Andrew and Kirsten Dudley run Postalsupplies, a business that keeps eBay's army of sellers stocked with Jiffy bags, bubblewrap and boxes.

They operate from an industrial estate in Merseyside and employ three people to keep up with demand.

Andrew first got the idea of selling on eBay when he heard about a woman in Indiana who did much the same and he set out to emulate her success this side of the Atlantic.

"It started small, just selling a few rolls of tape," says Andrew. "We grew so quickly that we were pushed out of the house by the stock. It was everywhere - the bedrooms, the hall. You couldn't move." Andrew, Kirsten and their six children went to live with relatives until premises were found.

Andrew says new sellers should "just go for it" rather than spending too long researching and planning. "It's a vibrant marketplace and it pays to see what works and what doesn't."

But in retrospect he does wish he'd been more concerned about keeping his paperwork organised from the start. Kirsten deals with the customer support side of the business, ensuring customers are happy and know how their order is progressing. Keeping the customers satisfied is crucial and Postalsupplies' impressive feedback, which shows lots of repeat buyers, suggests they are succeeding. Kirsten believes that it's the little touches that make all the difference: every shipment that leaves the warehouse is completed with a "thank you" sticker drawn by the children.

Andrew is planning to diversify into other areas and is already thinking about new products to sell. His advice for sourcing goods at the best price? "Getting as close to the manufacturer as possible."