Freelancers and Resellers who may feel regret or doubt, here are 5 reasons that prove we have the best damn job ever!
We're Passionate: My friends told me they hated their jobs. They'll look at the clock, wishing time will speed up and mercifully end their shifts. We can't stop working. We love it!
Flexibility: Complete flexibility is a dream, especially if you have a family! I can change the day's tasks. I can do twice the work one day (or even week!) to take the next off. Sky's the limit!
No Debt: Starting a reselling business is a very low cost start-up. No debts, less problems!
No Boss: I've had nightmare bosses that made me hate living. No longer! I love to choose what I do and how I grow my business. In the words of the immortal Cartman, Whutevuh, Whutevuh, I do Whut I Want!
Most Importantly...Happiness: The combination of the above factors lead to complete satisfaction. Reselling is overwhelming. I'm never completely caught-up, but I'm truly happy. My friends will eventually (By the way, I LOVE them, don't think I'm dogging them in this post) get good jobs. They're going to out-earn me by far in their lifetimes, but I'll never trade happiness for money. Full stop.
Resellers, speak up! Do you feel like you made the right choice? Through the long hours and hard work, do you still feel pride and satisfaction?
I am absolutely, without a doubt, glad I took up reselling. Although I do have side jobs of housekeeping and babsitting as needed, my focus is my business. I even changed my major to business and entrepreneurship this semester because I am certain that this is the career for me. When even the stresses of your job (like shipping mishaps and items that won't sell) keep you striving to make your business the best it can be, you know you're in the right place.
ReplyDeleteI am doing this too because I am sick of working in a conventional college student's job where your hours are set for you and you are watched like a hawk. Been there, done that too many times. Even in my side jobs that financially support my budding business, my schedule is flexible and I don't have to adhere to corporate expectations.
okay, /end rant. :)
Thanks for your rant, loved it! You're lucky you discovered your calling before graduating, and you're learning the tools you need for success while actually getting real-world experience doing what you want to. I love being responsible for myself and holding myself accountable for getting the job done way more than having a boss breathing down you neck- sometimes literally!
DeleteI LOVE reselling! I was laid off from my Outside Sales Rep job over six years ago in Corporate America and never looked back...
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I must say that recently it is getting a lot harder to source merchandise in my area. I'm running into many other dealers at thrift stores, estate sales, yard sales, and auctions...it wasn't always like this.
With so many other dealers on the hunt for treasures, thrift stores and estate sales are commanding higher prices for items because second-hand stuff is trendy...
-PaMeLA ;)
I run into a lot of the same dealers at different flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores. I call it our incestuous reselling community ;) It's tricky, but there will always be more merch to find and sell, it's overwhelming how much second hand merchandise is really out there for the picking.
DeleteYou are right. We do work long & hard and push ourselves more than any boss would, and it is the satisfaction of knowing that we did it, made a customer happy that makes it all worth it. lanasdream eBay.
ReplyDeleteFreelancers definitely work more hours, but I'd rather work for myself. When I screw up, it directly hurts the business, so we keep ourselves on track without having to humble ourselves to a boss. To customers, yes, customer service will always be there. But the "boss" being gone removes a lot of stress.
DeleteI've just got to say that you are a constant inspiration to me. You remind me why I quit my career of 6 years to do what I love!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, and I'm glad what I share inspires! :D
DeleteI love reselling, mostly as a hobby and legitimate reason to keep buying cool vintage stuff/treasure hunt without becoming a hoarder. lolz. It's also a nice revenue stream. But I hear what you're saying for sure, as I'm one of those people with a grad degree and hopeless amounts of debt. :(
ReplyDeleteBut I really liked my "9-5" archaeologist/historic preservationist job. However, truthfully I did enjoy the freedom of being an independent contractor even more when I left the CRM firm. And, I actually gained valuable reselling knowledge while freelancing as an appraisal assistant/report writer for an art/antique/historic property appraiser. (I got interested in graphic design during that time while editing photos and reports to look visually appealing, and later got a graphic design associate's degree which I now use more than my grad degree ironically.)
