After a 30-year career in marketing, I had an opportunity to sell my business and retire. After 60 days I realized I was not retirement material! This set me on an exploration of a wide world of opportunities, ultimately leading to auctioneering. I always loved the high energy atmosphere of live auctions, so I decided to go to auction school. Upon graduating, I worked in liquidation, antique, estate and fund-raising auctions. The latter –  fund-raising – kindled a spark in my soul. I could see how my auction work directly impacted the organization’s mission, and I was hooked.

My mission statement is “Allow God to use me to teach the world to give.” It is a blessing to give and to receive. Each experience has its rewards, and each is necessary. I believe if we can inspire someone to give for the first time, they’ll be hooked. At that moment, another giver has been unleashed into the world.

Let me begin by saying there are many wonderful benefit auctioneers out there! Our approaches flow from who we are. My personality, for better or worse, is “all in.” When this is translated into a benefit auction, it means significant time spent outside the event itself. I begin with volunteering 40 hours with the client’s nonprofit, immersing myself in their mission so I understand it from the inside out. I also strive to communicate clearly and listen intently so that I understand your goals. Details are important – especially those that are meaningful to the customer.

That’s easy. I’m disarming! I speak from the heart, and that comes through loud and clear at benefit auctions. Although reverent, I’m incapable of being stuffy. When I ask for money on your behalf, my demeanor is courteous, but my request bleeds sincerity.

In a crowd of 500 guests there are typically 50 bidders (if the bidders are couples this number can drop to as few as 25). When we engage donors, we must remember that their minds are a competitive environment. My goal is to deliberately yet gracefully spotlight the client’s mission, moving giving authority from the head to the heart. This strategy can overrule the “I’m saving for a new set of golf clubs” objection (and many others).

As of this writing, I have completed over 250 hours (and counting)! I take every opportunity to sharpen my skill set. In addition, auctioneering training does not occur in a vacuum. My 30 years in branded promotional marketing has required a wide array of business skills: sales, client service, an entrepreneurial mindset, fiscal acumen, and employee management. These skills influence my work as an auctioneer, amplifying my work for Greater Good Auction Co.

You’ve got to love acronyms! Coming from a military background, I’m quite familiar with the alphabet soup of confusion they can create. BAS stands for Benefit Auction Specialist. It’s a designation awarded by the National Auction Association to signify an auctioneer has completed specific training resulting in expertise in fund-raising auctions.

Flexibility is the key. I align service with each client’s expressed goals. Auctioneering services are not an all-or-nothing proposition. There is a menu of options that can be considered. Once these are determined, a written proposal is provided so that there are no surprises.