Friends make estate sales their next venture

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Sometimes opportunity knocks at unexpected times. For stay-at-home moms Lisa Scardina and Mary Bach-Onley, it was when a friend needed them most.

“It really started with trying to save a close friend from a devastating situation,” said Scardina, 39. “She was going through a divorce and a foreclosure — she had two weeks to liquidate a lifetime of memories. We sat around the kitchen table and said — ‘this is what you need to do.’”

The pair organized an estate sale at their friend’s Naperville home, using their combined 30 years of business experience to organize, research and price items. The sale was a huge success, and the pair felt a sense of accomplishment, both personally and professionally.

“Mary and I were both stay-at-home moms, trying to figure out how to go back to work without missing any of the moments with our kids,” Scardina said. “We both have corporate human resources and sales backgrounds, and just didn’t want to go back to the 60-hour work weeks.” Bach-Onley said, after coordinating that first sale, starting an estate sale business was an obvious choice.

“With all we have done in the past in terms of our other careers, this was just a natural fit,” said Bach-Onley, 45. “We were looking for something since the kids went to school, and when this came along, it was just right.”

The women set their business plan into motion and became certified through the American Society of Estate Liquidators. They founded Naperville Estate Sales, a full-service estate liquidation company, focusing on residential estate, foreclosure, moving and redecorating sales.

Six months after helping a friend, the duo is helping clients, and loving it.

“What we really liked about this is there is such a human element to it,” Scardina said. “In addition to all of the fun retail, merchandising and sales parts, there is the part where you feel like you are helping people through a difficult situation.”

Phyllis Stewart said, when the time came to move her 88-year-old mother out of her Naperville town house, she chose Naperville Estate Sales after interviewing several companies.

“My mom has lived alone for 12 years; it’s time for her to move in with us,” Stewart said. “We have her place up for sale, and we have to empty it.”

Stewart said during the transition, Scardina and Onley-Bach have been with her every step of the way.

“The things were enjoyable while we had them, but you have to move on, and you can’t take everything with you,” said Stewart, about combining two households. “I think it’s important to find someone to work with that you are comfortable with and you trust. Even though they are new, these ladies are so professional, and they really know what they are doing.”