SPOTLIGHT ON MEMBER MIKE COOK OF SPRINGFIELD MO

[C. Dianne Zweig Editor's Desk]

SPOTLIGHT ON MEMBER MIKE COOK  SPRINGFIELD MO

My Company Was Downsizing

   In 2009 the construction company I worked for was downsizing.  I was regional manager and they eliminated my position.  They did offer me a job at corporate in Denver but after being there a month I decided to move back to Springfield MO.  They had no job for me.  I was also a stock holder in the company and could not work in that industry due to non compete agreements.  I needed a job and refused to go on the Government dole and take unemployment.  Before long the company I used to work for went bankrupt and I lost all my stock and retirement.   I used to like going to flea markets on the weekend so out of the blue I decided to open my own store.

Clueless About Antiques

 

     I called up a buddy that I had laid off a year earlier with an idea for both of us to have a job.  So with no retail expierence, no selling expierence, no knowledge at all in antiques, collectables, or anything we set about going into business.  I walked into a bank cold with my pitch for a loan and how and why I was going to open a store in the middle of recession.   They listened, liked my idea and gave me the loan.  We just started our 4th year in business on November 1st. 

Having A Lot Of Fun 

 

     We are not the biggest, not the best, not anything but we have a lot of fun.  One thing we have learned is that the more we know the more we known that we know nothing-LOL That make sense.  We have learned a lot over the past couple of years and love every minute of it.   You can see more about our store at

 

http://mikesunique.com/

 

and our facebook page at

 

http://www.facebook.com/mikesuniquestore?ref=hl

 

I can send more info if this is something that will interest folks

 

Mike

Mikes Unique Collectable & Antique Flea Market

3335 W Sunshine

Springfield MO

 

[Lorri Genovese]

Very cool! Wish you were closer

[Sherry Miller]

What a great story.  Don't you just love it?  The funky stuff, the trading, the characters.  I followed your link and now I'm ready to join the Dave The Greeter Fan Club.  The next time I'm in Missouri, I have to come check y'all out.