What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?

My answer to this was eBay.

I joined eBay over 8 years ago. You know, back when they just asked you for a first name and email address!! eBay has sure changed a lot since then, as has my business, Jill Of All Trades. I originally joined eBay as a collector. My passion? Late 1800 - early 1900's, Dutch Valentines with a cowboy theme. I loved eBay from the start. Instead of having to search dozens of antique stores for 1, maybe 2 valentines - I had my choice of 3 or 4 a month. The best part, I could shop for these items in my sweats and bunny slippers at 3am if I wanted. As I quickly became a Power Buyer (And how come there is not a special star for that, hmmm?) I noticed many items for sale on eBay that I already owned and was not particularly attached to. Now, I come from the generation that was right before the generation they taught computers to in school. I still remember...our high school had one gigantic computer that made a lot of noise. Some computer geek (who is now, no doubt, richer than I can ever imagine being) showed us how the computer could make a teddy bear out of X's and O's. Needless to say, the task of putting something up for sale on eBay was quite daunting. Remember, this was during the Wild West time of eBay...wwaaaayyy before the wonderful workshops, eBay universities, and Live help they now offer. After endless hours of research, trial & error, begging for help on the eBay boards, buying information on the street corner from a guy name Pete, and some good 'ol Irish luck, I finally put up my first auction. I loved selling on eBay. Meeting people from all over the world, the money, the excitement of the auctions, the money, the treasure hunt for new merchandise to sell, the money...it was as though eBay had been created just for me. Acquaintances would ask what I did for a living and my answer used to be, "I'm a retention specialist." Now my answer was, "Well I work as a retention specialist, but let me tell you about eBay."

As the phenomenon of eBay started to grow, so did the amount of people asking me to teach them what I knew. So, I started doing eBay consulting work. Then my clients asked me to write a book. Aaagghh! Me, write a book? Do they know what I got on my 9th grade term paper? Well, about five years ago, I started that first book. In detail, I explained how to register to buy & sell on eBay, the ins & outs of the Sell Your Item form, taking photos and magically getting them to show up in an auction, and how to be a Power Buyer (I knew a lot about that chapter!) The book included all of my tips and tricks I had learned during my first couple of years on eBay. I noticed that many of the eBay How To books on the market were already out of date by the time they hit the shelves of Barnes & Noble. I decided to not publish my book, but to update it myself as clients purchased copies. It just so happened that my planets aligned, my guardian angel was watching over me, and I was wearing my lucky underwear - Discover University in Seattle, WA asked me to teach eBay classes for them. Good thing my Mom passed on her teaching genes to me. I found out I really enjoyed teaching this class - and I proclaim humbly, I was good at it too.  Because of the success of my eBay 101 classes, I was approached to teach an eBay 102 class at Discover U...which meant an eBay 102 book! This book explains how to make eBay a viable source of income. I have included chapters on marketing, auction management, and retention of your customers, to name a few. 

Then, few years ago, I was approached by eBay University and asked to join the illustrious crew of eBay educators that tour the United States. I now have the honor of teaching with the icon of eBay, Uncle Griff, the author of the eBay Dummies books, Marsha Collier, and many other very talented eBay experts.

One day, I received a call from someone claiming to be an acquisitions editor for McGraw Hill Publishing - yeah right.  I asked her if I could call her back - after a quick Googling of her name, I realized she really WAS who she said she was.  She asked if I would be interested in being an eBay author for them.  Wow - that wasn't on my 5 year plan.  I now am honored to have my name on the Best-selling eBay books, "eBay Your Business, "7 Essential Steps to Successful eBay Marketing", and "Tax Loopholes for eBay Sellers".

I still continue to teach eBay 101 and 102 classes in the Seattle and have added in 3 monthly eBay meetings - eBay Success Group, WIN (Women of Intention Network), and PowerSellers of the NW. My consulting business is exploding. I have worked with numerous companies all over the US. These clients range from people who are just starting out selling on eBay, to clients who are now ready to become PowerSellers and are looking for some guidance with inventory management, organization or auction software, to companies who have a solution for the eBay Community. And, in between all of this, I have an incredible time traveling the country with eBay University and educating the world about my favorite subject, eBay!

