When you look at the success Slidell’s Mike Perkins has had in the business world it might be easy to feel a little envious. But anyone who knows Mike quickly finds out he’s a good guy and someone who worked hard for a long time to get where he is today.
And believe me, he has had some success, most of which is because he has proven to be one of not enough honest people in the gold and silver business.
Mike started small and built his jewelry/gold and silver business to a very nice place in 43 years after it all started for him as a child. And his story is a good one to tell since it should remind you to not discourage a young kid if he finds something he loves.
Today, he is owner/operator of Deep South Gold in Slidell, as well as Causeway Coin in Metairie, where he has two locations.
I’ve written a few stories on him for different angles of the business, but recently I asked how he really got started with gold and silver, including coins and watches that he buys and sells.
He said that at the age of 11 he had an elderly aunt and uncle, and anytime he helped them they would pay him with old Buffalo nickels or Indian Head pennies.
Mike said he was quickly fascinated with the coins, as any young boy would be, and little did he know that it would lead to a highly successful business career.
He said his uncle had a 300-acre farm in Texas so he got to go to area “peddler shows,” similar to today’s flea markets, and would spend the day running around looking for coins.
“Every time I went to any show or store I would look for coins,” he said. “It was a fun game to me.”
As he got older he began to buy magazines to learn about the value of the coins, and then began buying and selling them, realizing there could be substantial profits to be had.
Finally he opened his first store, mainly buying gold and silver, all the while continuing to learn as much as he could about coins, gold, silver and more.
“It took a while, but slowly I began to make money,” he said. “And the longer I did it the better I understood the business.”
He opened Deep South Gold in 1979, and now has the two locations in Metairie called Causeway Coin, which still keeps him as busy as ever with his two sons Shane and Mike Jr. working in the business as well.
He still believes gold and silver are great investments, but has warned locals for years to be careful where you go. Mike has always advertised that “no one pays more,” and he urges people to get more than one opinion on what their gold or silver is worth before buying.
“And then come see me and I’ll pay you the best price you could get,” he said.
I don’t think you could find a better offer to ensure you are being paid fairly for any gold or silver you have.
He also loves Rolex watches and deals in those as well, buying and selling the watches that can be valued up to $25,000 or more. If you have one laying around in a box somewhere you might want to go by and see him—you might be surprised to see what it is worth.
Then, if you need any other advice, stop by Deep South in Slidell at the Hobby Lobby Shopping Center where Shane is usually there. I do know after watching them for many years this is one gold and silver business that will be honest and fair with you.
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I recently heard from John Wadsworth in Slidell, an old acquaintance who has begun offering a substance abuse recovery program again. John has been involved in the recovery community for over 35 years and is someone who knows it from every angle.
He is now holding the White Stone Recovery Bible Study each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. at Covenant Baptist Church, located at 980 Robert Blvd. in Slidell.
He invites anyone to come visit one morning if you have what he calls “hassles, hang ups, habits, hurts or if you want to help someone else.”
You can also contact him by phone at 985-789-5988, or e-mail him at wsm217@gmail.com.
Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at kevinchiri@gmail.com.