Erin BurkeCOMM 33510/21/2017

Starting over at age 49:

It is never too late for an old dog to learn new tricks

James Burke, 49 years old, is a working man. He has been an electrician for 27 years. While

working in the field, he has worked in various states, including: California and Texas.

In his youth, he was a champion boxer. During his time in California, he was given the

opportunity to work for John Cusack. While in Texas, he worked in Dallas skyrises. He is a

leader, worker, friend, husband and father.

Figure 1: Burke said he enjoyed working at his old electric company, Electric Inc. and took this picture in 2013.

In March 2017, Burke chose to turn over a new leaf and run his own franchise in the Dallas,

Texas metroplex.

The type of franchise Burke is running is focused on managing estate sales for people who can’t

do it themselves. After working in the electric field for years, Burke said he was determined to

change things up.

Erin BurkeCOMM 33510/21/2017

“In the beginning of my career as an electrician, I loved what I did,” Burke said. “It felt good for

me to help those around me.”

Burke said these past couple years in his line of work took a toll on him.

“I just didn’t enjoy doing what I was doing, so I quit,” Burke said.

Burke quit his job at Electric Inc. in 2014 and began working a Champion Containers, a

manufacturing company located regionally in Texas. He was not working as an electrician

anymore either. He was now the lead maintenance man for the entire factory.

“After quitting my job at Electric Inc., I felt free,” Burke said.

However, his sense of excitement was short-lived. Burke said he loved his bosses and co-

workers, but once again, he was not enjoying his daily work and his duties were exhausting him,

physically.

Burke decided it was time to take a risk. He called

his sister and accepted her offer.

Simone Kelly, CEO of Grasons Estate Sales in

California, is Burke’s younger sister. She has been

working in the estate sale business for seven years

and loves what she is doing.

Grasons Estate Sales services has over 20 franchises

located across the nation, according to Grasons

Estates’ website.

Burke said Kelly had offered him a position to

begin his own franchise in the Dallas area. She said

she had faith in him and knew he could run one of

her franchises.

“My younger brother, Victor, also owns a franchise in the Southern California area,” Kelly said.

“This is on the verge of becoming a family-owned business, and I love that.”

Figure 2: "Erin loved Huntington Beach," Burke said. "She could not stop smiling."

Erin BurkeCOMM 33510/21/2017

In March, Burke packed a carry-on bag and flew to California with his oldest daughter for

training.

Burke said he was scared to pursue this business because he felt inadequate, but he felt like he

needed to follow his instincts for him and his family’s happiness.

At first, Burke said he was overwhelmed with the amount of technological work that was

involved with this business, but luckily, his 20-year-old daughter was there to help him

understand how computers work.

Burke’s estate sale Facebook page has received over 70 likes within the past five months,

according to Facebook.

While in California, Burke was thoroughly trained about the ins and outs of running this

business. He attended multiple Grasons estate sales to understand how this business works.

In June, 2017, Burke ran his first

estate sale in Denton, Texas with

the help of his younger 32-year-

old brother, Victor Burke.

“I was so proud of Jim [James],”

Victor Burke said. “Even with

such little experience, he ran an

impressive sale.”

Burke said nothing could beat

the feeling of purpose and accomplishment he felt after hosting that first sale. However,

organizing this sale was not a “walk in the park.”

“When we got to the estate, junk was all over the place,” Burke said, while shaking his head.

“Seriously, I didn’t even know where to begin at first.”

According to Grasons.com, it is the business’s responsibility to set up and price each item at the

estate sales they run within three days. Burke said he knew what needed to be done first, though

—cleaning up the place.

Figure 3: Kelly said she was impressed with how much Burke's Facebook page for the business grew within six months.

Erin BurkeCOMM 33510/21/2017

Burke cleaned for hours with his workers and eventually

saw the light at the end of the tunnel. By the time the estate

sale began, the estate looked spotless and modern.

Over the past five months, Burke has landed seven estate

sales, which Kelly said is uncommon for the area he is

working in.

“I could not be prouder of my brother, he truly deserves

this,” Kelly said.

So far, Burke has not

gotten tired of this routine. He hopes this career will last

long-term, or he might need to retire at age 50 rather than

age 70.

“I just want to make my family proud, that’s all,” Burke

said while tearing up.

Burke said, although, this new art is difficult to master, it

is worth the hardships.

Figure 4: "These signs really help us gain attention and customers," Burke said.

Figure 5: Burke said he loved learning the ropes of the estate sale business at his first sale, despite how challenging it was.