Getting experience, 30 years in the making

 

Trent Walsh and BaT Comics & Games; courtesy Walsh

Back in 1993, Trent Walsh was a newly minted college graduate looking to get some real-world experience so he could get a real-world job. So he opened a comic book store. Now 30 years later, he's still at it, and it's become the experience he loves. Read all about Trent and what he's learned HERE at ICv2.

Jim McLauchlin

25 years in a family business

Casey Heying, Kelly Heying, and Buy Me Toys and Comics; courtesy Kelly Heying

 

It started with an overcrowded apartment, but after 25 years, Buy Me Toys and Comics has gone through five upgrades, and maybe just maybe, will soon be passed to a new generation soon. Find out what owner Kelly Keying has learned over a quarter century over at ICV2.

Jim McLauchlin

Three stores and many more lessons

 

Tim Stoltzfus and More Fun Comics, courtesy Stoltzfus 

More Fun in Denton, Tex., lives up to its name: Three stores with similar merchandise, but each store with its own specialty in comics, games, and toys.

Owner Tim Stoltzfus has been operating the stores for decades, and has leaned the value of networking, work/life balance, and more. Find out even MORE of what he's learned at ICv2.com.

Jim McLauchlin

Of heart attacks and 40 years of retail

 

Dr. No's and Cliff Biggers, courtesy Biggers

Cliff Biggers was working three jobs, 90 hours a week, and, predictably, had a heart attack. He ditched one of the jobs, but kept is retail store, Dr. No's Comics and Games Superstore. Still alive (yay!), he'll tell you what he's learned in 40 years of retail over at ICV2.

Jim McLauchlin

Two stores and a hospital and the 25th hour in the day

Jun Goeku and The Comic Bug, courtesy Comic Bug

 Jun Goeku is a full-time physician's assistant who now owns and operates two comic and game stores as well. It's a lot of work that requires finding both time and balance. Find out what he's learned HERE at ICV2.

Jim McLauchlin

From music to events to marketing to retail

JD Sutphin, Big Lick Comics, and Big Lick Comic Con, courtesy Sutphin

 

JD Sutphin ditched his job in radio when his boss wouldn't let him take bereavement leave. "I not-so-eloquently told him to kiss my ass," Sutphin said.

But Sutphin took his knowledge of running events he picked up while in radio, and started his own events company, which expanded into a marketing agency, and even a retail store. Read his journey and learn what's he's learned HERE at ICv2.

Jim McLauchlin

The third time's a charm in running your own business

 

Black Star Collectibles and Feon Cooper, courtesy Cooper

It took Feon Cooper three tries—driving an ambulance before and and the middle—to get it right in opening and sustaining his own business. But with the aid of his partner, Kareem Burton, Black Star Collectibles is thriving with two stores. See what he's learned HERE at ICv2.

Jim McLauchlin