Sponsored Content | Brand Spotlight Partner What's This?
Starting My Online Business Wasn't the Toughest Challenge, Scaling it Was: How I Grew Revenue by More Than 50% Selling on eBay eBay, the long-time e-commerce powerhouse, continues to advocate and provide support for BIZ Experiencess when they need it most.
Stephanie Franco had steady jobs that paid the bills but, like many people, she strived to make more money for her young family.
Back in 2017 she had created a seller account on eBay called Outgoing Lady, later renamed to Lady Suburbia. "I wasn't really serious about it," Franco admits, reflecting on those early days. "It was definitely a way to make some extra cash." Lady Suburbia was merely an outlet for her to sell used clothing and shoes while juggling contract work, another business, and parent demands.
By 2021, with growing kids, she needed to increase her income and yet each option she considered felt at odds with her desire to have greater flexibility as a full-time working parent. She prided herself on being resourceful.
And as her passion for finding great deals grew, so did her ambition. "I took that passion of finding deals and switched it to more of a full-time effort. … I just went for it." The allure of flexibility and the promise of BIZ Experiencesship led her to establish an LLC, transforming her hobby into a legitimate online business.
To take Lady Suburbia to the next level, Franco expanded her product offerings on eBay. She began sourcing items like digital cameras and thermostats and posting listings to eBay. Franco honed her strategy, focusing on items that sell better than others. "I became more comfortable with the items I wanted to sell and finding locations where I could source well-priced inventory," she says.
However, as Franco expanded her product offerings and ventured into new categories, she encountered a familiar hurdle: a lack of working capital. To manage the expansion, and facing a dip in sales, she worried she might have to go back to a full-time job.
A few short months later, Franco received an email from eBay that changed everything. An email from eBay's Seller Capital program arrived like a beacon of opportunity. Timely and affordable capital is often a lifeline for sellers seeking the financial boost to scale their operations.
eBay has long championed BIZ Experiencess and small-business owners and eBay's Seller Capital program, is a game-changer for sellers like Franco. Through eBay's financing partner Liberis, Franco was offered a Business Cash Advance—up to $1 million in financing with a flexible payment plan that adapts to her sales.
"[eBay had] perfect timing and allowed me to take advantage of funds that I needed to take my business to the next level," Franco says.
This financial injection enabled Franco to rent a storage unit, expanding her inventory to include DVDs, CDs, sports memorabilia, toys, and books. Her listings skyrocketed from 200 to nearly 700. "I was able to purchase inventory mainly in bulk, which helps lower my cost of goods," Franco notes, and additionally, she observed a significant increase in her profit margins.
In the final six months of 2024, Franco's revenue matched the entirety of 2023, marking a 55% increase in sales year-over-year. Categories like toys and games saw an astounding ~500% uptick, while surveillance and smart home electronics surged by 1,000%.
Franco's success story underscores eBay's commitment to empowering BIZ Experiencess and creating economic opportunities for all. The eBay Seller Capital program is more than just a financial service; it's a catalyst for growth. "It allows you to do so much for your business." Franco went on to add, "It's streamlined, and I know when I have questions, there are people within the program who can help me and answer those questions fast."
For Franco and others, navigating the waters of an BIZ Experiences can be challenging, but eBay Seller Capital offers a buoy to thrive.
Click here to learn more about eBay Seller Capital and how it can help your e-commerce business grow.
