In Episode 19, Matt Ham from Ham House Sports sits down to share his journey from selling a small junk-wax lot to building a six-figure hobby business rooted in faith, family, and smart entrepreneurship. Matt breaks down the “business as a machine” framework, how he and his son built a thriving operation, their Bowman prospect strategy, and the principles that guide their decision-making. This conversation dives deep into liquidity, risk tolerance, verticals inside the hobby, and how living with purpose shapes how he collects, flips, and mentors others.

00:01 Matt Ham introduction and shared values

00:48 Business as a machine and scaling decisions

06:36 How Little Matt became the engine behind Ham House Sports

09:03 Managing inventory, liquidity, and quick flips

14:14 Early hobby mistakes and learning curves

18:27 Prospect tiers and the Ham House strategy framework

19:54 Flipping to fund long-term PC goals

21:44 Smart tax planning and turning hobby into a real business

26:29 Future milestones and the $50k Mantle goal

28:23 The RICH framework and applying it to the hobby

• Treat your hobby like a machine that scales with trust and process

• Liquidity and speed matter more than holding long-term on most cards

• Build a strategy around tiers of prospects and diversify risk

• Flipping can fund a high-end PC without touching personal money

• Relationships lubricate the business machine

• Confidence grows when you move up price tiers with discipline

• Teach your kids business early and make them part of the journey

• Gratitude, humility, and generosity will always return value

#sportsCards #cardHobby #BowmanBaseball #entrepreneurship #cardFlipping

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🎙️ Episode Summary

In this episode of the 1000 Card Project Podcast, Ron sits down with Charlie Wolpert (@chitown2354), a night-shift medical professional, father of four, and one of the most authentic voices in the hobby. Charlie breaks down how he built a thriving live-selling business on Whatnot while juggling family life, faith, and a demanding schedule. He shares his sourcing playbook, why he tracks every regular buyer, how he creates consistent demand through low-end liquid strategies, and how vulnerability, community, and intentionality have shaped his brand. Whether you’re new to selling or scaling up your operation, this conversation gives you a clear window into the mindset and habits that drive Charlie’s success.

00:00 — Charlie’s Introduction & Life Behind the Scenes

01:38 — Breaking Down His Hobby Business (Whatnot, eBay, Collects)

04:27 — How Charlie Sources Inventory & Feeds the Live-Selling “Beast”

07:53 — Strategies at Every Level: Low-End Liquid to Autos & Numbered

11:17 — Economics of $2 Starts, Margins, and Bulk Buying Mistakes

14:07 — Growing an Audience on Whatnot & TikTok Promotion

31:55 — Faith, Vulnerability & Reaching People Beyond Cards

35:39 — What’s Next: Goals for 2026 & Building Multi-Platform Presence

• Building a hobby business is easier when you focus on relationships, not just revenue.
  

• Live selling requires a constant supply of fresh, well-bought inventory.
  

• Tracking regular buyers (teams, players, patterns) is a superpower for repeat sales.
  

• Low-end liquid can be a consistent, profitable strategy with the right sourcing.
  

• Bulk buys can burn you if you don’t have storage, organization, and a plan to unload.
  

• Cross-platform growth (TikTok → Whatnot → private sales) strengthens your brand.
  

• Vulnerability and faith help build trust, loyalty, and deeper community connections.
  

• Consistency—showing up, responding, and engaging—is Charlie’s biggest advantage.
  

#SportsCards, #WhatnotSeller, #CardFlipping, #HobbyCommunity, #1000CardProject

⏱️ Timestamps📌 Key Takeaways🔑 Keywords

In this episode of the 1000 Card Project Podcast, Ron McKeefery sits down with Reed Kammerman (@synergycards) — one of the most respected voices in the hobby when it comes to grading, gem rates, and building a sustainable sports card business.

Reed breaks down how he turned a $500 seed collection into a thriving grading operation, the analytics behind choosing the right raw cards, and the systems he uses to consistently generate profit one submission at a time. He shares how to start small, how to build confidence, how to bankroll grading fees, and how to avoid the most common mistakes new graders make.

