Overview
This week we talk with Kim Rose about how she turned her part-time reselling passion into a second career. Learn how Kim discovered online selling, what gave her the confidence to walk away from a 22-year career, and how she is succeeding as a new small business owner.
The Seller Community Podcast from List Perfectly is the ecommerce resource for the seller community across all platforms and hub for information on growing your business. Find out more at listperfectly.com/podcast, leave a message or ask a question at anchor.fm/sellercommunitypodcast, or email us at podcast@listperfectly.com.
List Perfectly is the ecommerce resource for selling across multiple e-commerce platforms including eBay, Poshmark, Etsy, Mercari, Kidizen, Grailed, Depop, Tradesy, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram and Shopify.
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Links
listperfectly.com/podcast
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Seller Community Podcast on Anchor
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coloradoreworn Instagram
coloradoreworn linktree
snoop.dougie Instagram
snoop.dougie linktree
listperfectly Instagram
Episode Links
vintagejavakoala Instagram
Indiekoala eBay
TheSlapHappyKoala etsy
Koalatay Poshmark
The Pink Koala Mercari
Transcript
Liz:
Hey, and we are live Doug!
Doug:
What’s up, Liz?
Liz:
Not much, Doug. How are you?
Doug:
I’m doing all right. Keeping busy. You know, I got this podcast that I do. <laugh> With you. <laugh>
Liz:
I know. I look forward to podcast recording days.
Doug:
I know it’s so fun. No, we’re very lucky obviously. And Liz, everybody has been teaching me how to tease. She’s been helping me with my teasing skills. So big stuff is coming. That’s all I’m gonna say. That’s all I’m gonna say. Don’t ask me more, Liz.
Liz:
Oh my God. Okay. Just stop right there. That’s all you give Doug.
Doug:
Stop.
Liz:
That’s it. That’s your stopping point.
Doug:
You know why, Liz? Cause it’s a mystery. It’s a mystery, <mystery sound effect> but it’s gonna be awesome when it comes around.
Liz:
Me, I’m the type of person I don’t even like mystery. I don’t even like to tease. I just like to show up one day and be like, “Hey, guess what guys?”
Doug:
Usually I’d be like, “I got you this present. It’s a day planner.” Like before you open it or something like that.
Liz:
For your birthday in two months.
Doug:
That’s right.
Liz:
Well, I cannot wait until Doug gets to tell everyone what his super-secret surprise is.
Doug:
It’s a lot of fun. Everybody’s gonna dig it. That’s all I’m gonna say.
Liz:
Is that a clue? Dig it?
Doug:
No, I don’t think so.
Liz:
Okay. I thought maybe you were trying to be sneaky right there.
Doug:
I don’t know. You know, we work the Easter eggs in and uh, you know, the little hints, the little teases.
Liz:
Yeah.
Doug:
So, what’s been up with you? I know you did some well, wait, Liz, stop the show.
Liz:
Yes.
Doug:
I will reveal this. We look at the numbers. The numbers are great for the podcast. Obviously, people are listening. Our listenership is increasing. So, each episode used to be, we had a certain, a certain milestone that we would hit in like a week and be happy. Now we’re hitting that milestone in like a couple days. So, these numbers tell us that we are well within the top 10% of podcasts based on weekly downloads. That is really good, Liz. <applause sound effect> I thank you ladies and gentlemen. We appreciate it. Thank you very much. Please hold your applause until the end. We understand just like an airline. You have plenty of options out there. There are plenty of great podcasts out there that we listen to, too. And we are just among them because we’re a big community and you know, everybody’s got good stuff to say.
Liz:
Yes. So, thank you for tuning in and thank you for joining us on The Seller Community Podcast from List Perfectly.
Doug:
Exactly.
Liz:
So yeah, it was really exciting to see that, uh, that the listenership’s up. You know what I also did Doug? I went and I looked at the reviews for the podcast and we have some super awesome listeners. Couple more have left us a couple of reviews. We are up to 35 whole reviews on Apple Podcasts.
Doug:
That’s nice.
Liz:
It is. We get into a routine, we get busy. It’s little things that we just don’t think about. I am guilty of it, too. But if you’re listening to this and you enjoy this and you’re having a great time, if you could find it in your heart to pause this week and leave us a quick review, we would love it.
