Lessons from Shaan Puri: Ecommerce Business Ideas That Actually Work
Lessons from Shaan Puri: Ecommerce Business Ideas That Actually Work
Why Listen to Shaan Puri for Ecommerce Ideas?
Shaan Puri is the type of guy who doesn't just talk about entrepreneurship.
He lives it.
This guy has built multiple successful businesses, scaled them to seven figures and beyond, and made millions.
His ideas aren’t just theory—they’re real-world, practical, and proven to work.
So, if you're wondering whether his ecommerce business ideas are worth your time, let me just say: Yes.
Let’s dive into some of his most actionable, no-fluff ecommerce ideas that actually work.
What Makes a Great Ecommerce Business Idea?
Here’s the thing:
The best ecommerce ideas don’t need to be revolutionary.
They just need to solve a problem.
If your product can help people, and it fills a gap that’s not already crowded by big players, you’re in business.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
You need to focus on a specific niche and cater to it better than anyone else.
That’s what Shaan teaches—keep it simple and solve a real problem.
Shaan Puri’s Framework for Evaluating Ideas
Before you rush into starting an ecommerce business, Shaan suggests asking a few key questions:
- Is this idea solving a real problem?
- Is it easy to understand and explain to others?
- Can I test the market cheaply before fully committing?
- Can I scale it slowly at first to ensure I’m on the right track?
Shaan doesn’t like to overcomplicate things.
His method is all about starting simple, testing quickly, and only scaling when you’re sure you have a product that people actually want.
Example #1: Niche Product Stores
Forget trying to sell everything to everyone.
Shaan’s first piece of advice? Pick a niche.
Go deep.
If you can find a niche with an underserved audience, that’s where the money is.
Think about it: there’s a massive market for eco-friendly pet products, custom phone cases, or even vintage baseball caps.
Focus on one thing, and focus on it hard.
That’s how you build a brand.
For more on picking the right niche, check out this post on Deep Tech Startup Ideas.
Example #2: Subscription Box Businesses
Subscription boxes?
They’re a goldmine in the ecommerce world.
People love surprises, and they love convenience.
Shaan’s advice:
Start small and focus on a niche.
The best part?
You get recurring revenue.
Once you’ve got a loyal customer base, it’s all about scaling up and curating better and better boxes.
It’s a solid way to generate consistent cash flow while keeping customers engaged.
If you’re wondering how to pitch your product to investors, check out our Cold Email Templates.
Example #3: Print-on-Demand Success Stories
Print-on-demand is a massive trend, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
With print-on-demand, you don’t have to worry about inventory or shipping.
All you need is a good design and a marketing strategy.
Shaan has seen tons of people crush it by selling custom apparel, mugs, phone cases, and more.
The beauty of this model is you can test tons of ideas without the upfront cost of inventory.
Find a design that clicks, and you can scale it fast.
Check out this post on Raising Capital if you need more insights on how to fund your ecommerce project.
Example #4: Dropshipping in 2025
You’ve probably heard all the buzz about dropshipping.
And yes, it still works—if you know what you’re doing.
Shaan’s rule for dropshipping is simple:
- Find reliable suppliers.
- Provide excellent customer service.
- Test your product before scaling it.
It’s easy to get lost in the hype, but the reality is that dropshipping takes hard work and strategy.
But if you find a niche that’s profitable and a supplier who delivers, you can make serious money with dropshipping.
Just don’t expect to get rich overnight.
For more on how to pitch your business idea, check out our guide on Pitch Deck Red Flags.
How to Spot Trends Before They Go Mainstream
Want to get ahead of the competition?
Shaan’s secret?
Spot trends early.
Here’s how:
- Follow niche communities.
- Keep your eyes on emerging markets.
- Read what early adopters are talking about.
If you spot a trend before it hits the mainstream, you’ve got an edge.
Look at what’s working in other countries—what’s hot there might just work here too.
Shaan’s Take on Brand Building in Ecommerce
Building a brand isn’t about fancy logos.
It’s about trust.
Shaan’s advice? Focus on building a relationship with your customers.
People want to connect with brands that stand for something.
When your customers trust you, they’ll buy from you again and again.
It’s that simple.
The Power of Community in Ecommerce Growth
Community is where the magic happens.
Shaan’s big on creating a tribe around your brand.
If you can build a loyal community, they’ll not only buy from you—they’ll spread the word for you.
Shaan’s seen companies thrive because they built a real connection with their audience.
From Facebook groups to Instagram, building a community is a game-changer for long-term growth.
If you want to learn how to connect with your audience, read more in How to Build Trust with VCs.
How to Validate Your Ecommerce Idea (Shaan’s Method)
Don’t assume your idea will work.
Test it.
Here’s Shaan’s method for validating an ecommerce idea:
- Create a landing page to see if people are interested.
- Run a small ad campaign to gauge interest.
- Survey your audience to make sure they’re willing to pay.
- Refine based on feedback and make sure there’s a real demand before scaling.
Funding and Bootstrapping: What Shaan Recommends
Should you raise capital?
Shaan’s answer: Only if you really need to.
Start small, bootstrap your way to profitability, and only raise money when you’re ready to scale.
The key here is to keep control of your business and only take outside funding when necessary.
Building a Team for Your Ecommerce Startup
Your team is everything.
But here’s the thing:
You don’t need a massive team to get started.
Hire versatile people who can do multiple jobs.
That’s how Shaan has built successful businesses—by hiring people who can roll with the punches and adapt quickly.
Marketing Strategies That Work in 2025
What’s working in marketing right now?
- Influencer partnerships
- Paid ads that actually convert
- Email marketing that feels personal
- Content marketing that adds value
- SEO focused on long-tail keywords
Shaan’s take?
Content is king.
If you can create something worth sharing, the rest will follow.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Ecommerce
Ecommerce isn’t a walk in the park.
Here are the common mistakes Shaan sees too often:
- Overcomplicating your product
- Ignoring customer support
- Failing to track your analytics
- Running too many promotions
Tools and Resources Recommended by Shaan Puri
Here’s the gear Shaan swears by:
- Shopify for easy ecommerce setup
- Klaviyo for email marketing
- Google Analytics for tracking performance
- Canva for creating designs
- Facebook Ads to drive traffic
Check out our Guide to CRM for Raising Capital for more resources.
Real-Life Case Studies from My First Million Podcast
Shaan’s podcast, My First Million, is full of real-world case studies.
It’s packed with stories from entrepreneurs who made it big in ecommerce.
They share what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons they learned along the way.
If you’re not listening, you’re missing out.
When to Pivot or Persevere: Shaan’s Advice
Here’s the bottom line:
If people aren’t responding, it’s time to pivot.
If your product is solving a real problem, keep going.
But always be ready to change course if it’s not working.
Shaan’s advice: Get feedback fast and act quickly.
Conclusion: Putting Shaan Puri’s Lessons into Action
Shaan Puri’s ecommerce ideas aren’t just talk—they’re backed by real-world experience.
Take these lessons, apply them, and stop overthinking.
Get started, test your ideas, and refine as you go.
That’s how you turn an idea into a successful ecommerce business.
