Everything comes full circle. Sure, we've all heard that before and it's because it's true. We do kind of wind up where we started. Sixteen years ago I had arrived in New York City with $600, a six month sublet that I had paid in full and no job. A perfect trifecta for a winning result.

I hit the ground running after unloading my rental truck with a dear friend (the same one who found me the sublet) and I headed over to the Chelsea Flea Market. No. I had no idea what I'd be doing there, but I did know that I wanted to be there. I wanted to learn there. I wanted to be an antique dealer. What kind? Who knew... not me. But after a light bulb moment I discovered the picture frame. That object that is at once architectural and artistic, utilitarian and beautiful, furniture and art. It had a purpose and a beauty. I was hooked. So I jumped in and bought an armful. Literally. I had them hanging from my shoulders and from my hands. Splurging on a taxi, I unloaded my new finds into the back seat and we headed off to Alphabet City. Going through the pile in my sublet railroad apartment (where the shower was next to the kitchen sink and the toilet was, well, old - but that's another story) I realized that I had inadvertently bought something good. This little Della Robbia style hand carved and gilt frame. It was wonderful. Dating it to the 1600's gave me that funny feeling in my stomach, you know butterflies. Did I really find a four hundred year old object in a NYC parking lot at 3 am? Turns out I did. And now all those years later I'm back in New York City. Back to dealing in picture frames (and art, furniture, lighting, sculpture, you get it). Back to hustling and having that butterfly feeling over and over again. It's not just about the finds but it's more about the fact that I'm back to doing what I truly love to do. Being in the City that rewards my hustle. X hkv