In the early 1990s, the Johnson family emigrated from Canada, where Willis, Kelly’s father and co-owner of UneekSupply, had been a farmer. Willis chose to move the family to the Bakersfield community because it was both family and business friendly. UneekSupply’s start was not exactly deliberate. When the economy took a turn for the worst in 2008, the Johnson family was forced to sell their brick-and-mortar business, then known as Car Stereo Wholesalers. To rid the business of the excess inventory, Willis began selling items online.
Frederickson’s is a family owned and operated tire and appliance store, which first opened its doors in Sheffield, Alabama in 1946. Mr. Frederickson, the founder of the company, hired Tony’s father in 1961. Tony’s father worked his way up the company until he bought the business in 1978. While Tony’s father was the owner, he was able to expand the company, going from just three employees to a 34 employee operation. Tony and his two brothers have both worked for the business since they were old enough to hold a broom.
In 2008 Mace Brasher started selling jerseys and other athletic apparel online. At the time, he was selling as a means for extra income while working as the manager of a call center. Creating his business online allowed Mace certain flexibilities as his sales steadily began to grow. The Internet enabled him to work from home to be closer to his family, as well as create his own schedule, and keep his sales going 24/7. Through hard work and perseverance, Mace has been able to radically grow his business, doubling the company's sales every year for the last four years.
Nationwide Surplus got its start in 2007, when founder Rick Krug decided to start a business selling refurbished computer components and electronics. The business quickly turned to the eBay marketplace to grow sales. As the venture became increasingly successful, Chris Ko, a long time investor in small and medium sized businesses, decided to partner with Rick. ER2 - Electronic Responsible Recyclers works with corporations to recycle their electronics to refurbish and reuse, which are later sold through the Nationwide Surplus brand.
This week, 43 technology-enabled small businesses from 38 states converged on Washington, DC for the 9th Annual U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day. Hosted by the eBay Inc. Government Relations team, the event brings together eBay and PayPal small businesses from all across the country to share their stories with their Members of Congress and advocate on public policy issues that impact their businesses. This year’s participants met with 110 U.S.
Last week, Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-10) and his staff spent time visualizing omnichannel retailing and sitting down with eBay Government Relations to talk about eBay Inc.'s vision and the changing the commerce landscape. As Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, Congressman Nadler is the highest ranking Democrat on the subcommittee with jurisdiction over many policy issues important to eBay Inc. and its consumers, such as intellectual property. The eBay Inc.
On Thursday, May 1 Devin Wenig, President eBay Global Marketplaces delivered an opening keynote at an event held by the Global Innovation Forum, and co-sponsored by Intuit, entitled “The Global Startup.” Devin focused on how technology is reshaping global commerce for businesses of all sizes and reported on eBay Marketplaces’ experience as a global platform dealing with startup businesses all around the world. Devin also&nb