Stephen motors to trader title win

Mar 29 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

AN e-entrepreneur who sells rare car and motorcycle manuals on eBay has been named top trader in a regional competition to encourage people to start their own businesses online.

Stephen Williams, 41, of Newcastle, beat off competition from nine other budding entrepreneurs who each won £2,000 to start a business via the trading site in a challenge run by regional development agency One NorthEast and e-business champions the North East Regional Portal.

Notching up a turnover of around £32,000 in just 10 months, judges of the YouTrade competition declared Stephen’s performance as outstanding.

He said: “It is a real boost to your confidence when others recognise the hard work that has gone into your business. The sense of achievement is immense. I must say that without help and support from the YouTrade team it would not have been possible. The advice and encouragement early on were invaluable.”

Stephen’s business, Books-U-Need, sells automotive workshop and repair manuals for cars such as Nissan, Toyota and Ford, which aren’t readily available in the UK and other manuals which are difficult to get hold of.

“The idea came from a friend asking if I could purchase, through eBay, a second-hand Haynes Workshop and Repair Manual for his vehicle,” says Stephen.

“It turned out that Haynes did not publish one and there were no alternatives available on eBay. After a little digging, I managed to source a manual from an Australian publisher.

“Further research showed that there were hundreds of makes and models not covered by the traditional UK repair manual publishers. I now source manuals for cars, motorcycles, tractors, outboard motors and water craft from Australia, Japan, Europe and the USA.”

Stephen achieved Power Seller status within two months of trading on eBay, with 1,500 pieces of positive feedback. He now plans to expand the business into the Australian market having had more than 6,000 hits to his listings from prospective buyers there.

Judges evaluated Stephen’s business on areas including financial reporting, sales and turnover, adherence to the eBay model and marketing.

Regional portal chief executive Norma Foster said: “Stephen really embraced all aspects of the YouTrade competition and was extremely successful.”

The YouTrade competition was launched in November 2006 with a Dragons’ Den-style panel selecting the 10 finalists. Among the other successful pitches were business plans for jewellery and accessories, fitness equipment sales and antiques companies.