Built By Liquidation

Mike Rice was making $55,000 a year at a private prison and pulling six figures on Amazon on the weekends. So he quit, and took a job paying $225 a week.This episode is about what comes after the pallets. Mike bought a house for $5,000, put about $12,000 into it using flooring, sinks, and fixtures pulled from his own truckloads, and sold it for $55,000. We get into how liquidation buys the real estate, why the guy with the NASCAR team told us to stay small, and what a year of seven evictions actually looks like.Mike runs Mike Rice Auction House out of Meridian, Mississippi, and he's the Holy Hustler on TikTok. He's been at this since he was a kid selling candy at school, and he doesn't sugarcoat any of it.In this episode:0:00 Meet Mike Rice, the Holy Hustler from Meridian3:30 A $55K job vs. $100K a year on Amazon6:00 Building a name (and 40K followers) in a small town9:20 Would you still quit your job in this market?13:10 Zac's start: $4,000, a pregnant wife, and his parents' basement17:00 The NASCAR guy who told us to stay the size we are20:50 Nobody wants to work the trades anymore24:40 The $5,000 house that sold for $55,00032:15 $900 vanities for $40: furnishing rentals from truckloads36:05 Seven evictions and a year of being a landlord47:30 The Coca-Cola load that got us a phone call51:20 Why sitting on inventory is costing you money1:02:50 Buy from an educator, not a broker1:10:30 The toilet paper truckload that changed everything1:13:50 Why we're both skipping ASD this yearFind Mike: Mike Rice Auction House, Meridian, MS. The Holy Hustler on TikTok.

In Episode 5 of Built By Liquidation, Zac Montgomery sits down with Jason Padovani from Smart Source Wholesale for a real conversation about the current state of the liquidation industry, buyer expectations, and why transparency matters more now than ever.They break down:How the liquidation world has changed since COVIDWhy so many buyers misunderstand seasonal loadsThe truth about Dollar General trucksSetting proper expectations as a broker and buyerThe importance of piece counts, pallet quality, and transparencyWhy education matters more than sales tacticsThe future of liquidation and reseller opportunitiesHow Zac used liquidation profits to build long-term wealth through real estateThis episode is packed with insight for resellers, bin store owners, liquidation buyers, and anyone trying to build a sustainable business in today's market.If you've ever bought a truck that didn't meet expectations, struggled with seasonal inventory, or wondered how experienced buyers actually scale in liquidation — this episode is for you.Featuring:Zac Montgomery – War on RetailJason Padovani – Smart Source WholesaleSubscribe for more conversations on liquidation, reselling, wholesale, bin stores, and building businesses beyond resale.

Most entrepreneurs overlook a critical truth about scaling: the real secret isn't just what you sell, but how you position your business. In this episode, John Sammons shares how pivoting from a challenging bin store model to a scalable appliance and mattress business transformed his revenue, margins, and workload—without sacrificing quality or customer perception. If you've ever wondered whether location, product mix, or presentation can make or break your retail success, this conversation reveals the insights you need to see your own business differently.John takes us behind the scenes of his journey, from operating a small bin store in Fargo to running multiple appliance stores with significantly lower labor hours and higher profit margins. You'll discover the "relational" approach that helps him command premium prices—not as a discount retailer, but as a retailer offering discounts—it's a subtle but powerful distinction that elevates customer perception and drives higher recovery rates. We break down: how he manages freight costs in a remote market, the importance of presentation and branding, and why he emphasizes building real estate assets alongside retail.You'll also learn concrete strategies to scale faster, starting from modest inventories—whether you're moving from pallets of liquidation goods or opening your first store. John emphasizes asking the right questions: location's role, the importance of streamlining operations, and how to leverage relationships for sourcing. His approach to "get in, move out, and repeat" makes liquidation and retail not just profitable but also flexible, allowing him to adapt swiftly.

Most sellers think success on platforms like Whatnot is about just listing products—Jason Soward shatters that myth. With over 18,000 items sold in less than a year, he reveals how strategic branding, community building, and innovative marketing like giveaways transform mere sellers into thriving brands. His journey from Facebook auctions to one of the top categories in fossils highlights key tactics that turn casual viewers into loyal customers and create scalable growth.You'll discover how Jason leverages existing social media followings, the importance of consistent scheduling, and the power of engaging storytelling—like showing scuba dives to authenticate unique fossils. We also break down:How to use giveaways effectively as promotional tools, not just as freebiesThe nuts and bolts of managing high-volume sales with minimal teamSourcing rare products like Megalodon teeth and fossils directly from divers and wholesalersThe mindset shift from selling cheap liquidation goods to high-value collectiblesThe potential to build a dedicated live selling hub or warehouse community, reducing costs and scaling fasterThis episode is essential listening for sellers feeling overwhelmed by competition or unsure how to elevate their brand. If you're ready to stop trading time for dollars and want real insights into thriving with niche, high-margin products, Jason Soward's blueprint is your guide to turning passion into profit.Jason Soward is a top seller in the fossils category on Whatnot, known for blending expert sourcing with engaging showmanship that keeps viewers coming back. His story proves that with the right approach, building a unique and profitable sideline or full-time business is within reach, even for solo entrepreneurs.Perfect for resellers, collectors, and entrepreneurs craving actionable strategies—hit play and learn how to turn your products into a community-driven goldmine.

