*Sorry, I’m having some issues with the email notification, but I hope to have back up and going shortly 
Since writing this blog and being part of the eBay MoneyMakers video, I have been very fortunate to hear on a daily basis how eBay has changed lives. I receive emails from all over the world, and I get to talk to some really great people. Some people are just starting out on eBay and some are professionals who have been doing this for years. The great thing about hearing all of these different stories is that it encourages me to do more. It pushes me to take my eBay business to the next level and share any experiences I have, so I can help others do the same. One story sticks out that I received recently.
It was March 2nd of this year when I got an email from Emily. Emily wrote me and asked if I would help her get started on eBay. She said that she had read my entire blog, and that she was in a position where she really needed to start selling on eBay because she needed the money. She listed off almost twenty items that she had ready to sell. It included everything from and iPod to clothing and pretty much everything else in between. I’m always excited when someone sounds like they have done their homework and then wants me to help them. It makes me feel like they truly are ready to start an eBay business. Just within a few emails I decided to send her my eBook for free to help her out. The next day she emailed me back to let me know how much she appreciated it, and that she read it all. Finally about a week later she let me know that she listed her first item. She went on to tell me something that kind of took me by surprise. Emily said that she needed her Aunt to set up an account, so now Emily and her Aunt are running the business. When I asked why she needed her Aunt, she let me know that she was only 12 years old. She said that she wanted to sell her own personal belongings to make some extra money, and help her mom out financially. I was blown away! I’m happy to report that just over a month later, Emily and her Aunt are rocking it! They have sold many items and really have started their own eBay business!
People start selling on eBay for their own reasons,but many are quick to give up if they don’t see success right away. Remember that eBay is YOUR business, and sometimes there is a learning curve. One of my favorite quotes is by Virgil. It says, “They can because they think they can”. Emily had no doubt on her success, she knew that she needed to start selling on eBay (with her Aunt) to help out her mom. I think that sometimes we need to have that kind of mindset, where we have no doubt in our own success. Nothing can stop us if we want it badly enough. So I challenge you, next time you feel like you can’t do something, whether in your eBay business or in life, think of Emily’s story and remember, YOU can because YOU think YOU can.
For more tips and tricks, check out The Keys to a Successful eBay Business HERE
Also, CONGRATULATIONS Denny, for winning the eBay gift card. You name was picked from Random.org. Thanks for all of your helpful “Going Green” comments the other day!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think we all need to figure out what our “why” is. Why are we doing this business? Is it to take a vacation, stay home with our kids, get out of the corporate world? Once we figure out our “why” we need to focus on that when we are discourage. Kind of like keeping your eye on the prize. Emily had a clear “why”… helping her mom out financially. What a selfless young girl I might add. My “why” is to STAY out of the corporate world and pay the bills. When we need motivation, we need to remind ourselves WHY we are doing this eBay business and push through our discouraged feelings or whatever the reason for the lack of motivation. I’ve been focusing on my “why” this weekend because sales have been slow. That focus lead me to see I need to get back out there and buy more inventory. I called up my mom for a shopping buddy and we have a date for tomorrow to shop till we drop! Can’t wait to start listing new inventory tomorrow night!
I am grateful to have found your site. And I am thankful to Emily’s Story and to A. Steward for her post. I have always wanted to sell on E bay. But didn’t because I didn’t understand the fees and shipping. Last year when I lost my job, I decided to “go for it”! I am glad I did, It was a success! What my sister in law said belonged in the garbage, I sold for a $55 profit. I continued to post 3 more items, all of them sold with a combined profit of $150. I was so excited! Unfortunately, Selling on E bay came to a halt when I accepted a full time position. 60 plus hours at work left little time to spread between the joys of family and life. In the back of my mind, I could not stop thinking of how great it would be to do something that I truly enjoy and be successful at doing it. Day in, day out thinking of starting an E bay business. I liked the sound of that, so I made it a plan that I would go to part time and pursue my passion. And now that time has come. Ready, set, go!…The reason I am thankful to have found this site is because I needed it! I was beginning to doubt myself and my potential. I needed to remind myself as to “why” I want make E bay my business. Further more, I need to believe that I can. Thank You for helping me remember. To the success of us all, Thank You!