A Step by Step
Guide to Success
For someone out
there on the fence, especially someone young and single, mulling over the idea
of starting their own eCommerce business, Andrew Youderain has some ready
advice: “I would strongly encourage them to do it,” he says. “It could change the trajectory of your whole
life.”
Andrew speaks
from experience. Four-and-a-half years
and several succesful eCommerce businesses later, his life’s trajectory has
evolved from trudging through 14-hour workdays at a small investment firm, to
having the freedom for a seven-month global trek that included hiking across
exotic landscapes, sailing through crystal clear waters, and volunteering his
time to teach basic English to Indian children at a slum school. But don’t get the wrong impression. Success came only as a result of a strong commitment,
research, saving money, and putting in the time. This hard work, however, brought fast rewards
for himself and his family. Using a
mountain euphuism befitting his Bozeman, Montana home, as well as the freedom
found in the entrepreneurial world, he jokingly remarks, “Whatever I kill and
drag home is what I eat.”
Kidding aside, Andrew’s
now ready to give back to the aspiring entrepreneur still searching for his or her
way. He’s put together a step-by-step
guide, “How To Build A Profitable eCommerce Store”, which is available on the
website, StartupPlays.com. He also
writes an informative blog on his site eCommerceFuel.com, and he has written a
free eBook available titled, “Profitable eCommerce.”
“I think the Play
would be helpful to anyone who wants to follow a methodical approach to start
an eCommerce business,” he says, adding that he’s happy to feature it on
StartupPlays.com because, “I know they have a good team over there.”
Andrew grew up in
Idaho Falls, Idaho, and went on to get a Finance Degree from Montana State
University. He chose finance because
he’s “always had an entrepreneur streak.”
Finance, he says, blends the softer skills of Management with the harder
skills found in Accounting. Or, as
Andrew puts it, “How business works under the hood.” After briefly flirting with other business
ideas, he chose the eCommerce model and soon had his first online store, which
sold radio equipment, up and running for a capital investment of about
$1,500. Within six months he was paying
his expenses. Within a year he was
supporting himself and his wife. Still,
in the beginning, it took 60-hour work weeks in a cramped bedroom, and holding
on to his college car that he describes as a “beater.”
“Ninety-five
percent of the time you hear about the end result,” Andrew notes. “It takes a ton of work. It takes a lot of effort and commitment.”
Before choosing
radio equipment, Andrew researched several factors, such as finding a product
that people wanted, as well as a product in which he could add value. He went online to find out what people were
searching for; he considered whether there was confusion on what to buy, what
products work best together, what is the customer’s application. Then he got to work and created an online
store, launching a website that by his own description would not, “win any
awards.”
Whether or not a
person already has an idea or product in mind for a business, Andrew’s Play
would be a good place to start their quest for professional freedom. If someone has a strong desire to be an
entrepreneur but has no idea how to go forward, “How To Build A Profitable eCommerce
Business” will take them by the hand and, if they’re willing to put in the time
and effort, give them a good shot at success.
If, on the other hand, someone is starting with ideas but is not sure
how to proceed, Andrew’s Play could help them sort through their ideas to get
on the right track. They might, Andrew
says, “Realize that their idea isn’t the best way to go forward. It’s a heck of a lot better than spending
thousands of dollars.”
Today, back home
in Montana and going strong with his growing eCommerce businesses, Andrew has a
newfound admiration of his country, saying, “It’s given me a real appreciation
of the entrepreneurial environment that the U.S. embodies and encourages, as
well as other western cultures. It
really makes business possible. There’s
no stigma on failure or not knowing something.
Going out and trying and failing is not seen as a weakness.”
On that note, going
out with the benefit of Andrew’s advice and experience couldn’t hurt, either.
SNAPSHOT: A Few
Places to Find Andrew:
StartupPlays.com
EcommerceFuel.com
Pocketchanged.com: What They DON’T Tell You About Online Business
Shopify.com