Special Guest: Army Combat Medic (Ret.) & CEO of Tactics 2 Toys [Episode 32]

What do you get when you mix a lifetime of military service, a love for horror movies and pop culture, and an entrepreneurial streak powered by spite and bubble wrap? You get Anthony Ciotti — retired Army combat medic and the mastermind behind Tactics 2 Toys, one of the most unique e-commerce businesses in the adult collector world.

In this episode of the Dr. Virga Podcast, Anthony walks us through his wild ride — from casing colors with his reserve unit, to volunteering for Kosovo, to building a business from his garage that now moves thousands of collectible action figures each year. And yes, this all started because he asked, “What gets me closest to the front line?”

💬 A Life of Parallel Tracks

Anthony’s journey is anything but linear. Raised in Philly, college in Jersey, enlisted in '91, deployed to Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa — his military career reads like a global travelogue with a side of medevac. But it wasn’t just the Army that shaped him. It was also nights playing D&D with friends, being a misfit kid, and a keen eye for what brings people joy. That joy now lives in every figurine, board game, and comic collectible sold through Tactics 2 Toys.

🎮 Toys, Not Just for Kids

We dive into the collector community, the power of nostalgia, and the meticulous world of running an e-commerce business from home. Anthony explains why adult collectors aren't your typical customers and how his passion for horror, hip hop, and ‘80s cult films guide what he stocks. He’s not just a seller—he’s a fan first.

And his philosophy?“There’s no political agenda in toys. It’s just about joy.”

🧠 Business, Spite, and a Bit of Bourbon

Anthony gets candid about the real challenges of being a veteran business owner—bad marketing agencies, tax mistakes, and what it's like to hand-pack hundreds of shipments a week. He talks about the platforms he sells on, how he built relationships with vendors, and his future plans: building his own distribution network and launching his own line of designer toys.

Oh, and in true Marvel fashion, his son even makes a cameo.

🎧 This episode is a must-listen for:

• Veterans thinking about entrepreneurship

• E-commerce hustlers building a business from scratch

• Collectors and connoisseurs of pop culture

• Anyone who’s ever chosen the harder path—just to do what they love