Ben Davis shares his inspiring journey from starting with $13,000 to building a successful bin store empire. He discusses the impact of inventory costs, strategic location choices, and innovative leasing tactics, offering invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in the liquidation and retail space.

Liquidation is getting more expensive, more transparent, and far less forgiving - and if you are still buying like it is 2021, you are already behind. Mike Lavigne breaks down why the old playbook is breaking, what Target's manifested shift really means, and how smart operators are adapting before the market forces them out.Zac and Mike get brutally honest about the state of the liquidation business right now: slow summers, tighter margins, staffing headaches, and the growing gap between people who can pivot and people who get stuck chasing yesterday's deals. Mike explains why unmanifested loads are no longer the gold standard, how manifested pricing changes the math on Target, Sam's Club, and Amazon, and why brand value matters far more than the number printed on a manifest.You will discover:Why Target clothing that once moved at 85 cents to $1.25 can now be priced well over $2 a unitHow MSRP gets abused in liquidation math and when it actually mattersWhy some loads look profitable on paper but collapse once you factor in real cost, freight, and processingHow live selling on Whatnot changes the buying strategy completelyWhy diversification outside liquidation may be the smartest move in the industry right nowMike also shares what has worked for Med City Auctions, including his approach to free-shipping Whatnot sales, local walk-in volume, and selective buying that matches how he actually sells. Zac adds his own lessons from scaling too fast, overextending on warehouse space and labor, and learning that the fastest way to lose money in liquidation is to stop treating it like a business that can disappear overnight.This conversation is a wake-up call for resellers, pallet buyers, and anyone tempted by the current hype. If you want the truth about where liquidation is heading - and how to stay profitable while everyone else is getting sticker shock - this episode is essential listening.

The State of The Liquidation Market: Built by Liquidation

🎙️ Why Whatnot Didn't Work for Us (And Why It Might Work for You) | Built By Liquidation Ep. 8In this solo episode of Built By Liquidation, we're breaking down our complete experience selling on Whatnot.We discuss why we ultimately decided Whatnot wasn't the right fit for our business, the challenges we faced, and the lessons we learned along the way. But this isn't a "Whatnot hate" episode—we also explain why the platform can be incredibly successful for other resellers and businesses.We dive into:✅ How we got started on Whatnot✅ The systems and processes that helped us succeed✅ The realities of live selling and scaling a business✅ Common mistakes sellers make on the platform✅ Why Whatnot wasn't sustainable for us long-term✅ Who we think should (and shouldn't) sell on Whatnot✅ Tips for resellers considering live sellingWhether you're already selling on Whatnot, thinking about starting, or just curious about another way to move inventory, this episode provides an honest look at what worked, what didn't, and what we'd do differently.💬 Have you sold on Whatnot? Share your experience in the comments!🔔 Subscribe for more reseller, liquidation, and business-building content.

Built by Liquidation Ep 4: He Changed the Mystery Box Game Forever (Ft. Austin from Porch Pirates)

n this episode of Built by Liquidation, Zac sits down with Anthony Wargo of Second Wave Wholesale & Liquidation to break down the truth behind mystery boxes, liquidation deals, and the risks resellers aren’t talking about.They dive into the rise of mystery boxes, the difference between raw vs. curated products, and the growing concerns around misleading branding and legality. Plus, a real look at broker ethics, customer expectations, and how to actually succeed in today’s evolving liquidation market.If you’re a reseller—or thinking about getting into liquidation—this is a must-watch conversation on transparency, risk, and building a sustainable business.

Welcome back to Built by Liquidation! In Episode 2, Zac sits down with Jami Tharp of J&O Mystery Box Co to break down everything you need to know about the world of mystery boxes 📦From the outside, mystery boxes can look like easy money—but there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes. Jami shares real cautionary tales, hard-earned lessons, and the mistakes to avoid if you’re thinking about getting into the game.We also dive into:What to look for when buying mystery boxes (and red flags 🚩)Best practices for turning a profitHow to source smarter and minimize riskSome of the craziest and best finds they’ve come acrossWhether you’re new to liquidation or already flipping inventory, this episode is packed with insights that can help you make smarter buys and bigger profits.👇 Drop a comment:What’s the BEST thing you’ve ever pulled from a mystery box?

Episode 1 of Built By Liquidation kicks things off with Brent Yager, owner of B2B Wholesale LLC — a respected name in the liquidation space with real, hands-on experience.In this episode, Brent breaks down his journey into wholesale and liquidation, how he built his business from the ground up, and what it really takes to succeed in an industry full of risk and opportunity. From sourcing inventory to understanding margins, he shares practical insights that both new and seasoned resellers can learn from.We also dive into the differences between various types of inventory, common mistakes buyers make, and how to approach liquidation with a long-term mindset — not just quick flips.If you’re looking to grow in the resell space, learn from someone who’s been in the trenches, and start thinking bigger about your business… this episode is for you.