A hobby “career?” - where might the puck be going?

[Mark17]

If you can, find a niche. For instance, if you make a study of GU jerseys, you can do well buying and selling, maybe eventually authenticating, and maybe even restoring, if you're good at working with materials. Or use that basic principle in another area, like specializing in certain sets, postcards, yearbooks/programs, and so on.

Personally, I would avoid autographs because I think, to be acceptably good at recognizing fakes from authentic, the learning curve would take years, and even then, autographs make me nervous. But that's just me.

By finding a specialty, you can gain an advantage through studying and understanding that market better than the average collector. I think that's one of the secrets to success - find a way to be well above average in your area of expertise.

[Rich Klein]

As a person who works *IN* the hobby you have to consider the world of the hobby and not just buying/selling cards.

Card companies, licensors, licensees, dealers, auction houses, consultants, "influencers", etc etc. Don't lock yourself into only looking for one type of work

Rich

[JollyElm]

God, the frickin' "influencers." What a joke. I used to love hitting Youtube to watch a video or two, to check out things that are interesting to me...but now it's nothing but screennames giving shout outs to other screennames while endlessly talking about themselves as if everyone is glued to the screen waiting to hear their thoughts. Jesus, get over yourselves!!!

Rant over.