Success is no fantasy for action figures business

WHEN former Staffordshire police officer Kathryn Valler and marketing man, Liam Fisher met on an internet dating site, little did they think that within 12 months they would have set up a flourishing business together.

But, by capitalising on each other’s love of film and comic book memorabilia, that’s exactly what the couple have done.

The pair set up the website www.mothersbasement.co.uk in June last year and are predicting a £350,000 turnover at the end of their first year of trading. The duo are hoping to double this over the next 12 months.

Capitalising on Marvel, comic book, cult films and TV shows, such as The Hobbit, Star Wars, The Avengers, Iron Man, The Dark Knight Rises and The Walking Dead, the site sells products that are unavailable on the high street.

The online business, run from the couple’s home, focuses on specialist models – not toys – some destined never to be removed from their packaging.

Following the release of major fantasy and action films the pair are aiming to cash in on the memorabilia boom.

To coincide with the release of The Hobbit, the pair have secured the rights to supply official action figures and replica props from the movie. These are made by made WETA Collectables, the studio of legendary film director, Peter Jackson.

The business is also one of the only retailers in Europe to sell the R-Rated Adult version of the massively popular replica talking bear from the summer blockbuster film, Ted.

The couple are now using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to build an online following. Such has been the site’s success to date that demand for certain products is outstripping supply.
 

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