We were lucky to catch up with Mark Kadow recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mark, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

In 2020, Mark Kadow, the owner of Tucson Games and Gadgets, faced a pivotal decision: whether to expand his gaming store within the Tucson Mall to include a medieval-themed bar, later known as The Short Rest Tavern. This venture was unconventional, blending a retail gaming environment with a themed drinking establishment, and it posed significant financial and operational risks.

The idea stemmed from Mark’s vision to create a holistic community space where enthusiasts could gather, play games, and socialize over drinks. However, integrating a bar into a retail space required navigating complex licensing laws, renovating the existing store layout, and investing in bar infrastructure—all without a guarantee of success.

Despite these challenges, Mark proceeded with the expansion, driven by his commitment to enhancing the customer experience. The Short Rest Tavern officially opened its doors in 2020, offering patrons a unique ambiance complete with a variety of meads, beers, and other beverages. The tavern also hosted themed events, further enriching the community atmosphere.

The outcome surpassed expectations. The Short Rest Tavern became a beloved spot within the Tucson gaming community, attracting both regulars and new visitors. Its success not only increased foot traffic to Tucson Games and Gadgets but also solidified the establishment’s reputation as a premier destination for gaming and social gatherings in the area.

This experience underscored the value of innovation and community focus in business expansion. By taking this calculated risk, Mark transformed his store into a multifaceted hub that continues to thrive.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Mark Kadow, the visionary behind Tucson Games and Gadgets, has dedicated his career to creating vibrant community spaces for gaming enthusiasts in Tucson, Arizona. His journey into the gaming industry began in June 2014, when he established the first Tucson Games and Gadgets location, aiming to offer a unique environment where gamers of all kinds could gather, play, and explore a diverse range of tabletop games.

Under Mark’s leadership, Tucson Games and Gadgets has expanded to three locations: Tucson Mall, Park Place Mall, and Tucson Premium Outlets. Each store provides an extensive selection of tabletop games, miniatures, cards, books, and gadgets, catering to both new and veteran gamers. Beyond retail, these locations offer generous play areas, private game rooms, and host a variety of events, including board game meetups, trading card game tournaments, and role-playing sessions. He is even trying a NEW location KIOSK on the Davis Monthan Airforce base exchange store.

In 2020, Mark introduced The Short Rest Tavern, a medieval-themed bar located within the Tucson Mall store. This innovative addition offers patrons a unique ambiance to enjoy a variety of meads, beers, and other beverages, further enhancing the community atmosphere.

Mark’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment sets Tucson Games and Gadgets apart. The stores are designed to be top-tier gaming environments where enthusiasts can find that special game or the perfect gift for a hard-to-shop-for person. The friendly staff is always ready to assist, ensuring that every visitor feels at home.

One of Mark’s proudest achievements is the strong sense of community that Tucson Games and Gadgets has cultivated. The stores have become central hubs for gamers in Tucson, offering spaces where friendships are formed, and memorable experiences are created. Mark’s dedication to innovation and community focus continues to drive the success and growth of Tucson Games and Gadgets, making it a beloved destination for gaming enthusiasts in the area.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Absolutely. One of the most impactful books that has shaped my business mindset is *10X Mentor* by Grant Cardone, as well as *10X Rule* and *Be Obsessed or Be Average*. These books introduced me to the **10X philosophy**, which completely changed the way I approach business growth. Instead of aiming for incremental gains, I shifted my focus to **massive action and scaling aggressively**, ensuring that Tucson Games and Gadgets, The Short Rest Tavern, and Caffeine Cauldron don’t just compete in the market but dominate their niche.

Additionally, **Brandon Dawson’s teachings on scaling businesses and operational excellence** in *10X Owners Live* and *10X360* have been instrumental. His strategies on **team alignment, leadership development, and maximizing enterprise value** have helped me structure my businesses with a clear, scalable foundation. Before adopting these principles, I was focused on day-to-day operations, but now I think in terms of **enterprise value, strategic acquisitions, and rapid expansion**.

