Mike and Jodi Wolfe with Charlie
If you would have told me twenty-five years ago that I'd be picking for a living, I wouldn't have believed you.
That said I've been looking for treasures in the trash forever. When I was five, I had my first big score when I found a pile of old bicycles in my neighborhood on trash day. And I was always bringing home old bottles and other random stuff. I never thought of it as junk: to me, it was beautiful.
I’ve always loved bikes. I raced competitively in my twenties, which led me to open a bicycle store and repair shop in Bettendorf, Iowa, my hometown. But I never stopped picking.
Because of the store, people were always telling me about cool vintage bikes for sale, which I'd buy and flip for extra cash. When I added Italian scooters and motorcycles to the mix, picking became more than just a hobby. So I closed the shop, bought a van and hit the road. Antique Archeology was born.
I have the best job in the world. I get to travel the country, constantly meet new people, and, almost every day, I get to experience the magic feeling that comes when I pick something truly amazing. Now through the TV show American Pickers, I can share the experience with millions of people.
It doesn’t get better than that.
Your picker, Mike Wolfe
You can learn more about Mike at http://www.antiquearchaeology.com or visit his stores in LeClaire, IA and Nashville, TN. His "American Pickers" Dachshund statue will be on display at the Nashville store through Sep 5, 2014!
That said I've been looking for treasures in the trash forever. When I was five, I had my first big score when I found a pile of old bicycles in my neighborhood on trash day. And I was always bringing home old bottles and other random stuff. I never thought of it as junk: to me, it was beautiful.
I’ve always loved bikes. I raced competitively in my twenties, which led me to open a bicycle store and repair shop in Bettendorf, Iowa, my hometown. But I never stopped picking.
Because of the store, people were always telling me about cool vintage bikes for sale, which I'd buy and flip for extra cash. When I added Italian scooters and motorcycles to the mix, picking became more than just a hobby. So I closed the shop, bought a van and hit the road. Antique Archeology was born.
I have the best job in the world. I get to travel the country, constantly meet new people, and, almost every day, I get to experience the magic feeling that comes when I pick something truly amazing. Now through the TV show American Pickers, I can share the experience with millions of people.
It doesn’t get better than that.
Your picker, Mike Wolfe
You can learn more about Mike at http://www.antiquearchaeology.com or visit his stores in LeClaire, IA and Nashville, TN. His "American Pickers" Dachshund statue will be on display at the Nashville store through Sep 5, 2014!