From a single website, so many lives have been changed. Through eBay I was challenged to follow my dreams and realize my goals. Remember, you can never fail at anything you attempt with all of your heart and soul.

Purchase my eBay 101 & 102 Guidebooks and other best-selling books here
Learn more about my classes/tour schedule & sign up for eBay 101 and/or eBay 102 Here
Email me to learn more about my eBay Consulting

LOL...boy, a lot has changed since I wrote that – here is how my bio now sounds...

Janelle Elms     Best-Selling eBay Author, Educator & Speaker

Janelle Elms is an engaging and inspiring educator, writer and consultant. She is a Lead eBay University instructor & creator and instructor of the highly successful eBay 101 and 102 classes taught nationwide. Janelle’s exuberant onstage presence has been compared to a female Tony Robbins. She motivates budding entrepreneurs with her intelligence and sparkling personality, while giving them the intricate knowledge and tools to build wildly successful businesses. 
  
Janelle is a Silver PowerSeller on eBay and author of numerous eBay books, including the best-selling “eBay Your Business” book. She specializes in coaching individuals and companies how to build successful eBay businesses and maximize their profits. More than 75,000 people have benefited from Janelle’s depth of knowledge and expertise in eBay sales, marketing, customer service, and customer retention strategies.
  
Janelle’s newest start-up, the Online Success Institute (www.OnlineSuccessInstitute.com), brings together the top experts from around the world to help educate students about marketing, eBay, search engine marketing, legal and tax issues, and much more. The students are taught online and can participate from anywhere.
  
Janelle is called on frequently to provide expert commentary about online marketing for radio and TV stations across the country including eBay Radio, Entrepreneur Radio, CNN and Fox. She is also a monthly columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine, sharing her wisdom and intelligent observations about online business. Janelle sits on the advisory board for Ladies Who Launch as well as Rich Writers. 
  
Discover the exciting and highly profitable world of online business and marketing through Janelle’s books, her newsletter and her upcoming speaking schedule. Visit www.janelleelms.com to learn more.

"The One-Legged Cricket"

by C.J. Macgenn

Two years ago, my father called me at work. Instead of his normal jovial greeting and the usual teasing, he quietly said, "I have a brain tumor." My Dad had been diagnosed with a fast-growing brain tumor, a Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4. Simply stated, it meant that I would lose my Dad within two years. There is a 100% fatality rate for that type of brain tumor. Many of my friends had not yet experienced the loss of a parent - they had no idea what to say or do to console me. However, one of my friends gave me "The One-Legged Cricket" as a gift. The first time I read it was while I was taking care of my Dad. It made me feel like I was not the only one that was going through these torturous roller-coaster emotions. The second time I read it was after Dad passed away. This time, the book took me to a magical place where I could resume my life, the way Dad would want me to, in joy, peace, and comfort. It reminded me of what I was before my Dad's fatal words echoed in my head, and gave me a renewed sense of hope in facing the future without him.

I was then very honored when the author, C.J. Macgenn asked me to promote her book online. It is incredibly hard to describe the process you go through as your loved one is dying. It is even more difficult to explain the long journey of reclaiming your life. C.J., in her first book, has done exactly this in an empowering way through "The One-Legged Cricket."

Recently, C.J. had an opportunity to give back to the world by sending her book to many of the people who suffered severe losses due to 911. Her book will bring comfort to so many who need it right now.

This will be a perfect gift for anyone on your list who has dealt with loss. This book is now available in my eBay Store.

100% of each sale of "The One-Legged Cricket" will go to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Ride For Kids.

A portion of each sale of "The One-Legged Cricket" will go to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Ride For Kids. Brain Tumors are the #1 cancer killer of children. I can't imagine watching a child go through what my Dad endured. If you would like to learn more about the charity, participate in next year's ride, or make a personal donation, please click the banner below.