Yet The Dream is not without worries or doubts. I'm often plagued with stress and thoughts of quitting. I kept a notebook open to jot down my work troubles for two weeks. The raw soul searching has yielded the following:
I Hate the acquisition aspect. You have to Buy, Buy, Buy to keep your business going and it can feel meaningless. Toting around all the merchandise is overwhelming. I want to live in an apartment with clear counters and floors but it's impossible when you're on the middle of a project and run out of time.
I Hate the judgment aspect. When I'm in the middle of an extended cleaning or photo-taking session and boxes are scattered while friends and family visit. It's embarrassing. I get called a hoarder, I see the eyes start to roll. My mind races, saying, "I swear it's not always like this! The vintage is usually stored away and I like to keep my house spotless but I have to work! I swear I'm not a hoarder it's all for sale, I donate from my own collection and donate my wares all the time!" Very few of my long-time real-life friends and family members really understand exactly what I'm doing and it's isolating.
I Hate the indecision. I'm noting this with a lot of other creative-brains but the more I strive to curate my brand to the best of my ability the more I'm plagued with crippling indecision. Anyone else having that problem? It holds me back, makes me toss and turn at night. I have trouble deciding everything from the trivial (what props to use in photos, whether to post something or not on the blog) to the huge. Perfection is the enemy of the done so I need to fight this beast for progress.
I wanted to share a detailed look at the hard parts because we're all suffering from it. Those of us trying to make our brands bigger, those of us trying to leave the day job, even those of us who are already very successful. Solo-prenuership is a tough path to take, but the rewards often outweigh the cons.
I know I keep reselling because every day I do this is a journey in self-discovery. Every day I learn something new and improve skills. Every day I practice and refine my mission and come closer to knowing what I really want to master in life. Curating tames my inner creative beast that MUST make, and it's given me the flexible schedule to investigate who I am. For those with families, for those who value personal time or spreading a greater message over an unrewarding position in a corporate machine, I highly recommend this lifestyle. It has pitfalls, but if you have the passion it's worth it. I do believe I'm putting this practice in to really focus on art lines, whole healthy living, indie business helping, and writing more than reselling in the near future.
Edit: I just thought of another issue I'm struggling with. I feel like I have a bigger mission to focus on than just selling vintage and thrifting. My brand's going through the though growing pains as I shift focus to organic sustainable living, art, junk culture and general bohemian lifestyle shenanigans.
Thank you for letting me get that off my chest! I feel like I'm not being honest on this blog if I don't share the gut-wrenching realities of this job that keep me from functioning normally!
Let's Vent! What are you struggling with work-wise, whether you're a reseller, indie biz owner, or trying to be one. What reselling worries keep you up at night?
Yes, yes, yes, to all of this. I can't tell you how often I've said "I swear, I'm not a hoarder!" to friends and family. I always try to keep everything tucked away, or at least neatly organized if it's in the open, but that's just not always possible. The judgement gets old too. For some reason, people around me tend to think that working from home means I shouldn't actually work. I get "why are you always taking pictures, measuring, on the computer, etc?" Because working from home actually means working! No bon-bons and soap operas for me.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nerve-wracking job too. Never knowing for certain how much you'll bring in can wear on a person.
But honestly, I love it despite all of these things. I grew up thinking I wanted to be a chef, and after realizing I was wrong about that a year ago, I feel like I'm finally figuring out where I'm supposed to be. :)
It is hard help people understand that we can't go out and do something even if we're at home because we have to work. Same here, I still love the challenge and it still inspires me every day even when it's rough.
DeletePeople will try to distract you from your "job" because they think you have all the time in the world. Be the truth known, we are far more driven that a 9-5 individual. I try to re-cycle items that aren't moving. Just donated 67 bras to the homeless a couple weeks ago.lanasdreamebay
DeleteEven when I was stuck in a cubicle writing code full time I'd get texts asking me to go to the beach, I'm lucky to have free-spirited pals that way...but it's still the same concept, I still have to be stuck here working and it's hard for people to understand that. Nice of you to donate like that! I just donated 2 boxes of goodies to an indie thrift store (after family picked through for needed goodies) and need to look into donating them to people really in need, too :)
DeleteA few of my family members like to joke about hoarding. My response is always, "You can call me a bad business woman, but don't call me a hoarder!"
ReplyDeleteI just roll with the punches on the hoarder ribbing. The consolation is that I'm not one, I'm trying like hell to get this merch sold!
