Fanatix of Troy Owner: Jacob Messervy

Recently, I decided to do an interview with my local comic book shop owner Jacob "Jake" Messervy, who was kind enough to answer some of my question about his business. It should be no surprise that owning a comic shop is just the same as running any privately owned business. The process has its ups and downs, as well as, its goals and barriers that are tacked on when starting a business anywhere. Although, it is located in a small city in the South, which brings up certain questions about how a business is run in certain conditions.

Q: How would you describe place of business?
A: Fanatix of Troy is a pro-social environment. While we focus on gaming and comic books, things of that nature, we don't exactly limit ourselves to it. We recently have been moving a little more towards becoming a venue.

Q: What kind of clientele would you say enter your place of business?
A: I come from the approach of everyone is welcome here. As long as you are not being malicious to anyone else, you are welcome here. Though most of the people do enjoy games, tabletops, TCGs, miniature base games, or board games, this is an environment where you can come and be around friends.

Q: What would you say your business does for the community?
A: When you look around Troy the places you can just come and hang out with someone else, or group of people, are very limited. Fanatix has a very real space here in Troy, and the University.

Q: What would you say is the difficult part about running a business in a small town?
A: Probably one of the biggest things is the gigantic catalog of things I could get in. It is filtering through my available products for what I think my customers would want.

Q: How would you say you reach out to people online?
A: Mostly its Twitter, I have moved away from the Facebook space. If you have a business, and you are online, you have to have a Facebook. But Facebook is not as big as it once was.

Q:What do your recommend to new comers?
A: Usually I lead them more toward board games, because it is something that American culture has had in it for decades. I mean I grew up playing board games.

These statements are clear representations of the complications and triumphs of what it means to be a small business owner. It doesn't just come with worries, there can be goal, hope, and responsibilities. Running a business of any kind can be just what it takes to build a community.