Crystal Lea has a YouTube channel where she does Funko Pop hunts, unboxings and more. She’s relatively new to the platform and has already surpassed the 100 subscriber milestone.
Her most recent video is the second on her channel to quickly surpass 1K views.
Crystal and her (sometimes) co-host Ana always manage to make me laugh. When I started watching their videos it struck me how genuine they seem. That’s a quality I don’t often find, especially not on YouTube.
Since the channel is so new, what better time to get to know Crystal Lea than now?
Nick Teal: Where did you grow up and where are you based now?
Crystal Lea: “I grew up in Connecticut, and I’m currently in Western New York for nursing school and love it!”
N: Do you have a regular day job? Are you looking to make YouTube a career?
C: “I do have a regular day job. I’m a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and nursing student when I’m not creating videos for YouTube. I never actually thought about making YouTube a career. I genuinely love editing and filming, so it’s more of a hobby for me.”
N: What made you decide to start filming YouTube videos?
C: “I have always wanted to start filming since I was younger. I started with filming makeup tutorials. After I started collecting Funko Pops I noticed there weren’t many Funko YouTubers that were girls, and I wanted to be the one to change that!”
N: What’s been your biggest challenge with starting your YouTube channel?
C: “My biggest challenge has to be time management! Working full time, being a full-time student, and filming content is a lot of work, and sometimes it can get a little hectic.”
N: And how have you managed to overcome that?
C: “I’m still learning how to juggle everything. I use a weekly calendar to make sure everything I need to get done gets done. I also wake up super early to get a head start on my day.”
N: What are your favorite YouTube channels to watch?
C: “There are so many! I have to say DashieGames is my favorite!”
N: What kind of music do you listen to? Who are a few of your favorite artists?
C: “R&B all the way to country! Some of my favorite artists have to be Blackbear and KSI.”
N: When did you start collecting Funko Pops? What was your first one?
C: “I first started collecting Funko Pops in 2019, and my first Funko Pop was Xena: The Warrior Princess! One of my favorite series,”
N: Do you collect anything else outside of Funko?
C: “Just Funko Pops and Funko Sodas.”
N: What are a few upcoming Funko releases that you’re looking forward to?
C: “The Cartoon Classic Funko pops are awesome! I can’t wait for Courage the Cowardly Dog specifically.”
N: You’ve mentioned not collecting for value, but rather things you genuinely love. What’s been the biggest purchase you’ve made for your collection?
C: “The biggest Funko purchase I made was the Freddy Funko El Chavo. I didn’t have a chance to buy a Funko “Box of Fun” and paid around $160! It’s not something I usually do, but this one is never leaving my collection.”
N: How do you limit your collecting spending? Any budgeting secrets?
C: “I usually plan what Funko Pops I want by keeping up with release dates. I set a certain amount to spend a month unless it’s an exclusive or a diamond edition. I never go over my budget for that specific month.”
N: What’s your advice for someone new to collecting?
C: “Truly collect what you love! Collecting should be about what you love and what moments bring nostalgia back to you. Never buy something just because of the hype. PPG changes daily, and you’ll only lose out on money. If a $10 common Funko Pop makes you happy, go and buy it! Please don’t get caught up in getting the chase or an overvalued Funko Pop unless it’s something you truly want!”
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Check out our previous interviews with Funko YouTubers:
Dr. Applesauce Interview
Grown Kids TV Interview