Harry's journey to opening Forge and Finds began in an unlikely place: the forensic science industry. After spending over a decade as a researcher, consultant, and teacher – even appearing as a guest expert on a BBC programme – life took an unexpected turn.
"After the death of my Nan, I needed a change of pace and moved into recruitment, but over time, I felt pulled towards doing something more personal and fulfilling," Harry explained.
A dream forged from loss
The catalyst for launching Forge and Finds came through another family tragedy. "Unfortunately, another death in the family, the passing of my dad, was a turning point," Harry reflects. "It brought on a conflict of emotions – grief, reflection, and a sense of urgency. I kept returning to a dream I'd had since childhood: to run my own comic shop."
What emerged wasn't simply escapism. "It wasn't about nostalgia alone; it became a way to channel loss into something creative and lasting," he says.
The transition from forensic science to retail might seem dramatic, but Harry's lifelong passion for comics meant he already understood the world he was entering – as a customer. The challenge lay elsewhere entirely.
Standing out in a crowded market
"I already knew the world of comics and cards as a collector, so it wasn't about learning the scene – it was about proving I could turn that passion into a business that could stand out," Harry explains. "Ipswich already had shops in this space, so from day one, I had to figure out what would make Forge and Finds different."
The real hurdles proved to be behind the scenes. "The logistics, the finances, the pressure of doing it all solo, and knowing that if it went wrong, there was no one else to blame," he says. "It's a huge leap from knowing what makes a great shopping experience as a customer to actually building a shop from scratch."
Every element of the shop reflects this hands-on approach. "What people see in the shop is only part of the story. Every display, every fixture, every bit of signage has been put together by hand, piece by piece."
Building community, not just commerce
Harry's vision extends far beyond simply selling comics and collectables. The shop has become a welcoming space designed to break down barriers that might intimidate newcomers to geek culture. This is a recurring theme I've noticed when speaking to anyone operating in the space.
"You don't have to be an expert to walk through the door – the shop was built to be just as welcoming for curious newcomers as it is for long-time collectors," he emphasises.
Recent additions include a gaming table and lounge area, with the latter specifically designed to help neurodivergent customers have a quieter space to browse and add to their collections.
"Celebrating the shop's first anniversary and realising I hadn't just built a place to buy things – I'd built a community," Harry says of his proudest moment. "Seeing regulars bring in friends and family, watching new collectors find their first spark, and being part of people's stories – that's what makes it worth it."
The reality of retail life
The romantic notion of running your own shop quickly gives way to practical realities. "Truthfully, I don't" balance business ownership with other aspects of life, Harry admits. "The shop follows me everywhere."
His coping mechanism? "I've recently started playing the Pokémon TCG again to give myself a few hours a week where I'm not 'on' – not running a business, not answering whether a comic variant cover has foil detailing, just playing for the fun of it."
He offers a reality check for aspiring shop owners: "If you're thinking about opening a shop for a better work-life balance, you're in for a shock – but if you're passionate enough, you'll find your version of balance in the chaos."
Looking ahead
Harry's plans for the coming year focus on sustainable growth and community building. "I'm focusing on building the community side – events, more chances for people to connect over what they love, whether that's comics, Pokémon, or something else entirely."
Central to this vision is maintaining accessibility. "I also want to make the shop more welcoming for people who are just starting. It's easy to assume you need to know everything to get involved, but you don't – and I want the shop to be the place where people feel comfortable learning, collecting, and enjoying the hobby at their own pace."
The bottom line
Harry's advice to his past self resonates with any entrepreneur wrestling with self-doubt: "You're going to second-guess yourself constantly – and that's okay. Don't let it paralyse you. Trust that you care enough to get things right, and when you don't, you'll fix it."
Perhaps most importantly, he advocates celebrating small victories: "Take the wins. You'll be so busy trying to keep everything running that you'll forget to stop and realise when something's actually gone well. Celebrate the small stuff – even if it's just getting the stock out on time."
For Harry, success isn't measured just in sales, but in those everyday moments when someone discovers their first comic or recommends the shop to a friend.
You can visit Forge and Finds at the Microshops on Carr Street, or online at linktr.ee/forgeandinds.