Natalie Dawson’s book, *Team Work: How to Build a High-Performance Team*, has been another game-changer. Managing multiple locations and different types of businesses requires **exceptional hiring, leadership development, and team accountability**. Her approach to **STAR (Structure, Transparency, Alignment, and Reinforcement)** has helped me build a team that’s not just competent but fully aligned with my company’s vision.

Beyond books, **Cardone Ventures’ 10X360 program** has given me **real-world, actionable strategies** for scaling my business **beyond what I previously thought possible**. Their focus on **data-driven decision-making, brand expansion, and financial discipline** has allowed me to optimize operations across my businesses while still maintaining a customer-first, community-driven approach.

The key lesson from all of these resources? **Think bigger, act faster, and scale smarter**. Instead of just owning a game store, I now think in terms of **owning an entertainment and lifestyle brand that revolutionizes the tabletop gaming, themed beverage, and nerd culture experience.** These philosophies have transformed the way I set goals, structure my team, and execute strategies—and they continue to fuel my ambitions to grow beyond Tucson into a national brand.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing and maintaining team morale is one of the most critical factors in business success, especially when scaling multiple businesses like Tucson Games and Gadgets, The Short Rest Tavern, and Caffeine Cauldron. My approach to team morale is deeply influenced by our 10x philosophy and our “TeamWork” framework, which emphasizes Structure, Transparency, Alignment, and Reinforcement

1. Clear Vision & Alignment
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is assuming their team understands the big picture. I ensure that my team at every level—from store associates to managers—understands where the company is going and how their role contributes to that vision.

This is done through:
• Quarterly Vision Meetings – I outline goals, growth strategies, and upcoming opportunities.

• Individual Alignment – Every team member has measurable KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) so they know how their work impacts the company’s success.

• Career Pathing – Employees need to see that there’s room for growth. Whether someone starts as a barback at Short Rest or a sales associate at Tucson Games and Gadgets, they need to know there’s a path to leadership if they perform at a high level.

2. Compensation Tied to Performance

Morale is highest when employees see a direct link between effort and reward. We structure performance-based incentives, whether that’s:
• Bonuses for top-selling employees.
• Store managers earning revenue-based bonuses.
• Opportunities for top performers to move into leadership roles faster.

This way, employees don’t just feel like “workers”—they feel like stakeholders in the company’s success.

3. Reinforcing a High-Energy Culture

As a 10X Rule, success requires high energy and relentless action. I maintain team morale by:
• Regular team shoutouts and public recognition.
• Gamifying the work environment (e.g., sales competitions, employee challenges).
• Creating a workplace that is fun and engaging. Tucson Games and Gadgets and Short Rest Tavern aren’t traditional retail or food service businesses—we are a hub for nerd culture, gaming, and entertainment. Employees should feel excited to work in that environment.

4. Leadership by Example
Your team will never work harder than you. If I’m not high energy, committed, and focused, my managers and staff won’t be either. The 10X philosophy reinforces this idea—leaders set the tone for their teams. I make sure I:
• Stay visible in the business. I visit locations, talk to staff, and make sure they feel supported.

• Push high standards. Employees respect leaders who hold them accountable to excellence.

• Lead with enthusiasm. The culture of a business is a direct reflection of its leadership energy.

5. Resolving Conflict & Handling Issues Quickly

Toxic work environments destroy morale, which is why I enforce zero tolerance for drama, negativity, or workplace toxicity. Problems get addressed immediately before they can spread. I use open-door policies, one-on-one meetings, and clear workplace standards to prevent negativity from creeping into the company culture.
Final Thought: Build a Team That Believes in the Brand
Employees who are just “clocking in” won’t stay engaged. I hire people who love tabletop gaming, nerd culture, and hospitality—people who are naturally passionate about the business. When your team believes in what they do, they show up with energy, commitment, and pride.
Bottom Line?

1. Give your team a clear vision to align with.
2. Tie rewards to performance.
3. Make the workplace high-energy and engaging.
4. Lead by example—your energy sets the tone.
5. Eliminate drama and address problems immediately.
6. Hire people who love the industry and invest in their growth.

When your employees feel valued, empowered, and excited about what they do, they will go all in—and that’s how you build a high-performance, high-morale team that can take your business to the next level

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tucsongamesandghadgets.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tucsongamesandgadgets/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tucsongamesandgadgets