DeleteThe funny thing is that when I have really great sales going on, my husband doesn't notice the mess. When sales are slower, my husband is like..."uumm, you think we can get some of this cleaned up?" and a reply with "sure, you can clean it up whenever you want, just let me know where you put it all." The difference between us and hoarders is that we WANT to get rid of it by selling. Hoarders would just keep it all, including the receipts, packages and bags they came it along with the food containers of whatever they were eating.......As long as stuff is listed, I am not a hoarder.
ReplyDeleteMy poor boyfriend is the victim I bear my frustrations too so it was only fair the web go some as well. We get along 99% of the time but did get in a frustrated spat once about how having to step over my mess was stressful when I tried to remedy the work clutter by moving it to my bedroom in a hurry one night. Boo! Back to listing with me ;)
DeleteEverything you say is so true. I know deep down I was meant to be on a farm somewhere homesteading, but life took me in a different direction. I resell to survive right now, but it is also a pleasure for me. When I think of the dreams that I've had to let go because I always had to work for someone else it makes me sick. If these venues for selling had been available while I was on this different journey I could have been much more successful today. I know what I'm capable of and the people around me are starting to see it too. I've had many failures, (mistakes I've learned from), but reselling is not one of them. I'm also living better because I've learned to barter for more of the needed things in life. I've learned through reselling what is important and what is not. I've simplified my life through reselling. I've gotten picky about what I buy to resell. I'm learning everyday the proccess for marketing. It's so different from the business classes I took in college. Still requires the work, but it's more fun today and a social outlet at the same time. Business will always leave you having doubts and questions. Should, could, would whatever. Keep going. At 62 I am finally swimming with the current and If I can do it so can you. Consider yourselves organized hoarders that do get things done.
ReplyDeleteI often daydream of being on a farm somewhere and homesteading. I recently stayed at a hippie commune for a night (wish I had the photos, a lost them, augh!) and I wouldn't mind just living there forever, it was wonderful. I'm a hippie at heart and it's at odds with the consumerism that is my life now.
DeleteThanks so much for the honest perspective. You really do learn some much from this in terms of marketing and running a business, trial by fire- like a business school of hard knocks you actually get paid for. And it's a very low cost start-up that helps the environment.
You are NOT ALONE in any of this thinking! I stress about the mess our place is in all the time as it goes against what I want in a space. I lay awake at night an analyze everything. I change directions like the wind. I have a love/hate relationship with buying. I LOVE buying, but as soon as I get it all home and have to put it away, I HATE it. My immediate family is understanding about it and I watch hoarding shows to remind myself that I am NOT a hoarder. I have no emotional attachment to 99.9% of the items I purchase and am thrilled when they leave our home! My extended family thinks one of three things: I have a serious internet addiction, I am hoarder, or that I don't do anything worthwhile and this is a phase. I struggle constantly with the question "What am I working for? Where am I going with all of this? Is it to make a certain dollar amount? Become a serious product photographer?" So many questions. And then there is the emotional roller coaster of sales!!! All sunshine and roses one weekend, crickets and tumbleweeds the next. It gets old and wears you down. But over all, I LOVE what I do. I really, really do! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, you have summarized all the worries beautifully. All of the above for me, too, though my immediate family is pretty understanding it's also all very alien to them. I too have considered product photography and have worked with people on projects before but it doesn't beat being in creative control of your own work- even though the indecision beats you up, it's better than a client beating you up. Or trying to beat fair wages out of a client ;)
DeleteI too watch hoarders often when things are rough, it inspires me to get rid of "the lamp shade I'll fix one day", "the wall hanging that hasn't sold in 3 years", etc. I really do love and am passionate about reselling despite the pain.
I'm always worrying about money, wondering if I'll have a bad month, feeling like the floor will fall out. I worry about taxes, worry that I'm not putting enough away to save for them. The constant buying makes me feel cheap sometimes, like the thrift store employees get annoyed with me, "her again?" I worry about customers not being happy, unexpected large returns or broken or missing packages.
ReplyDeleteBut I love my job. I don't want to do anything else. I feel free every day :)
Yes, the money woes suck! The only thing everyone I've talked with misses about conventional work is that steady paycheck. The customer service used to worry me but now I've alerted friends in retail to my desperate packaging needs and get big bags delivered :D Now I PACK THE HELL out of everything I send out and there's been no breakage since. I also ship things out next or same day and the customers LOVE it. We all want our goodies ASAP it's so rewarding when it arrives fast as hell. Raising the prices has really helped with that pain too, if the shipping ends up being a bit more for the packaging increase at least I know I'm still getting paid.
DeleteI will not go back to The Man even if I had to be homeless. I would move to that hippie commune I mentioned first. The corporate machine is NOT for me. You said it perfectly, I feel free every day and I love it even when I hate it!
