Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Byer.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey into the estate sales business began when I was an overwhelmed client in 2015. I had recently lost my mother in Cincinnati, Ohio, and needed someone to help me completely empty her home of furniture, art, jewelry and decor. I was grief-stricken and exhausted and wanted someone to handle things for me so I could return to my life in Los Angeles asap. I hired a company called Everything But The House. I couldn’t believe that such an amazing company existed. They made a daunting process so much easier. I joined their team about a year later with an eye toward delivering that same feeling to others in the LA area. I loved my job but unfortunately the company went through a rough patch and had to close the L.A. office in 2018. I continued to refer business to other estate sales companies until one client finally said, “We want you to do this sale. Figure it out.” That little nudge gave me the courage to start Handled – Estate Sales Accomplished in August of 2018. It really feels like a calling. It’s amazing to think that I wouldn’t even have this business if it wasn’t for the experience of losing my mother. I like to see it as her final gift to me.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Handled – Estate Sales Accomplished is still a new company so there are many lessons to learn. The most difficult part of my job is getting my clients’ heads around the fact that their enormous marble dining table with gold, winged lion legs that they paid $40,000 for may not sell at all. Transparency and managing expectations is a crucial part of what I do. Ultimately, though, I wear two hats – helping the sellers get the most money possible for all their possessions and attracting buyers to my estate sales who want good deals on those things. Also, as anyone who has their own business knows, staying positive and motivated during the in-between times can be challenging.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Handled – Estate Sales Accomplished is a full service, luxury estates sales company. We help clients going through a transition sell all their possessions so they can move on to the next chapter with ease. We do this by curating their collection into an elegant estate sale inside the home. We then invite buyers and treasure hunters in to shop. Savvy estate sales aficionados know that vintage goods at estate sales can be purchased for a fraction of what they would cost new or in a retail environment, and that very special and unusual things can be found at a Handled estate sale. Once the sale has ended, we wave a wand until the home is completely empty.
I am most proud of the fact that we have helped bring that feeling of relief to clients going through both happy and challenging transitions. It’s an honor, really. I am also delighted when buyers tell me how enjoyable our sales are. Many of our regulars line up to be the first ones at the sale. It’s pretty amazing.
What were you like growing up?
I was a kind, funny kid. I know, boring. I was a decent student, President of the French Club, always quietly confident and unafraid of trying something new and perhaps failing. I was grounded once for not bringing in the garbage cans. I was (and still am) pretty willful. I would not take no for an answer if I felt it was unwarranted – like the time my mom refused to buy me the Grease soundtrack – these were the days of vinyl. So, I slipped out of the house unnoticed with all my pennies and walked to Kmart to buy the album myself. I was seven.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.handledestatesales.com
- Phone: 3107702937
- Email: amylbyer@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handledestatesales
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handledestatesales/
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