Blog Post Thursday: Reflections on Achievement, Growth, and Community

Hello everyone! I realize it's been a while since my last post on March 6th, but I'm excited to be back for another Blog Post Thursday. Sometimes I've posted on Wednesdays, sometimes on Fridays, and I've missed a week or two here and there, but I try to stay consistent with these updates. We've had quite a journey these past few weeks, and I'm eager to share it all with you.

A Personal Achievement: CAI Designation

First and foremost, I'm thrilled to announce that on April 4th, 2025, I officially received my CAI Designation from the National Auction Association (NAA)! This achievement represents countless hours of hard work, dedication, and yes—a fair amount of stress.

I remember agonizing over the business plan presentation requirement. I started my presentation by dramatically throwing my business plan on the table and declaring it didn't matter. And in some ways, it doesn't—but in other ways, it absolutely does. What truly matters is how we treat people. The business plan simply provides a framework for delivering that human connection consistently.

Beyond the Reviews

Do our reviews tell the whole story of what we do? Not even close. They don't capture the tears of joy from sellers who've entrusted us with their treasured possessions. They don't reflect the emotion of buyers who finally acquire something they've always wanted. Those moments transcend the notion that "it's just business."

I've never liked that phrase—"it's just business." While I understand the sentiment, this work involves real people with real feelings, including my own. We do our best, learn from our experiences, and keep moving forward. That's all any of us can do.

Recent Auction Adventures

Before attending the CAI program, we hosted an unplanned online-only consignment auction featuring farm equipment, automobiles, golf carts, and trailers. It wasn't something we had specifically prepared for, but sometimes the best opportunities arrive unexpectedly! It certainly made life at our building more hectic than usual.

We also tried something new—our first preview social. Though we didn't serve alcohol (so technically not a "party"), we did have BBQ and watched the auction end together. We even helped place bids for attendees. The highlight was giving away a grill/smoker with a bag of pellets. Kristen, who works for and with us, took the initiative to go out and get the grill, using $500 of Ollis Auction funds for the purchase. So far, the feedback has been nothing but positive!

Learning and Growing Together

Last week brought our simulcast absolute auction. The seller's attitude was inspiring—she put everything "in God's hands" and trusted us completely to do our best. And we did, despite one notable hiccup: a last-second bid that didn't register until after Alex (our auctioneer) had already said "sold."

This created a moment of confusion for our clerk. She had only worked a couple of simulcast real estate auctions sporadically, and it had been over a year since she had clerked one. Plus, even though she had been trained on the new BidWrangler system that we started using in May 2024, this was her first auction with this particular bidding platform. I was working the ground when she asked what to do, and I advised her to mark it sold since that's what Alex had declared. The bidder had ample opportunity but chose a last-second strategy that ultimately failed. We always warn people about internet delays and advise against waiting until the final moment to place bids.

These experiences teach us valuable lessons for future auctions. That's what this journey is all about—learning, adapting, and moving forward.

The Changing Times

I had a humorous moment at the bank recently when I joked about dial-up internet to a young employee who had never heard of it. Later, when sharing this story, one of my nieces asked what dial-up was! It's amazing how quickly technology evolves. (And yes, I do miss playing Oregon Trail.)

Our Extended Family

We've been through so much together these past weeks—myself, our sellers, buyers, team members, my brother Alex, my CAI family, Mom, my husband Travis, my son Patrick, Patrick's dog Lily, my nieces, my cousins, and everyone else who makes up our Joe Ollis Auction Family.

Through it all, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have been incredibly good to us. We continue to move forward together, grateful for each opportunity and lesson along the way.

Looking Forward

As I reflect on everything that's happened recently, I'm reminded of how this business constantly evolves. Every auction brings new lessons, every interaction with sellers and buyers adds to our experience, and every challenge we overcome makes us better at what we do.

The auction industry has changed dramatically over the years—from wholly in-person events to the integration of online bidding platforms like BidWrangler. Technology continues to transform how we conduct business, yet the core principles remain the same: integrity, transparency, and providing exceptional service to our clients.

The time and effort put into earning my CAI designation has equipped me with new skills and perspectives that I'm excited to implement in our operations. It's not just about having another credential—it's about applying that knowledge to better serve our community.

This auction life is more than transactions—it's about people, connections, and making a difference in both big and small ways. Every day brings new challenges and rewards, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm grateful for each of you who has been part of this journey with us, whether you're a longtime client or new to the Joe Ollis Auction Family.

Happy Bidding!

Kara C. Belcher-Miller
Auctioneer