We’ve got some very exciting news! Book Hero is officially expanding into Toys, and we’ve found the absolute perfect person to lead our expansion. Meet Tim Fulton - our new Sales Hero (Toys).
Buying Toys For A Living? Nailed It.
As Book Hero’s new Toys Hero, Tim will be building an incredible range of book-adjacent toys that spark imagination, encourage screen free play and help kids learn while they’re having fun.
What’s he most excited about? “The whole thing! Being able to offer Toys online to customers with a great range, awesome customer service and at competitive prices.”
Tim’s currently working behind the scenes on what’s coming next, but expect a mix of big name brands everyone knows and loves, alongside awesome new finds that might surprise you…
If 10 year old Tim could see his job title now? “Buying Toys for a living? Well done Tim - you nailed it!”
From Star Wars Pinball To Book Hero
Tim has known Dylan for years - they actually met when Dylan bought Tim’s fully restored and upgraded (by Tim himself!) Star Wars pinball machine. When Dylan said he was starting Book Hero, Tim was immediately excited. “I don’t know anyone more passionate about customer service than Dylan.”
He’s been watching Book Hero’s journey from afar - from the first warehouse in Workspace Drive, to the one we call home today on Rawiri Place - even popping in on Bookshop Day with the family last year to experience the vibe with customers first-hand. “Everything I’ve ever seen and heard about Book Hero is genuinely customer focused. A lot of businesses say that. Book Hero actually practices it.”
Although books are not his primary passion, Tim always hoped that one day Book Hero would expand into other categories - especially Toys. Luckily for him (and us!), that moment has arrived.
Why Toys Matter
Tim is passionate about all toys - which is exactly why he’s the right person for the job. And just like books, they get kids off screens and into real, tangible, social play. “Toys can be a superpower too. The amount of Technology that is packed into a Toniebox or toys from V-Tech and Leap Frog these days is mindblowing - you can use a Leap Frog globe - touch a country with a stylus pen and learn all about that country! Beats trying to use Encarta back in the day…”
A Collector At Heart
Tim is a true collector - and his garage, completely absent of actual cars, is testament to that! He used to be a long haul flight attendant (where he met his wife in the sky ✈️), but these days he’s trying to recreate a full 80s and 90s arcade in his garage. Pinballs, retro arcade machines and pop culture memorabilia. Street Fighter II is still the all-time favourite.
The Reader Behind The Toys
When it comes to books, Tim loves practical wisdom that he can apply to both his role as a buyer and his life in general! He rates How to Win Friends and Influence People as a timeless classic everyone must read.
One he’s read more recently is Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life by the Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Really good, straight to the point book that shares Arnold’s lessons in life - in a nutshell that there is no substitute for hard work…. “
The last great book he read? Mike Tyson - Undisputed Truth. “Just a larger than life personality - but his life has had lots of ups and downs, and some of the stories he tells are just unreal. It’s the classic Hollywood Fairytale story - guy from the wrong side of the tracks has a mentor who believes in him and does good - but then the wheels fall off the wagon.. The way it is written is like he is talking to you in the same room - very engaging and a great rags to riches story.”
Motley Crue - The Dirt. “You don;t have to be a fan of the band to appreciate this story. Like the Mike Tyson book, some of the tales in here are crazy - so crazy they even did a Netflix show on it. What separates this book apart though is that each chapter is from a different band member’s point of view so you hear about the same situation slightly differently. Great read!”
What’s Next?
Tim’s mission is simple: “To build a range of toys online in NZ that is second to none, so when customers are after an awesome toy, Book Hero is the first place they look.”
We’re super excited about what Tim brings to the team - energy, enthusiasm and a genuine love of play.
Book Hero just got a little more fun.
Please give Tim a huge Hero welcome.
Walk past Tim’s desk and you’ll quickly realise he does not discriminate when it comes to childhood favourites - WWE, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, Star Wars… it’s all proudly on display.
Mario or Sonic?
Mario. Super Nintendo was his first console.
Marvel or Star Wars?
Star Wars all the way (although Iron Man gets a nod).
To welcome our new team member Tim, we've kicked off a sale on his favourite reads! He's a fan of biographies especially music and sport as well as business books, manga and graphic novels.