Marcus made cutting boards in his garage for three years. He gave them away as Christmas gifts. His wife finally said, "Marcus, you should sell these." So he set up a store, listed one board, and sold it to a stranger in Colorado nine days later.

That was five years and a thousand cutting boards ago.

Here's the five-step version of what he did.

1. Find a product

The easiest first product is something you already know how to make, do, or explain. Marcus knew wood. If your friends keep asking where you got your candles, sell candles. If people compliment your soap, sell soap.

2. Take great photos

Marcus used his iPhone. He set the cutting board on a white towel by the kitchen window at 10am. Took twelve shots from different angles. Picked the three that looked best.

You don't need a real camera. You need a window, a clean surface, and about 20 minutes.

3. Write a simple description

Say what it is, who it's for, and why someone would want it. Skip the poetry.

Marcus wrote: "14-inch walnut cutting board. Sealed with food-safe mineral oil. Heavy enough to stay put, thin enough to store. Made in my garage in Ohio."

That's it. No "artisan-crafted vessel of culinary excellence." Just what it is and who made it.

4. Set a fair price

Add up what the materials cost. Multiply your time by what you'd want to earn per hour. Add a reasonable margin on top.

Marcus's board cost him $18 in wood and about 90 minutes of work. He priced it at $75. It felt uncomfortable. He was probably still $20 too low.

5. Share it everywhere

Post it on Instagram. Post it on Facebook. Email your list, even if your list is 12 people. Text your mom.

Marcus's first sale came from a Facebook post that got 4 likes. That was enough. He didn't need to go viral. He needed one person, and he got one person.

Yes — texting your mom is a real marketing strategy. She'll probably buy one, and moms tell everyone.

Your first sale isn't about strategy. It's about telling enough people that the right one finds you. Start with the people who already like you, and let the rest come later.

The first sale is the hardest one you'll ever make. Every one after is easier — because you've proven, at least to yourself, that someone will actually pay you for what you do.