Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Burnett.
Hi Patrick, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I worked for Scripps Networks Interactive for 10 years in IT Vendor Management and Procurement. We got bought by(or we merged with, some say) Discovery, and 2 years later, they moved my job to Virginia. This was at the end of 2019. As I interviewed for my next job, the market started to slow down, and I needed to decide to do something with this severance check. I had the idea to start a business that might work – one that focused on Lego. It was very much a passion of mine to collect and build this amazing toy. So I wrote up a business plan for myself to make sure I wasn’t out of my mind, and after long discussions with my wife, Mihoko, we decided to give this a go. Then COVID struck in full swing, but we moved forward despite that. I added a partner (Rich Kettleman) to help run the shop in case I got sick, and we would only have to hire people later (not knowing how things would work out), and I hit the ground running. I had a similar store in the ’90s in Maryland (called the Strategic Castle). It was a Comic and Gaming store and ended up being successful – thanks to 2 new card games called Magic the Gathering and Pokemon! That store was more of a hobby with 13 friends, so it wasn’t meant to support anyone financially. Not now, though! This is my living. Fortunately, that experience and my years of Procurement have helped me in this endeavor. Although I continually learn new things as a Small Business owner – every day. We are now 2 1/2 years into this adventure, and I couldn’t be happier. Despite the long hours – it never feels like work. I meet new people daily- locally and those “passing through.” We’ve become a destination shop for out-of-towners looking for Lego, which has a large, passionate fan base. “AFOLs” is what we are called (Adult Fans of Lego). The other business lines we carry are things I also have a passion for – Comics, Cards, Games, and other Collectibles. We’re now bursting at the seams and hoping to find more space shortly.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Regardless of what you think you know. You don’t. You don’t know what you don’t know. There have certainly been learnings. What to order. How many to order? Inventory control. Paperwork. Taxes. The list goes on! The trick is to avoid making the same mistake twice. Every mistake is an education. Probably our biggest hurdle was getting open as quickly as possible. Once you sign the lease, the clock is ticking, and every day costs you money. So managing Contractors, Vendors, and inspectors became quite the chore. We intended on opening in July but had to push it back to August 1st due to delays. So here’s a tip for future business owners. Always expect delays that you cannot control! Fortunately, having August 1st as our Anniversary was quite a stroke of luck. Lego has 2 MAJOR releases with tons of brand-new sets each year: January 1st and August 1st. So we’ve combined our Anniversary Celebrations with a Major Lego release, and it’s been a ton of fun! It wasn’t something I planned – I wish I were smart enough to say it did! Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
BrickHouse Collectibles is here to allow people to collect what they are passionate about. Whether it be Lego, comic books, Sports cards, or Pokemon – I wanted to be a shop that exists for those fans. To have it all in one place (or at least as much as I can fit in this shop!) I also wanted this place to be a Welcoming environment in all aspects. Most societal labels don’t exist in my four walls because the love of collecting what you are passionate about rises above that and connects us despite and because of our differences. What am I known for? If you ask others – and this is from what customers and friends have told me – they love this store.
We love what we are doing and how we are doing it. And I’m very proud of that. When a parent tells me this is their kids’ favorite store, it makes my day. I hope I’m known for being a “terrible businessman.” I often refer to myself as this. And to be honest, it’s because I make decisions that are bad for “my business” every day. But they are the right decisions. I may make less or no money or even lose money on a decision that I make – but I’ll do it because it’s the right decision. Many big companies like to get on a podium and say that (I’ve worked for them), but they don’t. I care and hope that people see that because of my actions and how I interact with them daily. What sets us apart is that while we sell the same Lego as the big box stores, our distinction is our dealing with Older (Retired) and used sets. We buy/sell/trade – which is a lot of fun. Seeing the older Lego sets – often very valuable has been pretty amazing! So if you have some old Legos lying around that you want to get rid of, call me!
Networking and finding a mentor can positively impact one’s life and career. Any advice?
People always want to give you advice—some good, some not so much. Always accept comments and advice gracefully – whether you take it or not. What works for someone else may work better for you. Trust your gut and follow your instincts. You know your business! Surround yourself with good people.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: facebook.com/BrickHouseCollectibles
Image Credits
Patrick Burnett, Jonathan Pushkar (MinisuperheroesToday), Brian O’halloran
