After more than 20 years working in leadership roles within the corporate pawn industry, Eric Hays was unexpectedly laid off when his company restructured.
Suddenly, he found himself at a crossroads—not sure of what would come next.
“What do you do when you’re 50 years old and didn’t think you’d need to start over again?” Hays said. “[My wife and I] spent a couple of months looking at our options, and after a lot of prayer, we felt like God wanted us to open a pawn shop.”
So, Hays and his wife, Cecilia, opened Believers Pawn in Tomball. They combined decades of industry experience with a desire to build something of their own—run with intention, integrity and a people-first mindset.
Now, as Believers Pawn celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the business stands as a reflection of that leap of faith—one rooted in service, trust and long-standing community relationships.
Understanding the services Believers Pawn offers
Whether customers are looking for short-term financial support or searching for quality items at a competitive price, Believers Pawn offers several straightforward options.
Pawn loans: Customers can walk in with an item of value, and the team evaluates it to determine a loan amount. The item serves as collateral, so credit scores are not a factor. Rather than charging the maximum allowable interest on loans, Believers Pawn intentionally keeps rates lower than the competition to benefit their customers.
If the loan is repaid, the customer gets their item back. If not, the store can resell the item to recover the loan amount. This makes it a short-term, flexible option for many customers.
Hays said these loans are especially helpful when unexpected costs arise, such as medical copays.
Selling items: For those who prefer to sell, the process is simple. Items are evaluated based on condition and market value, and customers receive an offer on the spot, with no obligation to accept.
Once purchased, items are held and documented before being resold, ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Purchasing items: Buying items is like shopping at any other store. Customers browse, choose what they want and make their purchase. Believers Pawn also has a “live-time” website, where every firearm is listed along with a selection of other merchandise.
- Firearms (approximately 70% new, sourced from vendors)
- Jewelry
- Tools
- Musical instruments
- Sporting goods
- And more
The store also provides a six-month layaway program, allowing customers to make steady payments on their items over time. This window is longer than what many pawn shops offer and comes without any additional fees, providing financial flexibility.
Addressing common misconceptions
Pawn shops have long carried a stigma, but the team at Believers Pawn said that perception is outdated.
“Pawn shops have a bad reputation for being a place that fences stolen goods or deals with shady people,” Hays said. “For the most part, that reputation has been eroded. Less than 0.5% of goods are reported stolen. Industry standards and law enforcement changes contribute to pawn shops having a better reputation.”
Misconception 1: Pawn shops deal in stolen goods
Every item that comes through the pawn shop is documented. Serial numbers and descriptions are reported to law enforcement daily. This process creates accountability, and it helps ensure that any stolen items can be identified and returned.
Misconception 2: Pawn shops are dishonest
Believers Pawn emphasizes transparency and choice throughout every transaction.
“I always go back to integrity. [We have] integrity in every business decision and personal decision, especially with employees and customers,” Hays said.
Customers are walked through their options, whether selling or taking a loan, and are never obligated to move forward. The goal is to create a process that feels straightforward, fair and pressure-free.
Misconception 3: Pawn shops are solely transactional
For the team behind Believers Pawn, the business goes far beyond transactions.
Many customers return regularly, whether to make payments, browse inventory or simply check in. In some cases, those relationships span decades. Customers have followed Hays from one location to another throughout his career.
Celebrating 10 years
Since the beginning, community involvement has remained a consistent focus for the business. They’ve supported local schools, churches, veterans’ organizations and first responders.
As Believers Pawn celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the team is continuing that dedication with a community-focused giveaway.
This April, the business is raffling off $10,000 in store gift cards, distributed across more than 25 winners. Prizes range from smaller daily giveaways to larger amounts awarded toward the end of the raffle.
Customers can enter by purchasing raffle tickets in-store.
It’s a reflection of how far the business has come, and a continuation of its mission to serve the community.
Click here or call 832-843-6991 to learn more about Believers Pawn today.The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.