“My grandfather has done this for 35 years back home in Iowa where I’m originally from. I started at this flea market in Mobile and then took all my assets together after a couple of years of saving and opened my first shop. I’ve been going strong for seven years. This is what I’ve done since I was 17, 18 years old. Having something interesting happen every day has kept me into this and kept me thriving and learning more. I go out. I hunt. I pick. I find. I’ll make runs to the Midwest and bring stuff back here to kind of change the market up so I stay a unique business. I’ve touched everything in here at least three or four times. This is just something that kind of works with my schedule. It’s something I enjoy. I see this as building my own future into establishing my goals. I always get, ‘You’re so young to be doing this,’ and I’m like, ‘Yup. It’s cool and I like it.’” – Austin Beatty of Saraland.

Beatty is the owner of Austin’s Antiques & More. He is studying secondary education and biology at the University of South Alabama. He is also a youth soccer coach: lessons learned with his business are applicable on the field as well.

Austin Beatty is a picker, business owner, student and youth coach who knows the value of hard work. (Tamika Moore / People of Alabama)

“Nothing comes easy. You’re going to have to work hard for everything you want in life. That is what keeps me going every single day. If I want something, I have to go get it, no one is just going to give it to me. This is what I’m implementing into my coaching for Mobile United Futbol Club here in Mobile. I instill that in the youth and push towards pushing everyone else with my same goals.”

These are the faces and stories of people from all walks of life who call Alabama home. People of Alabama is a Red Clay Media and Alabama NewsCenter partnership.