A Full Time Employee Teaches How to Generate Income with eBay

Some people work full time and live contended with the fixed monthly income. Some other people, on the other hand, choose to think otherwise and believe there are reasons why they need to find another job. Noorizam Shah, a fellow salaried man and an entrepreneur falls into the latter category.

Noorizam believes that while a full time job can provide a sense of security, life can be more fulfilling when one’s real potential is explored to the limit. Hence that explains why he was not afraid to try many different things to gain knowledge even though met with failures. Presently, apart from being a full time employee, he enjoys owning multiple businesses, online and offline, and is working hard to achieve his goal to reach financial independence by the age of 35.

He is a savvy eBay user and has recently written and published his ebook, Kuasa Lelong, which shares his practical guide to succeed in eBay, a premier online auction and shopping website.

Excerpt of my interview with Noorizam:

1. Tell me a little bit about your career and profession and your involvement in the business and entrepreneurship world.

I am presently a full time employee, working in KLIA as a Procurement Officer. My interest in business and entrepreneurship began since I was still in college. I put a lot of effort trying different ventures and odd jobs to generate extra income to myself such as being a restaurant assistant, selling ayam golek (roasted chicken) in Pasar Ramadhan, selling sweets and bakery products, and so on.

2. When did you start with internet business and eBay? How did it happen?

I got myself acquainted with the internet while I was studying in college in 1998. Back then, just like the majority of the crowd, I was more exposed with the habit of chatting. I wasn’t that interested in generating income online and I was not sure how people were making money with the internet. Things went on until 2005 when I stumbled upon Irfan Khairi’s name in one of the electronic news. I grabbed myself one of Irfan’s books which later opened up a whole new chapter in my life. From that moment, I decided to make the internet as one of the avenues to generate income for me.

My involvement in internet business started in late 2005. I created my first website, Pelamin. Net in 2006 and later on I created my own blog, NoorizamShah. My interest in eBay was generated later after reading one of the local blogs.

3. Why eBay?

In the beginning my involvement with eBay is nothing serious. It was just for fun and hobby. In the first year, I did not even make a sale. I did not know what the reason was behind it. For many months I left my account unattended and not updated. I took my time to buy and read many ebooks which talk about the eBay business and started asking questions to friends and eBay experts. I learnt from my mistakes and soon it dawned on me that if I used the right techniques, strategies and approach, I would be able to earn money from eBay.

4. Do you have a plan to be involved in the business and entrepreneurship world full time?

Actually in the past I have been a full time entrepreneur, but with my limited knowledge, exposure and experience, I did not make things happen as I wish them to be. I did not achieve the success like I had wanted. But that will not deter me to try again now, and in the future. In other words, yes, off course I would like to be doing it full time again, when the time is right.

5. What are the challenges you faced when you started your venture with eBay?

There were a lot of challenges. Surely, nothing comes cheap when you talk about success. While the essence of the eBay business is to generate money and profit, I used to be making loss when the items I was selling on eBay could only sell at the cost price. Sometimes, the profits were only in few cents. eBay also almost penalized me for breaking some rules which I myself were oblivious of.

Sometimes, I came across users who successfully bid my items but paid very late, or did not pay at all. You were also put into a predicament of watching your listed items generated no interest and no bid. However, I always maintain the highest ethics of conduct when dealing with eBay users. It is critical to maintain your name and reputation if you want to have a bright future and make eBay an income source generator. Thankfully, to date I did not get any negative feedback from other users.

6. How did your newly released ebook, Kuasa Lelong will benefit the readers? Who should read your ebook?

You should read Kuasa Lelong if you’re really looking forward to generate income through online and eBay, as well as expanding your present offline business. Every item, collectible and product has its value and if you market them correctly, you will make money out of it. By reading this ebook too, you can avoid the common mistakes make by the early comers that you might not be aware of.

The ebook is written in Malay, and it presents an opportunity for people to read and understand the content for those who are not well versed in English. The steps and guide shown can be easily understood and practiced, except for those who are too lazy to make a move.

7. Your advice for those who aspire to generate income online but have not started to do so?

I suggest them to get the ebook, read it and practice. There are also a lot of other resources easily available from other sources. The information is there, it is just waiting to be found.

Another thing is, don’t be too drown with the idea that making big money is easy. You need to strive for it. There are many scams and get rich quick scheme programs out there and many people fall prey and become easy victims. Avoid yourself from being one of them.

Other posts you may want to read:

1. Doctor Makes More Money Selling on eBay
2. Lehman Brothers’ x-Employees Go eBay
3. eBay To Lay Off 10% Staff
4. Tagged by Aldian
5. Starting a Business While Still Working Full Time
6. Home Business With No Experience
7. Paying Your Income Tax With Maybank2u
8. Internet marketing gives Sabahan.com bigger-sized Cappuccino

Author's bio: Zul is the founder and principal contributor for the SKOR Career blog. He is the author of two books, The Malaysian Job Seeker's Dilemma and Buat Duit Tanpa Kerja Makan Gaji (How to Make Money Without a Job), available in major book stores nationwide. You can reach him at zulkiflimusa[at]gmail.com.