Right About Now with Ryan Alford

What’s up, everyone!

When I was a kid, I remember tearing open packs of trading cards, hoping to find a gem—not to flip it for profit, but just for the thrill. Fast forward to today, and I’m doing the same thing with my own kids, except now, the stakes are higher and the insights are sharper. That full-circle moment hit home during my conversation with Jason Koonce, a guy who went from mowing lawns to running one of the biggest sports card operations in the country.

From regrading PSA 9s to cracking $150k boxes, Jason’s journey is filled with hustle, intuition, and evolution.

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🔥 Here’s What We Hit

Build Your Business on Timing and Guts

Jason didn't just buy cards—he read the market, trusted his instincts, and made big bets before the trends caught up. Grading cards early gave him an edge, and he took risks most wouldn't.

Your Move: Are you timing your moves for where the market is going, not where it is? Identify one area where you can move early.

Treat Trading Cards Like an Asset Class

For Jason, cards aren’t just collectibles—they’re serious investments. When COVID hit and the market boomed instead of crashing, his 70% net worth in memorabilia proved to be a smart play.

Your Move: Evaluate your current investments. Is there room to diversify into alternative assets that you actually understand and enjoy?

Embrace the Evolution of Selling

Jason passed on investing early in Whatnot—a call he now admits was a miss. Today, he’s one of their top sellers, with built-out studios and a live stream empire. The rise of live shopping isn’t just a trend. It’s a tidal wave.

Your Move: Start experimenting with live content. Whether it’s selling, storytelling, or showing behind the scenes, real-time connection is the new storefront.

Make Room for the Fun

Whether it’s cracking packs with his kids or reminiscing about old card shows, Jason never lost sight of the joy. It’s that mix of passion and profit that keeps the hustle alive.

Your Move: Take one thing you loved doing as a kid and bring it back this week. See what it inspires.

🤝 Connect with Jason

Trading cards may have started as a hobby, but for people like Jason, it's become a platform for legacy, lifestyle, and limitless opportunity. Follow Jason and his team at OTIA Sports:

🌐 Website: otia.com
📸 Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn