Success leaves clues. 

If you’re an aspiring drop shipper, the story of other successful drop shippers can inspire and inform your journey. 

Contrary to popular belief, success in dropshipping isn’t reserved for a select few. A lot of people – myself included – have taken this business model, learned the ropes, and made mistakes along the line, but succeeded in transforming it into a multi-million dollar venture. These stories are not just inspiring; they’re a proof that you can achieve similar results with the right strategies, decisions, and community. 

In this article, I shared 5 case studies of successful entrepreneurs—how they started, what they did, and the results they generated. I also added a few tips to help you build and scale your dropshipping business like a pro. 

What are some real dropshipping success stories?

Dropshipping has empowered many entrepreneurs to achieve significant financial success. Here are the success stories of five dropshippers who went from $0 to making millions of dollars in sales: 

Brook Hiddink (Yup, that’s me): 

I started dropshipping in 2018. During this time, I was in law school, and had over $170,000 in debt. I had a pretty good academic stance to get me into any law firm, but it wasn’t just enough. I realized that even if I worked 24 hours every day, I wouldn’t make the amount of money that would fund the life I wanted. 

Back to my story. 

Then, I started selling low-quality products from China (AliExpress) – LED lamps, pet items, toilet bowl cleaners, etc. All of them failed. Miserably. 

On the heels of my low-ticket ventures, I changed my approach and came up with the high-ticket E-Commerce. Benchmarking on my previous mistakes, I decided to sell the best products from reliable suppliers and focus on $3000 and up transactions. It worked. It worked! I sold saunas and made my first sale of over $14,000. 

In the first month, I made over $35,000 in sales: 

In the second month, the numbers grew to over $152,000:

All of these happened in my third year in law school. Basically, I was making more than the average base salary of a lawyer in Canada. Yes, I was making good money, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I still encountered roadblocks along the line, even after raking in thousands of dollars in sales. For example, I once had over $30,000 frozen by a payment processor and couldn’t pay suppliers for the products sold. Long story short, I dropped out of law school and decided to go all into e-commerce. 

A few months later, I made over $600,000 and between $5 - $6 million that year as a dropshipper. Currently, I have a diverse portfolio of businesses, including e-commerce, software, and an e-commerce education company funneling millions of dollars every month. 

What I did: 

• Believed in myself
  
  

• Choose a high-ticket product (prized above $1000)
  
  

• Diversified my income
  
  

• Focused on working with reliable suppliers
  
  

• Hired team members to split the workload and scale my revenue
  
  

• Started teaching others to help them make a sustainable income from online marketing
  
  

You can check out my full video of how I’d build a $1M e-commerce business if I had to start again or my free course on high-ticket dropshipping. You can also read my full dropshipping success story here.

AC Hampton

AC Hampton’s path to success is marked by resilience and innovation. 

After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, he faced numerous challenges, including losing his job and experiencing a devastating apartment fire. However, these setbacks made him even more determined to be an entrepreneur. He took a dropshipping course to learn how to do it and launched a dropshipping store that generated $165,000 in sales within two months!

But the challenges didn’t end there. He faced account issues with PayPal and Facebook ad shutdowns, which caused him to lose some of his investments. That didn’t stop him; he decided to focus on niche products that made him funnel over $1.7 million in sales within a year! Today, he shares his knowledge with aspiring dropshippers through mentorship and training programs. 

What he did: 

• Chose a niche he was passionate about and appealed to massive people
  
  

• Picked products with over 750 orders on AliExpress
  
  

• Used paid ads to reach more customers
  
  

• Added lots of visuals and reviews for his product pages

Nawras Ganim

Nawras Ganim is recognized for his significant contributions to the dropshipping community. His ventures have raked in over $20 million in sales. He’s also the founder of Dropship.IO, a platform that provides tools for dropshippers to identify profitable products, analyze market trends, and optimize their strategies. 

