A COUPLE of comic book collectors have turned their hobbies to profit launching a burgeoning online store cashing in on the growing craze for cult collectibles.
When former police officer Kathhryn Valler, 32, met marketing man Liam Fisher, 33, on an online dating site, their shared love of comic book and movie memorabilia set the scene for a prosperous future.
Twelve months later, in June last year, the couple started
www.mothersbasement.co.uk and are now predicting a turnover of £350,000 at the end of their first year of trading after the business boomed.
“The online business focuses on specialist models in supersize boxes, some destined never to be removed from their packaging,” said Liam.
He said with cult movies like
The Hobbit pulling in the crowds at the box office business had soared with the pair importing and selling a wide range of action figures and replica props for the popular film.
Mr Fisher said the couple had started out by building up an online following using Facebook and Twitter with the Facebook page achieving more than 7000 “likes”, their Twitter account closing in on 2,000 individual followers and the company website notching up 57,879 unique visitors each month.
“The site is one-stop shop for everything, from movie memorabilia to pop culture, gaming and comic books merchandise,” said Kathryn. “Such is its success already, we are anticipating a turnover in our first year of £350, 000.
The couple who run the business from their home in Stafford and out of a nearby storage unit sell a wide range of products that can’t be found on the high street.
