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 considered shutting down the business due to slow sales in 2020 during the pandemic.
eBay launched a program called Up & Running Grants in 2020 and has awarded $10,000 to 50 sellers each year for the past five years. Andrew decided to apply during the program’s first year and was selected as one of 50 grant recipients.
Receiving the grant enabled him to pivot into science and technology sales and grow his sales almost 10x over the next three years. We spoke to Andrew to find out how he plans to scale his global business and get his advice for sellers.
From tech kid 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 put them back together, like portable video games and remote control cars. I really enjoyed 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 to know that the equipment I sell is used by scientists to help develop life-saving medicines, mitigate climate change, and build more sustainable food systems. I sell equipment to many top universities, well-known companies, and small start-ups around the world, providing technology to support their research.
Andrew (pictured on the right) in a warehouse outside of Portland, Oregon.
How he grew his business almost 10x in 3 years
There are a few things I did when I first started my business that have really paid off over time.
The first is deciding to only sell in one category to get more knowledgeable about a specific industry. For me, that was science and technology. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, I came close to shutting down my business, but was fortunate enough to receive an eBay Up & Running Grant. I decided to focus on the niche that interested me the most and had the least internal resistance to my actual day-to-day work flow. Knowing that I am helping scientists and engineers make a better world through their discoveries keeps me selling sustainable products and motivates me to always improve.
The next thing I did was get familiar with shipping anywhere in the world. We ship almost everywhere, even to some very unexpected places like the presidential palace. Today we shipped to India and Colombia.
Finally, we automated our inbound marketing and became highly skilled at running ads. We experimented to see which ads got the most inquiries, took the best results and ran new experiments. We did this over and over again for years. Improving our operations by 1% per week made a huge difference. We didn’t have to make cold calls. People contacted us.
3 ways he grew after receiving the eBay Up & Running Grant
Words cannot describe the shock I felt when I received the call that I had received the Up & Running Grant. I’m not a very “lucky” person so I wasn’t expecting that call. I was speechless. I don’t think he said anything for about 30 seconds.
The first thing we did after receiving the grant was to acquire additional inventory to get serious about science and technology sales.
Next, I found a partner that I still work with more than three years later. Not only has my workload decreased, but I’ve been able to focus on areas that will grow the company, such as strategic sourcing and marketing. Hiring him has 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.
His advice to sellers
Always do what feels natural and authentic to you and experiment to see what works best. Once you find a process that works, find ways to iterate and continually 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. I have a lot less gray hair on my head than if I hadn’t received the grant. I have worked hard to get to where I am today, and the grant has allowed me to spend more time with my family.
We recommend that you be as honest as possible in your application. Don’t be afraid to be who you are. I tried to answer as I am. And, to my surprise, I was accepted. I am still grateful and benefit from that.