Nawras always emphasizes the need to focus on products that are always in demand (evergreen products), like everyday essentials, rather than short-term trends. He also stresses the importance of having a skilled and reliable team to handle various aspects of the business. His ability to analyze trends and identify winning products played a key role in his achievements.  

What he did:  

• Promoted short-form product videos on YouTube and Instagram to generate sales
  
  

• Prioritized problem-solving, low-saturation and evergreen products that appeal to a wide audience
  
  

• Used upselling strategies to increase AOV

Hary Coleman 

Next up is Harry Coleman, who began his entrepreneurial adventure as a college student selling sportswear on eBay. 

However, his breakthrough came when he discovered dropshipping in 2016. He sourced products from AliExpress and used Facebook ads to reach more customers and drive traffic to his store. In just two months, Harry generated $1 million in revenue across his stores. 

He now runs multiple successful e-commerce businesses and has established a personal brand through his YouTube channel, Beast of Ecom, where he teaches aspiring entrepreneurs the ins and outs of dropshipping. 

What he did: 

• Started with general stores but decided to focus on a niche
  
  

• Used Facebook ads to reach more customers and scale sales revenue
  
  

• Hired a team to handle the menial tasks

Andreas and Alexander: 

This duo made it to my list of successful drop shippers, and it’s not even hard to see why. 

Like me, they were looking for a business that would give them the freedom they wanted. So, they started with cryptocurrency, then network marketing and affiliate marketing. Yet, nothing worked. 

In early 2018, they decided to try dropshipping but failed repeatedly. Then, they changed their niche and settled for pet products, which later resulted in $500,000 monthly in sales! Andreas and Alexander strongly recommend that beginners focus on products for specific niches. These products usually connect with people’s emotions, and help you create a strong brand.

What they did: 

• Picked a unique niche that sparks people’s emotions. Niche-specific products often tap into people’s emotions, making it easier to build a strong brand and customer loyalty.
  
  

• Invested time and resources to improve their marketing strategies
  
  

• Focused more on Facebook ads and organic marketing.
  
  

• Carried out a lot of trial and error methods and learned from past mistakes.
  
  

• Used upsell strategies to increase the average order value

Extra Tips to Achieve Dropshipping Success

Being successful in the dropshipping business requires more than just setting up an online store and hoping for the best. You need to plan carefully, make strategic decisions, and continuously improve. Here are some essential tips to help you build and grow a successful dropshipping business

1. Choose Quality Products

Selecting the right products is one of the most critical steps in building a successful dropshipping business. While it may be tempting to opt for cheaper, lower-quality items to maximize your profit, investing in quality ensures customer satisfaction and reduces returns or complaints, which can affect the success of your dropshipping business. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you must sacrifice quality for profit. 

While high-quality products can be more expensive to source, they have higher profit margins, compared to low-ticket products. Plus, offering high-quality products can justify a higher selling price, which can lead to better profit margins in the long run. Here’s how you can choose quality products for your clients

• Research extensively on the products in your niche. Check customer reviews and ratings from other platforms or sellers to gauge a product’s quality.
  
  

• Test the products yourself. If possible, order a sample to inspect the product. This will give you firsthand experience with the product’s quality and shipping time.
  
  

• Understand the expectations of your target audience. For instance, if you want to dropship products targeting middle-aged audiences, they expect products that are easy to use, require little to no assembly, and can easily fit into their spaces. Offering products that meet or exceed these expectations can help you stand out in the competitive market.

You can also try reverse dropshipping which we have explained in detail in our blog.

2. Work with Reliable Suppliers

The backbone of your dropshipping business is your supplier. 

Without reliable suppliers, your customers could experience delays, poor product quality, or even stockouts. A reliable supplier ensures that products are of high quality, faster shipping times, and arrive in good condition, which in turn helps you build customers’ trust. 

When choosing suppliers, you need to consider many factors, such as product quality, shipping speed, customer service, and reputation.

This sounds like a lot of work, yeah?

