Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
From Zine to Store: How Giant Robot Has Stayed Relevant for 30 Years.
► Sign up to Shopify utm.io/ulI0S
► Shop Giant Robot utm.io/ulI0Z
► Explore Shopify Community utm.io/ulI01
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Behind the Counter, Episode 5: *Giant Robot* 🤖
Discover the incredible journey of Giant Robot, from its humble beginnings as a hand-assembled zine in 1994 to becoming a cultural powerhouse in the heart of Sawtelle, Japantown. Owner Eric Nakamura shares the secrets behind the store's 24-year longevity, revealing how a hobby fueled by a passion for Asian pop culture transformed into a globally recognized retail destination. Learn how staying flexible and true to your own personality is the ultimate "cheat code" for surviving and thriving as a small business owner.
In this video, we dive deep into the philosophy of "curating what you love" rather than chasing every passing trend. Eric takes us on a tour of the shop, highlighting everything from rare artist collaborations and iconic "Ugly Dolls" to the deeply personal story behind the store’s handmade cabinetry. We explore the "missing piece" of the shop’s history and why being a pillar of the local community is just as important as the products sitting on the shelves.
Finally, we pull back the curtain on the modern tools that keep a legacy brand running in a digital age. Eric opens up about his initial skepticism toward new technology and the "Swiss Army Knife" tool that eventually revolutionized his inventory management and saved countless hours of staff training. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a fan of anime, art, and "geeky" culture, this story of community, family, and evolution is one you won't want to miss.
*What we discuss in this video:*
- The evolution of a 90s indie zine into a global retail landmark.
- Why "flexibility" is the most important trait for a small business.
- The heartwarming story of the "missing piece" of furniture built by Eric’s father.
- How "geek culture" went from the fringe to the absolute mainstream.
- The specific software tool that simplified their entire inventory and POS system.
- Building a business that reflects your personality like a "favorite pair of jeans."
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📺 *Behind The Counter Series*
🤖 Inside Revenge Of utm.io/ujxUI
🏺 Inside Olive Ateliers utm.io/ujxUH
🌱 Inside Plant Material utm.io/ujxUG
📸 Inside Peak Design utm.io/ulI04
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
🔗 Useful Resources:
► Join our Shopify Community utm.io/ulI0S
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
*Tools & Resources*
► Sign Up To Shopify Today utm.io/ulI0S
► Shopify Masters Podcast @shopifymasters
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
🔔 Subscribe to @learnwithshopify for more productivity tutorials and tips for entrepreneurs of all stages.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––#behindthecounter #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #ShopLocal #GiantRobot #Japantown #PopCulture #Anime #SmallBizSuccess #RetailDesign #Shopify #BusinessTips #BehindTheBusiness #CommunityFirst #ArtGallery #IndieBrand #Collector #CreativeEntrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #Sawtelle #Storytelling #NicheMarketing #ZineCulture #SuccessStory #ShopSmall
From Zine to Store: How Giant Robot Has Stayed Relevant for 30 Years.
► Sign up to Shopify utm.io/ulI0S
► Shop Giant Robot utm.io/ulI0Z
► Explore Shopify Community utm.io/ulI01
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Behind the Counter, Episode 5: *Giant Robot* 🤖
Discover the incredible journey of Giant Robot, from its humble beginnings as a hand-assembled zine in 1994 to becoming a cultural powerhouse in the heart of Sawtelle, Japantown. Owner Eric Nakamura shares the secrets behind the store's 24-year longevity, revealing how a hobby fueled by a passion for Asian pop culture transformed into a globally recognized retail destination. Learn how staying flexible and true to your own personality is the ultimate "cheat code" for surviving and thriving as a small business owner.
In this video, we dive deep into the philosophy of "curating what you love" rather than chasing every passing trend. Eric takes us on a tour of the shop, highlighting everything from rare artist collaborations and iconic "Ugly Dolls" to the deeply personal story behind the store’s handmade cabinetry. We explore the "missing piece" of the shop’s history and why being a pillar of the local community is just as important as the products sitting on the shelves.
Finally, we pull back the curtain on the modern tools that keep a legacy brand running in a digital age. Eric opens up about his initial skepticism toward new technology and the "Swiss Army Knife" tool that eventually revolutionized his inventory management and saved countless hours of staff training. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a fan of anime, art, and "geeky" culture, this story of community, family, and evolution is one you won't want to miss.
*What we discuss in this video:*
- The evolution of a 90s indie zine into a global retail landmark.
- Why "flexibility" is the most important trait for a small business.
- The heartwarming story of the "missing piece" of furniture built by Eric’s father.
- How "geek culture" went from the fringe to the absolute mainstream.
- The specific software tool that simplified their entire inventory and POS system.
- Building a business that reflects your personality like a "favorite pair of jeans."
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
📺 *Behind The Counter Series*
🤖 Inside Revenge Of utm.io/ujxUI
🏺 Inside Olive Ateliers utm.io/ujxUH
🌱 Inside Plant Material utm.io/ujxUG
📸 Inside Peak Design utm.io/ulI04
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
🔗 Useful Resources:
► Join our Shopify Community utm.io/ulI0S
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
*Tools & Resources*
► Sign Up To Shopify Today utm.io/ulI0S
► Shopify Masters Podcast @shopifymasters
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
🔔 Subscribe to @learnwithshopify for more productivity tutorials and tips for entrepreneurs of all stages.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––#behindthecounter #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #ShopLocal #GiantRobot #Japantown #PopCulture #Anime #SmallBizSuccess #RetailDesign #Shopify #BusinessTips #BehindTheBusiness #CommunityFirst #ArtGallery #IndieBrand #Collector #CreativeEntrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #Sawtelle #Storytelling #NicheMarketing #ZineCulture #SuccessStory #ShopSmall
