Thomas Gaul of CornerStoreComics in Anaheim, California writes in to share the benefits he's experienced by being a ComicsPRO member.

When I joined ComicsPRO a number of years back, my comics business was most definitely considered small, probably even very small.  Low volume, small footprint (585 sq ft), and hybrid with our toy business which provided 80%+ of our revenue at that point.

I wasn't "IN" with anyone.  I'd heard of Joe through the evolution of Free Comic Book Day, but only actually knew any of the members casually via general CBIA discourse or through the Diamond Summit or random SDCC gatherings, or by reputation (or implied reputation) based upon little more than reading their posts.

I didn't have any need for things like health insurance benefits or discounted credit card processing at the time. (though I now know those things actually do benefit quite a few members, even though I still do not use either)  But my impression was that most of these people sort of knew what they were doing, so the worst thing that could happen is that I'd maybe meet some people that I could learn from.  So I headed out to Vegas to attend my first meeting.

Within one day, I had met dozens of people that had only been web acquaintances to that point, people that are still counted amongst friends to this day.  I also caught a glimpse of how much I still really had to learn, and that this was an amazing pool of knowledge and experience and business savvy and desire to make this a better   industry for all retailers.  I debated with Amanda about surveys, I met Jeff Smith, and I got to play poker, drink whiskey, and talk shop with Rory Root.

I've not missed an annual meeting since.  For me, it alone is worth the annual dues I pay to be a member, without question.  Even beyond the benefits of the DC-sponsored day and the org programming, the evenings I get to spend with my fellow retailers, some of the best in this business, talking shop, sharing stories, discussing strategy, arguing business politics... the value is almost incalculable to me.  It reinvigorates me for months.  I wish we could do it twice per year, no joke.

CSC is turning ten this year.  We're now three stores strong and, by most standards, we're doing pretty ok for ourselves.  But I can tell you that I still learn something new just about every day, both good things and things not to do.  And I have ComicsPRO to thank for a very large part of that.  I have an extended support network of retailer and supplier friends that share their experiences, their successes, their failures, their ideas, and their opinions.  New product lines, alternate sourcing, best practices, even simple reminders to do things that I've known for years that I should already be doing.  These are realized benefits for me.  And worth every penny.

And while it's not my place to talk org business, I can tell you that if folks knew how much work  ComicsPRO was doing behind the scenes, work that has yielded real, tangible benefits available to every comics retailer, member or not.  Your take on ComicsPRO might be a little different.

And finally, I'll give you my take on "IN" and "elite."  Bottom line, I feel like I am "IN."  When did I start to feel that way?  About one hour into the opening reception at my first annual meeting in Vegas, within weeks after joining, knowing NOBODY firsthand.  The meeting had not even started at that point, and I was "IN."  Point is, ANYONE can be "IN."  That said, I don't view a non-member store as any less of a comics retailer; I'm not necessarily any better than the next guy.  And I'm pretty comfortable saying that the vast majority of other member stores feel the same way.

Does being in ComicsPRO make me "elite?"  Heck no!  My drive to want to make my business 'elite' does not rely upon my membership status anywhere.  It's about me wanting my comics business to be the best comics business I can create and maintain.  It is not unusual for those who strive for greatness to gather for mutual support and improved tools and better leverage to continue to drive toward what we wish to obtain.  I would hope that all of you strive to make your businesses the best they can be.  Some feel they can best do that alone, while others find a strong support network to be more beneficial.  I think either approach is fine, but it's probably not fair to assume that those who choose the second path are exclusionary or elitist.

Sorry to drag on a bit.  But knowing what I've gained from my personal experience in the organization, it frustrates me a bit when a relatively small public relations misstep results in what could be perceived as an avalanche of undeserved criticism, and primarily from those who have not chosen to experience the benefits firsthand before laying waste to the only trade organization we have, and one that is actually working for everyone, whether that's visible to the masses or not.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.