Merch Wizard
About the Company
Rick Blyth's company revolves around developing Chrome extensions tailored for niche markets within Amazon's ecosystem. The two main products, Merch Wizard and KDP Wizard, aim to streamline tasks for Amazon sellers, making it easier to manage product listings and designs. These tools simplify the user interface of Amazon's Merch and KDP platforms, offering increased productivity for their users.
The apps primarily target sellers on Amazon's Print-On-Demand (POD) platform, Merch by Amazon, and Kindle Direct Publishing. Merch Wizard helps organize and manage a seller’s designs and listings, while KDP Wizard caters to Amazon's self-publishing community. Both tools operate under a SaaS (Software as a Service) subscription model, ensuring steady revenue streams through monthly or annual payments.
Idea Behind Company
Rick was a seasoned software developer for 20 years, eventually rising to a tech director role, but found the position unfulfilling. Inspired by the book Rich Dad Poor Dad, he sought ways to create passive income and first tried Amazon's FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). However, it was Amazon's Merch platform, which pays royalties for Print-On-Demand designs, that intrigued him.
Frustrated by the clunky interface of Merch, Rick saw an opportunity to use his software skills to solve these pain points. His Chrome extensions aimed to make the life of Amazon sellers more efficient. This desire to fix a problem he personally experienced became the foundation of his Micro SaaS business, combining his tech expertise and newfound entrepreneurial drive.
Creating the Company
Rick began by creating simple, free Chrome extensions for the Merch by Amazon community. His first paid app, Merch Batch Editor, was sold at a low price, generating over $3,000. This small success built his reputation, leading to the development of Merch Wizard. Rick kept the development process lean by focusing on the core features that would appeal to early adopters.
He built an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) within 90 days and enlisted beta testers to provide feedback. With their help, he refined the app before launching it to a larger audience. Rick’s commitment to developing a product that solved real user problems quickly led to positive reception and consistent feedback, helping him scale the business.
Launching the Business
The launch of Merch Wizard was met with enthusiasm from the niche community it targeted. Rick's pre-launch efforts, including building an email list and creating buzz in social media groups, ensured the app had an audience ready to adopt it. By nurturing relationships with influencers and affiliates in the Amazon seller community, Rick expanded his app’s visibility and credibility.
He showcased the app in live demos on social platforms, which drove subscriptions. He also hosted a conference for Merch creators, further establishing his authority in the space. Providing excellent customer support, creating a knowledge base, and integrating user feedback played key roles in sustaining Merch Wizard’s growth.
Earnings
Rick’s Micro SaaS apps eventually generated $10k in MRR through subscription income. His success wasn’t limited to Merch Wizard alone; he later developed KDP Wizard for Kindle Direct Publishing sellers, which also saw a strong reception. Both apps gained traction purely through organic traffic, without paid advertising.
When Rick decided to sell the business, he was surprised by how quickly the sale went through, with the apps fetching the full asking price within 5 hours of listing. Today, Rick uses his earnings and experience to help other software developers build their own Micro SaaS products.