I totally get the hoarder thing. I have a lot of stuff stored from my old house I had to go through and get rid of and now between my vintage finds and massive furniture collection waiting to be painted and redone, it gets a little much, but my boyfriend is so supportive despite the teasing and I know that this make me happy. I still have the pressures of being in a corporate F/T job as a VP and trying to juggle my business but this is what ultimately makes me the happiest so I keep going. Never give up on your dream, what touches your soul and makes you happy, whether it's full time or part time. :)
ReplyDeleteVery true Jennifer, when you love it you can't stop doing it even when you work full time. I always know it will work with a guy when they're fascinated by what I do, time has proven when that's the case they won't get tired of it when the quirks of m y lifestyle become -their- problem, too. (Like occasional immobility as I sort things!) I'm lucky my boyfriend loves what I do and the things I bring home, but not so much that he's an enabler. He brings a much-needed different perspective to it.
DeleteI live in a tiny, vintage 700 sq ft house with no proper storage so my stuff is always on the floor, the couch, the chairs, the coffee table and stacked in the corners. I fantasize about a zen house with a clean coffee table and only one vase for decoration, ha ha! I constantly have to explain to friends and family "look, I SELL this stuff!". I have often thought of just renting a storage unit to work out of---but I currently can't afford it.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of all this I really enjoy not having a boss, like you say, and I love the hunt, so I probably won't stop doing it. Its an interesting life---why give it up?
Oh lawd the Zen fantasies I've had. I've downsized personal possessions and if it was for Reselling my home life would be pretty nicely minimal actually. I was in your position before with a 700 square foot apartment to sell in but it did have closets for me to hide stuff in, as a consolation I find having less storage space is good because it forces you to face the mess and curate it rather than hide it away and let it grow into a monster...like I surely would if I had a garage or basement.
DeleteVan, I love your honesty! I have been reselling off and on for extra income since my college days and I have always enjoyed it. Then in the last few years I decided to open an antique booth, a decision made right as it really got popular, and it literally became impossible for me to get a local booth. I put my name on waiting lists and then when one finally opened up it was bigger and higher rent than I wanted to start with so I still haven't opened one. Now I have all this stuff I had saved up for my booth and it is overwhelming. If I don't open one up this coming year I am just going to get rid of everything because it's driving me crazy! I don't sell online enough to really move through my merchandise. I also have to explain to friends/family why I have so much extra stuff. We are trying to buy a house next year and I am hoping to have a garage/basement where I can organize my wares and maybe try to put more online in an etsy shop since I currently only use ebay. That way the rest of the house would hopefully stay uncluttered! lol. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's the tough part, trying to get rid of the stuff that won't sell and/or holding on to it until it does. Good luck getting it sold. I'm going through one last re-photographing session with all my current wares to try to get 'em gone. I constantly purge and did a huge one a year or two ago for things I just couldn't move.
Deletedecisions, decisions. I know my real job has had it , im unemployable, past 50 and no glamour puss , I already work for myself and ive always been good at ebay selling and creative writing . but can I make the leap across to full time seller? Every time im poised something goes major wrong . Family member gets ill , partner made redundent , daughter becomes school girl mum, its endless , today my MIL has died so im on hold again .
ReplyDeleteGood luck pushing through the adversity, Kate! That's something I've written about before, too: For some it becomes a NECESSARY job and I'm grateful that the web has made it possible for a lot of us that need to work from home because of family and other reasons.
DeleteStatus anxiety is a problem when friends and family don't understand us! I'm tired of being looked down on because my job status doesn't fit what other people think my social standing should be. It has really revealed the class-ism of so many people.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky all of my closest friends understand I'm not just a creative weirdo but a VERY hard worker. They may not completely understand what I do but I'm not looked down on for it. Certainly am by some acquaintances but not the ones that count.
DeleteWell that was stressful.:)
ReplyDeleteone-you'll figure it out. For me it was a in and out model. Where I store the items that need pictures taken is not the same area I store items that are already on eBay. I also stopped taking pictures OF ALL THE THINGS. It didn't work for me. Instead I take pictures of typically 8 to 5 items. List them and put them up. I have a couple cute baskets that well.... look cute hanging out by the couch because that is where I like to list. Once that basket is empty and all the now listed items are stored. I start over again. Doing ALL THE THINGS at once kept my house in a constant state of mess. This does not and it helps me feel like I am making progress instead of getting freaked out because I'm walking over one mess to get to another.
