ZQ Magazine Issue 23

MAGAZINE The

ECONOMICS OF 1P VS. 3P EXPANDED PARTNER SERVICES FEATURED BRAND HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the key differences between Amazon’s 1P and 3P models, how each impacts margin, control, and cash flow, and what brands should weigh when choosing.

This quarter we’re celebrating the opening of our new storage and microfulfillment center, an exciting step that expands partner services and creates new room for growth.

This issue highlights Pike Trail in Sports & Outdoors, belle + bella in Grocery, and Delta Nutrition and Fiteyez in Supplements.

www.zquared.com

MANAGED E-COMMERCE SERVICES

ISSUE 23 | Q4 2025

Table of

CONTENTS 03 Letter from the President

18 Employee Spotlight

06 Brand Highlights

19 Join Our Team

10 Informational Resources

20 ZQ 101

14 News & Announcements

24 Get in Touch

President Jeff Bush shares vision for ZQUARED and sets the trajectory for the upcoming months

For Q4 of 2025, we’re proud to highlight: belle + bella, Pike Trail, Delta Nutrition, & Fiteyez

Dive into a variety of topics available on our blog and check out the features from this Issue

Learn about the latest happenings, hires, and events at ZQUARED headquarters

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Check out this Issue’s featured employee and what the team has to say about them

Become part of a team with a trajectory for growth and a fantastic community and culture

Learn about who we are, what we’re about, where we’ve been and where we’re headed

Connect with us on our social platforms or reach out and start a conversation about your goals

Letter from the

PRESIDENT As the e-commerce world becomes more crowded—and in many ways, more complicated—brands are being pulled in every direction. Tariffs fluctuate. Platforms shift. And everywhere you look, someone is promising a new shortcut to explosive growth.

But growth, especially meaningful growth, rarely comes from shortcuts. It comes from alignment, partnership, and doing the right things consistently over time.

At ZQUARED, we don’t believe in smoke and mirrors. We don’t sell guarantees or chase vanity metrics. We invest in real relationships with brands, platforms, and the people behind the scenes making it all happen.

The marketplace is complex, but the foundation we build with our partners doesn’t have to be.

Our approach is rooted in collaboration and strategy, not just pushing for more. We work alongside our partners as a true extension of their team, ensuring they’re not spread too thin, even as demands increase. That’s the kind of partnership that leads to resilience, and ultimately, results.

We’re grateful for the trust so many of you have placed in us. Let’s continue building the kind of growth that lasts, not just for this quarter, but for the long run.

Jeff Bush

Jeff Bush

President, ZQUARED

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OUR BRA 4

ANDS 5

Brand

HIGHLIGHTS belle + bella

belle + bella is a family-owned pioneer in natural wellness, offering innovative probiotic solutions since 1967.

Grocery

Pike Trail

Pike Trail specializes in outdoor gear and accessories designed for hiking and camping enthusiasts.

Sports & Outdoors 6

Delta Nutrition

Delta Nutrition offers a wide range of dietary supplements designed to enhance overall health and performance.

Supplements

Fiteyez Fiteyez develops eye health supplements that are rich in omega-3s and antioxidants to support vision and wellness.

Supplements 7

INFORMA RESOU 8

4

ATIONAL URCES 9

ZQUARED INFORMAT MORE TO EXPLORE ON THE ZQUARD BLOG Amazon to Eliminate FBA Prep Services by January 2026 Amazon has officially announced that it will phase out all Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) prep and item-labeling services in the United States by January 1, 2026.

This significant policy change affects all sellers using Amazon’s FBA program, signaling a major shift in how inventory must be handled...

When Are Amazon’s Holiday Shipping Deadlines?

The fourth quarter is the busiest time of year for ecommerce. For Amazon sellers, missing a shipping deadline can mean losing out on holiday traffic, gift orders, and peak revenue. Whether you use FBA or FBM, it is critical to know the holiday cutoff dates so your products stay visible and available when it matters most...

