From $289K to $1M+: Jake Stenslaski’s Journey to Amazon Mastery

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Zach Young, we’re joined by Jake Stenslaski, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Barrel Aged E-Commerce, a boutique Amazon agency helping brands navigate the platform’s complexities with strategic advertising, SEO, and hands-on account management. After scaling his family business, Northland Frames and Gifts, from $289K to over $1M in revenue, Jake grew frustrated with Amazon agencies that lacked real-world operator experience—so he decided to build one grounded in firsthand seller insight and practical execution.Jake shares how Barrel Aged E-Commerce evolved from a side project into a focused, full-service Amazon agency serving 20–30 brands at a time, prioritizing personal relationships over mass scale. He breaks down the nuances of Amazon advertising versus Meta and Google, why LinkedIn has become their most reliable lead source, and the importance of sustainable growth over rapid expansion. With a tight-knit remote team and a clear vision for steady, intentional scaling in 2026, Jake is building an agency that values results, transparency, and long-term partnerships over “guru” hype.