Alumnus finds success in Craigslist business

By William Ordeman / Contributing Writer –

David Matthews started his Craigslist business in 2008 during his senior year at UNT and was soon making almost $1,000 a week.

Matthews, a UNT alumnus, is now a Craigslist entrepreneur and author of two books, “The Craigslist Flip” and “Craigslist Revealed,” that explain how he flips items on Craigslist.

While in school, Matthews said he needed a way to financially support himself without jeopardizing his grades.

“I can’t really work for other people,” he said, “I’m an entrepreneur.”

After researching different Web sites, he found that Craigslist, unlike eBay had shallow competition for small businesses.

Matthews’ business swelled substantially because he bought items under their market value and re-sold them for a market price.

Now his business brings in $150,000 a year, he said.

In his first e-book, “The Craigslist Flip,” Matthew tells the story of how he started his ‘flipping’ business and the basic idea of how it functions.

“Any person that reads ‘The Craigslist Flip’ can pick up the operation and run with it.”

Matthews said some readers asked for more detail, and, in response, he published his second e-book, “Craigslist Revealed.”

The second book shows the reader step-by-step what items Matthews targeted and what price he put them on the market for.

Matthews said he didn’t think flipping items on Craigslist would turn into his full-time job, but to him it was as good a job as any.

Matthews said his passion for being an entrepreneur began well before his senior year of college.

In high school, he started a small T-shirt enterprise, and in college he owned the hookah business, “Eisley’s,” while living in Denton.

Matthews attributes his success to the College of Business having well equipped him for starting his business.

“The professors had a personal concern for each individual student which makes UNT’s College of Business one of the best out there,” he said.

His involvement with the community as well as the opportunities offered by the college plunged him into success.

Opportunities like the Integrated Business Case Competition played a role in equipping Matthews for business ownership, teaching him managing and self-reliant skills, he said.

Grant Miles of the business faculty said he was not surprised by Matthews’ success and knew he was more than capable to start his own business.

“David Matthews was a quietly involved student,” he said. “He was not vocal but was clearly attentive.”

Matthews’ business allows him to travel at will, which, he said, is one of the most rewarding aspects of being his own boss.

Matthews took recent extended trips to Hawaii and California, and he is making plans for the future. When he is not traveling, he lives in Austin.

For more information about Matthews’ books, visit craigslistcareer.com/.