Table of Contents 

• How I learned to put on my Big Girl Panties & DEAL WITH IT ...
• How I found my business mentor and personal success coach ...
• Why having a mentor can make a world of difference to your business ...
• Why you should check out OSI Rock Stars for yourself ...
• How OSI Rock Stars can help take your business to the next level ...
• Why joining OSI Rock Stars is an excellent business investment ...
• Books by Janelle Elms, Visionaire of OSI Rock Stars
• Having a business mentor made me a Rock Star!
• If you NICHE it, they will come ... AND SHOP!
• Hot Tips & Free Gift from NicheMarketplace
• Need some Retail Therapy? ... Visit my Blog!
• Great Gifts from NicheMarketplace
• Extraordinary Artisan Judaica & Jewish Gifts
• Your insight & inspiration makes me and my business stronger ... Thanks for the feedback!

How I learned to put on my Big Girl Panties & DEAL WITH IT ... 

Adversity is really opportunity in disguise.

My interest in in eBay began as a shopper. So how and why did I make the transition from expert eBay buyer to novice eBay seller? I once heard a speaker say that unless you own your own business, you are building someone else's dream. The speaker went on to assert that if you have a job, one thing is certain ... someday you will lose it!

While I had an interest in selling on eBay -- I even attended eBay University when it came to my town--I really had no plans to turn selling on eBay into a career path. After all, I had a professional job that I was very good at and had been working for the same non-profit organization for eight years. Then one bright June day, my supervisor came into my office, closed the door, and informed me that the organization I worked for was "in the process of reorganizing" and my services were no longer required. After eight years of loyal service--no severance pay, no unemployment compensation, I didn't even receive the customary two weeks notice--just thanks for the dough and the show ... see ya, BYE!

Initially I tried to find another job, but to be honest, my heart really wasn't in it. I had been totally blindsided by my former employer and was emotionally devastated. Even though I was interviewing for positions that I was vastly overqualified for, my deep-seated emotional ambivalence was coming through loud and clear.

So I bought myself a digital camera and began selling the unwanted items around my house on eBay. I just kept telling myself ... if there is one thing you know how to do, YOU KNOW HOW TO LEARN! You are already an accomplished writer. You can learn to take a good digital photograph. You can develop an understanding of the basic principles of marketing, bookkeeping, websites, or whatever else you need to know. YOU CAN DO THIS!

How I found my business mentor and personal success coach ... 

When the student is ready, the teacher appears.

Okay I confess, I am not a "techie" type. Some people are technology junkies. They can't wait to get their hands on the newest, hottest, latest, greatest, technological gizmo or gimmick. I am not like that. I tend to learn what I need to know in order to do what I need to do. The good news is that you don't have to be an early adapter to be a successful eBay seller / online retailer, you just have to be "teachable."

Fortunately, I am lucky. I live in Seattle, Washington--the home of Bill Gates and Microsoft -- and one of the capitals of the Internet Revolution. I had already attended eBay University -- a series of two classes (Selling Basics and Beyond the Basics) taught by eBay certified business consultants. At that time, eBay convened weekend seminars at different cities throughout the country on a rotating basis. [NOTE: With the advent of the eBay Education Specialist Program, you can find a eBay certified instructor in your area by going onto eBay, click the Community tab in the right hand menu bar, scroll down to News section, and under the subheading Calendar Events, click the bullet tab entitled eBay University.] By referring back to the handouts that I received as an eBay University attendee, I discovered that one of the instructors lived in Seattle and was regularly offering classes at the local Discover U. And so, without even realizing it, I found a mentor to guide me in my quest to become an entrepreneur.

Janelle Elms is a Gifted Author, Educator, and Speaker. An Entrepreneur Extraordinaire, she is the personification of the ideal of leading by example. Through her workshops, her books, her monthly group meetings, her E-mail newsletter, or her online classes (not to mention her latest endeavors the Online Success Institute and OSI Rock Stars), Janelle not only gave me sound business advice as I took those first few baby steps toward entrepreneurship, she offered me ongoing insight, inspiration, encouragement, and support. In the classic Jewish text The Ethics of the Fathers (Pirke Avot), it says: Make [Find] for yourself a Teacher ... Acquire for yourself a Friend (Pirke Avot 1:6).

Why having a mentor can make a world of difference to your business ... 

If I have seen further, it is because I am standing on the shoulders of giants.

As someone who came into the onliine retail world with no retail sales background whatsoever. I think one of the most exciting and intimidating aspects of entrepreneurship is the learning curve. It is truly a proverbial double-edged sword ... The "good news" is that there is always something NEW to learn. The "bad news" is that there is ALWAYS something new to learn!