Doug:
Let us know what you like, what you don’t like. It helps us. It helps us get seen, but we wanna know what you like. Should I read a couple reviews, Liz?
Liz:
Yeah! Do it!
Doug:
‘eBayfann’ says, “Great podcast! Really enjoying the updates and guests on this show. Love the hosts, Doug and Liz are very entertaining. Excellent help for online selling!” Thank you, eBayfann. ‘Rainbow mustache!’ says, “The best. If you are a reseller, or thinking about being a reseller, this is where you need to be. Liz and Doug are the best!” Thank you.
Liz:
Awe.
Doug:
‘HKE1995’ says, “Game changer. Thank you for sharing relevant and timely information! This podcast is a game changer for me.” Awe, that’s very nice.
Liz:
Those are all very nice. Thank you all so much.
Doug:
Thanks everybody. We love doing it. We’re very lucky.
Liz:
Something else super exciting happened. A review I absolutely enjoy and cherish. We had one of our listeners and former guests actually pretty much make us a commercial on her Instagram reels.
Doug:
Oh yeah.
Liz:
Shout out to @refashionedhippie, Maggie Weber. Thank you so much for your little reels. It didn’t even make my day or my week. I’m gonna be like on cloud nine for the next month or two, just because of that reel.
Doug:
Yes. That was a great endorsement and great, uh, great commercial.
Liz:
I love it.
Doug:
And yeah, we’re fans of Maggie’s, too. And she’s got some good stuff going on that we will be bringing to you in the future. See that tease, Liz.
Liz:
Yes.
Doug:
I wanna leave you wanting more.
Liz:
Yes. Well, just know that we have a lot in the works right now, but I’m not gonna tease. I’m just gonna leave it at that. We have so much in the works right now. I am looking forward to the rest of 2022.
Doug:
Me too, cuz it’s gonna be wacky and fun, <affirmative> but this week, another cool episode. Sure to be a hit.
Liz:
Yes. Season two, episode seven. Welcome.
Doug:
Yes.
Liz:
This week we get to talk to another super amazing seller that we know and love, Kim Rose.
Doug:
Friend of the show, as they say, Liz, and a friend of ours.
Liz:
Yes.
Doug:
Try not to reveal too much cuz it all is in the interview, but she’s such a sweet, nice, genuine lady and just so kind and so fun. And so, um, just a nice lady and a really cool, fun, interesting story. And she’s, you know, a big, big fan of List Perfectly and she’s only been a full-time reseller for a few months.
Liz:
Okay. Quit spilling all the beans, Doug. So, I cannot wait for our listeners to be able to listen to Kim about how she turned her side hustle into a full-time business.
Doug:
Let’s get to it. And uh, listen in on our fun chat with Kim Rose.
Liz:
Kim can be found on eBay at indiekoala and on Instagram at VintageJavaKoala. She’s been selling full-time for two months now and part-time for about three years. She’s been on the eBay platform for 22 years and mostly as a buyer. Welcome to the show, Kim!
Kim:
Thank you very much. I’m very honored to be here.
Doug:
Yeah. Thanks for coming on Kim. Excited to talk to you and learn more about your journey and um, recent transitions in your life that we, uh, I mean we’ve known you for a bit, so, but uh, good to have you on the show.
Kim:
Well, thank you very much. I’m glad to be here.
Liz:
I am so excited to learn more about you. And I don’t know, I just kind of felt this connection when I met you like this excitement, right?
Kim:
Yes, me too.
Liz:
Because we have similar stories in a way, but that’s so interesting to me and I have a lot of questions and I want our listeners to be able to learn as much about you as possible. So, let’s get into it. Is that okay?
Kim:
Okay. I’m ready.
Liz:
For those that don’t know, you had a full 22 year career in the corporate world. Tell us a little bit about that.
Kim:
I spent 22 years as a microbiologist for a food company and it was basically just, you know, testing ingredients and food products, um, for bacteria and, um, pathogens. Um, just that sort of thing. A lot of data entry, a lot of data, um, you know, compiling data, doing reports and, and that sort of thing.
Doug:
Corporate world’s very different from the seller world. And we know you moved on from there a few months ago. So, what was it that made you decide to leave the corporate world? Maybe that had, I don’t know, a little more structure, a little more safety, but what was the decision?