There is no need to worry about manually searching for this information; there are third-party tools that make the process much easier. For instance, I use the SuppliersHQ tool to get detailed information on high-ticket suppliers. Simply enter the product into the “Supplier Dashboard” and you’ll see all the suppliers we’ve listed in our database for the product: 

Suppliers HQ is a platform that helps drop shippers find trustworthy and reliable suppliers for their online stores. It offers tools to discover popular products, check supplier ratings, and make sourcing easier. Its ‘search demand feature’ is for beginners as it helps you identify the products you want to sell, their popularity, and trends. If you find a supplier you’re interested in, you can contact them directly through the platform and ask about their terms, shipping policies, and any other relevant details. 

3. Combine Marketing & SEO

Once you’ve decided on the product and supplier, the next step is to attract traffic and make your site more visible. 

In this case, you need a robust marketing strategy + SEO to reach people who are actively searching for the products you are selling. Without a strong marketing strategy, (potential) customers won’t know who you are or what you offer. 

Read more: Effective marketing strategies for dropshipping.

4. Plan for Long Term

When I first started dropshipping, I didn’t get it right on my first try. Like other dropshippers on my list, it took me several months to figure things out. Dropshipping isn’t an overnight success; it’s a journey that requires patience, persistence, and continuous learning. 

That’s why it’s important to plan for the long term instead of focusing solely on quick profits. Don’t expect to earn in six zeros at your first launch; while it’s unachievable, it is better to set realistic goals and focus on sustainable growth. 

Additionally, you need to know that the first few months can be very tedious, and you’re likely to experience unexpected issues such as delayed shipment, website issues, etc. 

Over the years, I’ve learned to set realistic expectations and focus on sustainable growth. With time, I’ve refined my strategies, improved my marketing and approach, and built stronger relationships with suppliers and customers. All of these contributed to my success in the long run. If you wondering how long before you start making money, read our analysis.

5. Offer Exceptional Customer Service

A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all!

Like other businesses, good customer service is very important for building trust and loyalty. When you offer exceptional customer service, customers are more likely to return and purchase more. It can also compel them to become active advocates of your brand and trust me, nothing beats word of mouth marketing. 

Here are some tips on how to offer exceptional services to your customers:

• Respond quickly to customer inquiries and issues. Don’t wait till customers give negative reviews or express dissatisfaction before addressing issues.
  
  

• Communicate clearly and be transparent in your deals with customers. Keep customers informed about their order status and shipping times and notify them of any potential issues that may arise; this builds trust and reduces frustration.
  
  

• Make it easy for customers to return products and process refunds to maintain a positive experience.
  
  

• Treat each customer individually by offering personalized recommendations, thank-you emails, or special promotions. Going the extra mile will make them feel valued and more likely to return.

What are the common challenges faced by ecommerce dropshippers?

Here are some common challenges in dropshipping:  Product Quality

Ensuring consistent product quality is one of the biggest issues drop shippers face. Since you don’t handle inventory or oversee production, you rely entirely on suppliers to meet your product expectations. Poor-quality products can tank your dropshipping business even before you get started.  

How to address this: 

• Only work with reliable suppliers. Best, use the exact tool my students and I use to find high-ticket, reliable suppliers.
  
  

• Always request samples from your suppliers so they can evaluate the product firsthand before adding them to your store.
  
  

• Once you find a quality supplier, do everything you can to maintain a good relationship with them.

Selecting the Wrong Niche

If there’s one thing that can make or break your dropshipping business, it’s your choice of niche. As you can see from the success stories I shared above, all the drop shippers have one thing in common: they found a profitable niche. Even with good marketing strategies, selling the wrong product may not get you the results you want. 

How to address this: 

• Conduct thorough market research using tools like Google Trends, keyword research platforms, and social media insights to identify trending and profitable niches.
  
  

• Analyze your competitors to gauge their pricing strategies, customer base, and unique selling propositions.
  
  

• Focus on niches that strike a balance between high demand and minimal competition.