Two- I don't sell big items (I don't have a land store either) but if I think its going to be hard to ship I don't bother. Because of that I leave my education to items that will sell and ship easily. Clothes, silverware, jewelry, ties....whatever. For me the less stress the better the value. A tie for $9.00 or a big ol piece of pottery? I'll take the tie. Not to mention storage.
Three- Name brand? What thats? YEARS I worried about that. I went from selling clothes on the floor to using models with a professional photographer (I had a sweet gig where if I supplied the clothes she supplied the pictures) and you know what it got me? Same bottom line. SAME freakin bottom line no matter what. What did create revenue for me was a happy customer (which results in a top rated seller) and learning everything eBay uses to bump store items (I don't do auctions). I've watched very closely to see when I sell the most and why and to who. But you can't tell my store items from anyone else because only maybe 3% of all of eBay gets the luxury of making more money because of a name brand or look they created. Its not worth my time. What IS worth my time is continuing to educate myself on what is a good consistent seller whether I throw it on the ground or not.I've learned I like to sell. I like to generate profit from things other people think are worthy of throwing away. The more someone rolls their eyes the more I like it! I see it as a challenge! Its fun when you think of it like that. I know you struggle with wanting to sell stuff that makes you happy versus me and my I'll sell those hot rollers because they make me $50.00 way of selling.
And while that sounds like I am buying everything I see, its just not true. You have to learn your limit. If I have a lot in the house I don't go out and buy. I live in a state of about a week away from no merchandise. Why? Because there is shit EVERY WHERE. I don't worry about getting merchandise because look at what everyone is saying. They got to much. I don't. I seriously right this second have two boxes of stuff to list and thats only because my mom sent it to me. The items in my store? Hmmm I might have 15 items that are over 3 months old. I price to sell and I'll do sales like a mother if I have too. I can NOT stand merchandise to sit and stagnant. You should see the list in my head of items not to buy because of it. I'm like the damn military when it comes to my merchandise. No happy gushy "Oh I loved it so I had to buy it." No "but whats one more." or "so I had to sit on it for six months." Hell no. I use that smart phone of mine to make sure I can sell a item that I'm not familiar with. I buy to sell at four times what I buy it at so I can cut it wayyy down if I have too.
Anyway this is long....you'll figure it out with time. What works what doesn't. Years I've done this (seriously late nineties) and its only right now that I feel semi confident that I got my shit a little (just a little mind you :)) bit together.
Loved reading every bit of this wisdom. Very encouraging and informative. I changed my strategy and wanted to convert my Etsy shop to a more boutique/artistic approach where the vintage finds cost more so I can earn what I should while bringing in less. It's working but I feel the need to re-photograph all the old items I've had to fit the new branding and it's taking FOREVER. Very hard to push through the task while trying to do it so quickly, may have no choice but to take a page out of your book and do things more slowly and think more about buying things guaranteed to sell and not things that will just sit even if I really love it.
DeleteI'll continue to experiment and figure out what's going to work for me in the end. I should realistically clearance out as much as possible and move FORWARD with the boutique plan instead of wasting time re-photographing items but I won't know if it works unless I try. I'll keep going unless it kills me, haha.
But thats the thing it might kill you. Or burn you out. When your learning sometimes you have to cut your losses. There is a upside of having to do a clean sweep. Sell some items at a loss it will create interest and traffic to your site. Its obviously bumming you out. Ja know? BTW while I do small increments I find I get more done. It might be because we all have some ADD who likes to sit for five hundred hours and just list? So my day can be...list in the morning. Take more pictures, cut, list some more. Ok actually thats how my day looks and somewhere in there I pack items for shipping and of course some prepping. If I list for long periods of time I have a tendency to leave long rambling comments on people's site's! :D And you will get to the point where you buy items that will sell versus items you love. If for no other reason you kinda stop loving it when you look at it for a year.:) If you watch what I buy for myself its typically small. I'm also a seller at heart most of the other stuff I say I'm going to keep? I won't, I'll sell it. Right now I want it ALL because my house is sadly bare. But that won't last and I seem to only hold onto my husband and thats it.:) Years girlfriend, your smart and your determined you'll get there. In the mean time learn to let go. Whether its a ideal or stuff.
