Ecommerce Project Manager Job - Asset To Company?

[olimits7]

Hi,

I've been working on my ecommerce site for the past couple of years, and I'm constantly learning new things each day; which is great.

I will like to keep my site running, eventually quit my full-time job, and make a business out of my ecommerce site. However, if the day comes where I decide to close up shop I would like to get a job doing something similar in ecommerce.

I did a double major in MIS and Finance; currently my full-time job is in corporate finance, but I did also work as a network administrator too.

Even though I didn't work for a major ecommerce company, I still feel like starting up my own ecommerce site myself I gained a lot of experience with all aspects of an ecommerce business.

So my question is do you think if I apply for a job at a major successful ecommerce site would they see all the work I've done on my own ecommerce site as an asset to their company?

Or would they disregard it since I didn't do all this work for a major player in ecommerce? Or maybe they will think his ecommerce site is no longer up so he must not know what he's talking about - which is not true if I had a large ecommerce capital backing me up I could do so much more?

As all of you can relate; I've done everything from setting up LLCs, shipping contracts, wholesale accounts, product/content site management, customer service, merchant accounts, advertising/marketing, analytics, affiliates, SEO/PPC, etc...

So if my site doesn't succeed; I would hate to walk away from this after putting in so much time without at least getting some benefits out of it. I would at least like to take everything I learned and use it at another major ecommerce company.

Thank you,

olimits7

[caribguy]

I made the transition from being partner in a small design firm to a corporate role as project manager about 12 years ago.

The company that hired me did so in great part because of my experience as an entrepreneur. You might find that it all comes down to your ability to spin your resume to make it fit with what that prospective employer has to offer. e.g. reasons why you consider leaving your own EC firm, what practical skills do you bring to the table, are you a 'team' player, etc...

So if my site doesn't succeed

I personally think that's not the right attitude to go at it full time. Make a better plan: figure out what causes there could be for the business to fail and fix those before putting all your eggs in one basket.

If you eventually might want to work in EC rather than finance, why not look for a job in that sector now? Keep doing what you do now part-time, make new contacts and learn while doing your day job, and grow your biz until you feel comfortable that you will succeed...

[LifeinAsia]

I think a lot will depend on the corporate culture of the company. If they are a big, top-down monolith of a behemoth, they may disregard anything done outside the corporate world and actually see your entrepreneurial spirit as a negative. But if the corporate culture leans more entrepreneurial, it will probably be seen as a big plus.

[bwnbwn]

I think any company large or small values an employee that has the guts to be a startup. Being a startup is something not many people can do. It takes a special person willing to stick there neck out invest money, much personal time, paper work, accounting work, communication skills, and the strength to make it happen. I see your new resume with this added to it a great plus even if the ecommerce site doesn't make it. There is an old saying "You can't catch a fish if you don't go fishing" This can be applied to you.

I started an ecommerce company up 10 years ago. It is still operating, has led to a brick and mortar business, and landed me the job I have today. I didn't even need to apply the CEO came to me with an offer as he saw value in the type of personality I had.

I don't want to quit this job it is stable and I enjoy it much, so I hired me some employees to do the shipping and store. My wife oversees that part and I do all the backend stuff. When they are not busy at the store or shipping it is a task for the employees to write blogs and articles.

You can do whatever you set your mind to do just keep your wits and remain loyal to those that employee you and you will indeed succeed.

[olimits7]

Thanks for all your replies...

bwnbwn, I agree with you completely. If I was the CEO of a big time company, and I saw someone like myself walk through the door with the motivation, drive, and skills to launch a startup on their own. This would be a great quality to have and the person would have great valuable work experience from doing it all on their own.

olimits7

[rjwmotor]

This is an interesting topic b/c it is something I'm considering right now.

I've been running my own biz for about 15 years-started when I was 20-and started building my own sites from scratch about 10 years ago and learned as I went.

While they have been successful and still are-they're all I do-I find myself curious about a career with another company simply b/c of stability/benefits/401k, etc... This is all I've done my entire adult life for income and I would keep them going even if I did go in a different direction.

