Like millions of others, I have often considered starting a home-based business. For years, I dabbled without commitment, but now, considering my age, I have decided to fully dedicate myself to launching my business on the eBay platform. Why eBay? It is the perfect partner for me because it is structured to host businesses from small startups to multi-million dollar enterprises in more than 190 markets around the world.  eBay offers many tools to assist you. After all, they succeed when you succeed.  Of course there are pros and cons which I will highlight in future blog posts.  Overall It’s an exciting and rewarding option, particularly suited for women like me who love discovering unique, previously loved items and sharing them with others. Embracing my own advice, I am starting my business right where I am, despite imperfections. Here’s an overview of how I started to embark on this journey  which I believe some of you will find informative.

Here are 7 Steps I Followed:

1. Open an eBay Seller’s Account

The first step in starting my business was to open an eBay seller’s account. The process was straightforward:

• Sign Up: I visited eBay’s website and signed up for a seller’s account. This involved providing some basic information and verifying my identity.
• Setting Up Payment Methods: I linked my PayPal account and bank account to ensure smooth transactions.
• Choosing a Selling Plan: eBay offers various selling plans, and I opted for a basic store subscription, which is cost-effective and provides essential tools for new sellers. I pay $4.95/month plus taxes and a small sales fee for each item I sell. I do not have to pay to list my items for sale. If you have items you wish to sell and you do not want a store, you can set up and list your items for free, and simply pay a small sales fee at the end of each transaction.

2. Setting Up an eBay Store

Setting up an eBay store was much easier than I anticipated. eBay provides a user-friendly platform, with tools, where all you need to do is plug in your information:

• Store Design: eBay offers a pre-designed store template.  I customized mine with an attractive store banner with my store’s name.
• Store Categories: I am organizing my store into categories to make it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for.  My store focuses on a variety of previously loved items (new health aids and assistance tools for seniors will be added soon).

3. Sourcing and Listing Products

Once my store was set up, the next step was to source and list products. Here’s how I started:

• Sourcing Products: I love thrifting, so I started by sourcing unique items from local thrift stores, estate sales, and garage sales. I also looked into wholesale suppliers for merchandise including the health aids I want to add.

Listing Products: Listing items on eBay is simple. I took clear photos of each item and wrote detailed descriptions to highlight their features   and condition. This is where I need improvement, but I am not letting my inexperience stop me.  My photos will get better over time. Pricing items was based on eBay research to ensure competitiveness while still making a profit.

4. Advertising My Store

To attract customers to my eBay store, I am implementing a few advertising strategies:

• Social Media: I will share my store’s link and featured products on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This will help to reach a wider audience, especially among my friends and family.  
• eBay Promotions: eBay offers various promotional tools, such as discounts and special offers, to entice buyers. I will use these tools to run sales and attract more visitors to my store. Also, you are free to promote your store using other traditional methods such as placing ads.  

5. Deciding on a Variety Store

I chose to open a variety store because it allows me to sell a wide range of products, from vintage items to practical health aids for seniors.  I think offering a  variety of items will keep my store interesting as it caters to different needs and interests.

6. Target Market

My target market is really women like me with a passion for finding previously loved  items and have a budding interest in senior health aids. I understand the needs and preferences of my demographic, which will help me select products that I think will be appreciated.

7. The Name: Jus4U

I’m thrilled with the name of my store, Jus4U. It’s personal and conveys that my store is curated specifically for my customers, offering items that are just for them. The name reflects the care and attention I put into selecting each item.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, I plan to expand my product line by adding health aids for seniors, such as mobility aids, personal assistance tools and wellness products. My goal is to make Jus4U a go-to destination for people seeking both unique previously loved items and practical healthcare solutions.

Starting this business has been a fulfilling experience, and I hope my startup journey inspires others to pursue their passions. If you’re considering starting your own eBay store, my advice is to take the leap, stay motivated, and most importantly, enjoy the process.