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Automotive Lifestyle
AUTOS: Next-Generation Auctioneer
Julia Sparks, the 17-year-old daughter of Amy Assiter, follows the family tradition at Barrett-Jackson.
Julia Sparks at just 17 joined her famous auctioneer mom, Amy Assiter, at the Barrett-Jackson Orange County event. (Photo: Bob Golfen)
Julia Sparks is only 17 years old, but she’s already well on her way to becoming someone special.
You see, she’s the daughter of lead Barrett-Jackson Collector Car auctioneer Amy Assiter, and she is looking to become the first female to ever win next month’s International Junior Auctioneering Championship – a heady honor for anyone hoping to make it big in the business.
“Two years ago I competed and came in fourth,” Julia Sparks said. “Last year, I was going to compete, but I got sick right before it. But this year, I’m back with a vengeance and I’m ready to take it. I’m hoping it’s my year.”
Like most people trying to make a little history, it takes a lot of practice to continually improve your craft. This weekend, Sparks took to one of the biggest stages you could imagine, the Barrett-Jackson automobilia auction, which happens every morning prior to cars crossing the block. She looked at it as an opportunity to prove her mettle.
“This was a perfect opportunity to get some practice in (auctioning during automobilia,)” Julia Sparks said. “Barrett-Jackson is an amazing place to practice. I enjoyed it. It’s very challenging, especially when you are working with ring men.
“In our (family’s) auctions, we have ring men, but they are small enough you don’t really need them,” Sparks continued. “But at Barrett-Jackson, you have them and you have to be able to think. For instance, I’m at $25, but I’m asking $50, and these people are yelling at me, ‘Who am I going to take?’
“It gets really confusing, so you have to really have brain control – it sounds kind of silly but that’s what it is,” Sparks added. “Near the end you get tired, and sometimes you get exhausted, and today I kind of got caught up in a couple of little (mistakes), but you just laugh them off. You have to. It’s all practice, everything, from the way you form your words… everything.”
Sparks has grown up around auctioneering. Amy and Spanky Assiter own and operate Texas-based Assiter Auctions, who handle every Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event, along with a host of other auctions throughout the world, including real estate and commercial. It’s a way of life for this vibrant family, and it’s something that has almost come naturally for Julia.
“My mom started auctioning when I was four,” Julia Sparks said. “As a four-year old, she would lay me down to go to bed and she would hear me go, ‘One now, two now, three…’ as a four year old. I have always been around it. I listen to my mom and she’s very similar, and she’s trained me. You take words like ‘dollar’ and go, ‘one dollar, one dollar, one dollar.’ Then you want to make it pop, it’s those crisp pops and the hum at the same time.
“They (my family) are the epitome of what a role model should be,” Julia continued. “They are awesome. On Wednesday, before the auction even started, we were here a little early and they wanted me to practice. So we spent about two hours on stage, when everyone was setting up for the gala. It was an awkward experience. They want me to excel at this, and they are always here for me. If I want to go a different route, they are still supportive and loving.”
For those interested in getting into the business, Julia offered what she feels are a few personal qualities and tips that you may need to get started.
“I think you have to be a really big extrovert,” Sparks said. “You also have to be friendly and passionate. You also have to be understanding. You’re a salesman.
“As far as getting into it, I know there are websites where you can find out tongue twisters, exercising (your enunciation). You can also figure out filler words by listening to other auctioneers. A lot of personal practice too. If you are really serious, you go to an auction college and start working for an auctioneer.”
Who knows, you may see Julia Sparks gaveling home a million dollar car at Barrett-Jackson one day. Does she feel the same way?
“I think so. I’m in it to win it right now. I love it. It’s so fun.”
You see, she’s the daughter of lead Barrett-Jackson Collector Car auctioneer Amy Assiter, and she is looking to become the first female to ever win next month’s International Junior Auctioneering Championship – a heady honor for anyone hoping to make it big in the business.
“Two years ago I competed and came in fourth,” Julia Sparks said. “Last year, I was going to compete, but I got sick right before it. But this year, I’m back with a vengeance and I’m ready to take it. I’m hoping it’s my year.”
Like most people trying to make a little history, it takes a lot of practice to continually improve your craft. This weekend, Sparks took to one of the biggest stages you could imagine, the Barrett-Jackson automobilia auction, which happens every morning prior to cars crossing the block. She looked at it as an opportunity to prove her mettle.
“This was a perfect opportunity to get some practice in (auctioning during automobilia,)” Julia Sparks said. “Barrett-Jackson is an amazing place to practice. I enjoyed it. It’s very challenging, especially when you are working with ring men.
“In our (family’s) auctions, we have ring men, but they are small enough you don’t really need them,” Sparks continued. “But at Barrett-Jackson, you have them and you have to be able to think. For instance, I’m at $25, but I’m asking $50, and these people are yelling at me, ‘Who am I going to take?’
“It gets really confusing, so you have to really have brain control – it sounds kind of silly but that’s what it is,” Sparks added. “Near the end you get tired, and sometimes you get exhausted, and today I kind of got caught up in a couple of little (mistakes), but you just laugh them off. You have to. It’s all practice, everything, from the way you form your words… everything.”
Sparks has grown up around auctioneering. Amy and Spanky Assiter own and operate Texas-based Assiter Auctions, who handle every Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event, along with a host of other auctions throughout the world, including real estate and commercial. It’s a way of life for this vibrant family, and it’s something that has almost come naturally for Julia.
“My mom started auctioning when I was four,” Julia Sparks said. “As a four-year old, she would lay me down to go to bed and she would hear me go, ‘One now, two now, three…’ as a four year old. I have always been around it. I listen to my mom and she’s very similar, and she’s trained me. You take words like ‘dollar’ and go, ‘one dollar, one dollar, one dollar.’ Then you want to make it pop, it’s those crisp pops and the hum at the same time.
“They (my family) are the epitome of what a role model should be,” Julia continued. “They are awesome. On Wednesday, before the auction even started, we were here a little early and they wanted me to practice. So we spent about two hours on stage, when everyone was setting up for the gala. It was an awkward experience. They want me to excel at this, and they are always here for me. If I want to go a different route, they are still supportive and loving.”
For those interested in getting into the business, Julia offered what she feels are a few personal qualities and tips that you may need to get started.
“I think you have to be a really big extrovert,” Sparks said. “You also have to be friendly and passionate. You also have to be understanding. You’re a salesman.
“As far as getting into it, I know there are websites where you can find out tongue twisters, exercising (your enunciation). You can also figure out filler words by listening to other auctioneers. A lot of personal practice too. If you are really serious, you go to an auction college and start working for an auctioneer.”
Who knows, you may see Julia Sparks gaveling home a million dollar car at Barrett-Jackson one day. Does she feel the same way?
“I think so. I’m in it to win it right now. I love it. It’s so fun.”
Goodwood Festival Of Speed
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