From Browsing to Big Bucks: How One Man Turned His eBay Hobby into a Six-Figure Salary
An office worker has revealed how he decided to quit their job after 20 years to pursue their eBay hobby full-time – and they now make a six-figure salary.
US-based Matt Ringler realised he was fed up with his publishing job during the pandemic and started to think about other ways to make cash.
Discovering the eBay Goldmine During Lockdown
Writing on Business Insider, he said: “ I have always been a yard sale, flea market, tag sale, church sale, and thrift store lover.”
But after spending £442 ($550) on “bric-a-brac” online to “fill a void”, he had a career-changing thought – “why buy stuff when I can sell stuff?”
The Evolution of a Side Hustle to a Full-Time Gig
After the pandemic, he retained his working-from-home model and realized it enabled him to have time to create listings and ship items to customers.
Between his job and eBay he was making more money than he’d ever had before, and he managed to rack up savings.
After his publishing job laid him off, Matt decided it was feasible to take the plunge and turn his hobby into his full-time gig.
Daily Listings & Treasure Hunting: The eBay Success Strategy
Part of his new strategy was to make sure he had listings up every day, which means he had to find more items to sell.
Although he started to overbuy and fill up his apartment with things to sell, he said he found some “real gems”.
From Trash to Treasure: Turning a Passion into Profit
He added: “I love finding an item that is on its way to the trash and connecting it with the one person who still feels its value.
“I love working hard and knowing that I get all of the benefits of that effort. I love that all of the fun is back in what I do for work.”
Dragon’s Den Tips for Budding Entrepreneurs from Theo Paphitis
- One of the biggest barriers aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners face is a lack of confidence. You must believe in your idea — even more than that, be the one boring your friends to death about it.
- Never be afraid to make decisions. Once you have an idea, it’s the confidence to make decisions that is crucial to starting and maintaining a business.
- If you don’t take calculated risks, you’re standing still. If a decision turns out to be wrong, identify it quickly and deal with it if you can. Failing that, find someone else who can.
- It’s OK not to get it right the first time. My experience of making bad decisions is what helped develop my confidence, making me who I am today.
- Never underestimate the power of social media, and remember the internet has leveled the playing field for small businesses.
- Don’t forget to dream. A machine can’t do that!
By following his passion for eBay and embracing the challenge of turning his hobby into a profitable business, Matt Ringler exemplifies how dedication and unwavering commitment can lead to a successful career transition.