DeleteAnother PS in case anyone else is reading this. I have to say I gave up creating a image for myself (Besides being a damn good seller with high standards) because what I sold. I sell used clothing on eBay. The odds of me being able to create a returning customer is staggering. That I would ever have another item that they needed, liked and was their size and preference are absolutely -zero. IF I sold only vintage clothing form one era or all My Little Pony. Hell yeah I'd create a image! So keep that in mind when your building a business model. Not you Van, I know you got this shit figured out. :)
DeleteIt is definitely bumming me out, sitting here on a break because it's killing my soul. I often think of the wisdom in doing less but doing it well each day to accomplish more. I believe it was on "Zen Habits" that I read about accomplishing ONE reasonable task per day and doing it well rather than having loads on your to-do list and just moving it forward slowly. For a few days that tasks was supposed to be photographing hundreds of things but that can't be done, haha ;p Thank you for the honest, experienced advice. I do believe it's time for some crazy clearances and such.
DeleteOh and agreed, online branding isn't as important as sales depending on what you're trying to accomplish/the sales you need immediately/etc. I have money in savings and my living expenses are almost at the bare minimum, giving me the luxury of trying to figure it out artfully.
DeleteRight now I am an upcycler and crocheter. It's HARD to sell my stuff online! I keep my supplies in my motor home which is parked on a concrete pad in my front yard. That just makes me a redneck rather than a hoarder in others' eyes, lol! A lot of things migrate back into the house as I work on projects.
ReplyDeleteArts/crafts are HARD to sell! The motor home storage is a good idea, that's gotta be nice to keep the merch and supplies out of your home life to keep yourself sane.
DeletePS have you noticed one platform generates more merch. for you? If there is, stick with that and let the other arena go for a long while. That helps me more with the stress of having to buy (I'm like you not a super big fan of it.) Right now I'm buying from any arena but thats because I'm learning a new place (and rebuilding a whole new household). I can already tell the merchandise I prefer to sell is coming from the outlet store here so you'll see eventually where thats the only place I bother with. Not feeling pulled in a million directions on where to buy really helps with that stress level. It also helps with my schedule. I list, clean blah blah these days and I buy on this day. Try it for awhile it might help you.
ReplyDeleteI typically stick to yard sales and flea markets and almost abandoned thrift stores, though if I need a break and have the time I'll swing into a thrift store for a quick look around. I went to one yard sale the past 3-4 weeks or more and that was it, having the overwhelming task of organizing, displaying (in the antique mall booth) and re-storing is potent inspiration to keep myself from buying much more, especially buying things that likely won't sell.
DeleteI'll keep playing around with schedule to see what's most productive. I used to stick to a pomodoro style with a timer that really got things done. Lately it was a Sunday hunt schedule then photographing and listing in one/night/next morning so nothing sits around! Aah!
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DeleteAwesome honest post Van. I have to be honest and say that although I do worry a little from time to time about some of these points you've mention, I never lose sleep over it. I am in a fortunate position of being able to take time to develop my brand more and more. I'm juggling it all whilst looking after my young family (3 kids under the age of 5yrs old). I've got five to eight years before the pressure of going back to work need to be made. The pressure I have is long term is having the hope I can have my blog, business (and other streams of revenue I'm looking at developing in the the log and business) be at a level that I don't have to work for someone else. My stresses are managing the juggle with kids and business. All the other worries about the stick being everywhere I have to let go of, I've got kids I have to let go of worry about some things.
ReplyDeleteYou do amazingly well to keep up with everything and managing and happy family. I need to look at moms like you as an example and stop complaining ;) And take some off my plate, that's the lesson I'm learning in the comments today.
DeleteThat is such honesty, Van. That's pretty awesome of you. We also have struggles like you, but just two in particular - the decline of consistent sales and the naysayers.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the economy.
The struggle for us, like you and many others, would probably be hoping sales would be more consistent than they have been. Our brand is are doing ok, but when we started selling vintage back in the early 90s when grunge was new to the scene, it was TOO EASY to sell vintage....ANYTHING VINTAGE would sell. We even caught flack for selling vintage, but we knew it was here to stay and we prospered extremely well. We were also one of maybe 4 {excluding thrift stores} VINTAGE stores that we knew of in our half of the state so things were GREAT!
Since 9/11 though, the economy has stalled and has pretty much stayed flat to date. The number of vintage/resale sellers have grown exponentially and the buyers market has more to choose from now, so competition comes into play and profits can take a nosedive.
That may be the main reason for buying so much to try to get a larger audience, thus having an oversupply of products.
We've honed our skill to a particular market; it was a more reasonable approach. The market is too diluted now to sell just anything vintage.
We've adapted from selling everything vintage to VERY SELECT vintage collector/designer/cocktail/furniture items and it does well for us; we specialize in rockabilly/pinup - mid century furniture - cocktail party gowns.
I do occasionally purchase too much home goods cause I love them too much. It's my weakness. ;)
Personally, we love your housewares...you are a great inspiration to us.
