Stacking Slabs

Every collector dreams about landing a grail.
Very few spend enough time thinking about how to price one.
When a card has little or no sales history, the normal playbook breaks down. There are no clean comps. No chart to follow. No market consensus to lean on.
That is where your judgment matters.
In this episode, Brett shares a framework for evaluating grails when public sales data falls short. He covers how to build a substitute universe, evaluate opportunity frequency, negotiate from a position of strength, know when to walk away, and determine the maximum price you can defend without lying to yourself.
A grail is not only a collecting decision.
It is a financial decision.
It is a psychological decision.
It is a test of discipline.
If you're heading to Fanatics Fest, The National, or you're chasing a card that rarely surfaces, this episode will help you think through the biggest purchase your collection might ever face.

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What does it take to leave a stable career and build one of the fastest growing card shops in the hobby?
Live from Columbus Card Fest, Brett sits down with Garrett Borba, owner of Neighborhood Card Shop, to unpack the decisions behind building a modern hobby business.
Garrett shares why he walked away from medical device sales, how relationships became his biggest advantage, what it takes to run a card shop in today's market, and why trust matters more than product.
This conversation is about far more than cards.
It's about betting on yourself, building something that lasts, and earning the reputation that brings people back.
Topics include:
• Leaving corporate America for sports cards
• Building Neighborhood Card Shop from the ground up
• The power of referrals and relationships
• Running a modern card shop in the Fanatics era
• Breaking, distribution, and building trust with customers
• Advice for anyone thinking about turning a hobby into a career

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Most collectors share what they buy.
Mike Inouye shares why.
In this episode of Passion to Profession, Mike explains how content became one of the biggest drivers behind the growth of Leahi51513. Instead of telling collectors what card to chase, he walks through the research, context, and decision making behind every recommendation.
We talk about why trust is earned through transparency, why process beats predictions, and why the hobby needs more independent thinkers instead of people waiting for the next hot tip.
Mike also shares his thoughts on sports card talent, the responsibility that comes with influence, the growth of Formula 1, and an Aaron Judge card he believes deserves far more attention.
If you create content, run a business, or want to become a better collector, this conversation is about far more than cards.
It's about learning how to think.

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Everyone wants repeat business.
Few people spend enough time earning it.
This week on Hobby Jobs, Brett explores why trust compounds faster than transactions and why the businesses that last are built long before the first sale is complete.
Then Brett sits down with Grant Paterson, owner of Total Sports Cards, live from Columbus Card Fest.
Grant shares what it takes to build a modern hobby business, from running one of Canada's top hockey card operations to managing breaks, buying collections, hiring the right people, creating content, and making decisions that put relationships ahead of short term revenue.
If you're building a card shop, consignment business, breaking operation, marketplace, or content brand, this conversation is packed with lessons on thinking like an operator.
Topics include:
• Why repeat business starts before the first sale
• Building trust through systems and communication
• Running a high volume breaking business
• Hiring people who strengthen your business
• Why content builds more than an audience
• The opportunity Grant sees in hockey cards

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SummerSlam season is taking shape, but the biggest opportunities aren't coming from title changes.
Adam and Ryan break down why absent stars like Bianca Belair, Stephanie Vaquer, Bronson Reed, and Rhea Ripley deserve more attention from collectors while everyone else chases the latest storyline.
They also discuss what makes a wrestler collectible beyond the ring, why entrance music matters more than most collectors realize, how to prepare for Fanatics Fest and The National, and the buying and selling principles every collector should follow.
This episode is packed with practical hobby advice built from years of buying, selling, and collecting at every level.

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