From debt to full-time reselling: One man’s transition

In 2022, Rockwell was earning $60,000 a year in a sales role that failed to cover his living expenses and debt obligations. After discovering the potential of online marketplaces, he spent his evenings and weekends sourcing inventory from thrift stores and garage sales. By 2023, his first full year of reselling, he grossed $50,000 on eBay. This initial success provided the momentum to clear his credit card debt and build a $50,000 safety net, which he and his wife deemed sufficient to transition away from his traditional employment.

Rockwell officially quit his job on April 1 of this year. He now manages his inventory across multiple platforms, including Depop, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace, with an annual revenue goal of $100,000 to $120,000. While the work remains demanding—requiring consistent sourcing trips to Goodwill bins and daily listing cycles—the shift has fundamentally changed his daily life. Beyond the financial recovery, he credits the move with granting him the flexibility to be present for his young daughter, replacing a grueling commute with a schedule he controls.