From Hobby to High-Profit Enterprise: A Teen's Unconventional Business Venture
While many 17-year-old boys might spend their leisure hours immersed in video games or socialising with friends, Michael Haskell has carved out a far more enterprising path. His unique hobby involves acquiring abandoned storage lockers at bargain prices and meticulously reselling their contents, generating a substantial monthly income in the process.
The Spark of Inspiration and Early Beginnings
The idea first ignited two years ago when Michael watched a rerun of the reality television series Storage Wars. Intrigued by the concept, he began scavenging goods from units operated by major storage companies such as CubeSmart, Extra Space Storage, and Manhattan Mini Storage across the New York metropolitan area. 'Any of these could be a gold mine,' Michael remarked to the New York Times during a visit to a storage facility on Staten Island.
Operating from his family home in New Jersey, where he lives with his mother Anna, Michael launched his own eBay store, Mike’s Unique Treasures, to market his discoveries. Through this platform, he now earns an impressive sum exceeding $7,000 every month, transforming a casual interest into a profitable enterprise.
The Monumental Discovery That Changed Everything
What began as a straightforward hobby escalated dramatically when the teenager purchased a storage unit in Brooklyn for a mere $450. Inside, he uncovered a cache of valuable art, including a painting by Man Ray and drawings by Walt Kuhn, which had once belonged to 1980s art dealer Andrew Crispo. This extraordinary find yielded nearly $50,000 in profit, marking his first major success.
'I’m always on the search for the next Crispo,' Michael stated, referencing that pivotal unit. 'That was my first big score. My family took my hobby seriously after that.'
Uncovering Stories and Valuables in Forgotten Lockers
Beyond financial gain, Michael has encountered countless narratives embedded within these abandoned spaces. One unit in Hackensack, New Jersey, previously owned by a socialite, contained designer dresses and accessories alongside empty vodka bottles and divorce papers. Another locker on Manhattan's Upper East Side belonged to a relative of Richmond, California's first black mayor.
His personal space has evolved from a childhood room filled with Legos into a functional office adorned with rare antiques, such as a Hermès 3000 typewriter and various oil paintings. Amidst his school textbooks, Michael's desk also holds income tax documents, which his mother assists him in filing.
A Mother's Perspective and Future Prospects
Anna, an investor herself, noted that her son has always exhibited a knack for reselling items, dating back to his middle school days when he would research discontinued products to buy and resell. 'I don’t know what he could be one day, but what he’s doing is almost like distressed investing, buying distressed assets,' she told the Times.
She believes he may eventually follow in her footsteps into the investment world, but for now, views his venture as an invaluable educational experience. 'I think he’s learning about human paths, about human nature,' Anna reflected. 'People’s lives are in these lockers. Belongings can tell you a lot about a person. When you meet someone, you might think you know them, but you just don’t know.'
Balancing Academia with Entrepreneurial Ambitions
Despite being a high school senior in Bergen County, juggling English essays and college applications, Michael's focus remains steadfast on his next treasure hunt. His story exemplifies how youthful curiosity, combined with strategic acumen, can forge unexpected pathways to success, turning forgotten storage units into sources of both profit and profound human insight.
