Yes, it’s true. A little over a month ago, I put in my 2 weeks’ notice from my job at a well-respected company, paying me a very decent salary, to pursue making a living primarily through selling online. I plan on selling things mostly on ebay and amazon to replace the income that I had from my previous job. This isn’t the only reason I am stepping away, as I am also a part owner of the textbooks business, www.textbooks4you.com, which I am also going to devote more time to. However, this is a much more seasonal business, and my plan is to make my consistent income through selling things online.
Why did I do it?
This may sound like a crazy plan, and maybe it is, but the question that I have often been asked is, why? I think the best answer to that question is through a famous quote from Mr. Steve Jobs,
“I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”
The truth is that the answer to the above question was “No” for too many days in a row. It’s not that I hated my job, it was a good position with definite positives, but it wasn’t want I really wanted to do with my time. My dream has always been to own my own business and be on my own terms for as long as I can remember. So the answer to the why is simply that I have dreams that I would rather be pursuing than working a job that is working to fulfill the dreams of others. I made this choice because this is what I want to do, and if I did not do it I would likely regret it down the road.
Now that I am young, single, and have very few commitments besides myself I feel that it is my best opportunity to give this a shot, and I am taking it. I will be posting about my experiences from selling online full time, and will plan on sharing on a monthly basis the actual profits/losses from the prior month. I will also post on a regular basis about what I have learned through this process, and anything else that I feel would be valuable. I invite you to come along and enjoy the ride by following along through this blog.
-Ryan
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I couldn’t agree more with Jobs quote, I feel as if you are not pursing your own dreams you are usually making someones else’s dreams come through.
I made quite a bit of money at my last job, but i just wasn’t happy. I ambitious and highly motivated but there are a lot of limits on what you can do when you work for a large corporation and it just became frustrating.
I think this is really the new rich!
I completely agree Brian! It’s all about working on something you really want to be, and also having the freedom of time.
Best Regards,
Ryan
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I really applaud you for going for it. Too many people take the “safe route” which isn’t really that safe at all. One area many people have trouble with selling online is sourcing high quality products which good margin. Would love to see if you have a post on how you went about it (as I am new to your site, will do a quick search). If you are selecting an e-commerce platform for your own site (which will make sense to do once you’ve replaced your salary from your old gig) check out m a post I wrote for SavvySeller.co https://www.savvyseller.co/2014/07/consider-this-before-you-decide-on-an-e-commerce-platform/
Hi Brian,
Thank you for the kind words! I am planning on coming out with some more information soon going over how I find merchandise to sell via FBA. I took a look at the post you linked, is this tailored more for private label products?
Best Regards,
Ryan
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If you don’t me asking, Ryan, how much did you initially invest into your online Ebay and Amazon businesses? Forgive me if it was already answered in one of your blog posts. Thanks.
Hey Jay,
I don’t mind at all, I am pretty much an open book when it comes to selling online. It’s hard to say exactly what I started with since I have been doing this part time for several years before going full time, but I would estimate I spent $3,000-$5,000 on inventory shortly after beginning full time. I wish I had a better answer for you, and please let me know if you have further questions.
Best Regards,
Ryan
Way to go Ryan, leaving the job and having belief in yourself! You will go far. I found your blog from Jessica Larrew, and I am reading every piece of information as you are newer to the process, like myself. Something I can follow along with. I am sure there will be a lot of learning curves along the way but with your awesome blog I am sure it will be easier! Thanks so much for this informative guide, and here’s to multiple streams of income and hopefully more passive streams for the new year!
Thank you for the kind words Kimberly!
Best Regards,
Ryan
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Good for you! I remember asking myself that same question one day as I finished washing out a bedpan where I worked as an ICU nurse. No, I decided, if I died today I would be sad to have spent my last day doing this. I turned in my resignation the next day. My resume is just a long list of things I never want to do again. That is why I started my blog, HomeForGood.Net, because now I am home full time, and also selling part time for extra income. I admire your wisdom at such a young age. God blesses those who work hard! Linda
Thanks Linda! Washing out a bedpan sounds like an unpleasant thing to do, good for you for taking action to not have to do that (or anything else on your resume you found unpleasant) anymore. I checked out your blog, it looks like you have a good thing going there!
-Ryan
Great story! I am still trying to figure out if I want to pursue selling online full-time or not. I’m not making 50K a year but I am making a good salary for my day job. I don’t hate it but I know I could be making some really good money selling on eBay and amazon if I had more time to do it.
I am a firm believer in having multiple sources of income and having my blog is not really making me much money right now, but it really does have potential. Congrats on making the leap and I know you will be successful.
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Thanks! That’s about where I was at with not hating or loving my job. I just want to find out what I am able to do when I have all of my time available for my own projects, so far I am really liking it.
I am definitely working on getting multiple income sources as well. Can’t have all the eggs in one basket.
Nice reading your story, Good luck to you. I know with your positive outlook, you can be successful.I will be looking forward to reading on your success.my Husband hates his job,but he would never be able to quit. so i really admire you for the path you have taken, for a happier life.Best wishes. Sylvia
Thank you!