My “Illustrious” Leap into the Antiques Business, and the Disaster that Followed (Part I)

I was in the Antiquities business for 21 years...and COVID roughly tossed me out of it.?

“You can’t kick me out! I’m leaving!” I retorted as I found myself suddenly without a career or a direction.

As luck would have it...it wasn’t long before I found myself inching back into the business.?

If you would have asked me 30 years ago if I ever thought I would be in the business of antiques, I would have shot you a glance that would have knocked even my Immigrant Great Grandfather sideways. “What are you crazy?! I don’t know anything about Antiques? What am I supposed to do with all this old stuff anyway?”?

What a philistine I was.?

So how did it all happen, and how am I getting my groove back??

I was the General Manager at a high-end restaurant in Houston. I had aspirations of being a sommelier and found myself running the wine side of the business. One of my regular customers, Geoffrey, approached me and asked me if I wanted a job.

I was happy where I was but didn’t want to be rude. “What kind of job?” I asked.

He told me he owned an antique store in Houston, and he wanted my help running the store.?

I was perplexed. Antiques? Furniture, lamps, knick-knacks that grandmothers bought? I just couldn’t see it, so I politely turned down Geoffrey’s offer.

Geoffrey persisted, and I kept politely declining.

Eventually, he said, “Why don’t you just come by the store and at least see it”.?

I thought to myself, “If I don’t say yes, he will never stop bugging me”.?

“Alright, alright. I’ll come check it out” I said. I stopped by later in the week, and the most bewildering thing happened. I never left.?

The store was a wonderland of art, spirit, and feelings. It absolutely amazed me. I got wrapped up in the craftsmanship, and the history that echoed throughout each piece.?

Over the next 24 years, I ran the store, allowing Geoffrey to travel the world for 6 months out of the year looking for exquisite pieces and tremendous finds. I grew to love the antique business. I loved how artists could envision an empty wall, room, or home and create magic out of thin air. I was drawn to the creative side of the business.?

“The Best Laid Plans….”

Eventually, Geoffrey wanted to retire and agreed I would buy the business when he was ready to sunset his career.?

Then the most shocking thing happened...the Pandemic.?

It changed everything almost immediately.?

It flipped my whole world upside down, and I imagine if you’re in the world of Antiques, then you can undoubtedly relate.?

Out of the darkness came the dawn and now I find myself on a new adventure, but still drawn to my past. Want to find out what happened next, and why I am writing a newsletter for the industry I was swiftly escorted out of by a tiny virus? Stay tuned in the next newsletter as I reveal “From Lemons Into Leyendeckers”.?

Chett is now a licensed health insurance agent in 31 states. He is in Houston and specializes in self-employment and small business plans. His individual insurance plans can follow you from job to job. Call Chett for information at 281-773-3332. Or you can email him here or get on his calendar here.

Click here for PART II