We also dive deep into timing the market, the best sets to grade across sports, how to liquidate low grades, how to build relationships with reliable sellers, and why understanding data is the ultimate cheat code in this hobby. Reed also opens up about the tools he’s created — including his grading guide and web app — and his long-term goal of going full-time.

If you’re looking to grow your grading strategy, scale your hobby business, or learn from someone who has mastered the raw-to-grade model, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Takeaways

• Start with the cheap stuff.

• GameStop now allows PSA submissions.

• Submitting one card is possible.

• Once a month is a good rule of thumb.

• Reinvest profits to scale up submissions.

• Five cards a month can lead to growth.

• The snowball effect is key in card collecting.

• Avoid stockpiling too many cards at once.

• Starting with low-value cards is effective.

• Gradually increase submissions over time.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro: Why Reed Is One of the Best in the Grading Game

01:01 – Icebreaker: Reed’s First Ever Submission (1990 Fleer Jordan)

02:14 – How Reed Became Analytical With Gem Rates From Day One

02:50 – What Reed Is Focusing on in the Hobby Right Now

03:34 – When Reed Realized Grading Could Become a Real Business

05:00 – Building Confidence With Early Submissions & Seed Money

07:17 – How Much Capital You Need to Start Grading Consistently

08:41 – Structuring Monthly Submissions to Create a Snowball Effect

09:31 – Liquidating 7s, 8s, & 9s Without Losing Your Mind

10:49 – How Reed Evaluates Profit on a Per-Order Basis

12:12 – Handling Bad Listings, Returns, and Condition Issues

13:28 – How to Build Relationships With Trusted Sellers

15:17 – What Paying “Strong” Really Means (Reed’s % Breakdown)

16:30 – How Reed Manages Time, Research, and Seasonality

18:49 – The Most Consistent Grading Windows Every Year

21:13 – What Happens When a Set Is Not Gradable? Adjusting Strategy

22:56 – Best Baseball & Basketball Sets to Grade (By Sport)

25:22 – How Topps Taking Over Football Might Change the Game

26:52 – Can Anyone Dethrone PSA? Where the Market Is Headed

28:46 – AI Grading, Turnaround Times, and the Future of Slabs

29:44 – What Tools You Actually Need to Grade Cards Properly

31:13 – How Reed Measures Profit Per Card & Scales His Numbers

33:25 – Why Graded Cards Move Faster—Even in Lower Grades

34:14 – Reed’s Business Model: 90% Raw-to-Grade

34:56 – Other Marketplaces Reed Uses Besides eBay & Facebook

35:39 – How Reed Built a Web App & Guide to Help the Hobby

37:48 – Scaling Content, Discord, and Tools While Staying Organized

38:29 – What’s Next: Reed’s Plan to Go Full-Time in Cards

40:05 – Submission Goals: Working Toward 50 Cards Per Week

40:17 – Reed’s PC: Why Tennis Cards Are His True Passion

41:46 – Ron’s Tennis Story (Jumping the Net!)

43:22 – Where to Follow Reed and Final Thoughts

#gradingcards, #PSAgrading, #sportscardflipping, #gemratestrategy, #1000CardProject

In this episode, Ron McKeefery hosts Matt Hasson and RJ Watters from Behind The Breaks (www.BehindTheBreaks.com), share their unique journeys in the world of trading cards. They discuss the transition from casual collecting to a business venture, the emotional aspects of collecting, and the intricacies of breaking. The conversation delves into strategies for sourcing products, the importance of community, and the challenges faced in the breaking business. They also touch on personal collections, the significance of storytelling in the hobby, and the balance between passion and profit.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

01:03 The Journey from Hobby to Business

03:13 Diverse Perspectives on Collecting

06:28 The Business of Selling Cards

08:36 Discipline and Strategy in Collecting

12:05 Collecting Strategies and Personal Preferences

16:00 Reconciling Collecting with Business

20:58 Understanding the Breaking Business

22:07 Starting a Breaking Business

28:16 Authenticity in Breaking: The Key to Success

29:41 Understanding Profit Margins in Breaking

33:45 The Importance of Sourcing and Relationships

40:31 The Role of Transparency in the Hobby

41:19 Starting Behind the Breaks: Community and Connection

47:17 Networking Through Conversations: The Power of Podcasting

Takeaways

• The collector's journey often starts as a hobby before evolving into a business.