You can watch my in-depth guide on finding winning dropshipping products that’ll make you $10k/day or read this article on the top high-ticket dropshipping products. 

Low-Profit Margins

Would you rather sell ONE product with huge profit margins or several products with Low Profit margins? If I guessed correctly, you picked the former. 

Many beginners make the mistake of choosing products with low profit margins, which are often harder to market because of the high competition.  

How to address this: 

• Choose products with reasonable wholesale prices and evaluate shipping costs before setting retail prices.
  
  

• Implement strategies like product bundling to encourage higher-value orders.
  
  

• Run seasonal promotions or upsell complementary products to increase the average order value.

Check out how I set the profit margins for my dropship products. 

Shipping Complexities

Shipping can also be a nightmare without proper planning. Customers want fast delivery times, and if you can’t meet this, they’ll switch to the competition.  

How to address this: 

• Partner with suppliers that offer faster delivery options or have warehouses closer to your target markets.
  
  

• Clearly communicate expected shipping times at checkout to set accurate customer expectations.
  
  

• Consider using tools like DSer to streamline shipping logistics, to ensure better customer tracking and communication.

How do you scale your dropshipping business effectively?

Success in dropshipping isn’t just about starting strong—it’s about scaling strategically. By focusing on data-driven decisions, building strong relationships with suppliers, and consistently improving your customer experience, you can position your business for long-term growth.

Keep testing new products, stay updated on market trends, and refine your marketing strategies to reach a wider audience. Don’t underestimate the power of branding and creating a loyal customer base through exceptional service and trust.

Your journey might be challenging, but you must be willing to put in your best. The most successful entrepreneurs today are persistent, consistent and agile. Take inspiration from these stories and start building the dropshipping business you’ve always envisioned.

If you’re ready to replicate any of this, watch my free video on starting a very profitable dropshipping business. I also have a detailed High-Ticket accelerator course that’ll teach you all the techniques I used (plus other experts) to build a successful dropshipping business. You’ll also get free access to my home-built database of over 10,000 high-ticket suppliers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a retail business model where owners sell products without holding inventory. Instead, they purchase items from third-party suppliers who ship directly to customers. This eliminates the need for storage and upfront inventory costs.

Can I succeed in dropshipping without prior experience?

Yes, success in dropshipping is achievable even without prior experience. Learning key skills like product research, marketing, and maintaining strong supplier relationships can help you build a profitable business.

What are the biggest challenges in dropshipping?

Common challenges include finding reliable suppliers, ensuring product quality, managing low-profit margins, selecting the right niche, and handling shipping complexities. Addressing these challenges is crucial for success.

How do I find a profitable niche?

Research high-demand markets and study industry trends. Look for unique or trending products that target specific customer needs. Tools like Google Trends and keyword research can help identify profitable niches.

How much money can I realistically make from dropshipping?

Dropshipping profits vary widely depending on niche selection, marketing efforts, and operational strategies. Some entrepreneurs make a few hundred dollars monthly, while others build multi-million-dollar businesses.

Why is supplier reliability important in dropshipping?

Reliable suppliers ensure quality products and timely shipping, which is essential for customer satisfaction. Poor supplier performance can lead to bad reviews and lost credibility.

What marketing strategies work best for dropshipping?

Effective strategies include social media advertising, influencer collaborations, email marketing, and SEO. These tactics help increase store visibility and attract potential customers.

Why do some dropshipping businesses fail?

Dropshipping businesses often fail due to a lack of research, poor niche selection, unreliable suppliers, ineffective marketing, and neglect of customer satisfaction. Planning and continuous improvement are key to avoiding failure.

How long does it take to build a successful dropshipping business?

The time it takes to build a successful dropshipping store varies based on effort, strategy, and industry competition. However, many entrepreneurs see results within 6-12 months with consistent work and smart planning.

Is testing products important in dropshipping?

Yes, testing products is critical to ensure quality and verify demand. This helps minimize refunds and complaints while improving customer satisfaction and long-term profitability.