Joan Vogel Elias of Absolutely Vintage Designer & Collectible Jewelry tells her own very personal reasons for starting her website:

"I had two elderly parents, one ill, and needed to be available for daytime doctor's appointments, etc. My jewelry was in five stores and I was no longer able to put the time into merchandising and stocking them. I felt the Internet would allow me to work whenever I had the available time. I also felt that cyberspace was the "New Frontier" and I wanted to be involved in the adventure."

Joan opened her website Absolutely Vintage Designer & Collectible Jewelry on September 15, 1998. She says, "It's a tremendous amount of work and commitment but I love what I do and the people I work with. That is what makes it all worthwhile."

About online auction selling, Joan admits, "I have only done about six auctions in my entire 'cyber' life. I decided early that I would rather be the captain of my own ship and put my time and energy into my website instead of the auctions. I have learned that when the other guy owns the ball it's his game, not yours."

Joan compares in-person store experience with website selling: "I had a physical store (many years ago) and prefer to be free of time obligations even though I work many more hours than I would in a store. Also, even though having a professional web site is not inexpensive it is certainly less expensive than rent in my area."

On the prospects of earning a livelihood on web sales, Joan is a true role model: "I support myself, a full time assistant/webmaster and an additional part time worker on what I make on my website. Luckily I have a huge stock (approximately 6-7,000 pieces, maybe more) always on hand so getting quality merchandise is not a problem for me. I think that is a big part of the battle."

For future plans, Joan says, "My plan is to continue to keep Absolutely Vintage Designer & Collectible Jewelry one of the very best sources for quality vintage jewelry and accessories on the Internet. Personal service, free gift wrapping and gifts included with every sale have been some of the ways I have accomplished this. Keeping fresh merchandise on the website is another all important factor. I now have over 1,250 pieces on the internet on the site and update weekly."

Joan's biggest personal benefit from selling on the Net: "This one is easy. The opportunity to meet people from all over the world who share the same passion as I do! The support, camaraderie and shared knowledge of hundreds of dealers and collectors through online groups such as Jewelcollect. A 24 hour/7 day a week/ 365 day a year selling venue. Life is good!"