How did the relationship between eBay and Goodstart Jones start?
Paul Jones: Back in 2015, I was at a business crossroads. We had a pop-up shop that was doing well but running it was taking me away from producing bags. Something had to give, so I shut the shop down.
We started to sell online but that became a struggle – I was spending a lot of money and time on Google ads. I knew I needed some help. I contacted Wolverhampton city council who matched me with a business navigator. One day he told us someone was interested in visiting us and to prepare the workshop. He didn’t let on it was eBay – he knew we’d either have been terrified or turned up in tuxedos!
Rob Hattrell: We wanted to partner with a city to give their small businesses (whether on the high street or in a workshop such as Goodstart Jones) a platform to share their creativity with the world: our Retail Revival programme. We chose Wolverhampton as the first UK city to bring our programme to because of the council’s commitment to economic development and the city’s entrepreneurial energy.
How’s it been going since then?
Jones: It’s been amazing. eBay has a niche market in place already, which means we can concentrate on the product and not spend time on the mechanics.
Hattrell: We kicked off the programme with a day’s training on the basics of eBay – listing, internet marketing, shipping, that kind of thing.
Jones: Some of the advice was so simple but so important, such as the ordering of words in the title.
Hattrell: These specifics often get overlooked. You wouldn’t build a shop and not display your product properly; equally, if you’re trading online you have to be specific about how you present it.
What do you like about running your own business?
Jones: Doing what I love. It’s my passion.
Anson Carridice-Davids: And that doesn’t switch off – I can be brushing my teeth at night, thinking: “What can I make tomorrow?”
Paris Walker-Barnes: It’s contagious. I’m new and even I go home thinking about sewing!
Jones: Being able to collaborate is cool, too. We’re making bags for a French graphic designer at the moment.
What are the issues for young, growing businesses?
Jones: Employment is one – it’s not easy to find the right people. We were lucky to find Paris; she’s so passionate about illustration and has real attention to detail. But to employ her we had to learn fast about employment law and rights.
Brexit is also on my mind. We export the majority of our bags and we import our rivets from Germany – the day after the referendum, the price went up overnight. I’m not quite sure what’s going to happen.
Hattrell: Small businesses are worried, but they seem to be getting on with it. Importing is becoming more expensive and currency fluctuations are a challenge – but there are logistic simplifiers who can provide solutions.
Jones: Sustainability and veganism continue to be top of mind, too. We’ve been listening to our customers, and we’re increasingly using more natural materials, for example our canvas is now cotton rather than manmade.
And what are the benefits?
Carridice-Davids: Freedom! Some days are hard and we don’t get much sleep, but the flipside of it is we can spend whole days looking through fabric books or debating design ideas. How is that work?
Jones: And being able to grow the business locally. Success to me is hiring locally and training people up. It’s not about getting big and moving production to China.
What advice would you offer to other people wanting to start their own business?
Carridice-Davids: Truly believe in your idea!
Jones: Go for it, but don’t go in half-hearted. Spend as much time and money as you can.
When I first started, I didn’t know how to sew but I trained up. I made sacrifices, moving from Nottingham back home and funding the business until I could quit my job. A lot of people don’t want to take the risk and get someone else to pay for it, but if you believe in yourself then pay for it with your own money.
Walker-Barnes: Tap into all the resources that you can. Read a tonne of books – there is so much knowledge out there for very little cost.
Jones: Surround yourself with great people, both your team and your support – for us that’s been Wolverhampton city council and eBay.
Hattrell: These guys sum it up well. Find the idea you’re passionate about and just do it. Let us support you so that you can sweat the details, because the details matter. And listen to your customers. That passion and creativity, powered with compassion and enthusiasm, is a winning formula.
Millions of people are using eBay to start a side hustle, make more of a hobby or carve out a career. Find out how here
