Where do eBay entrepreneurs get the ideas for their businesses?
What is it really like to run an eBay business day-to-day? While
eBay entrepreneurs may follow different routes to success, they all
have one factor in common: eBay has transformed their lives in ways
they wouldn't have dreamed possible when they first launched
their businesses. Meet three eBay entrepreneurs who are living the
American Dream. Perhaps their stories will inspire you to dream
big, too.
Orchestrating Destiny
Vital Stats: You know Madonna and Cher go by their first
names only. Now meet Richard. He's 46.
Company: The name of his Long Island, New York-based
business is also his e-mail address:
(eBay User ID: richietman). Richard sells antique violins, which
he personally restores.
2004 Projected Sales: $100,000
Content Continues Below
Richard appreciates anonymity. When he used to sell antique
violins, people would come to his New York City house, and while
"most of them were nice, some of them made me feel
uncomfortable," says Richard. "One guy didn't seem to
have taken a bath. And another was actually drawing flies. That was
a little disconcerting. But eBay keeps you away from
that."
Richard has requested that his last name not be published, and
he has reasons for wanting his privacy. For one thing, although he
cheerfully obliged to be in a photo shoot, he doesn't feel like
shouting from the rooftops to the entire literate world that, hey,
Richard So-and-So has an incurable brain tumor.
After his diagnosis in 1995, Richard went under the knife and
kept his career as an attorney for five years. But when the tumor
returned and he had to undergo radiation treatment, Richard knew he
had to leave the law profession. "If you know anything about
brain tumors, the radiation really knocks the crap out of
you," he says.
For about eight months, Richard was in a self-described La-La
Land, but by 2001 and 2002, he had more energy and focus-despite
the tumor being very much active. His wife has a comfortable career
on Wall Street, so Richard didn't feel forced to start a
business. But he had been restoring and selling violins for years,
and had even sold a few on eBay. So he decided to turn violins into
a full-fledged business.
He typically ships seven or eight violins per month, which can
sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars each. The rest of the
time, he's searching for violins that need a little or a lot of
TLC. Some violins Richard gives away if they aren't worth
restoring but are too good for the trash bin. For instance, earlier
this year, he sent one to a school in Beijing.
Restoring violins is a for-profit business, but it's also a
mission and a lifestyle. Richard's workday usually begins at 9
a.m. after dropping his son off at school, and it ends after
picking him up. His 7-year-old son, Kevin, has autism and needs a
lot of special attention. "He's really my primary
focus," says Richard. "My entire day revolves around
him."
That's why eBay has been a good fit-it suits a variety of
lifestyles. "If you have a particular interest in an area, and
if you have an expertise, you can either make money or enjoy the
[trade-offs], like spending more time with your son. And you learn
new things and find new interests. It can be very
exciting."
And for as long as he is able, Richard plans to keep learning
and enjoying his dual roles as entrepreneur and Mr. Mom.
Page 1 |
2 |
3 