Welcome to another episode of The Municibid Podcast. Local businesses are the heart of a community, often reflecting the character and concerns of the residents. Rob Kelsey, owner of a cat hotel in Manasseh, New York, provides a vivid example. From relying on municipal auctions for feline needs to rekindling holiday traditions through community film, his story unfolds as a journey of resilience, team spirit, and entrepreneurship.
A Silver Lining in Business: Turning Adversity into Opportunity
Rob’s story will resonate with anyone who has faced unforeseen challenges. His cat-boarding business began some time after he got sick. He used to work at a sewage treatment plant, but that changed after a severe case of salmonella. Medication meant to heal him caused harm. Rob’s sick leave was extended, but his income was nowhere near recovery. While his wife worked, her income alone was not enough to support them both and their three cats.
Thankfully, a business was born out of their personal need and previous misfortune.
“And we just thought, hey, you know, maybe we can do a little home business watching cats, while friends and family are on vacation. And then, we never really advertised, but we're going around and within a year of actually doing this legally - because a lot of people do pet sitting, but they do it under the table - we decided right from the get-go that we would do it all on the box. Within a year, we had so much business that both myself and my spouse were doing it as a full time job.” - Rob Kelsey
Rob marveled at being able to work from home, emphasizing, “And it's great to be able to just get out of bed. And you know, as long as no customers are coming, if you want to go out and work on the cats in your pajamas you can, and you don't have to worry about traffic. It's great to just walk into the backyard and get to work.”
Thrifty Innovation: Leveraging Municipal Auctions for Business Growth
Municipal auctions have been crucial to his business’s growth. He remembers how purchases like a glass partitioned wall and handrailing enabled him to expand affordably. Rob’s approach to bidding - putting in what he’s willing to pay and avoiding the last-minute flurry - offers a strategic insight for other entrepreneurs looking to auctions as a resource.
“I don’t bother waiting to the last minute to try to get the best price. I already know what the price is of the product that I bid on if I were to go out and buy it, so I don’t bother putting in a bid…So, when I do my bidding, I usually bid what I am actually willing to pay. ”
“I don't know how my supervisor knew about it, but that's how I knew about Municibid. I basically heard about it through work and how they get rid of like, some old generators.” - Rob Kelsey
Ironically, though cat-watching was Rob’s initial reason for looking into Municibid, his first purchase was used for something entirely different.
Fostering Community Spirit through Nostalgic Events
Rob’s first win on Municibid was for some projectors, one of which he donated to a local bookstore. That bookstore, much like himself, was committed to free community programming. Together they decided to host several showings of the Peanuts Movie.
These movies fostered nostalgia and intergenerational joy in his community. That’s especially important to Rob as he grows increasingly weary of the state of the world. Whenever he can, he finds significance in bringing people together around shared, simple experiences.
"I think bringing the community together and showing how you can do stuff together and have a good time without, you know, saying 'That person doesn't look like me. So I don't like them,' or whatnot, 'We're the peanuts.' They were all different colors. Boys and girls. And they all got along."
“I never had any kids. And I always love those little Peanut movies. I figured, you know, I didn't have any kids, but I've always wanted one. So what better way to have some fun with some kids and make sure that those Peanut movies never go away?”
"I think there's just there's too much hate and violence on TV right now. Every primetime show seems to be about cops or investigations. And there's no more like Cosby show type of stuff anymore." - Rob Kelsey
Conclusion
Rob’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by both resilience and a deep connection to community. First he turned sickness and financial insecurity into a neighborhood cat business. Then he worked alongside a bookstore to create a cultural hub for family-friendly films. His story is a reminder of the impact one person, and by extension one business, can have in strengthening the fabric of a community. Municipalities provide an affordable and accessible way for anyone to better equip themselves, and therefore, those around them, no matter the purpose. Be inspired by all the ways you could potentially serve your own community.
