From a Bid Chant to a Record Year: The Power of Education and Relationships

When I first started my auction company, my only real knowledge of the business was the bid chant. That was it. I launched the company with just three auctions. Fast forward to 2025, and we completed more than 133 auctions in a single year.

The growth didn’t happen overnight. Coming out of COVID in 2021, we have grown 51.1%  in auction unit volume with 96% increase in revenue. Those numbers tell a story—but not the whole story.

So what has made the difference since I began this journey in 1991? I can point to two things without hesitation: continuing education and relationships.

Continuing education—often referred to as CE—is something many people view as a necessary evil. A box to check. A requirement to keep a license. I’ve always seen it differently. To me, education has never been a “have to.” It’s been an opportunity.Just prior to 2000, I spent three and a half years pursuing the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. That education took me to Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, and Greensboro. It was demanding, time-consuming, and absolutely worth it. The knowledge gained was tremendous and laid a foundation that still serves me today.Once I earned my auction license, I immediately applied for the Certified Auction Institute (CAI) at Indiana University. That experience was a game changer. Not only did it elevate my understanding of the auction profession, but it also connected me with people who were serious about learning, growing, and improving the industry. I later went on to serve on committees and within the Education Institute for the National Auctioneers Association, further deepening those connections.

Since graduating from certified Auction Institute in 2012, I have gone on to get my BAS Benefit Auction Specialist designation, my GPPA, Graduate Personal Property Appraiser designation, and my AARE, Accredited Auction Real Estate designation.

Surrounding myself with people who are learners—people who are curious, driven, and committed to growth—has made all the difference in the world.

True learning doesn’t come from being the expert—it comes from being willing to listen. Growth happens when you surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking and bring different perspectives to the table. When you choose relationships over ego and listen more than you speak, you gain insight, wisdom, and understanding that no title or credential can provide.

If I could offer one piece of advice to a young businessperson, it would be this: seek education. Don’t view it as a requirement. Don’t treat it as an obligation. Find a way to make it something you want. When education becomes a desire instead of a duty, growth follows—and so does success.

I think in our industry, I can truly say, if you learn you earn.