Kim:
Well, it actually got to be a very toxic workplace. It got to where it was just really, really, really just a negative and just not where I wanted to be anymore. It was difficult because, my actual job, I loved it. But the last seven years I was there, it just went downhill, you know, and I could see it happening, you know, you try to hang on and try to adjust and adapt and you can only do that so long before you just can’t do it anymore. That’s what happened. You know, I finally just got to the point where it’s like, you know what, I’ve got to find, I got to figure something else out because this isn’t healthy for me.
Liz:
A lot of people have been there. Right? And have noticed that in a full-time corporate environment. Um, but clearly you came up with a plan to fix that for yourself. So, go back a little bit because you’ve been selling online part-time for a couple years, but how did you discover online selling?
Kim:
My parents. Right as eBay came on the scene and my parents, you know, they got on there and my dad, he was always a wheeler dealer his whole life. <laugh> You know, he got on there and was like, oh, okay, this is, this is, this is nice. This is different. You know, it used to be, you know, Craigslist and that kind of thing. So, he got an account on there and that’s where I heard about it. My parents had just started, you know, trying to get on there and see what they could do, but my dad was retired military. So, he was going through that thing where it’s like, “No, I’m not working for the man anymore.” You know? And so that was one of his side gigs and, um, he was really good at it, but that’s where I learned about it. And so, my dad would go out and well, my mom would go too, but, um, my dad would be the finder of the things, you know, to put on eBay. And my mom was the one to list it. They made a really great team there, but, um, that’s where I heard about it. That’s where, you know, I thought, “Well, you know, I think I’ll just get an account and just see what’s for sale.” Um, you know, I was just, uh, not too far out of college and I was <affirmative>, you know, trying to find my way. <laugh> I didn’t really, you know, have the need to, to be a seller, you know, or anything at that point. I did get on there and was like, “Oh, this is cool. So, I mean, I was a buyer for the longest time. Um, I did actually sell probably two or three things in the beginning, just, just for fun, just to see if I could do it <laugh> and I did, you know. It was like, oh, this is cool, you know, but I didn’t carry through with it as anything, you know, really at that point. But, um, the first thing I sold was, um, it was a pair of, oh, the garage door remotes <affirmative> and it was like, I couldn’t believe it. They sold. And it was just amazing, you know, it was really cool. And the gentleman that bought ’em, he didn’t know how to program them. And so, he contacted me, and I said, I don’t know how to program them either. So, I get on the Google and I, you know, I find the information, send it to him and it was just, it was a really good feeling, you know. It was like, I was able to get this gentleman something he needed and then to be able to follow up with that kind of customer service, he was, he was thrilled, you know. Like I said, it wasn’t something that I, you know, continued on at that point. I knew that I had to do something different, but I just, I didn’t know what I was gonna do. You get comfortable, you feel safe, even though you’re miserable, you’re miserable, you know, but you’re safe. You have insurance, you know, you can count on it. Especially when you get older, you wanna have that because you’re looking to retirement and all that. So, you know, it took me a long time to even be comfortable with, you know, thinking about doing something else. You eventually get to the point where, you know, you have to. You know, you have to, for your own health sake. I was just, you know, watching YouTube, just, you know, lying in bed, just, you know, flipping through watching stuff. And I came upon this guy on there that he was a shoe collector, but he would buy the shoes, but he would buy an extra couple of pairs. So, then he could flip ’em and I was like, this is really cool! And I mean, I started watching him and I couldn’t stop. And his wife, you know, was in on it too. And, it wasn’t maybe a month after that, he started getting Amazon return pallets. And doing unboxings on there. And that, I just, I was like, oh my goodness. I have to, I have to figure out how I can do something like this. You know, I’m sitting there with my jaw dropped open, just, you know, watching this and I couldn’t stop. And I’m thinking, this is something that I could maybe get into. So that’s, that’s where it started. And I guess, you know, how YouTube is, they, they see, oh, you like this content, maybe you’ll like this. <affirmative> So, it didn’t take me long. I mean, I was watching, you know, Katy and Vikki and, you know, and that’s, that’s where it all started. And I did research for probably three months. I mean, you know, I would, and it was wonderful. It was great therapy because it got my mind off of my job. So that helped. It just helped, you know, for me to have another focus while I was trying to, you know, figure out what I could do to get away from there. <laugh> Who knew that, you know, it was gonna be this, you know? So, I spent about three months, you know, just watching videos and, you know, I was online and doing research. I mean, I would get home from work, and I would stay up. I got so absorbed. And it was, it was good. It was really good for me.
