Was Quitting My Job to Sell Sports Cards Worth It? 2024 Full Card Business Recap!

[@nelsonmorales3682]

Awesome breakdown, I'm new to selling cards on ebay seems like Whatnot is the way to go !

[@CleverCubanCards]

Whatnot has been great but its really hard to get yourself going, competition is steep and given the live nature you really need eyes

[@danm9029]

Good for you, I’m just getting back into cards and I really like your videos. I was never even a baseball card collector as a kid but now that’s all I want!

[@CleverCubanCards]

I loved baseball as a kid, its always been my favorite sport idk there's just something about baseball cards over others for some reason

[@travisschomaeker3613]

Awesome video. I just started in Sept 2024 and trying to build it up. You made your dream come true and that’s very commendable 🎉

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thank you!! Still a lot of work to do but its a lot of fun!

[@howievision]

Love this breakdown. I'm sure there are plenty of people that have considered doing this (quitting their day job) but haven't thought out all aspects of the business. A business also needs someone to put in the hours, have some business acumen, treat their customers well, 😢and be detail oriented which seems like you are. Congrats on a great year! I on the other hand am happy to keep my day job while doing some some card shows on the weekends. 😊

[@CleverCubanCards]

Yes! There is so much work outside of just doing cards that has to get done and all of it takes time to run. Keeping it as a hobby/side hustle honestly I think is the better route for most people!

[@howievision]

@@CleverCubanCards You're sharp so you can handle it. Some people do not track or have an idea of their costs and returns and then they forget about the tax piece. A huge one time sale is what inspires us but really it's the $1-$20 cards that drives the engine. I do love that you are taking a salary and applying that to retirement savings!

[@CleverCubanCards]

@@howievision Yes tracking everything is so important and I feel taking that step to be intentional about it was one of the biggest and most impactful steps. And you're spot on. While the big one time sales are obviously huge and exciting, for me the ability to consistently move cheaper cards is the difference maker

[@ChristopherDavid-uu3qg]

Great video! Congrats on all your success. I'm glad I stumbled upon your channel and just subscribed.

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thanks for checking it out! Will have monthly business updates + lots of openings and educational content!

[@RaoulDelaCruz]

Love your content. Was following you when you started on TikTok and am loving the KZbin format a lot more. Looking forward to your taxes breakdown for 2024. Interesting stuff my friend. Keep it coming!

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thank you!! I'm absolutely planning to continue the updates and will have a full video breakdown of my taxes when that's eventually done!

[@RaoulDelaCruz]

@@CleverCubanCards Looking forward to it!

[@CleverCubanCards]

@@RaoulDelaCruz Thanks!

[@grosboa6071]

Love your videos, really makes me want to focus more on the card business in 2025. I'm wondering, could you have bought 65k$ of cards at the end of the year to not pay any taxes? Keep on the great work!

[@CleverCubanCards]

Theoretically yes! Only thing there is that you do need to turn a profit (eventually) for the IRS to not come in and determine that you’re a hobby not a business

[@scoa]

Appreciate the transparent sharing! Good luck as you continue moving forward. I was really close to considering going full time at sports cards about a year and a half ago. For my circumstances, im glad i didnt, but i love seeing these kinda confirmations that it is possible, if you approach it right.

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thank you! It's definitely a risk and also isn't for everyone. I think the majority of people are better off keeping it a side hustle/hobby and enjoy it for what it is - I just come from an entrepreneurial background so being my own boss has always been the dream

[@jasonn4826]

In this breakdown I would have liked to hear how many days a week you stream, how many hours your stream per show, and an hourly breakdown from your salary vs per hour worked.

[@CleverCubanCards]

Right now I stream 2 days a week between setup, streaming and shipping I'd say that's about 20 hours of work. The hardest part tbh is sourcing inventory. It both takes a lot of work but is also in a lot of ways just constant which makes estimating a number of hours worked difficult given I'm kind of always hunting for deals on eBay, discord, etc. lol I'd also say I spend at least 20 hours a week on content which I personally feel is essential to my success selling singles. The importance of personal brand can't be overstated

[@JOSHUABERGERON-k5v]

Love all the info you give. I'm definitely picking up all these info like a ground ball!