The Economics of 1P vs. 3P

How Each Model Impacts Profitability & Control When it comes to selling on Amazon, one of the most strategic choices a brand faces is whether to operate as a first-party (1P) vendor through Vendor Central, or a third-party (3P) seller through Seller Central. While both models grant access to Amazon’s customer base, they differ dramatically in how they affect profit margins, operational control, brand visibility, and cash flow.

This guide breaks down the real-world implications of both selling paths so you can better align your decision with your business goals.

1P vs. 3P: What’s the Difference?

Amazon Storefronts: Examples & Success Factors Creating a strong Amazon storefront is one of the smartest ways for brands to stand out in a crowded marketplace. The best Amazon storefronts don’t just list products—they tell a brand story, offer a smooth shopping experience, and build trust with customers...

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Selling as a 1P vendor essentially means entering a wholesale relationship with Amazon. The platform issues purchase orders, takes ownership of your inventory, sets the retail price, and controls fulfillment and customer service. Your products display as “Ships from and sold by Amazon.com,” and participation is typically invitation-only. It’s a more traditional retail model, suited to companies that value simplicity and scale.

By contrast, 3P sellers maintain ownership of their inventory until purchase and operate independently on Amazon’s marketplace.

Brands in this model have more influence over pricing, listing content, and promotional strategy. Fulfillment can be handled through FBA, FBM, or SFP depending on operational capability. The application process is more accessible, making 3P an appealing option for...

Continue reading on our website

TIONAL RESOURCES LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE? Reducing Year-End Burning Out

Q4 brings a mix of urgency and opportunity.

You're juggling year-end goals, budget planning, and holiday pressure—all while trying not to burn out. These tips help you stay focused, strategic, and sane in the final stretch.

Pick One Priority Per Week: Trying to tackle everything at once leads to chaos. Instead, define one must-move needle per week and protect time around it.

Audit What’s Working: Before you plan for next year, assess what actually drove results this year—whether it's a marketing channel, product line, or process. Repeat what worked, cut what didn’t.

Don’t Overcommit for the Holidays: It’s tempting to launch last-minute campaigns or offers. But if it’s not clearly aligned with your goals, say no or simplify.

Revisit Budget with a Clear Head: Year-end budgeting can feel rushed. Step back and review spending in terms of actual ROI, not just line items.

Block Time to Reflect and Plan: Reserve an hour a week to review progress and sketch out Q1 goals. You’ll hit January running instead of playing catch-up.

Automate One Thing: Choose one recurring task—reporting, follow-ups, social posts—and automate it before year-end. It saves time now and sets you up for smoother Q1 operations.

Explore the categories below to search the ZQUARED blog for additional resources, news, and information

All Posts In the News Success Stories Amazon

Did you know?

Small businesses spend up to 30% more on digital ads in Q4 compared to other quarters.

BUSINESS FACTS

Energy Check Q4 isn't just about closing loops, it's also about knowing what you want to carry into the next year.

Take 15 minutes to ask: What felt energizing this year?

What drained you more than it helped?

What do I want less of in 2026?

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ZQ COMM 12

MUNITY 13

ZQ NEWS & NEW FULFILLMENT CENTER

This quarter at ZQUARED, we’re launching our new micro-fulfillment center. Built to expand the services we provide to brand partners, this space is designed to support growth, streamline operations, and give our partners added flexibility.

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& Announcements Happy ZQUARED Anniversary Name

Anniversary Month

Years at ZQUARED

Jacob Laugeman

October

2

Nathan Mueller

October

1

Ethan Linebaugh

October

2

Alex Cornett

November

10

Dan Frein

November

3

Eric Hass

November

1

Caleb Sixkiller

November

2

Philip Linarasi

December

1

Carrie Hass

December

1

Rashawn Pruitt

December

1

Matt O'Daniel

December

14

15

Employee

SPOTLIGHT JACOB LAUGEMAN

As Inventory & Production Specialist at ZQUARED, Jacob plays a key role in keeping our operations running smoothly. This year, he’s improved a key process by consolidating two inventory locations, making the express pick option available—saving the team valuable time and improving fulfillment speed. Outside of work, Jacob has been working on improving his rating in speed chess.