Being your own boss can be great and it can also be terrifying at times. I went back to college and will be finishing up in the fall and am still unsure how companies may perceive me if I do decide to enter the job market.

[dpd1]

While they have been successful and still are-they're all I do-I find myself curious about a career with another company simply b/c of stability/benefits/401k, etc... This is all I've done my entire adult life for income and I would keep them going even if I did go in a different direction.

If you want to try it for yucks, go for it. But trust me... You aren't missing anything. You made a major accomplishment at that age. I would have given anything to get started off on my own that early. I've worked for other people in many fields, and stability is about the last thing I ever felt. Because you never know when the guys who run the place (or their retarded relatives who take over) are going to drive the whole thing into the ground and take everybody with them. And the best part is, you get to just sit there everyday and watch the disaster unfold. Personally, I would just stick with what you've got going and enjoy the freedom.

[bwnbwn]

dpd1 what you say is true but if that were to happen to the company I work for I would be layoff or cut back the hours of my employees and take over the business. I could survive on that income so in effect I have built in a lets say in sever language a "disaster backup".

One thing for sure in life nothing is certian and should never be considered as such. I try my best not looking at tomorrow but focus on today as tomorrow may really never come. Do I make plans sure we all do but I don't dwell on what may be coming I work on what is happening.

[digitalv]

As you probably guessed the answers to all of this are pretty subjective. I've been on both sides (the employee turned entrepreneur, the entrepreneur turned employee, and back again). And now that I'm regularly hiring people, the main thing that I try to figure out from applicants in that same situation is why.

Why does someone who had started their own company now want to work for mine? Some possible reasons that go through my head:

1. Their product is inferior and they weren't able to sell it. This is a quality of work issue. If they cut corners on their own company, I can't expect them to give 100% on mine.

2. Their ultimate goal is to be in business for themselves, and they want to take advantage of what they can learn from my company to better their own. If this is the case, I'm not interested in hiring them and putting my resources into someone who will ultimately become a competitor - and possibly take my hard-earned customers with them.

3. They don't know how to run a business. Running a business isn't for everyone, and some people don't learn that until they try it. I get that and can totally respect it. What concerns me is that some people don't know how to run a business but haven't figured it out yet, and eventually they'll quit and run off and start their next half-baked venture.

4. How much time is their "side business" going to take up? I'm not a fan of side projects. I was the guy who used to always do that when I was in my 20's, starting a business on the side while working for someone else. I didn't realize how inefficient I was at both jobs until I stopped doing it. I'm still guilty of thinking I can fit more into a day than I actually can.

Those are the four main things I try to figure out - and no, I don't just come out and ask because everyone who interviews knows how to say exactly what the employer wants to hear. There are a few other things I look for that tell me if you're qualified or full of crap. For example if you claim to be a marketing expert, your business should be doing so well that you aren't looking for a job. Also, pay grade is a consideration... if you're going to sit there and tell me your business was successful and you grossed over $1 Million last year and now you're "just tired of running it", then you would sell the company and kick back. You wouldn't be at my door looking for a $70,000 salary. Yes, people have actually tried that line...

Anyway, not trying to be long-winded just saying tread carefully because there are more ways that playing the business owner card can hurt you than help you. Depending on your specific situation, you might consider creating an "invisible man" to steer the interviewer away from the subject. Maybe say something like "Well, you know how starting a business with a friend goes... one guy does all of the work and the other one never seems to get out of bed in the morning. The bottom line is I bring a lot of knowledge and experience to the table and want to move forward with a company where it can be put to good use."

[rjwmotor]

"invisible man"

HA! I use the invisible man all the time when companies/salesman try to sell me on something...
"I'm not sure, I'll have to check with my "partner".

digitaltv, those are good things to think about when interviewing and are exactly the things that I would expect if I were to look for a job. It's not that I don't enjoy being my own boss and having the freedom; I'm just not feeling very challenged or fulfilled by my "actual" work anymore. I enjoy the backend stuff but not really what I'm actually selling/providing customers.