How two Floridians are using their eBay Store to make a cultural exchange
At the end of 2003, Asad Bangash and Jody Rogers were selling cars in Columbus, Ohio. Now they're bridging cultures, pushing fashion trends, and growing an international brand. And it's all been possible with an eBay Store. |
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The background
Already seasoned salespeople, Asad and Jody wanted to go out on their own. So they started thinking about what kind of business they'd like to open-and what would be successful. Since Asad was already selling cars on eBay, they knew eBay was definitely a sales channel they wanted to explore. But what to sell?
The opportunity presented itself when Asad's mother prepared to return to Pakistan to attend a wedding. Asad and Jody gave her a chunk of money and asked her to purchase an assortment of hard-to-find items. Asad's mother returned with her treasures and he listed them on eBay. The couple experimented, finding out what sold well, and began focusing on trendy khussa shoes, henna, and accessories. And back went Mom to Pakistan.
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"Because of Traffic Reports, we discovered that many buyers were finding our Store through a fan site for the movie Ever After that talks about our khussa shoes. Now we advertise directly to these fans to make the most of this source."
Asad Bangash |
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Why eBay?
They started selling in earnest in 2000, concentrating on shoes, apparel, jewelry, and henna kits. Asad and Jody found eBay's worldwide Community-now reaching 222 million buyers-an ideal marketplace.
"We're taking cultural ideas and making them available to people who have never been exposed to them before," says Asad from their offices in Altamonte Springs, Florida. With eBay, Asad and Jody can sell to buyers who are new to Indian and Pakistani fashions and merchandise and can't buy them where they live. "Some of our hottest markets are in places like the U.S., the UK, Canada, and Australia."
And so Beachcombers Bazaar was born.
Jody and Asad move to an eBay Store
In 2004, Asad and Jody heard about an event called eBay Live! Since it was being held in New Orleans that year, they decided to take a little road trip.
Until then, they'd been selling via Auction-style format listings only. At eBay Live!, Asad and Jody discovered what an opportunity an eBay Store could be. They learned what other people were doing with eBay Stores, the tools available to them, and how to market their business. More >> |
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