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thanks! if there's anything you'd like to see more on feel free to let me know!

[@JOSHUABERGERON-k5v]

@@CleverCubanCards Will do! Thanks!

[@BoomCollectors]

This is amazing to see, congrats on a great first year. Loved the breakdown.

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thank you!!

[@zbsportscards]

Great video. I needed to see this one.

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thanks!

[@user-hm5zb1qn6g]

thorough video.

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thanks!

[@shaneroberts3549]

This is a really great video. I wish this existed last year haha. I did not profit this year first year getting into the hobby selling and buying.What do you suggest for someone who wants to approach it different this year? Do you have a break down of setting the business up for a card company like this? Thanks again!

[@CleverCubanCards]

My biggest thing was truly adapting a business mentality for the side of cards that I deemed the business. I have cards I buy specifically for PC and let that be but that is separate. Tracking every dollar you spend and every dollar you bring in helps you understand where you're doing well and drive you to chase more profits and growth

[@shaneroberts3549]

@@CleverCubanCards Is there a way I can learn more about this spread sheet you speak of? To maybe help organize and get myself better in the game here. I currently use eBay and Mascot as well. But would love to try to have a better way to keep things business focused.

[@CleverCubanCards]

@@shaneroberts3549 I was actually thinking today I should make a longer format video to show it off. I have one on my TikTok from last year

[@shaneroberts3549]

@@CleverCubanCards That would be awesome! In the mean time, could you send that tik tok link? Id love to watch!

[@JMacSportsCards]

Great video!

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thank you! Always fun to share how the sausage is made

[@SpencyJames]

Great video, but I have a question. What about your rip and flips, how did you calculate the price of those and the sales of those? Are they separate from Whatnot inventory and Whatnot revenue? Or do you keep track to see which rip and flips do better?

[@CleverCubanCards]

I generally categorize rip and flips as inventory for whatnot so when I buy the case I categorize that as inventory as the revenue will be shown from whatnot!

[@MrTheBest247]

Keep it up - you're the real deal

[@CleverCubanCards]

Appreciate that, it's been a blast so far looking forward to seeing what the future holds!

[@Sports_Card_Collector78]

Those numbers show that you made the right decision. ⚾️⭐️🔥

[@CleverCubanCards]

It's definitely validating seeing things continue if not get better after making the jump! To be fair, about 2/3 of the profit was thanks to not needing to pay myself Feb-August which helped make this years profit number be so large

[@InspireCreateCollectables]

I’m so happy for you that it worked out, a lot of hard work I’m sure. Keep it up!

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thank you!! it is a ton of work, a lot more than I think people give it credit for but when you enjoy it it makes it a lot more fun!

[@basbalking]

Hard work pays off & I bet you love your job now!

[@CleverCubanCards]

I absolutely do! Its crazy that I feel like I work more than I did when I was doing both but when you love what you do its a lot less of a bother!

[@NEKROMONICON.]

@@CleverCubanCardsgood for you man! That’s a dream of mine to be able to do cards full time. Awesome to hear your doing well

[@CleverCubanCards]

@@NEKROMONICON. I feel like it's a dream for many! That's one of the main drivers that I have for trying to show off things as I learn and do them. There's no secret sauce I really think with the right conditions anyone can do it!

[@jeffreydemarco8931]

how do i get in contact with you

[@charliecalderin9533]

Curious about the name of your channel. Is there an old video where you talk about it?

