Teen Entrepreneur Turns Storage Locker Treasure Hunt into Thriving Business

Michael Haskell, a 17-year-old high school senior from New Jersey, has turned a childhood fascination with collecting into a thriving business. While most teenagers spend their free time gaming or hanging out with friends, Michael has built a unique income stream by buying abandoned storage lockers and reselling their contents. His approach is simple: buy low, uncover hidden treasures, and sell high. 'Any of these could be a gold mine,' he told the New York Times during a tour of a storage facility on Staten Island, where he regularly scours units for overlooked valuables.

The idea first struck him two years ago after watching an episode of *Storage Wars*, a reality competition about storage locker auctions. Inspired by the show, Michael began hunting for neglected units in the New York area, targeting facilities managed by companies like CubeSmart, Extra Space Storage, and Manhattan Mini Storage. His efforts quickly evolved from a hobby into a full-fledged business. He launched an eBay store called 'Mike's Unique Treasures,' where he lists everything from vintage clothing to rare art. According to the Times, he now earns over $7,000 a month from his ventures, all while balancing high school responsibilities.

Michael's breakthrough came when he purchased a storage unit in Brooklyn for just $450. Inside, he discovered a trove of art valued at tens of thousands of dollars, including a painting by the renowned surrealist Man Ray and drawings by Walt Kuhn. The find netted him nearly $50,000 in profit, a windfall that caught the attention of his family. 'I'm always on the search for the next Crispo,' he said, referencing the art dealer who once owned the unit. 'That was my first big score.' His mother, Anna Haskell, now actively supports his endeavors, recognizing the potential in his unconventional approach.

The lockers Michael explores often tell stories of their former owners. In one unit in Hackensack, New Jersey, he found designer dresses, accessories, and divorce papers alongside empty vodka bottles—evidence of a socialite's rise and fall. Another storage locker in Manhattan belonged to a relative of the first Black mayor of Richmond, California, revealing a different slice of history. Each discovery adds layers to the narrative of people whose lives are now encapsulated in forgotten boxes and drawers.

Despite his growing business, Michael remains a senior at a Bergen County high school, juggling English essays, college applications, and his treasure-hunting side hustle. His bedroom, once filled with Legos, now serves as a hybrid office and display space, featuring rare items like a Hermès 3000 typewriter and oil paintings. Alongside his textbooks, he keeps income tax documents, which his mother helps him file. Anna, an investor herself, views her son's work as a form of 'distressed investing,' where he buys undervalued assets and turns them into profit.

For Michael, the thrill lies in uncovering the unexpected. 'People's lives are in these lockers,' his mother told the Times. 'Belongings can tell you a lot about a person. When you meet someone, you might think you know them, but you just don't know.' As he continues his search for the next big find, Michael's journey highlights the intersection of curiosity, entrepreneurship, and the stories hidden in plain sight.