It seems only fitting that My eBay Jobs Project has come to an end today on Labor Day (I started this post yesterday and had intended to finish and post it then -but it didn't happen). My eBay Jobs Project was only supposed to be for the month of August, but towards the end of last week I had a couple of things come up, so I had to work much of each day during this "3 day weekend".
In summary, My eBay Jobs Project turned out to be a very interesting experience, albeit a financial disaster. I had the opportunity to work for a couple of local small businesses: Glass Gardens NW and Smiley Dog. The owners of these companies are Barbara Sanderson and Craig Weindling, who are long time domestic partners and 'won' me on eBay. They teamed up to make the winning (and only) bid of $1000. Even at $1000 for the month, this would not have been a profitable venture for me, but after $90.55 in fees to ebay, $32.06 in PayPal fees, a $30 Smiley Dog business lunch I paid for and about $200 in gas (which were travel expenses that should have been reimbursed according to the terms of the auction), I netted approximately $647.39 for the month. Out of that $647.39 I paid $500 to my daughter's mom, so I netted a whopping $147.39 for the month (not including extra expenses I had for eating out and on the road on multiple occasions). I'd guess that even including all the expenses, I didn't come close to earning even minimum wage. Needless to say, the whole experiment was a seriously dreadful financial disaster. Live and learn.
Because my time was mostly committed to both companies during the month, there were several income opportunities (not to mention fun times like Seafair and Bumbershoot) that I had to turn down. It was basically a terrible business arrangement for me - but I did learn a lot and got to know and work in a couple of really cool small businesses. It seems that I've been able to figure out multiple ways to donate lots of work to small businesses during my past 3 years of unemployment ... I found it interesting that Barbara and Craig seemed surprised that I turned down the opportunity to renew the arrangement for the month of September ... Just could not make that work - although for the most part I did enjoy working for both of them.
I had started off the project determined to bust my butt and really make a difference and big impact in both businesses. I feel like I failed miserably, for a number of different reasons - many of them probably just excuses on my part. The entire idea kind of started out as a joke - a show to the entire world that I am willing to do pretty much anything to find a job. I never actually thought that eBay would allow the auction to run it's course, but when it was apparent that they were not going to stop it - it was very stressful on the last day. I had no idea who I might be working for - nor what I may be doing. I was certainly fortunate to be 'won' by people I was familiar with.
The title of the auction was "Fit, Healthy and Energetic 49 Year Old Male Travel Companion, Butler or Slave" and at our first meeting Barbara gave me an idea badge she made up that said "Hello! My name is Joe Kennedy. I am the property of Glass Gardens NW. If lost, please return to Glass Gardens NW." Yeah, it was kind of funny, but as time went on, I was continually introduced to people as her slave - and it got old quick. I guess I started actually feeling like one ...
Towards the end I was given an assignment that I thought could be automated with software I use and hence done in a day or two. Once I dug deeper, I realized that it was not what it appeared - and just could not get it done in the time I had to spend on it. I think I let Barbara down, but was more than a little peeved that she could even ask me to do such a Herculean task in the few days I had to work on it. In the end, I did work past my committed 'slave time' and numerous hours each day of the holiday weekend - even though I could have just stopped on August 31st. Still the same, there is not a lingering warm, fuzzy feeling.
It was certainly an educational experience and I learned that IF I ever decide to do something like that again, I will 1) Put a much higher minimum bid on my services, 2) include many more conditions on the auction and 3) make sure that all conditions are understood and met before accepting payment and starting work.
As it stands today, I am still looking for gainful employment. My ideal situation would be to work in the health, fitness, nutrition or travel industries - preferably in internet marketing, social media and/or as a community builder on a national or world-wide scale. In case you are interested in knowing more about my background and work experience, my resume can be found on the link the navigation panel of this site, or over at: JoeConnector.com. You can find out even more information about me (maybe more than you want to know) by simply Googling "Joe Connector", "Joe Connector Kennedy" or "Joe Kennedy Bellevue".
Until I find someone who is willing to hire me and actually pay me a decent wage, I am working as an independent contractor for a new 'social commerce company', giving myself the title of National Community Builder for 49DollarCellService.com. Translation: I am working to help as many people as possible save money on their cell phone bills - and showing them how to help others do the same. I am one of the 'Founders' of a really cool company with national headquarters right here in Bellevue called Solavei. If you are interested in getting high quality and unlimited voice, text and data nation-wide cell service for only $49 a month - with no contracts or credit check, please give me a call on my Solavei HTC One S phone at 425-429-8590. If you are motivated to earn an extra income, there are many who are doing that just by sharing the service with their friends and family.
Thank you for taking your valuable time to read this post - I would appreciate your feedback by taking a minute to leave a comment on this post. Thank you.
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