In this episode, Ron McKeefery interviews Nick, known as MiniGraphs99 on TikTok, who shares his journey in autograph collecting and the sports card business. Nick discusses the origins of his passion for collecting autographs, the strategies he employs for authentication and selling, and the balance between his hobby and business. He provides valuable tips for aspiring collectors, insights into the impact of social media on his brand, and future opportunities in the hobby. The conversation highlights the importance of dedication, creativity, and adaptability in the ever-evolving world of sports collectibles.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to MiniGraphs99

01:57 The Journey of Autograph Collecting

06:06 Authentication and Selling Strategies

09:52 Tips for Collecting Autographs

12:02 Balancing Hobby and Business

15:47 Managing Collections and Storage

19:51 Strategies for Acquiring Collections

21:58 The Thrill of Card Shows

25:34 Essential Tools for Card Collecting

27:52 Leveraging Social Media for Growth

31:45 Opportunities in the Hobby Business

34:09 Building a Sustainable Card Business

35:15 Personal Favorites and Future Aspirations

Takeaways

• Nick started collecting autographs in high school, inspired by his early experiences at sporting events.

• He emphasizes the personal connection that comes with obtaining autographs from players.

• Nick has developed a unique business model that combines in-person autographs with online sales.

• He believes that authentication is not always necessary for personal collections, preferring raw items.

• Nick uses technology, like meta glasses, to document the signing process for authenticity.

• He advises collectors to manage expectations when meeting athletes, as experiences can vary widely.

• Preparation is key for autograph hunting; knowing where players will enter and exit is crucial.

• Nick has a personal collection of Hall of Fame autographs, which he tracks and shares online.

• He balances his hobby with business by setting spending limits and focusing on profitable items.

• Nick leverages social media to grow his brand and connect with the collecting community.

#autographcollecting, #sportscards, #TTM, #memorabilia, #socialmedia, #businessstrategies, #authentication, #collectingtips, #sportscollectibles, #eBayselling

In this engaging conversation, Ron McKeefery interviews LouRok TV, a passionate card collector and YouTuber, about his journey in the hobby. Lou shares his authentic approach to content creation, emphasizing the importance of connecting with fellow collectors. He discusses his shift towards vintage cards, the current landscape of card collecting, and the appeal of TTM autographs. The conversation also touches on maximizing the value of autographed cards and Lou's vision for his YouTube channel as a personal archive for his family.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to LouRok TV and Collecting Passion

03:06 Authenticity in Collecting and Content Creation

05:49 The Shift to Vintage Collecting

08:53 Navigating the Current Hobby Landscape

11:35 Collecting Hall of Famers on a Budget

14:27 The Appeal of Through The Mail (TTM) Autographs

21:31 Maximizing Value with Autographed Cards

29:29 Future of LouRok TV and Personal Reflections

Takeaways

• LouRok TV treats his YouTube videos like personal conversations with friends.

• Authenticity is key in both collecting and content creation.

• Collecting should be a source of joy, not stress.

• Vintage cards hold a special place in Lou's collection.

• Hall of Fame cards can be affordable if you know where to look.

• TTM autographs combine Lou's love for cards and signatures.

• Maximizing value in autographed cards often involves PSA DNA certification.

• Community support is vital in the card collecting hobby.

• Lou's YouTube channel serves as a family archive of memories.

• The joy of collecting transcends monetary value.

#LouRokTV, #cardcollecting, #vintagecards, #TTMautographs, #PSAgrading, #HallofFame, #sportsmemorabilia, #YouTubecollectors, #hobbycommunity, #collectingpassion

In this episode, Ron McKeefery interviews Alex Biggs, a passionate sports card collector and TikTok influencer. They discuss Alex's journey from childhood collecting to rediscovering his passion during the COVID pandemic. Alex shares his strategies for making money with sports cards, emphasizing the importance of buying singles over boxes. He also talks about his transition from selling on eBay to using Whatnot and the challenges of balancing his card business with a full-time job and family responsibilities. The conversation highlights the impact of social media on Alex's life and business, as well as his future plans for growth in the card industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Collector's Journey

01:05 Rediscovering the Passion for Collecting

06:38 Strategies for Making Money with Sports Cards

13:07 The Evolution of Selling: From eBay to Whatnot

19:16 Balancing Collecting and Business

25:28 Navigating Social Media and Content Creation

33:12 Future Plans and Growth in the Card Business

Takeaways

• Alex Biggs started collecting cards as a child and returned to it during COVID.

• He discovered the potential for profit in sports cards after selling some of his collection.

• Buying singles is a more effective strategy for making money than buying boxes.

• Alex transitioned from eBay to Whatnot for selling cards.

• He emphasizes the importance of sourcing cards from shows and value bins.

• Social media, particularly TikTok, has significantly impacted Alex's life and business.

• Alex aims to create content consistently while balancing his card business and personal life.

• He believes in documenting his journey to help others in the collecting community.

• Alex's goal is to eventually go full-time with his card business.

• He is exploring ways to diversify his social media presence beyond TikTok.

Keywords

#sportscards, #collecting, #TikTok, #eBay, #Whatnot, #cardbusiness, #strategies, #content #creation, #collectorjourney, #makingmoney