Have you guys seen what Mike Cool is doing? Nice way to land on your feet.

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/84322067.html

Springfield men self-employed in new business venture.

A new business in Springfield is booming, and it's a type of work it's owners had never done before.   Mike Cook and Richard Greene have worked together before, in construction, but both men found themselves without jobs.  They agreed to partner in a new venture that's proven, so far, to be a hit.

Bustling aisles of shoppers show that this business venture must be a success.  It's a business Mike Cook dreamed up when his position at his old job was eliminated.  "It was really specialized construction- concrete pumping," says Cook.

Mike had an idea to create his own job. "I just had the wild idea of a flea market, because I like going to them," Cook says.

Richard Green had been laid off from the same line of work.  "He needed a partner, and I was a little skeptical at first- he's the optimist, and I'm the pessimist," says Greene.

The two men, both without jobs, used to work together in construction, but they went to the bank with a business plan for a flea market.  They found a location at West Bypass and Sunshine.  "It was all open- an old Wal-Mart," Greene says.

Aiming for the opposite of what they'd seen at some flea markets, they made the aisles wide, and the light bright. They built nearly 200 booths, each with electricity, for vendors to set up shop.  "We have them four feet deep, versus in some places, they may be ten feet deep, but then they're so crowded, nobody can get around," says Cook.

The flea market opened November first, with thirty booths set up, but with vendors on waiting lists at other flea markets, the news spread fast.  "By the end of the month, the place was full- it just snowballed," says Greene.

The mood is cheerful, with a friendly, funny greeter at the door. "He comes by and loves hee-hawing around with the people and cuttin up.  He gets free coffee and donuts," says Greene.

"The people that greeted me at the door were very nice," says shopper Ian Garrison.

The finds are unique and affordable.   "Beautiful tatted doilee- five bucks," says Peggy Watkins.

Cook and Greene are enjoying their new line of work.  "We owe a lot of money, but we're having fun," says Cook.

If customers are right, Mike's is Unique enough to draw plenty of interest.  "They'll last, they will," says Watkins.

It's an idea that has paid off.  "Just go out; if you've got a dream or an idea, study it, go out and look at the market place, read everything you can, no matter what it is.  If there's other businesses like that, go study it, go watch them," Cook says.  "I encourage anybody- go out and make your own job- this is America."

Mike's Unique Collectable and Antique Flea Market already fills 28,000 square feet, and they'll be adding another 8,000 soon.   They're trying something else unique this weekend- inviting the public to bring in items they'd like to sell, and they'll have buyers available- Sunday is the last day of the buying event- it's from 11 to 3.

Here is a link to mikes new web site. very cool Mike.

http://www.mikesunique.com/

I wondered what ever happend to you.Good for you and my hopes of the good life for you.

I like this quote from Mike "This is America , go out and make your own job" That was awesome and good for these two fellas for taking this on..

Mike and Richard: Way to think Out of the box, best wishes to you both.