• Diverse perspectives in collecting can enhance the experience and knowledge.

• Building relationships is crucial for sourcing products and growing in the hobby.

• Discipline and strategy play significant roles in successful collecting and breaking.

• Emotional connections to cards can influence buying and selling decisions.

• Understanding the economics of breaking is essential for profitability.

• Sourcing products at a lower cost can improve profit margins.

• The trading card community is supportive and willing to help newcomers.

• Transparency in the business side of breaking fosters trust and engagement.

• Networking through podcasts can lead to valuable connections and friendships.

Keywords

#SportsCardPodcast, #tradingcards, #collecting, #breaking, #eBay, #sports, #community, #strategy, #business, #vintage

In this episode, Ron McKeefery interviews Joe Watchorn, a full-time card dealer from the UK, who shares his journey into entrepreneurship, the differences between the UK and US card markets, and strategies for growing a successful card business. Joe discusses the importance of social media consistency, cash flow management, and sourcing inventory, while also providing insights into the soccer card market ahead of the World Cup. The conversation highlights the significance of authenticity in content creation and the empowering nature of sharing one's journey publicly.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joe's Journey

01:03 Lessons from Going Full-Time

03:28 Differences in the UK and US Card Markets

08:33 Strategies for Business Growth

11:10 Sources of Inventory

13:09 Cash Flow and Buying Strategies

16:13 Essential Tools for Success

17:37 Soccer Cards and World Cup Predictions

22:30 The Future of Soccer Cards

26:52 Content Creation and Authenticity

31:00 Building Confidence Through Content

33:32 Quickfire Questions and Recommendations

Takeaways

• Embrace chaos as part of the entrepreneurial journey.

• The UK card market is still developing compared to the US.

• Consistency in social media content can open many opportunities.

• Cash flow is crucial for startup success.

• Buying inventory at card shows is an effective strategy.

• Authentic content resonates more with audiences than high production value.

• Documenting the journey can help build confidence.

• The soccer card market is growing, especially with upcoming events like the World Cup.

• Understanding the differences in card markets can inform buying strategies.

• Building a personal brand can attract collectors and sellers alike.

Keywords

#JoeWatchorn, #JJJCards, #UKcardmarket, #entrepreneurship, #sportscards, #contentcreation, #cashflow, #inventorysourcing, #WorldCup #soccercards, #businessstrategies

In this episode, Ron McKeefery interviews Troy Rike, a former professional basketball player turned card collector and entrepreneur. They discuss Troy's journey from sports to the card collecting business, the competitive nature of the hobby, and the importance of adapting to market changes. Troy shares insights on building an online presence, the economics of high-end flipping, and strategies for scaling a collection. The conversation emphasizes the significance of authenticity in content creation and the value of networking across different industries.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey

03:00 Navigating the Transition from Sports to Collecting

05:54 The Influence of Support and Encouragement

08:54 Harnessing Competitiveness in the Card World

11:54 Cultural Insights from International Experiences

14:58 Exploring New Markets and Opportunities in Collecting

18:13 The Evolution of Content Creation

22:28 Understanding High-End Card Flipping

24:22 Navigating Selling Platforms: eBay vs. Whatnot

27:32 Strategies for Scaling a Card Collection

30:32 Finding Your Unique Voice in Content Creation

32:57 The Importance of Networking and Learning

35:01 Future Directions: Content vs. Card Business

Takeaways

• Troy Rike transitioned from professional basketball to card collecting.

• The perception of card collecting has changed, becoming more accepted and mainstream.

• Adapting to market trends is crucial for success in card collecting.

• Building connections is essential for high-end flipping in the card market.

• Content creation has become a significant revenue stream for Troy.

• Grading cards can be a profitable strategy for collectors.

• Authenticity in content creation helps in building a loyal audience.

• Networking with different industries can provide valuable insights.

• The competitive nature of the card hobby drives innovation and improvement.

• Future growth in the card business may require building a team.

#cardcollecting, #entrepreneurship, #sports, #contentcreation, #markettrends, #competitiveedge, #businessstrategy, #adapting, #onlinepresence, #growth

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