A way of life

Auctions are a way of life for Tina Mittelsteadt, owner of Waseca’s newest online auction site, WaSeekers. 

Growing up, Mittelsteadt attended auctions with her family. As an adult, she feels as if she leaves an auction without a full car, or two, she’s done something wrong.

This experience comes in handy since WaSeekers sells about 175 items per auction, every other Wednesday. 

Mittelsteadt says her goal is to soon be running auctions every Wednesday with the total number around 200 items. WaSeekers accepts consignments of nearly any types of items, as long as they are clean. Auctions are also supplemented with items Mittelstaedt has found–many of them exceptional or unusual in some way.

“I buy returned Amazon pallets, so when people ask why there’s a beekeeper's suit for sale, that’s why,” Mittelsteadt explains. 

But being a savvy auction goer and shopper is much different from running a business, something Mittelsteadt said she never saw herself doing.

“My life was healthcare - and then COVID hit and it was too much,” Mittelsteadt observes. “I wasn’t a person who liked physical work, but this business, auctions, I love this… At the end of the day I’m just exhausted from putting all this energy out there, but I love it. I thank the Lord and Ann Fitch for this opportunity. I truly believe this is God’s plan for me and I’m incredibly grateful.”

About a year ago the Waseca Chamber of Commerce and the Waseca Small Business Center offered a 10-week entrepreneurial program in which about five locals, now business owners, took part. 

“I remember filling out the form and thinking, ‘This isn’t the sort of thing I usually do,’ but instead of thinking about it and throwing the form away, I just sent it in,’’ Mittelsteadt said of her application for the program. “It was so out of character for me. I know I wouldn’t have filled out that form if there wasn’t a high power… and Ann Fitch from the Chamber pushing me.” 

Throughout the 10-week program Mittelsteadt said she formed sincere relationships, learned important business practices and was taught what she needed to know in order to create a successful business plan. 

Mittelsteadt joked that the first draft of her plan, written before she received any coaching, included statements like, “This is how an auction makes me feel,” or “I remember my favorite item I ever won at an auction.

“They taught me those sorts of things are motivation, not a plan,” Mittelsteadt says. 

The “they” she refers to includes the law office of Patton Hoversten and Berg, in addition to the Small Business Development Center, local business owners, and the Waseca Chamber of Commerce. 

“They taught me what I needed to do to start and run a small business,” Mittelsteadt recalls. “I think people need to know these resources are available right here in Waseca.”

After securing a line of credit, finding a building, and setting up an online site, Mittelsteadt said the final step was finding products for her first sale, which meant bugging her friends and family for suitable items.

That first auction grossed about $8,000, and was followed by five equally successful sales. Mittelsteadt’s income from the auctions comes from her consignment fees: the majority of the proceeds are given to the clients who put their possessions up for sale. 

Helping Mittelsteadt in this venture are her husband of 18 years, lifelong friend, and “victim of a drunken bar incident,” Todd Mittelsteadt. 

“I can’t forget my incredibly supportive husband,” Tina says with a smile. “He’s my right hand… Even though he says I stalked him in order to date him all those years ago.” 

In addition, Tina’s niece, Baylee, who visits during the summer, also helps out. “Normally we just lay in the sun and ride in the pontoon, but now we’re working,” Baylee jokes as she does her ‘famous’ eye roll. “Thanks Tina.” 

WaSeekers is actively taking consignments; the company’s schedule includes two auctions in August,. More information is available online at www.WaSeekers.com.