Card Dreams: Advice for Those Making Cards a Business
I think for some of us who have been in this hobby for a long time, it’s easy to forget why we got into it in the first place.
For me, way back in the mid 1980s, it was about the business end — even as a young teenager I was always obsessed with that facet of the hobby.
The buying and selling and trading of the game. The negotiating and prospecting and the entire excitement that came along with a deal was intoxicating to me, and it still is, to be honest with you.
For my brother though, he just loved the collecting aspect. He had favorite players and sets and manufactures he targeted year after year — and does that to this day.
Whatever the motivation, it’s so important for all of us to remember this hobby, regardless of the scale you are into it, is about the dream.
Let’s not be the extinguisher to folks who have this dream.
I had someone message me on Instagram the other day, now I do not know anything about this person other than their IG name. I don’t know how old they are, where they are, or whether they have thousands of dollars to invest in this hobby… nothing.
The question asked of me was simply… “How can I start to build a business?”
For a second, thoughts about market fluctuations, the hobby’s bad actors, the risk involved.. all of it flooded my thoughts. And for a second I wanted to punch out the words “ don’t do it.”
But you know what?
I don’t even adhere to that advice and I, supposedly, am pretty well-versed in this hobby based on experience alone, right?
So, I figured I’d use this space to answer that question for everyone the same way I answered it for this person who messaged me… Simply put, start with singles and build that out.
And you build that our by following four basic principles:
Don’t lowball people who you purchase from or who you will eventually offer cards to you… be fair. This is bush-league tactics and will quickly get your reputation in the toilet. Being fair and flexible will encourage folks to deal with you, and in turn, they are more apt to give you better pricing as well.
Focus on network more than transaction. Build a community of people you buy from, and develop a relationship with them that benefits both of you. And for the love of God, reach out to them for more than just a purchase or a sale. This entire hobby is based on a passion and love we have for trading cards… it’s not built on a passion and love for buying and selling them exclusively. Say hello, talk shop, seek advice from these folks. Connection is the key.
Be a blessing to others. The more you learn in the hobby, the opportunity you have to share that knowledge — do that as often as possible. Don’t be sly or secretive or walk around like you know more than anyone else — because you don’t, and it’ll make you look like a pompous idiot. The hobby has too many of those people already, don’t add to the population of these jerks.
Enjoy the journey. Unless you’re dumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into the startup, you’re likely going to be riding the same slow train to prosperity most of us rode or are riding now. But that’s okay. I have a dear friend who started her breaking business with one lone $300 break back in 2022. Today, she runs a breaking company on Whatnot worth more than $2.5 million. So, what I’m saying is that it can be done.
Truthfully, this whole thing is still my dream. I am committed to remembering that more as I move forward in the business and the hobby in general. And, let’s all commit to being more encouraging to one another. Lord knows, there’s enough cards for all of us.