Here’s the latest in our side hustle case study series, where real people share how they earn extra money in their free time!
This week, my friend Rachel is talking about how she makes money selling baby clothes on eBay. If you’re a parent, selling second-hand baby clothes online is a fantastic side hustle idea.
I was amazed by how much Rachel made in her first year of running her eBay shop as a new mom. Keep reading to find out how she did it!
### How to Make Money Selling Baby Clothes on eBay
**Tell us a little about yourself and your side hustle.**
I’m Rachel, and I run a blog called Minimalism for Mums, where I talk about simple living with a family. I love discussing how to manage a budget, especially side hustles to boost income. I’ve always wanted to run my own business, and when I became a mom, I found the perfect opportunity right in front of me.
**How long have you been doing this? How did you start?**
I started my eBay store in early 2016, about six months after my daughter was born. I had all these beautiful, outgrown outfits and didn’t know what to do with them. I donated some but decided to sell the nicer items to fund her next set of clothes. I was surprised by how much people were willing to pay for them. Some dresses from popular high street brands sold for almost two-thirds of their original price! So, I began sourcing more clothes from charity shops and baby events and turned it into a business.
**What does your work involve? What does a typical day look like?**
You have to wear many hats in this business:
– **Inventory Sourcer:** Constantly look for good quality clothing. Check car boot sales, charity shops, and online selling sites regularly.
– **Photographer:** Great photos can make or break a sale. Ensure each piece gets a good photo shoot with a nice background.
– **Customer Service Representative:** Good customer service can lead to repeat buyers. Be honest and build rapport with your customers.
– **Marketing Strategist:** Use social media like Facebook or Pinterest to advertise your listings and connect with followers.
– **Courier:** Packing orders and taking them to the post office is tedious but necessary. Some couriers can collect parcels, but it’s more expensive.
– **Accountant:** Track your purchases, expenses, and sales using a simple spreadsheet.
There’s no typical day, but there’s always something to do. A good day might involve shopping for bargains and listing items on eBay with a glass of wine. A less exciting day might involve washing and ironing bulk stock and updating your accounts.
**How much can you make from this side hustle?**
Earnings vary depending on the item. You might buy a dress for £0.20 at a car boot sale and sell it for £15. In my first year, while juggling part-time work and childcare, I made almost £8,000 (over $10,000!).
**Are there any start-up costs or ongoing expenses?**
You don’t need much to start. If you have kids, you can sell their outgrown clothes to test the waters. Stock varies in price, with car boot sales often offering the best bargains. Remember to account for expenses like postage, packaging, eBay fees (10% of sales), and PayPal fees (3.4% of the transaction + £0.20). I also bought a label printer to save time.
As a registered business, set aside some earnings for tax payments and any National Insurance contributions.
**What advice would you give to someone starting out?**
Take good quality photographs. Present your items well; a clean, ironed dress will sell for more than one that’s crumpled. Use natural lighting for the best results. Persevere, even if some months are slow. Consistently add listings to grow your sales.
**Any recommended websites or resources?**
The eBay Seller Resources page has all the advice you need to start your own store. If you want to take this seriously as a business, check it out.
Big thanks to Rachel for sharing her eBay side hustle! This is a great idea for parents to earn extra cash. You can start by selling your own items and then scale up by sourcing bargain clothes to sell. Although Rachel focused on baby clothes, you can adapt her strategy for other types of goods on eBay too.