For this blog I interviewed Dan founder and owner of the Impact League TCG, probably the best, most honest and family friendly Trading Card Shop you could come across. They also have an amazing large active and supportive TCG community. The shop often have queues outside the shop waiting for them to open and it is fun place to spend an afternoon!
He is supporting my fundraising journey to attend the World Scout Jamboree, which I am so grateful for.
In this interview, I asked Dan some questions and here are his responses:
About Dan’s Impact League TCG Business
Tell me about what your business does?
We sell trading card games, sealed product and toys.
What inspired you to start Impact League TCG?
I love Pokémon and being in the community, so a trading game card shop seems like a great venture!
Kyle: I also love the Pokémon Trading Cards, you have some amazing ones in the shop as well as other trading cards. It is amazing that you have created a such a great place for people like us to meet and share this interest.
Some of my favourites are Spoink, Venipede and Pawmot.
How long have you been running your business?
Coming up to 2 years
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I really enjoy people, and particular enjoying playing Lorcana more competitively
Kyle: I love that you are passionate about playing and have created a business around that. I have only played with friends so far but I want to come to your Weekly Meet up to try playing more competitively.
How Dan Got Started with her Business
Why did you choose business ownership over employment?
I suppose I didn’t choose it. I started the business streaming on the internet and weekends on a market stall to raise money for charity, and it just kept growing. It started to look like a viable business, and it enables me to do something I love and give back to the community.
Kyle: That is fantastic you started raising money for charity and it led you to the job you love. I hope that my fundraising for the Scout Jamboree can help me do something like this for me in future. I am learning so much from this experience and talking to business owners like you.
You are such a bigger supporter of charity as I found out form Impact League TCG Instagram page that you recently raised over £10,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital. You guys are amazing.
What was the first step in starting your business?
My first step was having enough belief in myself to become an IT contractor. As I
found out later that was still different from running a business. I worked through an
agency, so they found me work, and then I still had to attend interviews to get a
contract. The length of the contract varied, and I could be moving contract every 6
months, which meant a new location, new bosses and new colleagues. On a few
occasions it also meant working overseas which isn’t as glamorous as it sounds.
Was starting a business harder or easier than you expected?
In Australia was when I really started a business. I was responsible for everything. It
was harder in some ways because it meant talking to accountants, banks, getting a
business name and a proper set up. It meant finding clients, which I hadn’t had to do
before and there is a lot of conflicting information about how to do that.
Kyle: It sounds like a lot of work, I guess this is the other side of owning a business that you have to do it all it the beginning which is why it is important that is something you are passionate about and love otherwise it will be just hard work.
There must be something about Australia for starting a business as The Word Press Fairy is also started a business there too!
What challenges did you face early on?
A good way to find clients. In some ways it was easier as web designer because you
could get clients by showing previous work, as long as they liked it. If client boasted
about their website, then others were interested in hiring me too. However, as I
moved away from web design it became harder because it became about knowing
who I wanted to serve, how to serve them, and how to find them.
Kyle: A lot of people I am talking to about business say the same thing – finding the clients can be hard. I hope my website can help.
What is one important lesson you have learned?
Find out what lights you up and do more of that, and then you can find systems or
outsource the rest if you can.
Dan’s Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
If a young person wanted to start a business, what advice would you give them?
Research your product. You need to be an SME in your product, and be confident and fearless.
Kyle: An SME is Subject Matter Expert. I had to check what it meant but can see why that is important. From talking to you then you are definitely that when it comes to Trading Cards.
What skills are most important for running a business?
Be organised and tenacious. Sometimes opportunities will catch you off guard, and so you have to make a quick decision on whether to invest time and funds in the hope it will make profit.
Kyle: I am personally not good at decision making but I am trying to get better.
Is there something you wish you knew before starting?
I’ve learnt a lot about accounting and operation costs. Leases, taxes, fees and even things like utilities are very expensive and you need to consider these costs in your business model. Also be clear and organised in what your profit margins are.
Kyle: I am hoping to do GCSE Business Studies – they better teach me about those things otherwise is sound like it could be expensive.
If I was to ask you had to explain your job to a 10-year-old, what would you say?
I own a game shop where you can play, buy and sell games.
I asked Dan some fun questions to get to know her better…
What if your business was turned into a video game — what would the main objective be?
The main objective is to ensure your customer is loving your products. Your side missions are to create a culture of inclusion and a family friendly atmosphere. As you play the games, get as many lives and energy boosts as you can. You’ll need them to defeat the final level boss (the accountant!)
Kyle: In true KHWorld style here is Impact League TCG as a Game. Become a Game Store Hero like Dan and his team and create a family friendly place with great products that everyone loves. They had to be Pokémon Anime style characters.
What if you could have any superpower — what would it be?
Non business answer would be to fly! Business answer would be to have a mega mind so I’m not so forgetful
What if you could work anywhere in the world — where would you choose?
Orlando – I love Disney the American culture
What if you could learn one thing instantly to improve your business — what would it be?
Social media algorithms
Kyle: In the world we live in today that would be one of the most useful things ever.
If your business could collaborate with any company in the world, who would it be?
It would have to be The Pokemon Company
Kyle: I have tagged them with this article – maybe it could make that wish come true!
If you had unlimited money for one day, what would you do for your business?
Buy as much stock as possible! Buy a bigger shop. Give my staff a bonus.
Kyle: Yes, yes and your staff would love that!
Favourite snack (and/or drink) while working?
Coke and a BakerBoy treat
Music, silence, or background noise when working?
Music for sure!
What is your “go-to” way to take a break?
Watch a series on telly with my wife
Messy desk or super organised desk?
Messy!
Kyle: I am with you on that one
Do you prefer planning everything or figuring things out as you go?
A bit of both!
Kyle: Balance is key.
Why Dan of Impact League TCG is supporting KH World/Jamboree
Why did you decide to support my World Scout Jamboree fundraising?
Because I think it’s great, you’re giving back to the community. And you being autistic I really connected with being autistic myself. I also think the world is very tough for children growing up, so any helping hands I can offer I will.
Kyle: That’s so kind of you, thank you again for your donation. You were so kind to me when I came into your shop and it really helped to know you were autistic and understood my struggle.
Do you have a favourite blog, YouTube or an offer you’d like to share with my audience?
Kyle: Thanks I will check them out.
I am going to mention that you run Gaming Evenings at the your Leighton Buzzard shop on Thursdays that bring the gaming trading community together. I think this is great that you do this.
Other ways to connect with Dan and Impact League TCG
Website:
www.impactleaguetcg.co.uk
Social media:
Instagram: impactleaguetcg
Final Thoughts
It has been amazing to connect with Dan at Impact League TCG. I have learnt so much about making your passion into a business which I hope I will be able to do. He has shared so much good advice about creating a business.
I was also so grateful when he shared about his Autism experience with me as I was really struggling as I was feeling very overwhelmed at the time but I came away feeling a lot more positive and with a few more Pokémon Card for my collection.
Something Interesting I Learned From This InterviewI
My biggest take away is that doing something you are passionate about means that even though it is hard work it makes it worth it but also it will connect you to people you share a similar interest and build a community and friends along the way. Thank you Dan and Impact League TCG
More business interviews are coming soon on KH World, the place where I talk to entrepreneurs and learn how businesses really work. If you would like to be one of them then contact me here.