Though Adam Halsey is only 24, his success as a local business owner indicates his is wise beyond his years.
As owner and operator of CR Music Exchange, 140 E. Wooster St., Halsey has been serving customers since he acquired the business in December. Solid people skills and a down to earth business ethic make him a well seasoned selling professional. Halsey, a former elementary education major at the University, found more satisfaction in running his own business and being his own boss.
“I started a painting company first because I knew I wasn’t going to be happy working for anyone else,” Halsey said.
Desiring a complete control of his work environment he chose not to finish his coursework, instead opting for the life of an entrepreneur.
His success, he says, is due to a solid customer base of “regulars” and friends who keep coming back for his merchandise. Halsey stocks CDs, DVDs, video games, televisions, DVD players, PS2s and XBoxes either used or on consignment.
Halsey believes in order to grow and succeed a business cannot alienate its customers by jacking up its prices just to turn a profit.
“If I get a good deal my customers will get a good deal as well,” he said.
With a sincere attitude he builds a firm rapport with every patron walking through the door. He tries to get on their level and make customers feel at ease while shopping in hopes they will return. This appears to not be a problem as the store has taken in over $30,000 worth of inventory since last December. According to Halsey he also enjoys providing a service to University students.
“Luckily for me I have lots of regular customers 64 to 70 percent of the business are college students,” Halsey said.
Halsey the University and originally wanted to name his shop “Falcon Town Music Exchange” as a way to show his Falcon pride but instead he chose to keep the familiarity of the Sandusky- based CR Music Exchange which stands for previous owners Clinton and Reed.
Living in Bowling Green for the past six years, he enjoys being in a college town and hopes to give back to the University and community by offering special discounts for students and faculty who show a valid I.D. card.
“I would like to give back to the community and expand the shop, the University has given me a lot the past six years and this is my way of returning the favor,” he said.