Liz:
That’s where the YouTubers, they ended up having this positive influence on you.
Kim:
Oh, my goodness. Absolutely. Absolutely.
Liz:
So, content creators out there, you are reaching people like Kim. Telling your stories and telling what you’re doing and sharing your knowledge to inspire people to get out of situations that they don’t wanna be in anymore.
Kim:
Exactly. You don’t, you know, you don’t realize when you’re doing that kind of thing, that you may, you may eventually change somebody’s life. <affirmative>. I mean, I know it sounds dramatic, but it really can. Things that you don’t even think about, you know, and it affects somebody in such a way where it changes their life. I mean, <affirmative>, you know, I know, I think everything happens for a reason and you’re supposed to, you’re supposed to go through what you need to go through to get where you need to go, you know, <affirmative> but there’s going to be those people in the situations there that are going to be part of that journey. Definitely tons and tons of YouTubers that have, have changed my life. <laugh>
Doug:
And who was that first one you started watching?
Kim:
Well, his name, um, it was Franchise Kicks. I think his wife quit her job and I think she’s been working with him as well. You know, it wasn’t long after that, that I came across Katy and Vikki and I was like, oh my goodness. I just fell in love with them. I was like, they are just so cool. And they have been just amazing, influence and role models. And I have learned so much from them, you know, it’s just, and from every, you know, so many other people too, <affirmative>, but since they were, you know, they were my first, um, one of my first, you know, YouTuber channels that I watched and really got into and I just adore them. I really do.
Liz:
Yeah. Well, it’s great because when you go to their channel, they do a live show once a week and they just kind of breakdown what they’re doing. What they bought, what they sold, the real breakdown of what it costs to sell on eBay. And then it’s almost like a weekly family chat is what I call it.
Kim:
Yes, exactly! Exactly. And they’re so transparent too, you know, it’s like, they’re real.
Liz:
Well. And I think that I met you through them, through the BOSS Facebook group, through the Katy and Vikki, uh, YouTube channel. You get online and you see so many, like YouTube user handles and the names in Facebook groups, and they all get mixed up. So, I’m sure that we’d had conversations before, but what really stood out is when you signed up for the BOSS Reseller Remix, and we got to meet in person there for the first time. So, you signed up for that as a brand new seller, <affirmative> right? Or you know, you were thinking about, “Hey, I need something different.” And you made the decision to go to the BOSS Reseller Remix. How was that event for you? How did that, what made you say I’m going and how did it go?
Kim:
Like I said, everything, I feel everything happens for a reason. And if something’s meant to be, it’s not gonna be extremely difficult to <affirmative> get there. You know, that’s just how, I’ve, how I’ve always experienced. It was, you know, follow your gut, you know, don’t force something. If it’s not, you know, supposed to be, I had had just another, just horrible day at my old job. And I came home, and I knew that the tickets were going on sale for the BOSS Reseller Remix. And I got online, and I was, you know, reading some of the posts and she said, “Hey, you know, tickets are on sale. You can go, you know, go, go there and, you know, go ahead and sign up.” And, and in my head, I went, “Oh, I wish I could go.” And like, I took a breath, and it was like something in my head said, why don’t you? Why can’t you? <affirmative> And it was like, I don’t know where that voice came from, but <laugh>, I was like, oh my goodness. Exactly. Why can’t I do this? Why can’t I? And literally five minutes later, I had signed up and I was like, “Oh, I guess I’m going to Vegas.” <laugh> I mean literally that’s exactly what happened. And you know, it’s not that I didn’t wanna go or hadn’t thought about it, but I was in such a, I don’t know, not a rut, but I was just so, you know, being at this job for so long and fighting against the grain with it, you know, I was just exhausted. And it was like, I knew I had to go <affirmative>. And when I said, why can’t I go? I said, there you go. I guess I can. And so, everything went so smoothly, and it all worked out. You know, up to that point, I wasn’t sure, you know, when I was going to leave this job. It was one of those things where I knew I wanted to, and I knew that you know, at a certain point, I knew that I wanted to become a full-time reseller, but you know, how your gut, even if you really hate a situation, your gut still tells you, no, you need to just hang on, just hang on a little longer, you know? And you keep telling yourself, I don’t know how much longer I’m supposed to hang on here. Eventually you have an “aha” moment and you go, “Okay, it’s time. I get it now.” You know, <affirmative> and that happened at the Reseller Remix. I get chills <laugh> just thinking about it now, because it was like, oh my goodness, this is, this is my missing piece. And it literally happened at the meet and greet. I mean, I knew then it was like, I knew it. I just knew it. And I thought, okay, Kim, it’s time to start preparing in your head. Now, <affirmative>, what’s your next step? Because you know that it’s time. I was thinking about it and, you know, it was just a very emotional, very, um, it was an amazing experience, you know, and I credit so much to Katy and Vikki and Clara and Amanda and Theresa. All of them, everybody that was involved in bringing that together. That’s another thing. And like I said, I know it sounds dramatic, but that event changed my life. It changed my life.
