In this series, we'll be highlighting successful eBay sellers who are former Up & Running grant recipients. Apply by June 7th to be one of this year's 50 grantees and receive $10,000 to grow your business.
Andrew Havens has loved technology since he was a child, taking things apart and putting things together just for fun. He started selling all kinds of technology on eBay in 2019, but sales slowed during the 2020 pandemic and he considered shutting down his business.
In 2020, eBay launched a program called Up & Running Grants, which has awarded $10,000 per year to 50 sellers for the past five years. Andrew decided to apply during the program's first year and was selected as one of the 50 grant recipients.
With the grant, he pivoted to science and technology sales and was able to increase sales nearly tenfold over the next three years. We sat down with Andrew to learn how he grew his global business and get his advice for sellers.
From kid tech to eBay seller
As a child, I was very interested in technology and wanted to understand how things worked. I would take things apart and reassemble them, such as portable video games and radio-controlled cars. I really liked fixing things.
As I got older, I developed a passion for the business side of technology. Now that I have carved out a niche for myself in selling scientific equipment, I have learned a lot not only about equipment and science itself, but also about business strategies for sourcing and sales. About 90% of the technology we sell is refurbished, so I'm focused on growing our customer network and helping scientists find the parts they're looking for. I don't feel like I have to work because I'm having fun.
It's great that the equipment I sell has the potential to be used by scientists to develop life-saving medicines, reduce climate change, and create a more sustainable food system. I sell to many top universities, well-known companies, and small startups around the world, and I send them technology to support their research.
Andrew (pictured right) in a warehouse outside Portland, Oregon.
How he grew his business almost tenfold in three years
There are a few things I did when I first started my business that really paid off over time.
The first is to decide to only sell in one category in order to learn more about a particular industry. For me it was science and technology. When the coronavirus outbreak occurred in 2020, I was on the verge of shutting down my business, but luckily I was able to receive an eBay Up & Running Grant. I decided to focus on the niche that interests me the most and has the least internal resistance to the actual day-to-day flow of work. Knowing that I'm helping scientists and engineers create a better world through their discoveries keeps me selling sustainable products and keeps me motivated to constantly improve.
The second thing we did was make it possible to ship anywhere in the world. We ship to amazing locations like the Presidential Palace and just about anywhere. Just today, we shipped to India and Colombia.
Finally, we automated our inbound marketing and developed a deep level of proficiency in placing ads. We experimented to see which ads brought in the most inquiries, then took the best results and ran a new experiment. I've been doing that for years. It got more complicated and improving what we do by 1% per week made a huge difference. We don't have to make cold calls. People reach out to us.
3 ways he scaled after receiving the eBay Up & Running Grant
I can't even describe how shocked I was when I got the phone call that I received the Up & Running Grant. I'm not one of those “lucky” people, so I wasn't expecting that call. I was speechless. I don't think I said anything for about 30 seconds.
The first thing we did after receiving the grant was to acquire additional inventory so we could get serious about selling science and technology.
Secondly, I found a partner who I still work with more than 3 years later. Not only did it reduce my workload, but it allowed me to focus on areas that would grow the company, such as strategic sourcing and marketing. Hiring him had a huge impact on my business and we work together in the warehouse every day.
Finally, we rented a larger storage unit and installed some pallet shelves, which allowed us to organize and ship things faster and more efficiently. We also brought in a forklift, which helped with the heavy lifting.
Advice for sellers
Always do what is natural and authentic to you, and run experiments to see what works best. Once you find a process that works, iterate on it and continually find ways to improve it. The difference is not in what you do, but how you do it.
Honestly, one of my biggest pieces of advice for sellers is to apply for the Up & Running Grant. If I hadn't received the grant, I would have had far fewer gray hairs on my head. I have worked really hard to get to where I am today, and the grant has allowed me to spend more time with my family.
We strongly recommend that you be as authentic as possible in your application. Don't be afraid to be yourself. I tried to answer honestly. And to my surprise, I was chosen. I am still grateful and benefit from that.
