Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Carlson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
TCG-Nation was formed over a year and a half ago while CEO and founder Michael Carlson was stationed at Fort Hood during his active duty enlistment in the ARMY. In the beginning, as a solo live streamer doing box breaks, pack openings, and live sales on Facebook. Through this, and the love of all things TCG, Michael formed a strong friendship with Ethan Laiza a fellow live sales streamer on Facebook. After months of planning and sales the two decided to take TCG-Nation to the next level. Together they assisted in the engineering process of a live sales platform where through dedication, persistence, and consistency quickly excelled and realized that growth was in demand. Through a shared store location TCG-Nation was able to establish their footprint in the DFW area as an honest and hardworking Local card shop. With the growing online following, growth was yet again demanded of TCG-Nation. Expanding their horizons Michael and Ethan were able to move and open their own local card shop in Corinth, TX. Today TCG-Nation bolsters a team of 7 streamers and 4 supporting employees that make up the TCG-Nation team. TCG-Nation is open 7 days a week and hosts Pokémon, magic, and other TCG tournaments daily. TCG-Nation supplies some of the best selections for Pokémon, dragon ball super, magic the gathering, flesh and blood, yu-gi-oh, and Weiss Schwarz products. You can catch the TCG-Nation stream team live in-store and on the whatnot live sales platform for the best bounties, giveaways, and experience.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Through the challenges of active-duty life, becoming a new father and several moves, transitioning out of active-duty status of the military it posed a challenge every step of the way that Ethan and Michael have had to overcome to become the entrepreneurs they are today. Due to the previous careers, Michael being a police officer/K-9 handler and Ethan being a Supplier quality engineer meant that TCG-Nation has been a learning process since day 1.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
TCG-Nation is a local card shop that hosts daily tournament play in Corinth Tx at their physical store location. TCG-Nation specializes in online live streams where the stream team sells and opens Pokémon, magic the gathering, dragon ball super, and other various TCG boxes, packs, and specialty items. TCG-nation is most proud of the team they have been able to build that specializes in everything TCG. TCG-Nation creates a fun environment for all ages to visit and feel included in the entire live-streaming experience whether in-store or viewing online.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Our 5-year plan includes continuous growth, including but not limited to additional store locations, growing the TCG-Nation team, and building an all-inclusive and welcoming community to trade, collect and learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: Tcgnationllc.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tcgnationlive?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TCGNationLLC?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: @tcg_nation’s profile on Whatnot to see what they’re selling, want, or have in their collection: https://www.whatnot.com/user/tcg_nation?app=ios
Image Credits
Jordan Maddox
Darcy Birden