Liz:
You go to those events, and you don’t realize that there are people that think just like you, that have these same ambitions. And then you’re suddenly surrounded by successful smart go-getters, thinkers that are out there with so many great ideas. And it’s not a one size fits all. And you learn that being around so many people that are for lack of a better term, just like you, right? <affirmative> Because everybody has some type of story like yours.
Kim:
Exactly.
Liz:
You know, whether it’s I had to leave, I wanted to leave, but you get surrounded by total strangers <laugh> who are kind of in the same boat as you. And that is motivating.
Kim:
Oh, definitely. And, you know, I think a huge part of it was just being right smack dab in the middle of all that support, just being, you know, inundated with, with all that support in person in your face. It was just amazing. It was like, that’s what my turnaround was. It was like, I’m not alone. I have a whole community. And I knew I did, but when you go, when you can go to one of these in person and be face to face and have the actual people there in front of you, hugging you and encouraging you and it’s just amazing. This community is just, I can’t even put it into words. I don’t know what I’d do without them. I really don’t.
Doug:
And that’s a big part of it, it’s the willingness to help the, you know, availability, accessibility going to these events, meeting these people, people that, you know, online that are, you know, celebrities, frankly, in the seller community and you meet them and they’re there and they’re talking to you. And like you said, they’re just like you, they want to help. And then all the things like workshops and, you know, learning there, but networking is probably the biggest part of it. Networking and learning and connecting. But it’s nice to get out there and see a lot of times the term tribe is used, but to see our tribe. Also the different parts of it, like the huge sellers, the smaller sellers, the medium sellers, the marketplaces that are there, people I don’t wanna say on the fringe, but, you know, I guess people like me that are there that work with sellers, I sell, but I’m a low volume seller, but I work with sellers. And just, you know, that place to connect. And, you know, Katy and Vikki had said, you can plan something like this. And it’s like, put all the work into it, but it kind of has to happen. And you never know. And this really happened. And it really worked out and the timing, and obviously they put a lot of effort and thought into it, but some of it is, like, you can plan the coolest, biggest party. And sometimes it doesn’t work out, but this was great. It worked out. And it was so inspiring to so many, so many people, so many attendees, so many sellers, and you’re not the first that had said that event…it was their first seller event. And it changed their life and the course of their business.
Kim:
Absolutely. I couldn’t agree more. If anybody out there has a chance, whether it’s a small gathering, a large gathering, you know, if you have any chance whatsoever, you know, to go to any kind of meetup, you have to go. You have to have that connection with other people that are doing what you’re doing. Doing it online and everything is awesome and it’s wonderful and it’s priceless. But when you can get in person with people that, um, support you so much, and you know, doing the same thing you’re doing, cuz this is a very solitary thing, you know, and you have to make it, you know, unsolitary <laugh>. Sometimes to just, you know, say, oh, okay. You know, there are other people out there and I need to get out and network. And that’s another thing if you don’t, you know, if you don’t do that, you also become really stale with your own business. That’s another good way to grow is just to, um, network and see what other people are doing. You know, if you can, if you can do it in person, you know, even if it’s a group of 10 people, do it, you will not regret it at all. <laugh>
Liz:
I agree with you.
