Passion to Profession: Columbia Sports Cards and More's Playbook from Garage to Industry Hub with Steve

Stacking Slabs

In this episode of Passion to Profession, I sit down with Steve from Columbia Sports Cards and More. What started in a garage is now a powerhouse hobby business that spans retail, ecom, wholesale, and manufacturing.

Steve shares how his background in banking and insurance gave way to a life immersed in cardboard. We talk about evolving his business model, blending the storefront experience with online scale, and why Columbia isn’t your average card shop.

We also explore:

• His personal collecting roots with Tony Gwynn and Sandy Koufax
• The real lessons from starting with eBay before opening a shop
• How manufacturing and retail feedback loops fuel innovation
• Why customer experience—not product—is what separates good from great
• The moment a Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig card turned into college tuition and family reconnection

This one's for anyone thinking about turning their passion into something more. Steve’s story is about vision, risk, relationships, and the power of staying adaptable in a fast-changing hobby.

A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession. The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card.

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