastest but those who maintain a steady pace. Speed doesn't equal sustainability. Success comes from consistency, pacing, and progressing despite discomfort. Preserve your energy and focus on endurance over quick bursts. Who will stay with you for the long run?
December 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Founders who endure aren't the fastest but those who maintain a steady pace. Speed doesn't equal sustainability. Success comes from consistency, pacing, and progressing despite discomfort. Preserve your energy and focus on endurance over quick bursts. Who will stay with you for the long run?
Canada offers a low-friction, high-potential market for brands, similar to California. Many brands overlook significant opportunities abroad, focusing solely on the U.S. Canada is open, and Europe is ready. Act fast or miss out. If I were to predict the next growth market for brands, it’s Canada.
December 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Canada offers a low-friction, high-potential market for brands, similar to California. Many brands overlook significant opportunities abroad, focusing solely on the U.S. Canada is open, and Europe is ready. Act fast or miss out. If I were to predict the next growth market for brands, it’s Canada.