Meet the man who decided to “flip it”

Allentonian Tom Carson served in the United States Air Force from 2003–2011. After struggling with his transition from the military back to living in Allentown, Tom was very close to becoming homeless. So he did one of the hardest things he has ever had to do—he asked for help. According to Tom, he shortly moved into his mother’s basement and spent months feeling self-pity and sorrow before he made the decision to flip his life around.

He enrolled in college and started selling sports memorabilia at flea markets, antique malls, and online Facebook groups.

Tom now holds degrees in Criminal Justice from Northampton Community College and a degree in Rehabilitation and Human Services from Penn State University.

He has been working in Human Service for the last seven years and has a passion for helping others. Tom started as an intern, then became a Case Manager, then the Program Director, then Associate Executive Director, and is now the Executive Director of Victory House of Lehigh Valley.

He also owns his own business and coaching platform, Flip It Collectibles, where he sells collectibles, vintage clothing, and sports memorabilia, and coaches other people on how to do the same.

He’s spoken at various events and trainings, including The Department of Veterans Affairs VA CHALLENGE meeting, Northampton County Resource Fair, Northampton County Crisis Intervention Training, and Penn State University.

Tom has been featured on multiple podcasts and in multiple publications like: Lehigh Valley Business, Salisbury Press, and Yahoo Finance.