How To Begin A Career With Just 25 Cents

Scott caught the auctioneering bug at an early age in his hometown of Bethel, Kentucky, a rural farming community with the staggering population of 183. As the son of a farmer and an antique storeowner, he often found himself by his parent’s side attending farm or antique auctions, which in many ways turned into social events with the ladies from the local church selling home baked food items.

“To be honest, as a kid I originally loved going to auctions because it was a day away from the farm and the chores.” said Scott as he recalled his boyhood days. “But, it wasn’t long before I found a mentor and began to appreciate the concept of the auction and the power of the auctioneer.”

That mentor was Howard Staton, a Bethel-area resident who conducted the majority of the auctions in the central Kentucky county. Scott remembers Staton as an honest, wise and personable man who treated him as if he were any other bidder.

“I may have been just a boy, but Mr. Staton never ignored me when I would bid on an item using money I earned from a paper route. He’d look me straight in the eye and accepted my bid as if I were an adult.”

One of the first items Scott bid on and won, when he was just seven years old, was a Carrom Board, a toy that was extremely popular in the 60s and 70s.

“We had a Carrom Board, but with two older brothers I didn’t get a chance to play with it much so I decided a second Carrom board was just what the household needed. I had to wait most of the day and when it finally came up for auction I had the winning bid – 25 cents. I think the other bidders took pity on me and let me have it.”

There were two things young Scott left the auction site with as the family vehicle headed back home – his Carrom Board – and a love for the auctioneer’s vocal talent and showmanship.

“Mr. Staton’s chant was flawless – simply mesmerizing. I became hooked,” he said.

It took 10 years after leaving Bethel for Scott to pursue his dream. In the mid-90s he attended an auctioneering school in Orlando, Florida and upon graduation immediately began to incorporate his outgoing personality into his new career.

In the past 17 years, Scott has conducted over 500 benefit auctions raising millions of dollars for a variety of not-for-profit organizations, schools and charities every year.

Scott’s colleagues have also honored his efforts. Not only is he a frequent competitor in the International Auction Bid Calling Championship, he’s a former Florida Auction Bid Calling Champion.

“I truly love what I do,” said Scott. “How many other jobs can you name where you are helping those not-for-profit organizations, schools and charities that need help – while at the same time standing next to stars like Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin and Sharon Stone – to name just a few.”

But perhaps the most intriguing and ironic fact of all in Scott’s journey is this: The raising of millions upon millions of dollars for families in need – all over the state of Florida and beyond – began with the simple investment of a quarter.

Serving Florida and the Eastern United States. We have performed auctions in fourteen states including but not limited to the following cities: Atlanta, Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Brandon Brooksville, Cape Coral, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Clearwater, Coco Beach, Crystal River, Everglades, City Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Hollywood, Immokalee, Islamorada, Jupiter, Key Largo, Key West, Knoxville, Lexington, Louisville, Marathon, Miami, Mt Doro, Naples, Nashville, New Port Ritchie, New York, Nokomis, North Port, Ocala Orlando, Palm Beach, Park City, Pittsburg, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, St Petersburg, San Diego, New York City, Chicago, New Orleans, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantuckett, Sarasota, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, Venice, and Vero Beach. "Have gavel will travel."