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1- Hey Mike. Thanks for taking the time out to do an interview for The Horror Drop. First off, tell me a bit about you and Zoloworld. What is it?
-No problem my friend, it's awesome to see people that have the same interest in toys as I do.
I started collecting toys at the age of six (6) with He-Man, Mego and Remco toys. I was very different from my friends because I kept the majority of figures in their packages. Twenty years later, I had acquired full collections of He-Man, Thundercats, Star Wars, LOTR, Mego, various Remcos and other action figure lines. In 2006, I saw there was a need to protect my MOTU (He-Man) figures so I ordered a number of high dollar $$ acrylic cases with a friend. Two years later, I noticed that my figures started warping in the acrylic. That day, I made a vow to create a case that will not only protect my collection, but the collections of the 1000s of collectors like myself in the world. Two months later, I created Zoloworld, got in touch with a plastic manufacturer and started engineering a case that would work for MOTU and Remco vintage MOC figures. I wanted the case to flatten the backer card while protecting the bubble from damages. I cannot say that my first case was a total success, but it was enough of a spark to start a fire. Present day, we have a product line of thirteen cases with two more in the works as we speak. Apart from protecting figures, Zoloworld sells vintage/new action figures and promotes exclusive conventions on the east coast. Recently, we have teamed up with a manufacturer and partnered ourselves with REAL artists and innovators keeping us constantly in touch with the action figure world. We have several action figure projects in the works that will be revealed later this year and brother, you don't what to miss them :)
2- What made you get into this type of business and was it difficult?
-For me, it was the next step in my path. With any business, there are people out there that want to do the same thing, but instead of work with you, they butt heads. Unfortunately, these people manage to pop out of the woodwork from time to time like the door ding gnomes at the grocery store.
3- How long has Zoloworld been in existence?
-Zoloworld has been around for two years, I’ve been in the vintage toy market for over 15 years.
4- In looking at your site, it looks like you've done a bunch of shows. How hard are these to put together? How do you get in touch with all the dealers, artists, collectors, guests, and supergeeks that make up a Zoloworld show?
-Anyone who knows me can say that I like a good challenge. When I would spar in the military, I would look to fight the biggest guy that could be found in the gym. Well, I handle these conventions the same way. They are definitely not a walk in the park. It takes a great deal of motivation to stay in touch with everyone and still miraculously run a business. I keep up to date with my vendors and fans through my mailing lists and fan site, which grows exponentially with every show. I appreciate the support on all ends of this game.
5- It looks like you have a great event coming up on October 2nd called Zoloween. Will this be much different than the other shows? Tell us about it.
-Like my February show, this event is FREE! We will be having Larry Kenney - The voice of Lion-O, Count Chocula and Sonny from Coco Puffs. We have many other supporters such as the Will Torres, Will Olmo, 501st, Pa Jedi, NJ Ghostbusters, Late Night Horror Hotel, Amok Time, Toysandtoons, AFA, He-Man Toy Chest, YOU and many others that make this a spectacular event! We are also going to do something with an American carded Jaga again :)
6- I see that you also sell plastic protective "clamshell" type cases for figures on your site. Is this something exclusive to Zoloworld? Is this something that you have made?
-We Engineer and market these cases. Our brand (zolowold.com) is stamped in the back of these cases. Each case is built from a metal tool.
7- Based on your past events. I know you guys do a bunch of giveaways. And I'm not talking a plastic bag full of candy. I'm talking a mint on card Jaga figure from the old Thundercats line. That's a pretty pristine piece. Where do you get such a sought after figure? And how much do you yourself drop for it?
-In my travels, I found the end of the rainbow. Yes, American carded Jagas are there :) We have many supporters around the world that are constantly trading toys with us. Jaga just happen to come up…twice ;)
8- What are some of your favorite toys? Anything you are hardcore collecting at the moment?
-There are way too many to mention as far as vintage toys are concerned. I would have to put MOTU/Remco on the top of my list. I really like the new MOTUC line. The marketing is insane and sculpting and yes, we have a case for these as well.
9- For those of us that may want to put together a show like this one day, can you give us any pointers? Do you need to be a licensed business or can you pretty much do it as an independent? Give us a small glimpse behind the scenes.
-You need connections, a good location and enough money to get your event advertised. You should be a licensed business if you wish to promote any event. All these attributes will help, but in the end, it really comes down to the amount of determination and the ability to follow through.
10- And with that I think we pretty much picked your brain dry for the moment. Any parting words?
-If you have a facebook page, check out zoloworld.com. for our newest line-up of cases, toys and convention information. Thanks for the support my friends!
(Above is a Pic. of Mike on the Left and myself from A ZoloWorld show I did a signing at in October 2009 in Delaware.)
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