Meet Jamie Bell, 18, who turned old Lego into a £400,000-a-year business

An 18-year-old student from South London, Jamie Bell, has transformed his small hobby of reselling second-hand Lego into a thriving business, generating over £312,000 annually. Through his online store, JTB Collectables, Bell primarily operates on eBay, where he made approximately £53,000 in net profit during the previous tax year after accounting for stock, shipping, and professional accounting fees.

A notable achievement came in 2026 when Bell sold 200 pounds (90 kilograms) of Lego Star Wars minifigures in a single online auction, garnering 65 bids and selling for more than £23,400. Kennedy News and Media reported on Bell's business and financial success, which later gained prominence in People magazine.

Bell's journey into the second-hand Lego market began at the age of 13. Initially, he resold smaller Lego sets, but soon recognized the growing demand for bulk collections of used Lego pieces. Many smaller traders lacked the resources or access to purchase large quantities of stock, presenting an opportunity for Bell to buy in bulk and sell in larger lots.

As his business expanded, the volume of sales became too extensive for Bell to handle the financial aspects himself. At 16, he enlisted the help of an accountant, acknowledging that he may have needed professional assistance as early as 15.

By the time he turned 15, Bell's business had grown sufficiently to occupy a significant portion of his family home, with much of his inventory stored in large cardboard boxes at his parents' residence. His father assists with packing and administration, while Bell remains the driving force behind the business. He currently sells around 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of Lego products monthly, divided into two primary categories: large mixed lots sold to other Lego traders and rare figures and individual pieces sold directly to collectors.

The market for used and rare Lego figures has experienced substantial growth in recent years, driven by adult collectors seeking older, less common pieces and online sellers in search of affordable stock to resell at a profit.

Bell's customer base primarily consists of two groups: collectors with substantial disposable income and resellers. He observes that approximately 40% of his clients are serious collectors with considerable financial resources, while around 60% are resellers. One of Bell's most substantial sales occurred in May 2026, when he auctioned approximately 200 pounds (90 kilograms) of Lego Star Wars minifigures.

This lot attracted 65 bids and ultimately sold for over £23,400, demonstrating the significant value that can be placed on large collections of Lego, particularly when they contain rare or desirable figures. However, Bell emphasizes that his business is not solely focused on individual high-value sales. Regular bulk transactions provide a consistent income stream, while rare items can yield much larger returns.

Despite the considerable success of his business, Bell intends to continue his education and does not plan to make Lego reselling his full-time career in the immediate future. He aims to attend university and study history, viewing his business as a means to build savings and financial security rather than his sole career aspiration.

Bell recognizes that while large sales are an integral part of his business, he plans to primarily save his profits for purchasing his first home. The majority of his earnings are kept in savings, allowing him to prepare for university and establish a stable future career.