Today we’d like to introduce you to John McIntosh.
Hi John, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have loved history since I was young. This included both natural and man-made history. A collector of fossils, US coins and minerals for more than 64 years, my fascination with history soon turned to ancient coins and artifacts.
In 1999, I opened Ancient Artifacts and Treasures, inc to share this passion with others. My mother had retired and needed something to do, so she encouraged me to open the store and ran the store for me for 13 years before her death.
For over 26 years, we have catered to both collectors and decorators not only in central Florida but also throughout the US and the world. We provide authentic Greek, Roman, Egyptian, PreColumbian, Chinese and many others cultural artifacts, as well as minerals, crystals, fossils, meteorites and other historical collectibles.
For 35 years. I provided talks to elementary school in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Pinellas counties. The topics included dinosaurs, geology, ancient Egypt, fossils, minerals and crystals. In order to provide a more complete talk I included real world examples of these item to allow them to see and feel history. I also presented geology for merit badges to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Cub Scouts and Webelos.
Originally an electrical engineer, with several degrees from UCF, and taught there for 9 years in the 1990’s. Additionally I earned an MBA from East Tennessee University. I had worked for General Electric and Texas Instruments before consulting for 20 years.
I also participated in local arts, including Opera and Theater throughout the 80’s and 90’s.
Today, I work enjoy working full time in my store and hopefully will be here until physically or mentally am not able to do so.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Since I was self funded, and was a consultant during the early years, growth was slow. The shutdown required by Orange county during covid also hit my profits hard.
Since my items are not necessary for day to day living, my sales are one of the first things people give up during economic slowdowns.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Originally an electrical engineer, with several degrees from UCF, and taught there for 9 years in the 1990’s. Additionally I earned an MBA from East Tennessee University. I had worked for General Electric and Texas Instruments before consulting for 20 years.
What makes you happy?
I really enjoy teaching and working at my store. I am also still into music, occasionally singing at churches in central Florida.
Pricing:
- Ancient Artifacts has a wide range of items from $1 up to $29,000 for a dinosaur Egg Nest.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mcintosh55.com and https://www.vcoins.com/ancient_artifacts__treasures
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AncientArtifactsandTreasures
