Marlene Gavens is an ‘eBay Certified Business Consultant and Education Specialist’ who teaches individuals and businesses how to use eBay to achieve their goals. As an experienced seller and instructor, she has the knowledge and the skills to guide you to eBay success!

Marlene has been an active member of the eBay community since 2004. She was immediately drawn into the excitement of the auction when she began to sell the many antiques and collectibles she had inherited. Within the first few months of selling she received an invitation to join the PowerSeller ranks - even before she knew what a PowerSeller was!

In 2005 Marlene met the requirements to become an ‘Education Specialist Trained by eBay’ giving her the ability to share her passion with others by teaching the official eBay University curriculum. In June 2007 she was invited to speak at the Education Specialist workshop at eBay LIVE in Boston, MA. In the fall of 2007 Marlene became an ‘eBay Certified Business Consultant’ – one of only 28 people in the world to achieve this distinction!

After an article was written in the local newspaper (The Suffield Observer) about her Trading Assistant business, Marlene became known as the ‘Hometown eBay Expert’. She was also recently featured in an article on the Norwich (CT) Bulletin website. She is currently a mentor in the Education Specialist program as well as a mentor on the DOUA site (Disabled Online Users Association – www.DOUA.org).

Marlene teaches eBay classes for a variety of organizations in CT, MA & VT including Adult Education programs, Parks & Recreation Depts., Senior Centers, Community Centers, Libraries and Community Colleges. Students can register for group classes or schedule a private class for more personalized instruction.

Marlene also offers Training and Consultation Services for individuals and businesses looking to use the eBay platform to expand their market, increase distribution channels or develop an online presence. She works with start-up & home-based businesses as well as brick and mortar stores, distributors & liquidators. Having been a PowerSeller and a Trading Assistant, her wealth of on-the-job experience allows her to customize these trainings to meet the client’s specific eBay interests and needs.

Enhancing her eBay training and consulting services, Marlene maintains a relationship with a professional organizer and several Trading Assistants so she can provide a range of services to those who contact her for assistance with eBay.

While eBay is large part of Marlene’s life, her non-eBay activities and interests help create a balance. Marlene has been actively involved in her town for many years. She has served on the board of a community service group, was a founding member of the town’s first newspaper, a columnist for that newspaper and the founder of the town’s popular Canine Contest. As mother of a ‘differently-abled’ child Marlene has become a strong advocate for her daughter and others with disabilities.

Marlene has a BA in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her work experience includes a 20-year tenure as the Director of Continuing Medical Education Programs in the Psychiatry Department of a university medical school, a museum tour guide, an entrepreneur and a Family Therapist. These varied employment opportunities have given Marlene experience with networking, public speaking, advertising, branding and marketing – all skills that she utilizes today in the eBay world. Her ability to build a rapport with people, which was cultivated as a therapist, now serves her well as an instructor and consultant.