Influential Woman · Real Estate and Online Retail
Donna West Purcell
Owner/Manager Seller/Lister/ Designer, Self-employed
Belews Creek, NC 27009
Her Story
About Donna
After finding myself on my own following a divorce, I had to figure out how to earn income. I kept a couple of rental properties that helped, and I tried selling stocks for a while, which worked for a time. I've been in real estate for about 45 years and have always maintained my own rental properties. In 2013, I started an eBay store because I've always enjoyed going out to thrift stores and places and finding nice things, but I couldn't keep them all, so I decided to start selling them. It's been pretty lucrative, though it's sort of slow right now. I sell all kinds of things, mostly for ladies. Silk scarves are one of my great items. I started out with beaded bags - I would find beaded bags that needed to be repaired, that were missing beads, and then I started repairing them and reselling them. I also had a former walk in business and sold silver jewelry and I used that as a jumping point for ebay, selling what I had left. I've also been making bead embroidery bracelets, which take a lot of time, planning, and putting designs together. I've taken those off eBay and I'm going to try a face-to-face show in November in Greensboro, where I'll set up a booth with my handmade items alongside other artisans from around the country. I have a very focused work ethic and I don't do anything without thinking it through over and over again until I'm sure how I want to proceed. I try to be honest in everything I do - I don't boost things to make them look better in order to sell them. I'm very adamant about finding things that are in almost perfect shape or near perfect shape.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Donna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think it's the hard work and perseverance. I always say, stay on top of everything, so don't let anything fall behind. I have a very focused work ethic, always have had, and I don't do anything without thinking it through over and over and over again until I'm sure how I want to proceed with something. I try to be honest too - most people nowadays try to boost things to make them look better in order to sell them, but I don't do that. They tried to get me to do AI, and I said no, I'd rather just stick to the facts. I'm very adamant about finding things that are in almost perfect shape or near perfect shape.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, don't jump right in with a lot of things up front. Take it slowly and find a few things that you like and you think other people will like, and test them first, before you invest a lot of money into one thing. You should never put all your eggs in one basket. You should try to stay versatile and go into different things and different aspects, because that always helps you out.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Biggest challenges are being able to afford working for yourself, staying focused and on track. There are always more doors to be opened. If you have a variety of things you can do from experience you can always find something that gives you more.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I have a very focused work ethic, always have had, and I don't do anything without thinking it through over and over and over again until I'm sure how I want to proceed with something. I try to be honest too - sometimes that gets sidetracked sometimes, but most people nowadays try to boost things to make them look better in order to sell them, and I don't do that. They tried to get me to do AI, and I said no, I'd rather just stick to the facts. I'm very adamant about finding things that are in almost perfect shape or near perfect shape. It takes a lot of time to list properly, and if something has to be repaired, it takes time to take care of that before you even think about listing it. I try to be honest about what I list, which is why I've gotten a lot of positive feedback.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · North Carolina
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.