Small Business Administration: GNC Online Auctions

Our conversation today is part of an ongoing partnership with the US Small Business Administration highlighting small businesses in the Shenandoah Valley as well as offering advice and resources to all small businesses. My co-host for this monthly series is Carl Knoblock, Virginia District Director for the SBA. We met at GNC Online Auction's Winchester warehouse for an in-depth discussion about their business model and the dynamic between buyers, sellers, and the auction house. Felicia Hart & Scott Haines, owners of the auction house share experiences and anecdotes related to acquiring the auction business, its operational challenges, and the uniqueness of auctioned items. They explain the start of their venture, the pandemic's impact, the diverse range of items up for auction, and how these auctions connect people with unique and sometimes historical items. We delve into business strategies, customer engagement, and the broader implications of their work, like community involvement and environmental benefits. Throughout, Carl offers perspectives on the business model and suggestions for outreach and expansion, intertwining with discussions about the potential for education through auctioned items and the importance of community in the auction business. Learn more about GNC Online Auctions on their website: https://gnconlineauctions.com/ and follow them on Facebook. Click here to listen to other conversations in this small business series.