The Lab TCG
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Project Name:
The Lab TCG
Date Started:
01/15/2021
From Competitive Player to Pokémon Business Owner
My journey in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) world began in 2015 as a competitive player, a passion I pursued until 2020. During this time, I also explored the world of reselling Pokémon video games on eBay. When the pandemic put a pause on in-person tournaments, I shifted gears and launched The Lab TCG.
Starting as a third-party seller on TCGplayer, The Lab TCG quickly expanded to Amazon, eBay, and eventually its own Shopify store. To further build the brand and focus on Shopify, I launched The Lab TCG YouTube channel. For the first year, I shared the behind-the-scenes realities of running a Pokémon TCG business. The channel resonated with viewers, leading to increased trust, website sales, collection purchases, and a thriving community.
Even during a six-month hiatus for an internship, the channel grew organically from 600 to 1,000 subscribers. This confirmed the channel's potential, and I returned in early 2022, reigniting The Lab TCG YouTube channel. The channel's success was undeniable, with growing viewership and a solid place within the Pokémon TCG YouTube community.
Another internship in New York City, however, shifted my focus. My passion for selling Pokémon cards waned, making it difficult to authentically continue the YouTube channel. Simultaneously, my career path accelerated, leaving less time for The Lab TCG.
Today, The Lab TCG boasts over 9,000 YouTube subscribers, an active Discord server with more than 600 members, and a business that has generated over $100,000 in revenue since its inception. While my personal involvement has changed, the community and resources I built continue to thrive.