Second, the naysayers.
The naysayers are like the ones who ask if we're gonna get REAL jobs instead of selling online. After we remind them that we've been doing this for over 20 years, we also remind them we actually have 8-10 jobs already: buyer, photographer, stylist, editor, listing agent, sales agent, 24/7 customer service, packaging, shipper, etc... ALL the things that most online sellers do for every single item they sell online.
As online resellers, there is a reason why we have to purchase so many items to sell and the collection can be quite daunting. Back when we started, we were in an apartment and with two small children. The collection was overwhelming, the kids shared a room for YEARS while the spare room was our office/storage...let me tell you...EVERY INCH of that room was utilized, LOL; but, we managed.
I would humbly advise you not to worry nor give any more thought to those who make you feel the need to defend yourself and your business practice; you are doing what you can, with what you have.
I'm in my 40s now, so I can look back at people who used to do that to us and now I realize it was more envy and insecurity...on THEIR part. They do not understand your passion for this, so don't let them distract you - you've got a really great thing going and you'll adapt just fine. :)
Thanks so much for reading along all this time, don't think I've seen a comment from you. I really appreciate the story and the advise. After getting out the bitter bile and reading all the comments and stories I feel much better about letting myself relax a little and not pushing myself until I go crazy on this stuff! It takes time to find your niche and how you want to sell/get organized/etc.
ReplyDeletePeople don't realize how much work we put into reselling. We buy it, haul it home, clean it up, research it's worth, photograph it, write the ad, sell it, ship and then wait and hope the customer is happy. With vintage items so many are unique that they are hard to price so I have to research similar items that sold. Most people are fascinated when I tell them what I do. Especially when I tell them about the estate sale that I went to where the home dead homeowner (heart attack) was rolled up in a rug and robbed by the next door druggie neighbors. Plus I've brought home a wooden prosthetic leg, 40 dentures and an old fashioned shock treatment machine.
ReplyDeleteDayum those are some stories Bridget! It's a fun and unique job but it is a LOT of work. The sun is shining beautifully outside but no play for me, time to edit photos, write descriptions, add items to Etsy, add things to the antique mall booth by 11:00 quickly then home to take maybe more photos :) Aaah!
DeleteVan, I subscribe to TOO many blogs but let me tell you something, I ALWAYS read yours because you are interesting, your kind personality comes through and you inspire me. Our tastes in thrifting are very different and many of the items you choose to sell are not what I would buy. That being said, I would love, love, love to thrift with you because we wouldn't fight over the same things and our inner selves would be on the same page. We've never met physically but I think of you as a friend, someone I would love to know if I lived in Florida (never going to happen...LOL), share meals and chat. I wish my house looked as good as yours, I fear that I have stepped over the line to hoarder because I still, still haven't jumped into selling on line. I did sell at a local shop for a bit but I wasn't making money, just paying rent. Part of that was my own fault and my own tendencies. I kick myself, berating myself for not pulling it together better and then, I read your column and am amazed that YOU feel doubt. Girlfriend, you are so talented, creative and motivated and you are questioning yourself. I think people who are creative tend to over think and over feel and can be their own worst enemies. I am not writing my best, just spouting emotions, because you have really touched a nerve and I want to reach out and tell you---others DO understand you, you're doing a great job, things could be better, but that is the way of the world.
ReplyDeleteOh, and do I take my OWN advice and comfort myself? Hell, no! I am my own worse critic and am very adept at kicking myself.
Step back, girlfriend. If you had more space for storage, many of your problems would be solved. Sending you lots and lots and lots of good vibes and support today. Now, I am going to read what others have to say, though I am SURE they are basically telling you to be gentle with yourself and check out the harsh mirror that you are holding up. Step back, you are doing a super job, could it be better? Sure, but negative self doubt doesn't help you move forward. Oh my...I think I need to send this post to myself. Every. Damn. Day.
Aw, thanks for always reading Suzie. You never know, send me an e-mail if you're ever vacationing somewhere in Florida ;) I accumulated a LOT that I ended up donating the year I became a full-time reseller, when you work full time it's too easy to gather a hoard you don't list because you have no time to list but time to find, disposable income to get too much of it and less knowledge about what sells in your area or sells well for you personally. I wanted to show my doubts for exactly that reason, too many bloggers don't show the reality. I beat myself up all the time and am so hard on myself that it pisses my boyfriend off, ;p haha But I am grateful for what I've created and I'm anxious to keep going, improving, and making more things!