[@CleverCubanCards]

Nope! I used to go by Cuban Missile Cards - but SEO didn't really like that. I'm 50% cuban so when I started making content I thought it was a quirky name. When I wanted to take content more seriously I knew the SEO would be a problem so I thought of a change and liked the alliteration of Clever Cuban Cards, keeping the tie to the cuban side of me, keeping the cards name in it and then I like to at least think I'm clever 🤣

[@autumndh]

My local mom and pop card shop guy has to pay tax on his inventory…..it’s pathetic the way they get screwed all the time

[@CleverCubanCards]

I believe that varies by state! Definitely tough when you have to pay tax on an expense you're already deducting and haven't actually sold

[@williamstokinger804]

I'm not sure the longevity of this model, your profit was $66K. . . So, after paying for rent, utilities, general bills, and living expenses, how much are you actually "earning"?

[@CleverCubanCards]

That was after paying taxes bills etc. Once I made things full time generally I'm seeing anywhere between $2000-$4000 in profit post those expenses each month. I'll have a business recap video for the month of January up at the start of Feb!

[@michaeldenzer6024]

Wow! Congrats....I sell cards too. Did you do auctions on whatnot? Or how exactly?

[@CleverCubanCards]

Yes I do $1 Start baseball auctions!

[@bigsmooth7998]

How many working hours did you have? Using that with your net profit to calculate how much you made per hour? That’s what I’d like to know.

[@CleverCubanCards]

It's really hard to truly calculate because the time that I spend buying is what is the most time intensive, but also can be passive. I've bought collections while out to dinner with the family. I know formally between sorting, listing, streaming and shipping I spend about 25 hours a week then I'd guess buying (including card shows) is at least another 25-30 if not more

[@Jakob1396]

If that is what you were able to do with $8000 I can't wait to see what you're gonna do with $60,00 after tax time comes. Best of luck to you!

[@CleverCubanCards]

It's definitely going to be a fun year! Way less profit I'm sure as I will have larger payroll expenses for 2025 but going to be able to have so many more cool cards!

[@NEKROMONICON.]

What kind of business did you start? How are you able to pay yourself a salary and match your own retirement funds as an owner? Doesn’t all these expenses come out of your pocket. Awesome congratulations

[@CleverCubanCards]

I'm set up as a LLC taxes as an S-Corp. I am Paid as a W-2 Employee just like you would be from a job that you go get so I can have a 401k from that and as the owner I determine what benefits the employees get!

[@LoVEFoRTHEHoBBY]

Yeah right this is not true who ever believes this HA!!

[@CleverCubanCards]

I can assure you it is 100% true but I know nothing I say will make you believe me. Those who know me and my card business know the truth

[@DeclanOLeary]

Don’t dignify this type of comment with response. If this video doesn’t convince him it’s real, nothing will. Leave him to shout at clouds

[@TheBargainBoxer]

Don’t ever quit your job. You will need that money from your 401k and insurance when you are my age. It might be the “cool” thing to do, but it’s not. We need all the nerds we can get in the workforce…….

[@CleverCubanCards]

Well guess what, my job gives me all the benefits I need! I have a retirement fund that the company matches, I get insurance through my partner but I can get insurance through the company if I so desired. The idea that because you start a business means you lose benefits isn't really true. Everyone works for a business that gives them those things, and my business is able to offer those as well.

[@TheBargainBoxer]

@ Oh, I thought your thumbnail said you quit your job. My bad.

[@CleverCubanCards]

@@TheBargainBoxer I did quit my job. That's my point. As a business owner you are able to still offer yourself all these benefits.

[@TheBargainBoxer]

@@CleverCubanCards Oh, you are saying collecting cards is a “company”. I thought when you said “company”, you weren’t referring to a hobby…..

[@CleverCubanCards]

@@TheBargainBoxer I own a business so I work for myself. Every business has the ability to give benefits its just a matter of whether or not you can afford it

[@CommercialFreeShow]

This is gold. Thx for sharing. What can help you grow in 2025? Can we chat more?

[@JeremyHutchings-x5c]

Yes, I would like to know as well

[@CleverCubanCards]

Thank you!! Honestly my biggest thing that I always say is just engaging with the content/streams! Never buy anything just to buy but watching the videos, hanging out in stream, asking questions etc. helps increase general visibility which therefore helps growth!