Chapter 1: The Beginning of My E-Commerce Journey

This is a recounting of my personal experience with e-commerce, prompted by numerous inquiries I've received recently. With extensive experience in the field, I’ll share how I got started, what strategies proved effective, the challenges I faced, and how I scaled my income to $30,000 monthly.

Here’s how it all began...

Discovering E-Commerce: My Initial Steps

For years, I experimented with online selling before officially launching my store. I occasionally sold items on eBay and once operated an Amazon store long before Amazon FBA and Prime were introduced. I even utilized platforms like Facebook Marketplace before they gained popularity.

At the time I decided to create an online store, I was stuck in a job that I found unfulfilling. The long hours were draining, and the stressful commute exacerbated my dissatisfaction. In a moment of inspiration, I quickly chose a name for my store and set it up on Storenvy, which I selected for its free registration. Remarkably, within just a week, I made my first sale—$25!

That initial sale was exhilarating! It motivated me to push forward, and soon I was earning a steady income of $1,000 per month.

Transitioning to Full-Time E-Commerce

As I engaged with various online communities, networking with other sellers and absorbing new insights, my store began to thrive. I felt confident that I could transition to e-commerce full-time, which fueled my motivation during the last year at my previous job.

During that period, my mornings began at 5 AM. I would tend to my son before heading to work, often commuting in darkness. Initially, my commute was a manageable 25 minutes, but it later extended to between 50 to 90 minutes. My workdays ranged from 8 to 10 hours, followed by a lengthy drive home. After handling household chores and spending time with my family, I dedicated 2-3 hours each night to my business. This routine persisted for a year.

The Moment of Quitting My 9-to-5

When I finally left my job, my business was generating more income than my full-time position. The decision was both terrifying and exhilarating. Over the next 6-12 months, my store continued to thrive, reaching $30K in monthly sales. I managed it for several additional years before selling it.

Reflections on E-Commerce: The Ups and Downs

Looking back, I can identify several aspects I appreciated about e-commerce:

1. Variety and Independence: The work was never monotonous, and I enjoyed the autonomy of working without a team.
2. Financial Reward: The income was substantial, and I loved the flexibility of being my own boss—setting my own schedule and taking vacations whenever I wanted.

However, there were also challenges:

1. Steep Learning Curve: Without a mentor, I had to navigate the complexities of e-commerce alone, which was often stressful.
2. Intense Workload: Initially, I started with dropshipping before shifting to an inventory model. The workload was significantly higher than my previous job, leading to occasional burnout.
3. Work-Life Balance: It was difficult to maintain a healthy balance; I sometimes neglected family time.

Lessons Learned and My Current Path

I've learned that having a supportive team is invaluable, and investing in the right tools can save both time and stress. Establishing a set schedule and separating work from personal life became essential.

Today, I wouldn’t return to e-commerce due to the demanding nature of the work. I now run a digital publishing business that includes online writing, content creation, brand partnerships, and digital product sales. This venture allows me to earn a full-time income without clocking in 40 hours a week—exactly the kind of work-life balance I sought.

Reflecting on my journey, I'm grateful for the leap I took from my corporate job into entrepreneurship. It has shaped my current success, and I wouldn’t change a thing about that experience.

What About You?

Have you ventured into e-commerce? If so, what was your journey like? If not, is it a path you’d consider exploring?

For more stories and insights on side hustles, social media, and business, check out my Substack!

Chapter 2: Insights from Others

In the first video, titled I Quit My $98,000 Job To Dropship Fulltime [BAD IDEA], the speaker shares their experience of leaving a high-paying job to pursue dropshipping full-time, highlighting the challenges they faced.

The second video, I Quit My $140,000 Job After Learning THIS About Money, discusses critical financial lessons learned that prompted a career shift, offering valuable insights for anyone considering entrepreneurship.