Doug:
Yeah. And Liz, I mean, Liz runs meetups. Liz does events and like you said, there’s all kinds of different types, little ones, big ones, some seller meetups are huge <affirmative> and some are a few people in a living room or at a restaurant or something like that. And like you said, you know you definitely have the online option, but it’s always good, you know, safely to get out and leave the house. Maybe you don’t always have to travel across the country, but, um, you know, hopefully there are a lot of, uh, face to face seller events coming back this year. You know, <affirmative>, we’re seeing some smoke signals on some of the big ones coming back. So, you know, like if eBay Open’s back, that would be an awesome one for you to attend. And I know of a couple others on the east coast, you know, eCommChicago is always great. Um, and there’s some, uh, some new ones that’ll be coming up and we know BOSS Reseller Remix is coming back again. So, uh, we’ll be back there and it’s just, it’s just great. And it’s like you said, it’s a very solitary job.
Kim:
And sometimes that’s okay, but <laugh> to a point. Yeah. Another thing about, you know, if you go, you know, if you network and you go to a meetup or something like that, you walk away with the most incredible friendships, you know, and those friendships carry through, you know, forever. I mean, you walk away from it and you’re like, oh my goodness. Yeah. And now it’s like, oh, I went there, and you know, I kind of knew a few people online and through Facebook, but then you meet everybody in person and when you come back from that, I don’t know how it sounds weird, but it’s like, it’s real, it’s so real. You know, and it’s like, oh, okay. And now you can get on there and, you know, go through Facebook or whatever and keep up with everybody.
Liz:
Yeah, it’s a more personal connection when you meet in person. So, you go to the BOSS Reseller Remix, you come home rejuvenated, you say, yep. That’s exactly what I needed. My gut was right. And then you said, okay. Yep. I’m going full time. And that was in November? <affirmative>
Kim:
Uh huh. 2021, um, November, let’s see, the end of the month of October was when the BOSS Reseller Remix was <affirmative> and that’s where I, you know, had my revelation, I guess you’d call it, you know, it’s like, oh, <affirmative> it’s time. My gut’s going yep, do it. And so, when I got back, you know, I, oh my goodness. I wanted so badly just to give my notice right then. <Laugh> <affirmative> Then again, my gut was like, no, you need to wait. Just, you know, think about what you’re doing. And I thought, you know, what I should do is wait until my 22nd year anniversary. <laugh> <affirmative>. And that way, I can say I made it 22 years, but also since I waited until my 22nd anniversary, I got my bonus and <laugh>, and I had, um, four weeks of vacation accrued. And so, they had to pay me for that. So, I gave my notice on my 22nd anniversary, and then I stayed two weeks after that, cuz I gave two weeks, you know, notice. But it really wasn’t that difficult to go in and give my notice because to be honest, I had, you know, that whole thing had died for me a long time ago. I mean, if you wanna call it that, you know, it’s like I already went through the whole grieving process of the loss, and you do. I mean, there’s so much, especially when you’re somewhere that long. I talked to my manager and gave her my letter of resignation, and nobody was happy at all about it. <laugh>
Liz:
Of course not.
Kim:
Oh, my goodness. You know, it’s also one of those things too, that it was just all part of what I had to do to get where I’m at, you know, <affirmative> I had to wait to give my notice then when I gave my notice, you know, stick it out for those two weeks, it was really, really difficult. But on the other hand, I’m so glad that I did it because I can walk away from there going, you know what I did, I did it right. And I was able to walk out with my head high and you know, say I didn’t compromise. <affirmative> You know what I mean? So, I was also able to walk away without any regrets.
Doug:
So, let’s quickly shift to where you’re at now. You know, it took a bit to get you where you’re at. So, what platforms are you selling on now and what have been the biggest challenges for you in this transition?
