Today we’d like to introduce you to Carl McQueary.
Hi Carl, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began in estate liquidation when I was working in a museum. People frequently left their estates to the museum, we would select the five or six items we wanted for the collection and then have a huge number of leftovers that had to be dealt with. I learned the business from a longtime liquidator/dealer and began that way, People saw what I could do, and began asking me to do their sales for deceased relatives, etc.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It is something different every time. One never knows what you will face each time. There are no simple sales. The emotions, client needs, difficult inherent details- you never fully know what you are going to get.
After doing it for nearly three decades, you can usually manage any set of circumstances.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We liquidate the contents of the homes we are assigned through sales. Although the methods used for the actual sale are the same each time, we add the bonus of being kind, thoughtful, and people-centered. Frankly, the jobs are not about the things you are selling, it’s about the clients you are serving. We take good care of everyone involved in the sales process, from the clients to the customers. I am most proud of being a part of something bigger than myself. The liquidation business in Austin is huge, and we delight in our part in it. Our caring and attention to detail set us apart, plus our humor. Estate work, at its core, is not based on happy events, someone has died, is divorcing, downsizing or making s huge life change. They are never retiring to Hawaii, so we put the best spin in it we can, and create an atmosphere of celebration. It makes things go much more smoothly. I love what we do.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
There are many, many liquidators working today, each brings their own personality to the job. Not all love what they do. It shows. You have to be deeply engaged and love what you are bringing to the public and serving the client.
The key to success, especially starting out, is finding someone who is doing the work like you would do it, asking the right questions, working hard, and sticking with it. Estate liquidators are usually so secretive and protective of their methods. I think that’s dumb. We share with everyone because a rising tide lifts all ships.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @estate_services_of_austin
Image Credits
Photo by Estate Services of Austin