It is easy to feel overwhelmed. This is especially true for those of us who are "fifty-something" and trying to develop new skills and reinvent oneself. Does this inner dialogue sound familiar? "I know this stuff is important ... I know I ought to get a handle on this ... I know doing this would help my business, but ARGHHHH!!!" I can almost see myself spinning head over heels like in a Charlie Brown in yet another failed attempt to kick that blasted football.

The entrepreneurial world is very different from the Job world. The job world doesn't really prepare one to be self motivated and self actualizing. The fact is that an entrepreneur doesn't have a boss to hold him or her accountable and it is easy to get sidetracked in a world of multiple and competing priorities where there is always 50 things demanding one's immediate attention and only 24 hours in a day. While learning as you go offers limitless opportunities for personal growth, it also requires enormous reserves of energy, effort, and discipline. For myself, I often feel like I am flying by the proverbial seat of my pants and I don't know what the heck I am doing.

A business mentor not only gives you the information you need to move on and take your business to the next level, mentors offer a encouragement and support, a role model for success, and a broader vision undiminished by the day-to-day challenges. That is why I not only highly recommend, but I am personally and actively involved in OSI Rock Stars. In addition to providing cutting edge information on the latest developments in eBay selling / online retailing, OSI Rock Stars also offers me an ongoing source of inspiration to recharge my batteries and keep me connected to the bigger picture.

Why you should check out OSI Rock Stars for yourself ... 

Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.

What an extraordinary accomplishment the OSI Rock Stars website is -- there is literally nothing like it either online or in the entrepreneurial world at large. What really sets OSI Rock Stars apart is the combination of step-by-step, "this is what to do and this is how to do it" information combined with inspiration, encouragement, and support.

Only Janelle Elms has the energy and drive, the personal charisma, the leadership skills, and the I-will-not-be-denied persistance and determination to bring all these incredible speakers on such a vast array of topics -- from Search Engine Optimization to Spiritual Entrepreneurship -- under one proverbial tent. I like to think of OSI Rock Stars as Janelle's amazing technicolor dream tent. From bestselling author and business guru Seth Godin to marketing mastermind John Jantsch, this is literally your own personal dream team to enlighten you, mentor you, inspire you, and uplift you in your pursuit of business success and personal excellence.

Janelle chooses speakers who have the proverbial fruit on the tree. Because they have each "been there and done that," the presenters not only speak from the heart, they possess the ability to take difficult, complex subject matter and explain it in a way that is accessible and relatable no matter what your background or experience.

How OSI Rock Stars can help take your business to the next level ... 

Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can.

There is an incredible wealth of information on this website. OSI Rock Stars can help you take your business to the next level whether you are a business neophyte or a veteran online retailer.

If you are new to eBay and online retail sales, not all of this is going to apply to you right away ... listen to it anyway. First of all, it will reassure you that "YES, YOU CAN DO THIS!" Secondly, as you begin to understand these ideas and concepts, you'll be surprised how deeply entrenched they are in your world and how much they impact your life on a daily basis (and you don't even know it). For me, one exposure to a new idea is not enough. I have to hear something at least three times before it begins to take root. That is why the format of OSI Rockstars is so valuable. I can listen / watch the podcast, video, or webinar as many times as necessary to let the concepts sink in.

If you are an established eBayer / online retailer and are ready to take your business to the next level, OSI Rock Stars is also designed with you in mind. The longer that I am an entrepreneur, the more I realize that success in business--not unlike success in life --i s strongly connected to self confidence and self image. A confident business person with a strong self image has the inner resources necessary to pursue opportunities, take risks, overcome obstacles, and advance when others falter and fail. Oh I know, there are those who will say I don't want all that rah-rah jazz, just give me the "meat." OSI Rock Stars is unique in that one need not choose between seeking practical business advice and uplifting the spirit. Being a member of OSI Rock Stars feeds both my head and my heart--the mind and the soul.

Why joining OSI Rock Stars is an excellent business investment ... 

If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies.

One would have thought that creating a website that offers cutting edge information from the brightest minds in the business world today would have been enough, but that is only foundation. Janelle's vision is so much greater ... to create on online community of entrepreneurs who are committed to success and personal excellence.

While I am a zealous believer in independent entrepreneurship, to say that it can be a lonely road is an understatement. Sharing not only ideas and strategies, but support, encouragement, and inspiration with other like-minded souls makes everyone's road seem smoother and load seem lighter. When it comes to successful entrepreneurship, there is a lot to be said for the concept that a rising tide raises all ships!

