E-Commerce Launch Manager for Marketplace

E-Commerce Launch / Project Manager for Zodiac Haus — Marketplace + House Brand I’m looking for an experienced, resourceful E-Commerce Launch Manager / Online Business Manager to help me turn a business concept called Zodiac Haus into a functioning and revenue-generating business. This is NOT simply a Shopify development job. Zodiac Haus is envisioned as a curated online marketplace for astrology, tarot, spiritual/witchy products and services. The long-term model will combine: * Independent vendors selling tarot/oracle decks, crystals, jewellery, handmade goods, clothing, home décor and other spiritual products * Tarot readers, astrologers and other practitioners offering bookable services * Zodiac Haus selling its own branded products through POD, sourcing and eventually private-label manufacturing * Zodiac Haus earning commissions from marketplace vendors while also earning retail margins from its own products Think of Zodiac Haus as the retailer/marketplace AND the house brand. What I'm Looking For I want to remain focused on being the Founder/Creative Director — developing the vision, collections, product ideas, brand direction and making major business decisions. I’m looking for someone who can help turn those ideas into reality. Ideally, you will be able to help me: * Create and manage the launch roadmap * Conduct/coordinate market and competitor research * Determine the best initial revenue strategy * Source products through POD, dropshipping, wholesale and eventually private label * Find and vet suppliers * Coordinate Shopify and marketplace development * Recruit independent vendors and spiritual practitioners * Find, hire and manage freelancers/specialists * Coordinate branding and product design * Coordinate UGC and AI/virtual creator content * Develop/coordinate social media and marketing * Track budgets, timelines, KPIs and deliverables * Recommend what we should—and should NOT—spend money on * Keep the project moving without requiring me to personally manage every freelancer You do NOT need to personally perform all of these tasks. In fact, I expect specialists will be needed for different areas. I need someone resourceful enough to identify what we need, find good people to execute it, coordinate them and report back to me for approvals and major decisions. How I Want to Build This I do not want to spend thousands of dollars building the entire marketplace before proving the concept. I want to launch lean and in stages, validate each stage, begin generating revenue as early as reasonably possible, and reinvest revenue into growth. The roadmap may eventually look something like: Phase 1 — Validation & Launch Planning Market/competitor research, positioning, initial product strategy, basic brand direction, vendor/reader validation, customer-interest validation and a clear launch roadmap. Phase 2 — Initial Store & Products Launch a small Zodiac Haus collection using low-risk fulfilment such as POD, dropshipping, wholesale or small-batch sourcing. Phase 3 — Marketplace Recruit founding vendors and introduce multi-vendor functionality, commissions and seller management. Phase 4 — Content & Growth UGC, AI/virtual creators, social media, creator partnerships, SEO and paid marketing where justified. Phase 5 — Services Introduce profiles and booking/payment functionality for tarot readers, astrologers and other practitioners. Phase 6 — Private Label Use actual sales and marketplace data to identify successful categories and manufacture higher-margin Zodiac Haus products. I am open to changing this roadmap based on research and recommendations. Initial Paid Project For Phase 1, my current budget is approximately $350–$500 CAD. I am NOT expecting the entire business to be built for this amount. This is intended as a paid trial/validation phase to determine whether we work well together and establish the smartest path forward before I commit additional capital. If Phase 1 goes well, I am willing to continue investing into subsequent phases and would ideally like this person to remain involved as Zodiac Haus grows. When Applying Please do not send me a generic Shopify proposal. Instead, briefly tell me: 1. What similar e-commerce, marketplace or startup projects have you helped launch? 2. Have you managed other freelancers/contractors on behalf of a founder? 3. Do you have experience with product sourcing, POD, dropshipping, wholesale or private label? 4. Do you have experience recruiting marketplace vendors or service providers? 5. How would you spend the **first $350–$500** if your goal was to validate Zodiac Haus and move it toward its first revenue? 6. What would you personally handle and what would you outsource? 7. What measurable results would you aim to achieve during Phase 1? 8. What do you think I should NOT spend money on yet? Bonus: If you see weaknesses, risks or things you would change about my proposed strategy, tell me. I’m looking for someone who can think independently and challenge ideas when necessary—not someone who simply agrees with everything I suggest. If you understand the vision and are interested in potentially helping build Zodiac Haus long-term, I’d love to hear how you would approach it.