We had the good fortune of connecting with Zach Murcer and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Zach, what do you attribute your success to?
I came from a very low and broken point of life, where I had absolutely nothing. This is not your typical “oh I don’t have anything because I spent all my money on other things” deal.
This is a homeless, living on the streets and if I was lucky maybe a hotel at times broken life.
So being able to have overcome the obstacles that were put in my face, and the adversity I had to beat back to make it is the driving force on why I am who I am today.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What I do now, was never something I imagined I would do. I didn’t grow up thinking “Ya know… I want to open up a game store and sell collectible games to people”. But life will always throw you the curve ball.
I am originally from Oklahoma and moved to Arizona in 2011. When I got here I was working as a door to door salesman. I had absolutely nothing but a bag of clothes and a little bit of money to stay at a hotel.
I also struggled with alcoholism and addiction.
Rather than getting into complete depth of my story I’ll just say it started when I was injured in a wrestling match and a fight years before when a doctor had prescribed some pain medication. My body grabbed it and ran with it. Ever since I had the addicted mindset and could never just have one drink.
Fast forward to 2012 I was jobless, homeless. In and out of jails and hospitals. I couldn’t seem to get myself together. But I always thought I had everything under control. Even when sleeping outside I thought “oh..I got this” starving and with no one here I became aware of how lost I truly was.
One night at a bus stop as I was in the middle of using when I started to break down and pray to God for help.
He listened and the very next day I would be contacted by my stepfather who put me into a hotel for 2 weeks while I completely got sober. Cold turkey off of the worst stuff you can think of was the absolute worst hell on earth.
To skip through a very profound story I could share I will say this.
I started to listen to others, I started taking suggestions and I got the help I needed.
I sought treatment and while I was in a sober living, I got offered a job selling over the phone. I hit the floor running and became the top seller.
My life drastically made a change for the best.
I continued to work until I was able to get my license back, buy a car and made so much money that I needed to take up a new hobby.
Which is when I saw an ad for magic the gathering. A card game I played as a kid. It was still around ans has become bigger than ever.
I started playing again, and I started buying literally everything u could. To the point where I was surfing Craigslist and ebay and whatever else that was available at the time for card collections.
I then started my side hustle.
I would buy and sell magic the gathering cards. I would put out adds to get people to sell to me and it worked great!!
It got to the point where I had so much at my house that I needed somewhere else to put it!
That’s when I decided to make it official and I opened up a store.
Snapcasters Gaming. August of 2015 the store was born!
This is as brief a story as I can to give a very slight idea as to where I came from and how things are now.
We now have a much larger store and the best selection in phoenix when it comes to Magic Singles and other product.
We have grown online as well to where we will be opening another location in Oklahoma this year.
If I could say one thing that is the most important out of this, never turn down free advice. Always listen to what is said. You never know what will come in handy and the direction it could take you! Always take suggestions!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First thing In the city of Phoenix we would hit up some snooze for breakfast. If you haven’t been, you need to check it out. The one on 20th and camelback is fire! Their cornbeef hash is the best! After breakfast we would head over to Scottsdale fashion for one of the best massages you could get in a hurry! They really know how to use pressure!
In the evening we would have dinner at papadeaux seafood kitchen and start with their amazing alligator whether blackened or fried, and try the halibut with the lump crab on top of it!
After dinner it’s time to head over to top golf and send some balls to the back net.
The next morning we would take a drive to Sedona and hit up all the exciting spots out there.
If you want a nice relaxing time with horseback riding, trout fishing and beautiful scenery that’s the spot to go.
You can feel the vortex and hit up slide rock where you can strip down to your shorts and let the water take you for a ride!
Arizona has so many beautiful places to visit but this would definitely be one of our top choices!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout would go to my family. My mother Kathleen Campbell. who was always there when I called and needed a hand and my stepfather Ted Cambell, who would also help support when they could. My mom never wanted to tell me no. Even when times were tough. My father Deric Murcer as well who never gave up hope that I could make it out and into the other side!
Website: Snapcastersgaming.com
Instagram: Snapcastersgaming
Facebook: Snapcasters gaming
Youtube: Snapcasters gaming
Other: Also check us out on tiktok and download the app called whatnot and follow us there! SnapcastersGaming everywhere! If you want the best collectible cards in the valley that’s where you get them
Image Credits
Austin baker, Caleb Ramirez