What No One Tells You About Running a Local Card Shop

Clever Cuban Cards is joined by John Lontoc, owner of Pretty Cool Cards in Nolensville, TN to talk about the realities of owning a local card shop. John tells us about what a day in his life is like, what cards have been flying off the shelf one week into the NFL season, what’s bigger: pokemon or sports cards? And so much more.

We also get a lightning round of hobby questions with John, his thoughts on market consolidation, and learn how much up-front capital it takes to open a card shop.

Plus, Alex answers your mailbag questions on which cards you should actually submit for grading, where to find information on new releases and at what point are there TOO many parallels.

If you're in Tennessee, be sure to check out Pretty Cool Cards and their October 19th Anniversary Party and rip night, which John tells us all about on today's episode.

Welcome to The Hobby Handbook, your go-to guide for turning passion into profit in the world of sports card collecting.

Hosted by the Clever Cuban Cards, this podcast peels back the layers of the fast-growing trading card industry, showing how a simple hobby can become a side hustle or even a full-time gig. From flipping cards to grading, building community to leveraging market trends, each episode dives into the real business behind the cardboard.

Whether you're ripping packs for the thrill or stacking slabs with intention, The Hobby Handbook is here to help you use the hobby to fund the hobby. Featuring collectors, creators, and industry insiders, the show offers inspiration, education, and behind-the-scenes access to a world full of potential.

Because this isn’t just collecting, it’s building. Let’s get into it.

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