In the world of online collectibles, timing can matter as much as the item itself. For one Cedarville University student, that lesson helped turn a $3,500 Craigslist purchase of LEGO minifigures into nearly $6,000 in sales.
What began as a hobby for Micah Torres has grown into Rusty’s Figs, an online resale business that has generated about $50,000 in revenue through livestream sales and collectible investing. Along the way, Torres has used the business to save for life after graduation, apply what he is learning in his accounting classes and lean on the faith-based mentorship he has received at Cedarville.
One of the biggest tests of that growth came when he spent $3,500 on Craigslist for LEGO minifigures.
Torres, a senior accounting major from Summerville, South Carolina, had already found success reselling minifigures, but he had never made a purchase this large. In the month following his big purchase, Torres and his roommate navigated around piles of LEGO pieces that filled their residence hall room, but eventually, he got his space — and nearly doubled the investment he used to grow his business.
Torres primarily makes quick purchases on eBay, where collectors often list the toys at discounted prices. After finding listings that could provide him with a 50% profit margin, Torres buys the collections and sells them on Whatnot, a sales app that allows users to connect with buyers through livestreams.
What started as a hobby quickly became a way to apply the concepts he was learning in classes and use the platform to be a witness for Christ.
“My accounting professors have been crucial in helping me understand how to run a business,” said Torres. “Dr. Dan Sterkenburg, Professor Sheryl Hooley and Professor Lindsey Howell have been impactful in my life and education, guiding me by showing me how those who are in Christ run a business and how our witness is ultimately the most important thing.”
That encouragement was reflected in how Howell said she responded to Torres’s growth.
“After seeing Micah’s entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm for reselling collectibles, I encouraged him to approach the venture more intentionally, suggesting that he establish it as a registered LLC,” said Howell. “It has been a joy to watch him apply the accounting principles he learned in the classroom and to cheer on his continued success as he glorifies God with the pursuit of his passions.”
Torres said he uses his platform as an opportunity to display the love of Christ through his interactions with others.
“My professors consistently worked biblical integration into their coursework, encouraging us to treat everyone with respect. I make it known that I’m a Christian in my profile, and I seek to represent Christ by practicing honesty and integrity.”
According to Torres, Rusty’s Figs has packaged more than 2,700 orders as of May 2026, generating around $50,000 in revenue with profit margins up to 60%.
“God has really blessed my endeavors,” said Torres. “I think the biggest logistical contributions to that growth were having a steady stream of inventory coming in and consistency in doing livestreams.”
Looking forward, Torres believes his business will have a long-term effect on his career.
“I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learned in my accounting classes directly to my business,” said Torres. “Experiencing what it takes to run a business — from inventory counts to materiality concerns and auditing concepts — will help me better empathize with future clients and serve them more effectively.”
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked?among the nation’s top five evangelical universities?in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at?cedarville.edu.