There are about a hundred reasons I like owning a game store. And, looking back at what I thought I was getting into, and what I ended up "having" - the things I thought I was getting when I opened my first store, and what I have - are completely different, but still very satisfying.

One of the things I never really understood the ramifications of when I opened was being an employer of others. Being an employer of other people was something that I entered into fairly lightly back in, oh, what was it, 1987(?) when I hired my (former) wife to help run my first store in Anchorage, Alaska. I had no training, I had no experience. And, my previous "managerial" experience was as an Army Staff Sergeant - so, essentially - I knew how to yell at people.

By 1996 when I owned 3 businesses, my managerial experience was pretty much the same, even though I had over 12 employees. Oh, I had learned a lot about how to hire people, and what to look for - even read a couple books on the topic. But, my management style from the Army, which can be best described as "Do what you think is right until something is in Crisis mode, then put out that fire, and carry on" - was not really a winning style.

By 2006, when my company went through another big change, I had finally learned the value of "better" employee's - how to find, identify and hire them - and retain them. So, today - with only one staffer on my payroll with less than one year of experience in my store - I feel kind of like I have turned the corner on staff training, retention and development.

Over the years I have had a lot of great people who worked for me. Some went on to bigger and better things. Some where just taking a break (Mark Schuman worked for me for a short time, and he is an award winning RPG author, as well as a very accomplished graphics designer, with an education and IQ which, probably, made it difficult for him to work for me, though he was always chipper, and I do still miss him years later). And, I have made some friends over the years - people I hired, who became my friends. John DuBois, my new partner in Titan's Entertainment Cafe, and I have become good friends - as well as our wives have.

Yes, I do enjoy owning a game store - and for may reasons. Maybe, most of which, is that I get to work with who I want to work with - and I get to meet great people in my store, and make life long friends with many of them. Recently, when my wife's father passed away, some of our customers came in and expressed their thoughts, and condolences - and let her know that they were there for her, and that is what friends are for. :)

I have not, yet, become financially rich, or even well off, from owning a game store. But, the riches of friendship and valued partners that can last a lifetime are even more satisfying, and long lasting, than money.

Marcus King
Owner
Titan Games & Music
Battle Creek & Kalamazoo, Michigan