I guess coming from a family of musicians, teachers and people with unusual schedules, the 9-5 never really appealed to me anyways. So Van, here's to never having to go back to "working for the man". ;)
I've talked to many resellers that have debt from college when they ended up doing something else. Some of us are lucky enough to find our calling before that, but at least it's never to late to turn around and end up doing what we love. Here, here to never going back to The Man!!
DeleteFor years, my husband and I both thrifted and bought stuff, and a room in our apartment served as our "shop storage". We dreamed of having a shop of our own, but overhead costs are killer, so we never did it. Meanwhile, the stuff kept getting packed and unpacked with every move. When I got into blogging, I gravitated to thrifty blogs (like you) and gleaned more info and ideas from those blogs. Finally, in a moment of desperation-- my husband had been out of work since Jan, our savings were gone, and we were living off a small income from renting out the apartment over our garage, we opened a booth with the last of our money. It was the best thing we ever did!! The day we plunked down rent money for the booth in July, was the day my husband got a part-time job offer. Our booth is doing so well and has exceeded my expectations, and we just opened a 2nd booth in another mall. Our money worries aren't over yet, we're playing catch up on a few things, but I expect our savings to start growing again next year. I truly love having the booths, and love the excuse to go yard sale-ing (as if I needed one before!) and I can still be home to home-school the kids. So thanks, Van, for the inspiration to do this! It's so much fun finding things, cleaning them up, pricing them, taking photos for the Facebook page (516 Antiques), and seeing my stuff go to new homes-- proof that other people like what I like, too! It's not a "job", it's my life!! :o)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your story Jenny, thank you so much for sharing. You guys did your time. You toted the finds for years and I know how physically and mentally exhausting it is to live with all that merchandise. Now it's your time to reap the rewards. So glad you're doing well, your booth and merch are amazing. Little wonder why you're doing so well. (Take a look people: http://www.facebook.com/516Antiques)
DeleteI'd love to write your story if you're willing, go ahead and e-mail me at info@thriftcore.com :)
Almost 61 years old and wish this had been there for me years ago. If I had half the "stuff" I've had through my life still in my possession I'd be sitting on money. So funny to be buying that "stuff" at thrift stores, estate sales and wherever to sell. Oh the cycle of life. I am so happy doing it.
ReplyDeleteIt is weird encountering things from childhood as we thrift. Thrifting is a fun mix of feelings that's quite addictive. We go through cycles in life, and I'm sure I'll evolve or move from reselling one day, but for now, it's a perfect fit!
DeleteI love my F-ing job too !!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you do :D !
DeleteI love the reselling! I dream of getting brave enough to walk out of the "regular" job and just junk. SICK of punching a clock. One day....
ReplyDeleteYou shall :) Keep ramping up your efforts in your space time while you can.
DeleteI got out of the rat race (in academia, it can be an even worse race) when me kids were born, thinking I would go back after a couple of years. However, contrary to my former beliefs and feminist career slogans, I wanted to keep staying home with my kids. So I changed career paths and started freelancing at home with my own translation business (using all my science knowledge in a different way). I loved the flexibility you mention.
ReplyDeleteHowever, being naturally a people person,I realized I missed being around people and getting out of my home office. And I would occasionally pop into the local thrift stores for some low-cost retail therapy. Gradually, I went into the reselling business as well, sort of as a combination of hobby and supplemental income (I called it my fun fund). I mostly sold on ebay and occasionally on Craigs list.
Then I found Thrift Core!!! Wow, it really opened my eyes to the whole antique booth business, and because of your blog and exuberant style, I decided to take the plunge as well. And I love it! I am on my 3rd month and have already upgraded to a bigger booth (see latest blog post). My love my life now, and when I occasionally get updates from my previous lab mates who have gone into teaching and research positions where they are struggling to combine careers, family and publish papers, I breathe a sigh of relief. I am genuinely happy in my place, as is my whole family. Anyway, just my two cents. Thanks for your exuberance and fiercely independent nature, Van! I think you should be credited as a feminist inspiration to women who feel enslaved by their own and society's expectations of their lives and path to happiness.
Your booth looks gooood...I LOVE that play on Mad Men for your shop's branding. Brilliant! I'm glad I was able to inspire you to take the leap, and I appreciate the kind words! I really strive to help people live to their full potential and tap their inner creativity to be happy.
