Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Watson.
Hi Katherine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Our son, Eli, was homeschooled for 7 years after suffering from agoraphobia and ADHD. He was eventually diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We used Lego as an essential part of his learning and healing, and quickly realized the impact such a “simple toy” could have on our family.
While on an RV trip, Eli said he wanted to stop by a store he had heard of, called Bricks & Minifigs. We ended up in Louisville, KY, unable to imagine the impact this fun detour would have on our family’s future. As time went on, Eli started to get closer to graduation and we were trying to help him figure out what he could do with his future, and we kept coming back to that store we visited…and the one we visited in Richmond…and the overall impact Lego has always had in Eli’s life.
Next thing you know, Adam agreed to my crazy idea of opening our own store and him and Eli were on a flight to Orem, UT so Eli could present our vision for a Bricks & Minifigs in Woodbridge, VA that would serve as a safe place for all types of people with all levels of abilities to come and learn, work and play. Eli was the youngest person to ever present at a Bricks & Minifigs Discovery day, and the team at Bricks & Minfigs were willing to let us be a part of the BAM family!
We were accepted by the franchise on Dec 15, 2023 and immediately started looking for a location. Soon after, we entered into lease negotiations, were back in Orem for training in March, celebrated Eli’s Graduation in May, signed our lease in June and began the permitting process. We finally got our permits in November and our store instantly began to take shape, matching our vision and moving every closer to accomplishing our dream for Eli (and our whole family).
We opened the doors on December 14, 2024, 364 days after we got our approval to join the franchise.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Opening any new venture is never smooth.
Finding just the right place when opening, navigating the complex permitting process, sourcing inventory and everything else, while also being a mother to special needs children definitely wasn’t easy, but all of it was worthwhile when we opened the doors for the first time.
As we focused on providing a safe place for neurodivergent customers and employees it has been a struggle to ensure that we are placing our people in the correct place where they can thrive and grow, while building confidence in the ways they perform their job and interact with others.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a Lego® resale store, providing a safe, secure and friendly place to buy, sell and trade all things Lego®. It’s a way for people to give their previously loved childhood toys a new home, rekindle their love of Lego®, or find just the right gift for that special kid (or adult).
We provide a place for people search for that dream set, dig through our tables of bricks to find just what they need for their MOC (My Own Creation, one of many Lego® acronyms), discover things they never knew existed and to celebrate special occasions (Birthdays, Weddings, Team Building, etc).
We have focused on ensuring our store provides a safe, calming and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. If you’re selling us your old Lego®, looking for cool stuff or are just looking for other Lego® nerds to hang out with, we’re you’re place!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
That everyone has something to offer, it just takes time to find out how to get them to realize what that is, and once they do, the reward from watching them grow is worth more than anything else in the world
Pricing:
- Parties: $250
- Sets from $3 to $3k
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bricksandminifigs.com/woodbridge-va/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bamwoodbridgeva/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodbridge.bam
- Other: https://linktr.ee/bricksandminifigswoodbridge
