Summer Days

I love being self-employed, and I love my lighter schedule.  It gives me a lot more time to get projects done that I’ve been putting off, like scrap booking, and sewing.  It gives me a chance to swim, go for walks and go on road trips

Summer is also a great time  to spend more time on my listings, and get my store ready for the Christmas season.  It really is just right around the corner.

In the summer, I like to set aside one day a week to focus on my listings.  My laptop comes in handy, because we can put on a movie and I can list from the comfort of my reclining couch.

I don’t spend the entire day listing, but several hours.  I do take breaks, but I don’t plan anything else for that day.

Usually it takes me a few hours. I’m able to list everything in my current bin that I have pictures of. Then we go do something special like swimming, get a pedicure, or go to dinner.

Everyone’s schedule is different.

Some people have a hectic summer  but  fall or spring is more laid back.  Utilize the time of year when you don’t have as much going on to focus in on growing your business.  You probably won’t see it grow over night, but if you keep trying to grow your business, over time it will grow.

Never Stop Learning

I’ve been selling online for 7 years now, and teaching piano lessons for 12 years. Where has the time gone? It goes so fast, but one thing is for certain: I’m not only older, but I’m definitely wiser. I learn or discover something new everyday. Whether it’s a better way to teach scales, a more efficient way to run my online business, a new product to sell, or a way to increase sales, I’m all for it.

It’s amazing how differently I manage both of my businesses today versus even a year ago.

I’m selling on multiple venues, learning how to use Twitter and Pinterest to increase sales, shipping items out within 1 business day of receiving payment, and listing more in a week than I did last school year.

It takes awhile to build a successful business, and it’s done through gaining knowledge and being willing to try new things. As you experiment, you learn what works for your business and what doesn’t work. As you network with other business people, you get new ideas and gain knowledge from them.

So…….what have you learned or discovered lately?

This Week on eBay

This week has been pretty good.  I’ve recuperated from my yard sale and it’s been gorgeous outside, so we’ve been out walking and riding bikes a little bit each day.

I feel good about my store right now, I was able to list over 70 items this week, most of the listings were done on Friday, and it didn’t seem like it took that long to get it all done.  I had a lot of items that were similar, so that helps.

Right now, I’m not caught up on my listings.  I have three large bins full of items to list right now, and I stopped at a thrift store on my way home yesterday, which added three more bags of items to list.  Once Thursday night rolls around, I’ll be able to take some pictures and start listing a few more things.

I’m busy trying to get the number of my twitter followers up……trying……lol.

My Spring piano recital is right around the corner, and I’m busy planning that one step at a time.  Even with non-eBay tasks, I like to do things one small step at a time and far enough in advance so I’m not rushed.  I already have the certificates printed out and this week, I’m working on what order everyone will play in and figuring out what to give them at the recital (I always give each student a small gift or treat bag.)

Staying caught up on my shipping is going OK……I’ve only had a couple of times (like during my yard sale) when I wasn’t able to keep up with it, other than that, it hasn’t been too bad shipping within 1 business day of payment.

A Day In My Life As An Online Seller

It’s tough for me to do a “day in the life” post.  I run two businesses–I teach 54 piano students and two music classes  three and a half days a week.  I spend Sundays working at church and working on church music.  My other two and a half days a week, I’m a full time mom and online seller.

On the days I teach, I run both businesses, checking my eBay sales and messages between lessons and shipping out items when I get home in the evening.  I generally  list on days that I don’t teach.

Here’s what a typical Wednesday looks like for me:

7:10 a.m.  Up and at ‘em

7:30 a.m. Wake my little one up and get her going.

8:00 a.m. Out the door to drop her at school and get myself to the school I teach at.

8:30 a.m Kick off my first lesson for the day.  Teach at school, one student every half hour until 4:05 p.m. (with a 35 minute lunch break)

5:00-6:00 Stop off for the last two lessons of the day.

6:15 p.m.  Grab some dinner at a drive thru.

6:45 p.m. Arrive at church for Bible study in time to grab a drink, use the restroom and head to the piano.

8:30 p.m.  Leave church and chat on the way home with my daughter about her day.

8:45 p.m. Arrive home, check the mail, unload the car.

9:00 p.m. Tuck my daughter into bed. Help her get out clothes and shoes for the morning.

9:15 p.m. Pack lunches  and lay out clothes for the morning.

9:30 p.m. Check online sales for the day, round up items to ship, head to the office to start shipping

10:30 p.m.  Head back down stairs, put packages in the mail bin, put laundry and dishes away.

11:00 p.m. Take a shower, brush my teeth, wash my face

11:30 p.m.  Answer emails from parents and customers.

12:00 a.m.  Make sure coffee is ready for the morning ……….Lights out.

Thriftstore Item To Look For~Academic Regalia

I discovered the market for Masters and Doctorate gowns quite by accident. I had a couple for sale on the costume rack in my children’s consignment store.

They didn’t sell, so I listed them on eBay…wow! They each sold in the vicinity of $50.

A friend of mine is a university professor and she said that professors often look for used academic regalia because they have to wear it every graduation. I never thought of that but I’m glad I found out.

Now, every time I see a Masters or Doctorate gown, I grab them. I don’t find them all the time, but I do on occasion. I usually find them in the costumes but sometimes they are in the uniform section.

I typically pay $3 or less, although I would probably be willing to pay more for a doctorate gown.

They may or may not come with a mortar board, but they will sell without one.

Here’s a completed search of Master’s gowns

And a completed search of Doctorate gowns

How to tell which is which:

Doctorate gowns are easy. They have velvet bars on the sleeves. This photo on Wikipedia shows a group of doctoral graduates. The black gowns on the right side are the only ones I’ve seen. I think if you found any color doctorate gown it would be a good buy.

(Doctorate gown–my husband’s being a good sport and modeling for me)

Masters gowns are also easy to spot. They have long sleeves that extend far below the hand. It’s squared off and extends forward.

(Master’s Sleeves)

This page on academic regalia provides some good information. This site sells gowns--check out their photos to learn what to look for.

Considerations:

1. Check both the uniform and costume section.

2. Don’t invest in high school graduation gowns.

3. Look for velvet on the sleeves or long sleeves. It’s usually obvious when you look at the rack which gowns are Masters gowns by the long sleeves.

4. Typically, you will find black academic regalia, so skip over all the bright colored gowns and check the black gowns.

5. Timing is important. The selling price is typically higher in the early spring awhile before graduations begin.

6. They often have a label inside telling the company and size. If they don’t just measure the chest (from armpit to armpit and then double) and measure from the shoulder to the hem. Use this information in the keywords and description.

Key Words:

Master, Masters, Master’s, academic regalia, gown, Doctorate, graduation,

You’ll hear “Pomp & Circumstance” every time you sell one!

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