Being a "Pro" in Art & Antiques

I would like to set the record straight about buying in the art and antiques world as a novice. The question often comes up to me as this: Will the blogs I write about art and higher end items serve you well in this business while you are just beginning your search for valuable items, considered a "novice" by the world's standards? My answer to you is most definitely, yes!

People who are satisfied with their life the way it is, frequently say to me, "Sure, Daryle, you can do it, because you're a pro with 45 years of experience." They are right in saying that, but the real question is this -- Do you have to wait until the time you have 45 years experience to be successful? The answer to that is a definite -- NO.

And here's a great example. I've been working with a young lady by the name of Marsha M., part of the group of 3 friends who have joined the 31 Club together and who are forming a partnership to work our program. I usually talk to Marsha at least once a day and answer her questions on a multitude of subjects. This has been one of the high points for me in forming the club. Finding a person who wants to be successful and follow the 31 Steps to their success has served to keep me motivated. I love the connection I have to readers looking to improve the quality of their lives. I believe Marsha would call herself anything but a pro in the antique and art field, but she has the right attitude.

When I take someone with me to search for exceptional items to buy, they often ask, "How did you know that?" or "How did you spot that among all this stuff?" Sometimes I have to admit to them that it is just my instincts. Do only pros have these instincts? Let's examine whether or not this might be true as well as my statement above that you don't have to wait until you have 45 years experience to be successful.

Marsha has been a member of the 31 Club since November 6, 2007, and has not had experience in the antique, art and collectible field, so certainly would not be classified by most as a "Pro." Yesterday, when we had our daily conversation, I asked her what she had done, as Thursday is her day off from work. Yes, she does have a regular job and works very hard at it. She told me she visited a few resale stores and second hand shops, and had bought a few items but didn't really know their worth yet. Did she use her instincts? Most certainly.

So I asked her how much money she spent. She spent $25 for an etching by Mary Nimmo Moran and about $195 for two paintings by Graham Hedges.

I agreed to help her research her new finds and hoped she had a great eye so these items would serve her well. I did find that the etching will bring between $1500 and $2500. Not bad for someone that isn't a pro -- or is she? If being a pro means you make wise investments, then she might qualify. Later, she called me and told me she spent most of the night researching, and found that works by "Graham," just like hers, are bringing $750 - $1,500 at auctions in England. This confirmed with what my research had come up with. So let's put a pencil to it.

If she receives $2,000 for the etching and $2,000 for the two paintings, now she's got $4,000 from an investment of $220. She'd make about twenty times her investment. I think that just elevated her to "pro," don't you? Marsha, I hope you wear the title proudly. My only question to all my other readers is this: Have you gotten started yet? If you have, then you have the right attitude. But, if you haven't, why not?

Marsha will most likely make twenty times her investment. The 31 Club plan is based upon making a minimum of double your investment. When Marsha completes this sale, she'll blow past many of the other steps, and be well on her way, leaving those of you sitting on the sidelines in the dust. And if you are one of those sitting on the sidelines, ask yourself this: How many times a year would you have to buy and sell before the money starts making a difference in your life?

If you've been following these blogs but haven't joined with us, what's stopping you? Join us today! Get out of the gate and into the race in an industry that offers more opportunity to provide for you and your family then you might possibly imagine.

I'll be writing more about art in the coming days, as there is much more of the technical side of the business I want to share with you. So, keep posted. And, if you haven't joined our group yet, what's stopping you?

Discover how the 31 Club, together with our book, can be the tool that helps you begin building personal wealth using antiques, collectibles and fine art, rather than the conventional methods of using stock, bonds, and real estate investing. You won't find results like these through your bank or your stock broker! Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Need to read more about the 31 Club? Read an article here.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us.

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