Talking Hobby Business at The National w/ Ryan Alford

Welcome to the debut episode of The Hobby Handbook, hosted by Clever Cuban Cards! This podcast explores the world of sports card collecting, where passion meets profit and nostalgia meets strategy.

In this first episode, Alex sits down with marketing maverick and media disrupter Ryan Alford, who shares how collecting cards with his four sons sparked a deeper dive into the hobby and eventually led to launching a new trading cards podcast with the Sports Card Nonsense Media Network and Collectibles on SI. Ryan opens up about the thrill of ripping packs, the learning curve of grading and value, and how he’s approached the hobby like a business from day one.

They dig into how Ryan’s used his network and marketing experience to create opportunities in the space, and how collectors can flip, trade, and reinvest to use the hobby to fund the hobby. It’s about more than cardboard, it’s community, strategy, and smart moves.

Whether you're a seasoned flipper or just getting your feet wet, this episode kicks off The Hobby Handbook!