Nora Curl, at 51, has been immersed in the world of antiques for over 20 years.
After studying communication at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and working in Hollywood in the 1990s, she discovered her talent and passion for antiques.
Curl often spent weekends at auction houses and museums, honing her ability to identify valuable pieces.
She took her interest further, earning a degree in connoisseurship of fine and decorative arts in 2002, then moving to New York to work in various roles in the industry, including magazines, antiques storage, and a gallery space showcasing Norman Rockwell’s originals.
She even assisted artist Nelson Shanks, known for his impressive collection of late Renaissance and early Baroque works.
In 2012, Curl returned to Pennsylvania to care for her mother and began a new career path doing online antique valuations on JustAnswer, an expert advice site.
Here, users subscribe to consult experts in various fields. Curl has been working full-time on JustAnswer since then, earning over $124,000 in 2022 alone.
Curl offers this advice for those looking to build a similar online career:
‘Invest in yourself’
Even with extensive experience and success, Curl continued to expand her knowledge.
She became compliant with the USPAP, Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, involving a 15-hour course.
She also joined the International Society of Appraisers as an accredited member, which required extensive training and experience.
She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement, likening it to attending college all over again.