Joined the Team

Role at ZQUARED

Passions & Hobbies

2023

Inventory & Production Specialist

Speed Chess

What the team has to say about Jacob...

“Jacob is a fantastic team player. His ability to jump into different roles and provide excellent support is what makes him so great. He also does everything with an amazing attitude.”

– Bryce Fosdick

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“Jacob is excellent at several aspects of Team flow and production. He is an outstanding problem solver and multitasker. He’s friendly and very approachable."

– Adam Saey

OUR CULTURE ZQUARED's roots as a familyoriented company run deep. Our "we-not-me" team works together to achieve common goals while supporting one another individually, both professionally and personally.

OUR COMPANY A united team is always behind something big. We work hard, laugh a lot, push the boundaries, and strive for continual growth both personally and professionally. And we have the best holiday parties in town!

Join Our

TEAM If you’re looking for a work environment that offers a great work/life balance, a trajectory for growth, and a fantastic community & culture, ZQUARED may be your perfect fit! Visit our website to check out our openenings.

SEARCH OPEN POSITIONS

I have been with ZQUARED for 9 years. I truly love my job and the people I work with. It’s a great company that cares about their employees and their clients.

Melanie Demauro

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ZQ101 zquared [skwerd] noun ZQUARED invests in brands who sell on online marketplaces and are poised and ready for accelerated growth.

YOU GROW, WE GROW Built on the belief that all boats rise with the tide, our services are based on this principle. ZQUARED invests time, money, effort, and energy into brands poised for success with the expectation of a worthwhile resultbecause we go all-in, growing together and winning when you win.

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WE-COMMERCE

Putting the "we" in e-commerce.

At ZQUARED, we understand the opportunities, risks, and challenges of selling online. With over 50 years of combined e-commerce sales experience, our primary goal is helping you multiply your success by serving as an extension of your team to maximize results. From distribution to advertising strategies, we have solutions proven to grow your brand.

TOP

100 SELLER

85k+ REVIEWS

100%

POSITIVE RATING

OUR MISSION Our mission is to invest in brands who sell on online marketplaces and are poised and ready for growth by forming partnerships built on trust and rooted in relationship to maximize value and achieve results.

Our

VALUES UNPARALLELED CULTURE At ZQUARED, we foster an authentic environment focused on business and personal growth. Our culture is built on trust, excellent communication, and a team-oriented mindset.

FIRST-RATE EXECUTION We are committed to providing unmatched quality for our Brand Partners by being proactive, prepared, and constantly pursuing improvement.

Our team works with clear intent and high standards, united towards common goals and shared success.

ENTHUSIASM We intentionally invest in people and brands who share our drive and enthusiasm. We are excited about partnering with our brands, and they are excited about partnering with us.

DOUBLE EVERY TWO YEARS We are laser-focused on advancement both personally and professionally, aiming to double our numbers every two years. As ZQUARED grows, our employees grow alongside it, focusing on mutual success.

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OUR STO

2010

ZQ Beginnings

2011 First Hire

2010 Brothers and co-founders Chad and Zach initiate the evolution of ZQUARED in Chad’s basement

ZQUARED makes its first hire

’v

e

ZQUARED has moved three times since Chad's basement, doubling its footprint with each move and growing to a staff of 40+

ZQ Doubles Footprint

we

2014

2014

w here

2011

b

ee

2019

n

Inc. recognizes ZQUARED as one of the fastest growing privately-held companies in the United States & the St. Louis Business Journal names ZQUARED on it's "Fast 50" list

2021 ZQUARED hires Jeff Bush as President

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2019

ZQ Recognized for Growth

2021 ZQ Hires President

2025

at ’re we re he

R ORY

w

ZQUARED sets a trajectory for record growth, with multiple new key hires, plans for new service offerings and a projection forecasting our highest revenue number to date

t

he

fu

tu

re

THE FUTURE

With our commitment to embracing change, seizing new opportunities, and preserving excellence, the future at ZQUARED is positioned for continued success

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ISSUE 23

Learn about us www.zquared.com Talk to us partners@zquared.com Visit us 130 Trade Center Dr W, Saint Peters, MO Follow us @zquared

Q4 2025