My Online Selling Journey: How I Started on eBay

So, where do I begin? I’m a 45-year-old mum of two incredible boys, working full time in a job I enjoy — but I know deep down there’s more for me. I want freedom. Freedom to be my own boss, to choose my hours, and to be present for the moments that truly matter. And yes, I’m a nana at 45! My granddaughter is my biggest motivation, and missing out on her milestones because I’m stuck in a 9–5 just doesn’t align with the life I want. I see everyday people building successful online businesses, creating income on their own terms — and I’ve decided it’s my turn. If they can do it, so can I.

Back in 2007, I opened my eBay account with the simple goal of making a little extra income by selling old clothes, my boys’ outgrown items, and toys they no longer played with. Occasionally, I’d pick up the odd bargain at a car boot sale and resell it, though that was never the plan — sometimes things I bought for myself just didn’t work out. One perfect example was a Primark coat I fell in love with: a stunning white midi coat covered in bright green flowers and leaves. Sadly, it was a size 12 and too small for me, so instead of letting it go to waste, I decided to list it on eBay.

I listed it as a 10-day auction starting at 99p (yes, that was free back then!) and completely forgot about it until the auction was about to end. I remember sitting there watching the final minutes in disbelief as the price climbed to around £30 — then £35 — and finally sold for £37. I was absolutely gobsmacked. A Primark coat selling for that much? I couldn’t believe it. I was gutted to part with it, but thrilled with the result. From that moment on, I was hooked. That one sale sparked something in me, and my eBay journey began — a journey that’s still going strong today.

Fast forward to the end of 2025, and I’ve gradually expanded my online selling to include platforms like Vinted, Depop, and Whatnot. Because I’m still working full time, I can only dedicate limited hours to growing my business, but even small, consistent steps have made a big difference. Out of all the platforms I use, Whatnot has become my favourite — especially for beginners.It’s a live auction selling platform where you have up to 30 seconds to showcase an item and sell it to a live audience. Although you can’t hear the viewers, you can see and interact with them through the live chat in real time. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and an incredible way to move a large amount of stock in a short space of time.

So, that’s the beginning of my story — not a finished success tale, but a real, ongoing journey. I’m still learning, still juggling full-time work, family life, and building something for myself on the side. But what I’ve learned so far is this: you don’t need to have it all figured out to start. You just need to start.

If you’re reading this and wondering whether online selling could work for you, I hope my journey shows that it’s possible to begin small, fit it around real life, and grow at your own pace. Over time, I’ll be sharing honest experiences, practical tips, mistakes I’ve made, and what I’ve learned along the way — so you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Thank you for being here and joining me at the very start of this journey. If I can do it, so can you.