Google Workspace tools are easy to use and help keep us organized.
Ben Gloria
Co-owner
Ben Gloria was working in physical therapy when he created a fanpage for his private collection of Star Wars figurines, including his prized 1977 R2-D2. Then, as though the Force were at play, Ben’s life took an unexpected turn. “The account blew up, and I realized I had something,” he says. Seizing an opportunity to bring together fans and collectibles, Ben teamed up with fellow toy enthusiast Taylor Arnold of Utah. Together, they launched the Your Toy Link e-commerce website in February 2019, specializing in trading cards and collectible figurines. Within a year, business boomed beyond the limits of Ben’s home office. In January 2020, they opened a physical store in Meridian. “We used Google Workspace to build our company structure,” Ben notes, using Docs and Sheets to manage inventory and business operations. “It reduces paper and we can access and edit [documents] at any time. It’s a cost-effective tool for small businesses.” Business grew by 67 percent in 2021 and by another 19 percent in 2022.
Your Toy Link deals in nostalgia, featuring toys whose popularity has endured for decades. Their Google Business Profile lists new products in stock, along with photos, reviews, and directions. Google Analytics helps Ben see when customers search his website for a new Boba Fett figurine or Beanie Boo plushie, so he can stay ahead of trends and keep hot items in stock. “We’re a community-based business,” says Ben, who hosts weekly Pokémon card tournaments to bring families together. In 2023, the business is moving to a larger location in Boise to accommodate more events. “I love seeing families and kids play Pokémon together, the way I did as a boy,” Ben says. “They’re making happy memories at our shop.”