From Living at the Store to Franchising Them

 

David Wheeler and Dragon's Lair, courtesy Wheeler

It's a rarity—no McDonalds, these!—but some comic/game stores are actually franchises. David Wheeler started Dragon's Lair in Austin, Texas 36 years ago (living at the store!) and these days, is franchising new Lairs across the country. Learn what he's learned HERE at ICv2.

Jim McLauchlin

The 2022 Labor Market, Working Smarter, and More

 

Little Shop of Magic in Las Vegas, courtesy Little Shop of Magic

"Specialty" retail such as comic and game stores needs specialty labor. Find out how owners are staffing up, trying to "work smarter," and handling security concerns, over at icv2.

Jim McLauchlin

From Hamburgers to Comics, and a 30-year career

 

Gib Bickel and The Laughing Ogre, courtesy Bickel

The Laughing Ogre is one of the most venerable and respected comic stores in North America. Gib Bickel and friends founded it in 1994, and Bickel manages it to this day. He relays what he's learned, and how managing a Wendy's prepared him for entrepreneurship, over at icv2.

Jim McLauchlin

Marketing, Business, Life Advice

 

Steve Rotterdam, courtesy Rotterdam

Steve Rotterdam has spent 35+ years at ad agencies and publishers. In that time, he's learned a LOT, and at Business 3x3, he shares the broad strokes of his career. The result is great advice, ESPECIALLY for young professionals just starting out. Please give it a read!

Jim McLauchlin

From a text message to owning a business

 

Bob Seabold and Tower Games, courtesy Tower Games

Bob Seabold had a 27-year career in film and video production, but was feeling burned out. He turned to an old passion of his, gaming, and made friends with a game store owner. Then cam a text message from the owner: "Do you want to buy the store?"

Seabold took the bait and never looked back—except to share what he's learned. Read all about it HERE at icv2.

Jim McLauchlin

The comic store/costume store that's also a food pantry

 

Elise the dog of Safari Pearl. Also, Kathy Sprague (all pics courtesy Safari Pearl)

One typically does not think of Idaho as a haven for bohemians and liberalism, but then again, now many people are familiar with Safari Pearl? You will be after you read THIS about co-owner Kathy Sprague and a comic store/costume shop that's also a food pantry (and home of Elise the dog).

Jim McLauchlin

When one-cent baseball cards set legal precedent

 

Fancy people call it [Haelan Laboratories, Inc. v. Topps Chewing Gum, Inc, 202 F.2d 866 (2nd Cir. 1953)], but to many it's just "The Halelan Labs decision." It's all about how penny packs of baseball cards CREATED the right of publicity precedent, and YOU can read all about it in the Oct-Nov 2021 issue of Beckett Vintage Collector, available in print and at Pocketmags.

Jim McLauchlin