My name is James M. Penta Jr. I'm 19 years old. I own Red's Antiques and attend L.A. Pierce Community College, studying Business Administration. I opened up my antique store because all my life, I've been around antiques. I started collecting hot wheels, red lines and all other collectable cars when I was very young. That led to more collecting, and by the age of 11, I had a collection of over 400 oil lanterns and lamps. My collection was very impressive, ranging from lamps from the early 1800's to the present. Overall value of my lamp collection was estimated at $15,000-$25,000. My father, James M. Penta, Sr., has dealt with antiques for over 35 years now. It was second nature for me to open up an antique store. My father was a big influence and supporter of my venture. I've learned so much just by watching him in action, from selling to purchasing, to dealing with the public. My father taught me the basics about business. I've now been in business for a year, and to me that is a big accomplishment in itself. Owning your own business is great, but it isn't all that easy. If your business fails, you have no one to blame but yourself. My father instilled in me this little motto, "you get out of your business what you put into your business." This means whatever effort you put into your business to grow, you will get that effort back in return. If you slack off and don't hustle, you will find no profit. But if you work hard every day and strive to make your business all it can be, you will be very successful and have great profits. My antique store will be the first of my many owned businesses. This store is just a stepping-stone for me.