How Christine and Angie’s Vision and Expertise Are Fueling the Success of Their Estate Sale Company in Eagle
How Elevated Estate Co. Came to Be
EM: Can you share the story of how Elevated Estate Co. came to be? What inspired you to start this business together?
Angie: We both moved to Eagle from the Seattle area and quickly became neighbors and friends. With backgrounds in real estate and interior design, we began brainstorming ideas for a business in our new city. Through Angie’s experience in real estate, she had connected with some of the top estate sale company owners in Seattle. One of these mentors introduced us to the world of online estate auctions and showed us the ropes, from her years of experience running a successful business. After several long phone conversations and a trip to Seattle for hands-on training, we decided to start our own estate sale company, combining our skills and passions.
EM: What makes Elevated Estate Co. stand out from other estate sale companies?
Christine: While there are great estate sale companies in the area, our approach is unique in that we focus on online estate auctions. We work hard to pull together items that we know will attract bidders, grouping them into appealing lots. We go the extra mile with lighting and photography to ensure the items are presented at their best. We aim for detailed descriptions, including measurements, history, and even ideas for how items might be used or styled in a home. We want to make our clients happy with how their items are shown while also providing our bidders with clear, enticing visuals. Additionally, our online auctions offer a wider audience, as we ship smaller items and market nationally. For online sales, we strive to create a boutique-like experience by curating and organizing items in a way that feels high-end and thoughtfully arranged.
Balancing Offline and Online Auctions:
EM: How do you balance running both online and in-person auctions, and how do they differ in terms of challenges and benefits?
Christine: Online auctions are our primary focus, we do offer in-person sales as well, depending on the items and timeline. In-person sales are great for a quick, concentrated event, typically lasting 2-3 days, whereas online auctions run for about a week. In-person sales also include a final day where bidders can pick up their items and explore remaining treasures. The online format offers more flexibility and the opportunity to reach a broader audience, but in-person sales give us the chance to create a curated shopping experience. Both formats allow us to cater to different needs and timelines, giving our clients the best of both worlds.
The Meaning Behind the Name “Elevated Estate Co.”:
EM: What does the name Elevated Estate Co. signify to you?
Angie: We both come from the Pacific Northwest, where companies like Nordstrom set a high standard for quality and customer service. The name “Elevated” reflects our commitment to offering exceptional service and providing an elevated experience for our clients. Our standards are high, as we’ve both spent decades in customer service, and we want to reflect that level of quality in everything we do, from how we present items to the way we handle every client interaction.
Christine’s Design Influence:
EM: How does your background in interior design influence the way you organize and present estate sales?
Christine: I’ve always had a passion for organizing and curating. As a child, I was obsessed with rearranging my room and organizing my closet. That drive to curate has stayed with me throughout my life. I have a natural eye for décor, and I love creating cohesive vignettes that highlight the beauty of each piece. Every estate sale is a new challenge, and I enjoy bringing items together in a way that makes them more appealing to buyers.
EM: Can you walk us through your process for curating items to appeal to buyers?
Christine: We aim to balance two main goals: moving as many items as possible to minimize hauling fees while also getting top dollar for our clients. We carefully group items based on their appeal and value, sometimes combining treasures with less valuable pieces to create attractive lots. We use different levels and angles in our photography booths to add visual interest. Speed and precision are key when sorting and curating, and we take great care to spread popular items throughout the auction so bidders see a variety of treasures.
EM: What trends in design or décor have you noticed in the items being auctioned, and how do you highlight these?
Christine: Each sale tells a unique story, so no two are alike. We often see recurring themes, like holiday décor, but every estate is different. We’ve had a lot of success featuring Mid-Century Modern pieces, which are always popular. Art is another big trend—each sale seems to have unique pieces, so we’ve started showcasing one at the beginning of each auction to draw attention. We take pride in highlighting these items in a way that honors their history.
EM: Do you have any memorable experiences where your design expertise significantly impacted the success of a sale?
Christine: My background in art history has definitely helped me spot valuable pieces, and it’s been especially useful when setting up in-person sales. Curating the layout and creating vignettes really elevates the overall presentation. My experience in high-end retail also gives me insight into how to arrange items for maximum appeal.
Angie’s Past Real Estate Expertise:
EM: How does your background in real estate complement your role in Elevated Estates?
Angie: As a former realtor, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for clients to clear out a home before listing it. I’ve always made sure to recommend estate sale companies that treat my clients with the same respect and care that I do. Starting Elevated Estate. Co. was a natural extension of my real estate experience. I understand how emotional this process can be, and I bring that same level of compassion to every estate sale. My real estate background also helps us connect with other professionals, like realtors, who trust us to meet their clients’ needs and deadlines.
EM: Who would be looking for your services?
Angie: Estate sales are generally driven by life transitions—such as moving, downsizing, or dealing with the loss of a loved one.
EM: How do you help clients emotionally navigate the process of parting with a home’s contents?
Angie: Parting with a home’s contents can be a deeply emotional process, especially when it involves saying goodbye to a loved one or transitioning to a new chapter in life. We approach every sale with patience and understanding, offering comfort and support to our clients. We recognize that this is often a time of great change, and we aim to be a calming presence, guiding them through the process with compassion.
Collaboration and Team Dynamics:
EM: How do your strengths as an interior designer and a former realtor come together to benefit your clients?
Angie: Christine’s keen eye for design and her ability to spot unique, valuable pieces have been invaluable. She creates beautiful, curated auction lots that attract bidders. Meanwhile, my real estate background helps with the business side of things, such as marketing, social media, and client relations. We complement each other perfectly, with Christine handling the creative side and me focusing on logistics and client connections.
EM: What have you learned from each other through this business venture?
Christine: We’ve learned a lot about each other’s strengths. Angie is incredibly patient with the technical and back-end processes, while Christine thrives in hands-on work, whether it’s networking or curating items. Our strengths align perfectly, allowing us to divide tasks efficiently and work smoothly as a team.
EM: How do you decide which auctions to handle online versus in-person?
Angie: Every sale is different, and we base our decision on the types of items available and the timeline we’re working with. After doing a thorough walk-through of the estate, we take photos and come up with a plan that best serves the needs of the client. We always tailor our approach to each situation to ensure the best outcome.
The Growth:
EM: You mentioned this business is really taking off. What do you think has contributed to this rapid growth?
Christine: Our success can be attributed to months of networking, relationship-building, and referrals from clients who were happy with our work. We’ve also formed strong connections with other estate sale companies in the Valley, who refer business to us when they can’t take on a sale. Our reputation for providing exceptional service has helped us grow quickly.
EM: Where do you see Elevated Estate Co. going in the next five years? Are there any new services or ideas on the horizon?
Angie: We’re still a small operation, but we’re looking to expand. We’ve had interest from people wanting to join our team, which is exciting. As we grow, we hope to take on more sales and potentially offer new services, like junk hauling and organizing. Christine is passionate about organization, so that’s something we may explore further. We also have fun ideas for branding and growing our presence in the community.
EM: What advice would you give to someone considering starting a similar venture?
Christine: Have a great sense of humor and a lot of patience. Starting a business has its ups and downs, but staying steady and committed to a strong work ethic is key. Being able to laugh through the challenges and remaining focused on the goal and client are essential to the success of the sale.
For more information, visit us at elevatedestateco.com or call 208-779-0335
