For our November spotlight, we spoke with John Regan, owner of科托街古董，位于华盛顿州谢尔顿的古董家具的零售商和批发商。
科拉街古董专业从事雅各比亚，爱德华，维多利亚时代和艺术艺术时间段的古董家具。Cota Street Antiques的使命是以可以与大盒子商店竞争的价格来源和提供质量古董。约翰向英格兰提供高品质，制造，功能性的复古硬木家具物品，并将他们带回国家为利基古董社区。
Can you tell me a little bit about Cota Street Antiques and what all you offer?
通常，我每六个月去英格兰。当我在英格兰时，我租了一辆卢顿卡车。我去各种各样的地方买古色古香的家具，并将它带回英格兰的仓库空间。
When I have enough furniture to fill a shipping container, I ship it back to the U.S. Our Washington store is a 7,000 square foot warehouse that is also a wholesale and retail store.
科托街古董is a niche business, but everyone is welcome here. A lot of people think that they have to commit to buying when they go to a furniture store. But, everyone is invited to visit. No one has to buy anything. We are an outing for people to come and see what we have. It’s exciting to see. You don’t have to be serious about wanting something.
您的开放背后和古董业务的灵感是什么？
你知道，即使你想，你也无法做出的东西，因为我们今天没有能够在今天没有产生相同的细节。我们让客户远距离看看我们拥有的东西，因为它有市场。
我已经在这一业务中以各种形式进行。我开发了古董商场，并在其他相关的古董企业中。
我开始作为退休事业的科拉街古董。我今年74岁，我想旅行并买我想要的任何东西。我有很多乐趣找到我喜欢的东西，让伟大的交易，为客户带来物品。
When I started this business, I expected about $4,000 in sales per month. But, most months we have been doing at least four or five times that amount.
What is your favorite part of running your own business?
My favorite part is the travel. I do the buying of the antiques, and I get to meet new people. I get to go to England, and visit warehouses, auctions, and different antique shows. I like making deals, too. I’ve always enjoyed the buying aspect of this business.
Are there any antique pieces that you would love to find and sell? If so, what are they?
我不这么认为。我在国家的市场购买以及我所知道的会出售。通常，这意味着从19世纪30年代到19世纪30年代的家具。雅各比亚，爱德华，维多利亚时代和艺术装饰件非常受欢迎。橡木和桃花心木也有很好的追随者。所以，我为市场买了。
But occasionally, I find a furniture piece made in the 17th century that has no market. I love the style, history, types of wood, and types of joinery in these pieces. I just bought a quite amazing 17th-century desk. I was attracted to it because of what it is rather than because I can sell it.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you face as a business owner?
现在，运输是最大的障碍。你可以在新闻中看到它，问题真的不真实。我有一个应该在9月中旬到达的容器。最接近的容器是不列颠哥伦比亚省温哥华的。我们在西雅图没有开放的港口，所以现在它正在前往中国。我在英格兰有另外两个容器，我不能以任何价格发货，因为没有船公司都要去西雅图。而且，有80艘船只等待进入洛杉矶的港口。
运费的所有方面也都是不可思议的。有延误和货运问题。如果我们能够在洛杉矶港口进入港口，我们就不会有一辆卡车在这里推动它。
I get calls every day asking if the container has arrived. But, I have no idea when it will get there.
How does Patriot’s Full Service Payroll help you run your business?
我喜欢这是一个简单的解决方案。对我来说，委派了例行和可预测的事情是有意义的。这让我更多的时间专注于机会。
所以,我喜欢爱国者是可靠性。I know my two employees will get paid on schedule and that the work will be done. And, I know I won’t have any problems with the state or federal forms.
在您的业务方面，您最为自豪的是什么？
I got my MBA in marketing many years ago, and there are a lot of theories about what makes for successful marketing. But, I think the most important part is a successful product.
成功的产品，合适的产品，可以出售任何地方。我们有一个产品，我们在一个没有靠近高速公路的小镇的后街上销售，它真的卖。但是，我们卖给了一小块一个更大的市场。因此，我们正在努力专注于非常具体的需求领域。
We’re not worrying about advertising or location to carry us. Our product does that. So, I am proud of that.
您将向其他企业主或那些希望开始自己的业务的人提供什么建议？
If you’re looking at other successful businesses, you’re looking in the wrong place. Don’t copy what someone else is doing. Be new and unique.
I’ve had other businesses throughout the years. My biggest business was a factory outlet that I sold 23 years ago. It did incredible business.
I also opened the first antique mall in Snohomish, Washington. It’s still operating. It was new and unique, and it was successful.
在2006年，Cota Street Antiques在这个位置开业，但在此之前几年来，它在另一个位置。
Connect with Cota Street Antiques:
关于爱国者软vwin彩票开户件
At Patriot Software, we’re committed to providingaccounting software and payroll让小企业主人保持他们的时间和金钱：运行他们的业务！我们的#patriotspotlight客户成功案例在全国范围内庆祝和激励美国小企业主。