DeleteTweeting about your new booth today 'cause it looks AMAZING~ !
DeletePlus you get to rummage at yard sales and flea markets, something you love already. You get to meet unique people every day and your business is the ultimate recycling business!
ReplyDeleteAll great points, too. You get to turn what was ALREADY a routine into a job, and the customers/fellow resellers/venders you buy from are usually quirky and fun.
Deleteit IS the best fucking job ever! where else can you make 5 times your money for 10 minutes of work?
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, another good point and a great way to look at it when you're doing the hard parts of this work!
Delete= Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates-- all drop outs
ReplyDeleteThree of the wealthiest people in the world
Who left college to pursue their passion and dreams
The business of arbitrage in the used goods market is one of the highest paying jobs in America, due to the recession.
A self taught education about what sells and what doesn't is priceless
You're on the right track, I wouldn't be in any other business
Perfect way to put it, Abe. Whenever I feel inadequate about education I do think of people like Bill Gates and what they've accomplished without degrees.
DeleteI only sell part time and would love to do it as my day job-you are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteIf you want it bad enough, you'll get there one day. Good luck Amy, glad my words inspire :)
DeleteAfter embarking on this whole journey: quitting my job, having a baby and opening a booth, I have decided that no one is ever going to tell me what to do again. I can't believe I put up with the crap I did for so long. I'm done caring so much about people who could give a rats ass about me and my family. Grrrrrr.... While I learned a lot from them, and can thank them for good business lessons, they still piss me off.
ReplyDeleteRight now it is just a fun hobby, but I guarantee that it is going to continue to grow into something more than that. I really love doing this. Everyday is fun and different. My desk job totally didn't give me that, and no degree that I maybe should have gotten will give me that either. I'm so thankful that I don't have thousands of dollars worth of debt from school. I paid for all of my college out of my pocket, so even if it isn't complete, it means a lot to me.
With the continued inspiration I get from everyone in the blog world, I'm sure this is a lasting thing. It's like a great reselling co-op! And I'm very thankful for it.
Completely agree with that first paragraph. I do appreciate everything I learned from my marketing job and jobs before it. Each one was a learning opportunity and I milked it, but damn. The Man can be heartless. I see this EVERYWHERE: they work you until you can't go anymore, then discard you. No thank. I feel much better using my full ability to elevate my OWN brand, instead of the brand of someone who doesn't give a damn about me.
DeleteI'm working for the man again but sometimes those dang bills just have to be paid. I actually enjoy my day job but I'm looking forward to the day where I can do the whole freelance/reseller thing full time again!
ReplyDeleteTo be truthful, the real reason why I resell is because the profits can be sooo... good. Where else you you purchase something for $5.00 and turn it for $100 or more? Though it can be feast or famine in this business sometimes, so it's good to have extra cash on hand to get you through the slow times. If you're able to do that, you'll do well in this business.
Agreed, I always squirrel away savings for the hard times. And profits like that can't be beat!
DeleteI've thought about starting a job like yours. In fact, I've tried to host my own 'shop my closet' shop on-line. But it didn't really make me any money, so I stopped after a few months. And, I feel like there are so many resellers these days -- I feel like it's become a trend, and not everyone is able to become successful at it. However, you have obviously done really well for yourself, so I'm interested to maybe see a future post in which you let us in on how you make yourself stand out!
ReplyDeletePS: I still love your blog, sorry I haven't been around!
No prob on not being around, it's hard to play catch-up on blogs. I'm doing that now. I definitely be doing more follow ups on things like how to stand out in the sea of resellers.
DeleteIn short, I think I stand out by 1) being myself and drawing inspiration from within rather than doing what everyone else is doing 2) producing the best quality product I can with everything I do: content, photos, my merchandise, etc.
I never stop striving hard to improve and innovate.
My family really influenced the development of my career. Because my mother made me study at the field I didn't want to work in. And only after 7 years I was able to start getting the education I dreamed of. Now I plan to work with ResumesPlanet to get a resume, worthy to get a job I dreamed about for 10 years. Therefore, the influence can be different.
ReplyDelete