About Me

For me, toys were never just plastic and paint — they were lifelines. Growing up as an only child in a difficult home, I found joy and escape in the simplest of places: my grandparents’ living room and the pages of Sears & Roebuck catalogs. My grandfather, with his limited means but boundless love, gave me the gift of wonder. I spent hours studying those catalog pages, wishing for the toys I could only dream of. Every now and then, my grandfather found a way to make a wish come true.

As I grew older and began working, I made a promise to myself: I would reclaim those childhood wishes. What began as collecting for myself soon became a joy I wanted to share with others. My journey carried me deep into the world of toys and pop culture collectibles. Along the way, I connected with employees at Kenner, Hasbro, and Mattel — and even had the privilege of working for an actual toy company in the 1990’s, Exclusive Toy Premiere (ETP Toys).

As luck would have it, I ended up with four children of my own — kids I could live through and for. They shared toy interests reminiscent of mine, while also opening doors to new worlds I had never explored. With so many wishes fulfilled, I came to understand a greater lesson: character mattered most. I taught my children the importance of giving back through charitable work, and together we embraced that mission. Along the way, I found myself doing things I never imagined — from touring Hasbro’s headquarters in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to working side by side with my children, helping others and striving to make a difference.

What began as a hobby turned into a wonderful calling. Through trading, collecting, and eventually selling, I realized that my passion wasn’t just about toys — it was about people. It was about family, and about recognizing that even those you’ve never met are in fact family. Every package I shipped, every item carefully wrapped, was prepared with the same respect and excitement I would want as a collector. The positive feedback was overwhelming, reminding me that I wasn’t simply selling things — I was sharing memories, joy, and pieces of my childhood with others.

But something was still missing. Inspired by the goodness of my grandfather, I chose to give back in a way that truly mattered. Today, a portion of every sale goes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, because I know firsthand how vital it is to bring hope and happiness into a child’s life. No child should ever go without love or support — and no child should ever have to face life’s hardest battles alone.

Back to the Past – Toys, Comics & Games isn’t just a business. It’s the story of a wounded child who found light in dark times through toys, and of a man — a grandfather — who transformed that healing into a lifelong mission: to honor the past, spread joy in the present, and give back for the future. He taught me that one person truly can make a difference, and that we can turn the challenges of our past into a brighter future for others — and that even the simplest, most whimsical things can carry the power to make a real difference.