So check it out for yourself, a free backstage pass is waiting for you at OSI Rock Stars. And if you join, I will be there to welcome you and share your amazing journey to success.

Books by Janelle Elms, Visionaire of OSI Rock Stars 

Tax Loopholes for eBay Sellers

by Diane Kennedy, Janelle Elms

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 10/10/2008)

The 7 Essential Steps to Successful eBay Marketing

by Janelle Elms, Phil Dunn, Amy Balsbaugh

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/10/2008)

eBay Your Business

by Janelle Elms, Michael Bellomo, Joel Elad

Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 10/10/2008)

Having a business mentor made me a Rock Star! 

Find out for yourself how having a mentor can advance your business ...

OSI Rock Stars is an education and training website that teaches online entrepreneurs how to become successful. OSI Rock Stars offers cutting edge information from the brightest minds in the business world today, as well as practical tips and tricks for taking your business to the next level.

A FREE 10 minute backstage pass is waiting for you, just click the OSI Rock Stars banner below.

If you NICHE it, they will come ... AND SHOP! 

THE NICHEMARKETPLACE ADVANTAGE

Our fabulous finds and great values will make online shopping one of your favorite guilty pleasures.

At NicheMarketplace, we strive to offer our customers an online emporium of unique products and distinctive gifts.

Whether you're searching for plus size apparel, designer accessories, fashion jewelry, Jewish / Judaica treasures, holiday collectibles, upscale home decor, or hand-blown art glass, our goal is to offer our buyers "the complete shopping experience"-one that is convenient, hassle-free, and fun.

Customer satisfaction is vitally important to us. We know our buyers have many online shopping options. Because we appreciate our customers and want them to shop with us again, we strive to ensure that every online shopping experience will be a completely positive one.

Let us be your online personal shopping service. Regardless of what you're searching for, we want to be your one-stop shop for one-of-kind merchandise and gifts. Most importantly, you can click with confidence because every NicheMarketplace purchase is 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed.

Hot Tips & Free Gift from NicheMarketplace 

What is the sweetest word in the English language? That's right -- FREE!

Sign up for our E-mail newsletter and receive our Ten Top Tips for Winning Online Auctions, as well as a FREE GIFT with your next purchase from NicheMarketplace.

Go to HOT TIPS & FREE GIFT at: NicheMarketplace--Your Online Emporium

Need some Retail Therapy? ... Visit my Blog! 

Random Acts of Retail Therapy

Retail Therapy is about getting away from the frantic pace of life in the roaring 2000s and maximizing your precious "me" time. A stolen fraction of time -- both sweet and rare -- to pamper yourself and savor the moment.

But Retail Therapy is much more than merely a source of pleasure or a brief escape from reality, it is inexorably tied to our desire to connect with others. According to Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping: "The reason why we shop stems from a basic social need; part of the process is not just acquiring goods ... People are social, and they need to be around other people. Going to the marketplace has been a drive since we were hunters and gatherers."

Internet shopping, on the other hand, tends to be a somewhat solitary experience. However whatever web shopping may lack in social bonding, it makes up for in its immediacy and the ability to provide instant gratification 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. Online shopping devotees can shop in the cracks of time whether it's an on-the-job lunch break, while the kids are taking their naps, or the wee hours of the morning.

The Raison d'etre of the Random Acts of Retail Therapy Weblog is to create an virtual marketplace where people can share the social aspects of shopping.

Please join us and share oyur adventures in retail therapy with your fellow power shoppers ... After all, the only thing more satisfying than getting a great bargain is bragging about it to your friends!

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Great Gifts from NicheMarketplace 

NicheMarketplace is your online emporium for gifts, apparel, accessories, and home decor.

At NicheMarketplace, we have a great selection of unique and distinctive gift items. Let us be your personal shopping service for Gifts , Apparel, Accessories, and Home. We offer fast shipping, 5 Star Service, and a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

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Extraordinary Artisan Judaica & Jewish Gifts 

For Bar / Mitzvahs, Weddings / Anniversaries, Birthdays, Graduations, and other Simchas ... we have something for every occasion.

At NicheMarketplace, we have a great selection of Jewish ritual objects, Jewish art, and Jewish gift items. We also offer fast shipping, 5 Star Service, and a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

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Your insight & inspiration makes me and my business stronger ... Thanks for the feedback! 

When you dream alone, with your eyes shut, asleep, that dream is an illusion. But when we dream together, sharing the same dream, awake and with our eyes wide open, then that dream becomes reality.