DeleteThanks again for the kind words, I do believe I've solved most of my storage issues. Everything's just out because I'm a crazy person trying to photograph everything I have at once. Nope, not gonna work. Especially not while keeping my sanity intact.
Oh yes and I forgot to mention I've confessed to wrestling with my inner critic and wanting to quit reselling at least 3 times before? Here's one on coquering doubts you may find helpful:
Deletehttp://www.thriftcore.com/2013/03/do-your-own-thing-with-integrity.html
And another on rebooting your creativity: http://www.thriftcore.com/2013/05/5-ways-to-reboot-creativity-for-when.html
Oh and another for not hating your job :D http://www.thriftcore.com/2013/06/no-longer-quitting-thanks-to-you-5-ways.html
Van - I love your genuine honesty when it comes to "the other side of selling vintage".
ReplyDeleteSo many realty TV shows have glorified sourcing and reselling vintage finds. I think it has turned more buyers into sellers and the pool of buyers has decreased. Finding inexpensive furniture pieces for repaint has become a challenge, although not impossible. There are way more antique mall dealers selling repainted furniture - because it is trendy. Too much of it has flooded the market, so it's not as special and unique as it was when the trend was in its early stage.
There are even dealers selling different types of furniture chalk paint, offering classes on painting furniture. Teach buyers HOW to repaint their own furniture, then they stop buying finished product {it takes a lot of time to find, clean, paint, and prepare for selling}.
I look at my house and see small piles of merchandise on the floor, in my garage, sitting unsold in boxes...it drives me crazy! My husband HATES it. I sometimes HATE the stuff! I haven't been out buying in months. I used to have fun hunting for treasures, now I don't want to buy someone's "unwanted used crap". I need to price it and put it in my booth.
I started selling on eBay again to purge smaller stuff. No need to create a brand for myself on eBay, no need to have business cards or market myself there like I do on Etsy or in my booth. I put stuff on there and it sells, lots of international buyers.
I recently had a job offer for a nice paying position back in the Corporate World, I declined it. I should had taken it, paid down my credit cards, but I think my freedom was too important to me.
I saw your post in my FB newsfeed. It's been refreshing to read your post and comments from others who share the same frustrations of what we all do in this industry.
-pj
I think I'll be trying eBay soon to move some of this stuff ASAP. Bleck. Thanks for the honesty from your part too, god damn I relate to the boxes of stuff and having to step over it and having you SO frustrated at you for not having that crap put away--- and he doesn't even live with me ;). It's that annoying when I don't get a chance to put it away at the end of the day. Early on I had a similar offer to join the top web marketing company here but I'd be doing the same thing I loathed, writing SEO and lame empty content. Nope, even at its worst this job ensures we keep our soul!
DeleteWow! There are obviously a lot of people out there feeling similar things. Count me in too. This post came at just the right time for me. Just yesterday I took a big hit financially. I'm wondering what I'm going to do. Can I survive this hit without getting a 'real' job? I love what I do. More than any normal job I've ever had. I hope I don't have to give it up.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to every single point you brought up. Wanting a clean organized space but very hard to have. Family and friends not understanding.
Well I'm off to start reading the rest of the comments. Maybe will give me the little boost I need right now :)
It doesn't help that sales have been seemingly universally slow this month. Ugh! This month started well but now it's depressing. All the comments helped me realize I'm trying to do WAY too much at once and I need to relax a bit and do what I can feasibly. And work on time management. :) There will be an updated clean apartment tour next week me-thinks to celebrate.
DeleteLooking at this I think I’ll have to put up my own backyard sale.
ReplyDeleteHaha :) My whole space is cleared out again, it only gets like that when I'm in the middle of a long project like trying to photograph everything...
DeleteI've considered hosting a Thrift Core yard sale or renting a Thrift Core booth at the flea market to help purge some things and make money. I ponder if any readers would be game to show up :)
DeleteI loved this post! I know those fears and doubts all too well. My "favourite" is doubting myself and my taste - will this really sell? Am I just cluttering the house with something I like but nobody else will? Am I spending way too much money on something I won't be able to sell? I don't really know of a good solution to these fears, I figure it's just soldiering on and seeing where it takes you. If you're scared then at least you know you're doing something new!
ReplyDeleteI love that last quote, very true. If you're not scared or stressed you're not doing it right, risk and reward go hand-in-hand.
DeleteVan, I, like a lot of your readers totally understand what you're going through. Thank you for being honest and sharing your fears and feelings.
