People seldom recognize the power of an idea until it has already borne the fruits of success. But before the recognition, before the notoriety and the confidence it brings, the idea is there nonetheless–a simple thought, a spark at first, waiting to be found and brought to life. It triggers a kind of silent energy that is the lifeblood of the entrepreneur. The following blog is my story of finding that in myself and making it real: the journey behind the development, pitfalls, and paths taken to the ultimate launch of Auctionopia.com.
In the spring of 2007 in a dorm at Virginia Wesleyan College, the spark ignited. From there, I began to envision what Auctionopia was to be. I was 20 years old, blindly optimistic, a bit naive, but persistent. I was hungry, and I knew a long road lay ahead. It was just a simple notion–but four deceptively short years later, it has evolved into an idea that I believe will revolutionize online auctions by empowering buyers and sellers alike under one unique and free marketplace.
We are taught to dream big. My dream was to share the story and outcome of this idea, so that others might benefit from it. My dream was to compete with the mammoth, eBay, and inform its thriving market of savvy businesspeople that there are alternatives that appeal to them on a myriad of levels. My dream was to tap into the entrepreneurial spirit that is in each of you, our members, and make the online marketplace accessible to a broader audience.
These have been my goals since inception, and are still as strong today as they ever were. But four years ago, I had to ask: where should I possibly start?