Today we’d like to introduce you to Terri Walker.
Hi Terri, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey as an auctioneer began when I was a teenager. My dad became one of the first car and personal property auctioneers in our hometown of Hayti, Missouri, hosting auctions in homes, yards, and business lots – long before online auctions existed. I started by helping however I could: clerking bids, running the concession stand, setting up chairs, and organizing items.
It didn’t take long before I was hooked on the energy of it all. Eventually, I stepped up to the microphone and started calling bids myself—and that moment changed everything.
What started as side work grew into a full-time business for my husband Lance and me as we founded Walker Auctions. Over the years, we built a strong reputation as benefit auctioneers, helping organizations raise millions of dollars across the U.S., Canada, and the Virgin Islands. Even today, after more than 30 years in business, we continue to conduct dozens of benefit events each year.
Along the way, I’ve become deeply involved in the auction industry, holding many leadership positions in the National Auction Association (both Lance and I are past presidents), and winning the International Auctioneer Championship back in 2009. Many aren’t aware that auctioneers compete year after year for the championship title. I’ve been a strong advocate for spreading the auction method to as many as possible, like creating the livestreamed show for the International Auctioneer Championship, called IAC Live, which broadcasts the excitement of the auction competition to the world. I love the craft, the auction chant, and the industry, and I work to share it with the world.
Over the years, as the industry evolved, so did Walker Auctions. We expanded into real estate, personal property, equipment, fine jewelry, and collectibles—offering both live and online auctions. Today, our family business includes three head auctioneers, with our son Eric helping lead operations, alongside a dedicated team managing auctions across Memphis and the surrounding region.
For me, this business has always been about more than selling. It’s about family, helping people through transitions, and making a meaningful impact in our community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any family business, our journey has had its share of challenges. One of the biggest turning points was shifting to online auctions in the early 2000s.
There’s nothing quite like the excitement of a live auction: items moving quickly, the rhythm of the auction chant ringing in the microphone, the energy of bidders and bidspotters yelling out winning bids. But we saw the industry changing and knew we had to evolve. Our first online auction was a massive undertaking. We sold out a restaurant in Memphis that was full of Elvis paraphernalia. It required new technology, adapting a hybrid in-person and livestreamed online auction event for the very first time. We built out new systems and processes from scratch, learning as we went and incorporating help from the entire family along the way.
What felt overwhelming at the time became one of the best decisions we ever made. Today, we’ve conducted thousands of online auctions, and it’s a core part of how we serve our clients.
Another major challenge was COVID-19. Our benefit auction business was hit hard as events moved virtual or were canceled altogether. I found myself hosting galas over screens, working through Zoom, and adapting to livestream and hybrid auction formats almost overnight.
At the same time, our online auction business surged. With more people at home, demand increased—whether it was downsizing, selling property, or moving inventory. The real challenge became scaling our operations while staying true to who we are: a family-run, service-driven business.
Through it all, we’ve remained focused on helping people during important life transitions. That commitment has guided us through every obstacle, and guides how we progress the company into the future as technology expands.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Walker Auctions?
At its core, Walker Auctions is a problem-solving company.
We step in during moments of transition—whether that’s liquidating a business, managing an estate, helping a family downsize, or assisting an organization in reaching its fundraising goals. These are often emotional, high-stakes situations, and our role is to make the process as smooth and successful as possible.
What sets us apart is our personal approach. We understand that behind every auction is a story, and we take pride in handling each one with care, professionalism, and attention to detail. Each item has value and history. Each estate, piece of property, or business comes with intricacies that deserve careful attention. And each client or bidder is worth the time and care to ensure a successful sale and purchase.
Auctions also create incredible opportunities. Buyers can discover unique items, land, equipment, or collections they might never find elsewhere. Sellers benefit from a competitive, targeted marketplace that brings the right buyers to the table at the right time. Auctions are truly the best way to sell quickly, broadly, and in a way where both the seller and the buyer win.
We’re proud of the reputation we’ve built—not just for results, but for how we treat people along the way.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love that Memphis is a community-minded city. Raising my family here has given us access to incredible communities that shaped our lives: church communities. school communities, sports, music, events, and so much more. I come from a very small town in Missouri, and I like that Memphis is a larger city with the feel of a small town. I’ve made incredible memories here with my family. Celebrating at incredible restaurants (Flight and Southern Social are my favorites for birthdays and anniversaries), going to shows at the Orpheum, performances at Levitt Shell, attending Grizzlies, Red Birds, and Tigers games; the list goes on and on! And from a business perspective, I love how Memphis has a robust culture of charity and charitable giving, with many incredible venues for galas and auctions throughout the city and the greater Memphis area.
What I like least is probably the tiny lanes on Poplar Avenue, and some of my favorite restaurants – like Houston’s – have had to close down in recent years. The food and restaurant culture here is unmatched, so luckily, new restaurants are popping up that I now love!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.walkerauctions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walker_auctions?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WalkerAuctions
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@walkerauctions234/featured
- Other: https://mighty990.com/walker-auctions/
