Amazon says these are the 6 best small businesses of 2019. We asked them to share their keys to successful entrepreneurship.

Courtesy photos

Amazon's Best Small Businesses: From top left, Wian and Emile van Blommestein of Ayoba-Yo, Andris Lagsdin of Baking Steel Co., Kris Damhorst and Megin Cassimatis of Damhorst Toys, Tristen Gratz of EcoBark Pets, Madeline Haydon of nutpods, and Sean Brownlee of Ravenox.

• Last week Amazon announced the finalists for its first-ever Small Business of the Year awards, with 18 finalists across 3 categories.
• The 6 finalists for the grand prize category hail from across the US, and offer products for the kitchen to the outdoors.
• Business Insider reached out to each of the finalists to hear their advice for how other entrepreneurs can capture ideas, get funding, and continue to develop and grow their businesses.
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Third party businesses sell more than half of the stuff on Amazon, and many of them are small makers of unique products that consumers love.

The retail giant recently announced the finalists for its first ever Small Business of the Year awards, and there are 6 contenders for the top title.

After 1300 applicants, just half a dozen are in the running for the title of Small Business of the Year.

Each of the finalists represents some combination of the characteristics Amazon values most highly for its partners, namely brand narrative, product innovation, and customer centricity. They include makers from Largo, FL to Seattle, WA who have created products for working, playing, and eating.

Business Insider reached out to each of the finalists to hear their advice to other entrepreneurs for how to capture ideas, get funding, and continue to develop and grow their businesses. Their answers have been lightly edited for clarity.