Kim:
Right now, I’m on Etsy, eBay, Mercari, Grailed, Kidizen and Poshmark. Biggest challenge. Um, I think it was just learning to take help that’s offered and opening up to others. You know, <affirmative> I know that sounds weird. But especially with my last job, it was like, there just wasn’t that. You just didn’t. If you opened up to anybody or, you know, took help, it was like, there was so much backstabbing and you didn’t want to, you know, be part of that, but <affirmative> you know, so coming out of that, that’s something that I think was my biggest challenge and I’m still working on it, just being able to, you know, to take the help and ask questions. And not feel like I’m taking and not giving, you know, because anybody, you know, out there that is just starting out and you think, oh, I don’t wanna take, take, take. You won’t. You will learn as you go. And you’re gonna be able to give right back to the community. So, you know, whatever you learn, somebody is gonna come in behind you that needs to know that. And you can share that with them. It’s just a really nice circle you get involved in and then you go, okay, well, I don’t feel so bad. Gosh. You know, they put on this great big Reseller Remix, and it was, you know, why did they do that? They didn’t really, you know, they got no compensation out of it. They did it because they wanted people to get together. And I thought, oh my goodness, you know, it’s weird. I almost felt guilty. Cuz, I thought they worked so hard <laugh> they worked so hard on getting it, you know, put together and you know, I went there, and I thought, oh my gosh, these people are amazing. And it’s because they were giving back, you know, they were giving back.
Liz:
Somebody in the past had given to them. You know, resellers. We don’t just know what we’re doing. We learn what we’re doing. We learn best from other resellers. We’re gonna work you through that challenge. And I’m glad that you’ve seen, you can take, take, take, because you need to learn because one day, you’re gonna give, give, give. So, with that, what has been one of your, the biggest surprises that you’ve come across so far?
Kim:
The biggest surprise that I’ve found is the peace that I now have, the peace that I have now. I had no, no clue that I was gonna feel this, you know, I just had no clue. That doesn’t really, I guess, have anything to do with the reselling side. It’s more of a personal surprise, I guess. I had no clue. I mean, I haven’t felt this, this sense of peace for many years, you know, going into this, I didn’t know that I was gonna feel this, this peace and this, you know, oh my goodness, <affirmative> I can breathe. That’s actually been the biggest surprise, I think, as far as the personal aspect.
Doug:
So, what’s been your biggest success so far?
Liz:
It was meeting Doug and Liz at the BOSS Reseller Remix.
Kim:
Exactly.
Liz:
I’m just kidding. I’m just kidding. No, please answer in your own words.
Kim:
Oh my gosh. I was so geeked out when I first saw you guys there. I was like, I couldn’t even talk to you. I was like, oh my goodness. The celebrity of it all. Oh yeah.
Liz:
I was like, oh my gosh.
Doug:
We knew, I mean, we definitely knew of you.
Liz:
Yea, I knew who you were.
Doug:
We knew you in the community and it was exciting to meet you, too. And I’m still overwhelmed that people want to take pictures with us and are so excited to meet us. Cause we’re just as excited to be like, “Okay, I’ll take a picture with you.” I understand Liz…but, you know.
Kim:
<laugh> It’s all just so much fun. But my biggest success was just making it to the point where I could go full time. It was a learning journey. It was one that I had to go through. I couldn’t, you know, you don’t go around stuff and be successful. You have to go through it coming out on the other side of it. Being at my other job until my gut said it’s okay. Okay. It’s time. I look at that as a huge success, because it was so difficult to stay there.
Liz:
It is. There’s a lot of logistics and a lot of planning and a lot of things to think about. It’s not like you wake up one day and be like, I’m gonna leave the job I’ve had for 22 years, and this reselling thing sounds like fun. So, there are people that do it and they are very adventurous, and I admire them for their grit and being able to do that. That’s not the norm, but it happens. And I always say this, I don’t care how long I’ve been selling. I can learn something from everybody. Some of my best tips come from sellers that are seeing selling for the first time today because you get such great insights as a newer seller. What’s your bestselling tip for sellers that are just starting out?
Kim:
You know, I think, I don’t know if I can give just one. <laugh>
Liz:
You can give two. Come on.
