Collegiate Times

Starting their business from a website gave them enough start-up capital that they did not need to take out any loans for the 4,000 square-foot building, about the size and shape of the Lyric Theatre. The decision was made "after the business started taking over our house," Amy said. "We tried doing traveling shows, but we couldn't bring enough material, and the buyer would always want the one piece we didn't bring."
Now, the couple both manage the store nearly full time, with Mitch recently returning to work, "although the store is sufficient income" to be their sole source of profit, Amy Hazam said.

Their showroom has over 15,000 items, ranging from clothing to furniture to kitchen appliances, most from the 1920s?70s. They do lots of local business, but their website continues to thrive and offer them many great opportunities.

The website is colorful and upbeat and offers any information antique buyers could want about the Hazam's company and products.
They even have a section titled "Road Trip" that offers a page full of ideas about places to stay and things to do when you visit Front Royal, and their store.

Today, they have sold items to four different continents, 20 countries, and 47 states in the U.S. "We still can't get Rhode Island to buy any of our stuff" Mitch joked. "Or Alaska. Soon though."

They?ve even had Tech student and staff online customers. Recently, Vintage Swank was even voted the ?Best Vintage and Resale in Washington D.C.? in 2006 by CBS affiliate WUSA 9.
The most important advice the couple could give to Tech graduates preparing for a future is to follow their instincts and passions. Whatever you want in the future, "go for it, do it while you're young. Don't wait to do what you want to do, if you can find something you like to do and do it for your life, that?s the way to go,? Amy said. "Don't be scared, your degree doesn't limit you, you never know what your career could be."

So much of what you learn in college happens outside of the classroom. The clubs you join, people you meet and extracurriculars you choose have just as large an impact on your future as what you study. Nobody knows that better than the Hazams.

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