Today’s success story comes to you courtesy of Bobbie Bushey of Granny’s Square Yarn and More. Although she has only been on eBay a short while, she has already posted several great scores on the Score Board!  Here’s a sample.  And here’s her story….

“My business began a little differently than most multi-generational businesses.  My daughter began her eBay business in 1998 and has become very successful.   Her two oldest daughters followed in her footsteps and are enjoying success as well.  In January of this year, I decided to try my hand at selling on eBay, after having an arts and crafts business on Etsy for years.  Thus began Granny’s Square Yarn and More, with lots of help and support from my daughter, Danni of Udderly Good Stuff and The Danni App, as well as technical help from my youngest son Jim, The Computer Whiz.

I grew up with a grandmother and mother who were always knitting, crocheting, tatting or embroidering something; so yarn and needlecrafts have always been in my life.  I began crocheting in 1975, and when my mother could no longer crochet the special blankets she had been making for years for family and friends, I took over the task of keeping the tradition going.

I later opened my store on Etsy.com. Last year, a woman ordered custom-made blankets from me.  These blankets were made with a specific type of vintage yard that is no longer available in stores.  This customer was willing to purchase all the blankets I could make with that special yarn.   I began my search for the yarn on eBay and found a number of people offering the vintage yarn for a pretty high price.  This turned on a light bulb in my head.  I decided that discontinued, vintage, hard-to-find yarns would be a great niche.  With Danni by my side (guiding me via Skype) I began Granny’s Square Yarn and More on eBay in January of this year.

I started very slowly, just listing a few individual skeins of yarn, as well as a couple large lots of unique yarn I had acquired over the years.  I had sales almost immediately and was on my way.  I found tons of estate sales and
yard sales with hoards of yarn and other needlecraft items that deceased relatives had left behind, and I began building my inventory quickly.

In May of this year, Danni helped me open an actual eBay store, and I have been branching out with other types of items, new and used, and finding all sorts of good things to sell.  My son is currently working on pages for my store; and Danni is keeping a watchful eye on my listings to see that I am doing everything I need to do to be able to retire from working outside the home (have been a caregiver for over 40 years).   I just turned 69 and am getting tired of the hard work.  This business is my golden key to enjoying my retirement years, and I intend to open many doors with it.

I am elated with the success I am enjoying in this business, and I am proud that I am now part of a three-generational business.  I had no idea a year ago that I would be selling on eBay and having so much fun doing it.  It just proves you are never too old to start a new career/business.   I advise anyone who is not happy with what they are doing in life to consider doing something new.  If you are not enjoying your work or business, get rid of it and do something else.  If I can do it, anyone can!”

For eBay-related information, check out this blog each and every day!  Become part of the eBay community by posting a question or comment on the new discussion board!  And don’t forget to post a score to my “score board” to get my two free “10 Items That Sell on eBay” lists.  Take a look at what sells best on eBay here.

Danni Ackerman, my Ask the Danni App co-host, recently sold this cool Murano starfish bowl for $74.50 (free shipping).  I haven’t had much luck with Murano, but I don’t know what I’m doing either.  I think she needs to host a webinar all about glass items…….(Hey, Danni.  Are you listening?)

Danni was recently interviewed about her website, Udderly Good Stuff.  She first ramped up her business after her husband lost his job.  eBay has now become a family affair!  Here’s the piece.  If you’re interested in seeing some of her recent sales, click here.

Yahoo News just posted this cool little video about Arden’s Garden, a small juice company based in Atlanta.  They don’t sell on eBay, but it’s still a great story.  Arden’s Garden sells its juices in five states and recently took on one of the big juice companies and won!  Click here to see the clip. 

For eBay-related information, check out this blog each and every day!  And don’t forget to post a score to my “score board” to get my two free “10 Items That Sell on eBay” lists.  Take a look at what sells best on eBay here.   The Score Board is getting longer!  If you need shoes, browse my eBay store, Blue Frog Shoes and if you’re on Facebook, don’t forget to “like” the eBay Life Blog Facebook page.  I would really appreciate it!