Kim:
Oh, okay. Oh awesome. Oh goodness. Just be consistent. You know, if you have a bad day, if you know you go, oh gosh, I didn’t make any sales. You know, don’t let that rule the rest of your life. You know, it happens to everybody, not just new people. I mean, and there may not be a rhyme or reason to it. Pull up your boot straps and get back on that horse. You know <affirmative>, don’t let that you know, go, oh, for the next three days, I’m gonna be depressed. No, that’s not what you do. You gotta, <affirmative> you gotta stay consistent. Follow your gut. I’ve never had anything I’ve followed my gut on and led me the wrong way. You know? I say, if you truly feel something in your gut, you know, you need to follow your gut. There again. That’s really kind of subjective, you know, but being consistent.
Liz:
But someone out there needs to hear it.
Kim:
Yeah. No, that’s true. That’s true. And I mean, I believe in that wholeheartedly, cuz my gut’s never steered me wrong. <affirmative> You know, when you stray away from that gut feeling is when you get in trouble. <laugh>
Doug:
That’s true.
Liz:
Well, clearly your gut was right. Cuz when we asked you to please come on the podcast, cuz we wanted to talk to you. You said yes. So clearly your gut is great.
Kim:
Oh yes. Well now I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to see you guys. Come on. <laugh>.
Doug:
Thank you.
Kim:
It’s an honor to be here. It really is.
Doug:
It’s an honor to have you on.
Kim:
Oh well thank you.
Doug:
Kim, we’ve covered a lot. Your journey. You know how you got started. How you left the corporate world and this, you know, this amazing journey, uh, your influences, your experience at BOSS Reseller Remix, and I’m gonna put a teaser out. Liz has helped me just to do the tease and not throw it out there. We’re gonna be hearing a lot more from Kim. So, keep an eye and an ear out.
Liz:
That was a big tease there, Doug.
Doug:
Well, I’ve been told I’m a big tease. <laughter> But Kim, is there anything that you would like to add?
Kim:
Just don’t give up. I mean, I know that’s so cliche, but you know, count on the support of this community because they, you will get it and again, you know, consistency, you know, just be consistent. Don’t not take the opportunity, you know, to take help if it’s offered and ask questions, you know, it’s just, it’s all part of being a part of the community and allowing that community to support you the way they want to. And then you can do the same, you know, back.
Doug:
No, those are great tips and trust your gut.
Liz:
Yes.
Kim:
Yes, absolutely. <laugh>
Doug:
And sometimes it takes seven years to make that decision, but that’s OK too.
Kim:
<laugh> Or you make the decision seven years previous and then, you know, you’re silly enough to stick with it for seven years and go, what am I doing? <laugh>
Doug:
But no, it was a brave move you made.
Kim:
Well, thank you. It’s an individual personal decision for each person, you know, to do it when they feel it’s right. It was scary, but you know what, anything where you’re going to grow, it’s gonna be scary, but you can do it.
Liz:
I cannot think of a better note to end this interview on than that advice right there. Kim, I have learned so much about you. I cannot wait to learn more about you. Cough cough, Doug. Thanks for the teaser.
Kim:
Oh, my goodness. <laugh> Now, I’m scared.
Liz:
So, thank you so much, Kim, for coming on today, sharing your journey. I, like I said, you know, somebody’s gonna hear this and it’s gonna be exactly what they needed to hear today.
Kim:
I hope so. I do. And I thank you so much for having me on it. It’s been so much fun.
Doug:
And thank you for coming on and your story’s very inspiring and you will definitely inspire others. You know, people that are thinking of making the shift or learning from what you do. So, we appreciate it. And you know, again, it’s admirable and we are, we are proud of our friend Kim, too.
Kim:
<laugh> Thank you!
Liz:
Thank you for joining us on The Seller Community Podcast from List Perfectly. You can find us at listperfectly.com/podcast. Leave a message or ask a question at anchor.fm/sellercommunitypodcast. You can also email us at podcast@listperfectly.com. You can post a question in the List Perfectly Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/listperfectly. Use the #SellerCommunityPodcast. Mention me or mention Doug.
Doug:
You can listen to us anywhere you listen to podcasts and be sure and subscribe. Tell your friends, and if you’re on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please leave us a review. You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok. Liz is @ColoradoReWorn. I’m @Snoop.Dougie, and of course, follow @ListPerfectly. Also, you can use our code podcast, P-O-D-C-A-S-T, for 30% off your first month of List Perfectly or 30% off your first month upgrading your plan.
Liz:
All right, Doug, I’ll see you next time.
Doug:
Next time.