We had the good fortune of connecting with Sean Cox and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sean, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I tripped into it. I spent most of my life in the concert industry working in ticketing/front of house management.
The pandemic/lockdown happened and my position was one of the first to go. I had to pivot.
Matt Lehman asked if I’d like to accompany him on a record buy a few months into lockdown.
I said sure and we started talking about his future plans & mine. On the way back from the buy, we had a rough idea in place for me to take over his existing thrift store and turn it into a used record shop.
I started to work for him and learn the ropes when we came out of lockdown.
He moved to AZ in April of ’21 and I opened Finders Keepers Records in May of that year.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I tripped into owning a used record store. I love music (live & not) and previously spent most of my career in the concert industry on the ticking side. The pandemic temporarily stopped all live events and I was forced to pivot. Luckily for me, my friend Matt Lehman asked for help loading crates of records from a recent buy for his shop. Matt asked if I had ever thought about owning a record store and while the answer was “no” that moment changed my life.
Arrangements were made and once Matt’s shop opened back up he graciously employed me and taught me the ropes.
I’m coming up on my 2 year anniversary and while I have miles to go. I have never been happier. I know my years in the industry were all a prelude to Finders Keepers Records and the satisfaction I get talking music with all sorts of folks (generations,race,class) has been nothing short of life changing.
I’m grateful every day and can’t wait to see where this takes me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dinner and a concert at Pappy & Harriets and/or The Awe Bar The Salton Sea
Bombay Beach
Salvation Mountain
Slab City & East Jesus
Shields Date Garden (The Romance & S*x Life of the Date)
The Tonga Hut
The Reef
La Fern

The Coachella Valley is full of things to do ranging from “big city” stuff to high desert weirdness.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife Dea. I would not be able to do what I am doing without her on so many levels.
Her moral support as well as her financial stability is the bedrock for this endeavor.

Matt Lehman
I was a customer of Matt’s then he became a friend, than a mentor.
I owe him a great deal

Website: https://www.findkeeprecords.com

Instagram: @finders_keepers_records

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067293125180

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/finders-keepers-records-la-quinta-2

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