This is the blog presentation of Janet Firth about teenage antique dealer Thomas Knepshield. With inspirations from museums to yard sales, Knepshield is a 14 year old who has been passionate about antiques for years. It is very impressive to see this kind of success at such a young age. Janet Firth is an antique collector and dealer herself and appreciates Knepshield's passion and business.
2. TTeeeennaaggee AAnnttiiqquuee DDeeaalleerr
TThhrriivveess
Thomas Knepshield isn’t
like other teenagers. His
interest doesn’t lie in the
latest video game or
superhero movie. Instead,
he spends his weekends
“picking” and selling
antiques.
3. TTeeeennaaggee AAnnttiiqquuee DDeeaalleerr
TThhrriivveess
According to an article recently
completed by The Courier
Journal, Knepshield mans his
own booth every weekend at
the local Clover Cottage
Antiques and Collectibles Mall,
where he has sold dozens of
products in just a few short
months of business.
4. TTeeeennaaggee AAnnttiiqquuee DDeeaalleerr
TThhrriivveess
He specializes in Coca-Cola
memorabilia and old oil
cans. Knepshield also has
an online business, where
he buys and sells various
products, some of which he
later places for sale at his
booth in the mall.
5. TTeeeennaaggee AAnnttiiqquuee DDeeaalleerr
TThhrriivveess
Knepshield knows he’s different from his peers.
He doesn’t often discuss his business at school,
as most kids his age aren’t necessarily interested
in antiques; but that is of little matter to him, as
he simply enjoys being able to say that he is an
“antiques dealer.”As a freshman of a meager
fourteen years old, he is literally a generation
younger than any of the other dealers at the
Clover Cottage mall.
6. TTeeeennaaggee AAnnttiiqquuee DDeeaalleerr
TThhrriivveess
Lisa Wirth, the owner of the mall,
acknowledges that he is an exceptional
individual for his age, saying that he is very
knowledgeable and sharp. She isn’t wrong
either, as Knepshield’s grandparents recall him
mentioning years previously that it was his goal
to have his own antiques business by the age of
sixteen.
7. TTeeeennaaggee AAnnttiiqquuee DDeeaalleerr
TThhrriivveess
With such exceptional
ambitions, the origins become a
matter of interest. His
grandfather indicates that a trip
to a Coca-Cola museum several
years ago sparked an interest in
aged coke products. This was
cemented when, three years
ago, Knepshield received a box
full of Coke collectables.
8. TTeeeennaaggee AAnnttiiqquuee DDeeaalleerr
However, his grandmother
tells a bit of a different story;
she has always had an avid
interest in antiques and
would often take Knepshield
along with her to yard sales.
Now, he goes by choice,
often picking up items for
resale at his booth on the
weekends.
TThhrriivveess
9. TTeeeennaaggee AAnnttiiqquuee DDeeaalleerr
TThhrriivveess
Knepshield dreams of expanding his business and
of owning a particular motorcycle, made by an old
Indian brand by a company that started in 1901.
This item would not be for sale, as he indicates that
he’d much rather keep it for his own uses.
10. TTeeeennaaggee AAnnttiiqquuee DDeeaalleerr
TThhrriivveess
Knepshield dreams of expanding his business and
of owning a particular motorcycle, made by an old
Indian brand by a company that started in 1901.
This item would not be for sale, as he indicates that
he’d much rather keep it for his own uses.