Thomas Lake, a graphic designer based in London, has transformed a modest £200 investment into a thriving Pokémon card business valued at £1.5 million. His company, Lake Card Store, reported an annual turnover of £1.5 million last year, with sales reaching £450,000 in 2026, largely driven by social media platforms like Instagram.
Notable Sales and Growth Factors
The business has seen remarkable transactions, including the sale of a 1st Edition Shining Charizard card for £27,500 and a 1st Edition Charizard for £24,000. Lake attributes this growth to several key factors, such as the popularity of the Pokémon GO mobile game and increased interest during the Covid-19 pandemic, which boosted demand for collectibles.
Innovative Sales Strategies
Leveraging modern technology, Lake conducts eBay Live streams that can generate up to £20,000 in sales per hour. To manage the expanding operations, he has hired a team to handle day-to-day activities, allowing the business to scale efficiently.
Future Ambitions
Driven by a lifelong passion for Pokémon that began in his childhood, Lake has set ambitious goals for the future. He aims to achieve a £10 million annual turnover and plans to leave his graphic design job to focus entirely on the business, transitioning to full-time management to further accelerate growth.
