Hearing all the news about unemployment and the increasing number looking for a job, this might give you some ideas.
I was looking for a job after getting a divorce. I was having difficulty finding one when a dear friend of mine said to me, “instead of looking for one, create your own job.” This was some of the best advice I ever received back in the seventies.
At the time, I was living in the country near Atlanta, in the community of Ocee. Since there was an old country store building at the edge of my yard, I rented it, went to an antique auction, bought a load of junk for very little money, and started an antique business. In six months, I had three buildings and operated that business for almost ten years.
When I began, I had little money so as I sold stuff, I would buy more. Soon people in the community would bring stuff to sell, sometimes putting things on consignment, everything from pianos to old jukeboxes. I recall one person who brought a wagonload of old farm plows. I bought the load and they sold like hot cakes. I had a lot of traffic from Atlanta, like people going to their lake houses on Lake Lanier. They bought those old plows to place out front of their cabins to mount their mailboxes on.
It was a very interesting and educational time for me. Because I knew nothing about antiques when I began, I acquired books and read up on a few things like learning different kinds of wood that furniture was made from. After a time, I realized I really did not need to know a great deal, the most important thing was buying and selling. The average customer usually knew more than I did.
Early on, an antique dealer in a nearby town taught me a lesson about buying. I visited his shop and bought several pieces of antique furniture. He was a seasoned dealer and had been selling from his shop many years. The pieces he sold me he said were cherry wood. I decided I would strip the wood and refinish it. I removed the old varnish and discovered that underneath was rotten poplar wood. He pulled the wool over my eyes and took advantage of me because he knew I was new to the business. Immediately, I declared that never again would any one sell me a piece of poplar wood furniture for cherry wood. And didn’t ever again.
Starting that business served two important purposes: a way to make a living and the ability for me to stay home to raise my young son at that time.
When I started, I rented a building, bought and sold inventory. I think I had the business about a year when a government man came to see me and asked if I had a business license and a tax number. Of course, I had neither. I informed him I had no idea I was supposed to collect taxes on all this old junk that had already been bought and sold. “Oh yes,” he said. “You must collect sales tax and file a report every month.” I politely informed him, “I did not choose to be a tax collector.” He was very polite, informed me if I did not collect sales tax, and report it every month I would be subject to a fine and possibly jail if I did not obey the law. I said, “In that case, give me the forms and show me how to do it.” From that point on, I became a tax collector from the threat of a fine or jail.
During those years operating an antique business, I had many, many interesting experiences.
This is part one of “create your own job.” Watch for part two . . .
Let Freedom Ring!
JUST ME,
AC