ReplyDeleteAs for your friends and family not understanding, I would give it time. I came to the whole reselling solopreneurship thing later in life than you did. By the time I was ready to quit my day job, my friends (and family members) were older and wiser and realized that life is more than just work, work, work, which is what you end up doing at a corporate job. Many of my friends and coworkers are not fond of their work, but they see no other option, so when I told them of my decision, I think a lot of them understood why someone like me would make the decision to leave a "good" corporate job behind to pursue other things. That's not to say that I don't have friends who don't understand my decision; it's just that they realize that my life is my life and it is not their place to comment on it.
For many years I was plaqued with indecsion too, regarding my business. But after I left my corporate job, I started seeing a hypnotherapist who has really helped me to tap into my intuition - something that I had gotten out of tune with over the years. I didn't trust my "gut instincts." Heck, I didn't even know what my gut instincts were anymore. She taught me to do what she calls "active imagination." It's basically a form of meditation in which you take a journal and write down what you are struggling with and allow your intuition to guide you to a solution. I was kind of skeptical at first because I was always second guessing myself, so how the heck was I gonna get in touch with my intuition to come up with solutions to my problems? Well, I just kept writing until a solution came to mind. Now having done this active imagination for almost a year, I can say I am no longer indecisive. I make decisions and don't second guess myself like I used to. This has been one of the biggest (and best) changes in my life, and to think, it all started with just writing down my questions and struggles in a notebook.
One final thing - just remember you are where you are at the moment because that's where you're meant to be, so don't beat yourself up thinking about where you should be. Your life will evolve, and things will fall into place at the right moment. Where you started out isn't where you will end up - in your personal life and in your professional life. There's no hard and fast rule that you're supposed to do the same thing your entire life, so as you evolve, you may find that reselling isn't for you, and that your other interests will take over. Just let your intuition guide you.
Good luck, and keep us posted :0)
I'm going to try that notebook trick, I did something similar brain-dumping worries into this post and it immediately made me feel a lot better. I don't like creating some illusion that I'm without stress and my life is perfect, that type of lie is way too stressful to maintain. The comments helped me work through the fact that I was stressed and going nuts because I had too much on my plate, now I'm tackling projects slowly and more realistically, it's all you can do. I still worked probably a total of 14 hours (at least) yesterday but since I kept things realistic it was relaxing. :) Will continue to keep all posted.
DeleteI know for sure I will not be reselling forever and sometimes I feel like I'll lose my current audience that really is most responsive when I write about reselling topics but I have to do what's right for me.
LOL, I hear you! I have tend to put too much on my plate, too, which is why I'm sitting here typing on my computer at 2:45 in the morning. But you're right, you can only do so much and have to be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day.
DeleteDo what's right for you, even if that means losing some readers. You may just gain another, even larger audience with your new endeavors.
Thanks for the encouragement Serena! Gonna get working hard! :D
DeleteHa. We recently got tired of the piles of items in our house no matter how much we listed. It's part of the benefit from living in a country with so much waste/treasure. So we rented a storage space for $50/month. Best investment we made. Our house is clean and the space is just down the road when we need to get into it to list/pack.
ReplyDeleteWe actually did a podcast where we discuss our thrifting lifestyle here:
http://ebayscavengers.blogspot.com/2013/04/ebay-scavengers-episode-12-ryanne-and.html
Will have to listen to that first thing tomorrow...as I list things on eBay, edit photos, take photos for Etsy, haha ;) I managed to get all of my stuff out of the way for now but still long for perfect organization. :\
DeleteEtsy seems very cool. I love the style. But we could never sell enough since the traffic seemed low. Even though eBay is still so very late 1990's in design, they still are the place to sell. We decided we couldn't commit time to both places. So we have an etsy style, but work it into the eBay machine.
DeleteI may try working both and see what happens. Thanks for the tips!
DeleteI recently went out into the world and got a real job. It totally sucks! I'm soooo quitting and going back to doing ebay. I just need to ramp it up somehow so I can make at least a $500 profit each month.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it!
DeleteI am so glad you are honest. I have been reselling for the last year after I lost my job to kinda keep my head above water. I love it because it gives my gatherer instincts a purpose, and now it becomes more business aquisition and less hoarder gone berserk. However, I hate it because it is so spotty and on again off again and I totally feel you on the sense that you will never have an area that is clean and not scattered with mugs and bags and knickknacks. I love your blog and blogs like yours because they keep me motivated to resell even when I really wanna throw in the towel.
ReplyDeleteYeah keeping a clutter-free space with this job is tough! I desperately want at least one wall where all the finds could be on display ;p We'll see in the future. And the sales on and off hurts, but I just couldn't do anything else, I love the complete control and independence despite the frustrations.
Delete