What is a Business? (Pokemon Edition)
The most common question I get: "When did your Pokemon hobby become a business?" The answer changed everything about how I approached cards. Let me show you the critical distinction that separates casual collectors from business owners.
Business Basics: The Simple Definition
A business solves problems for money. That's it.
When you buy a Pokemon card for $5 and sell it for $8, you just made $3 profit. You solved someone's problem (they wanted that card) and got paid for it. Do that consistently, and you have a business.
Real Example from My Journey
Hobby Mode: I bought a Charizard because I loved Charizard. Cost: $50. Value to me: Priceless.
Business Mode: I bought a Charizard for $50 because I knew collectors would pay $75. Sold it for $75. Profit: $25.
The card is the same. The mindset is completely different.
Hobby vs Business: The Critical Differences
Pokemon as a Hobby:
- Buy what you love
- Profit is optional
- Decisions based on emotion
- No tracking of expenses
- Collection for personal enjoyment
- Cards stored however
- No inventory system needed
Pokemon as a Business:
- Buy what sells
- Profit is required
- Decisions based on data
- Every expense tracked
- Inventory for customers
- Professional storage and grading
- Inventory management system essential
The Turning Point: When you start making consistent buying decisions based on resale value rather than personal preference, you've crossed into business territory.
The 5 Pokemon Business Types
Not all Pokemon businesses are the same. Here are the main types:
1. Card Buying and Selling (Most Common)
What it involves:
- Buying individual singles and selling for profit
- Opening booster packs and selling pulls
- Buying collections and parting them out
- Selling sealed product (boxes, packs, tins)
Startup cost: $500-2,000
Profit potential: $30,000-100,000+ per year
Best for: People with card knowledge and grading skills
This is my primary business model at Break Check Barragan.
2. Tournament Organizing and Event Hosting
What it involves:
- Running Pokemon TCG tournaments
- Hosting Pokemon League events
- Charging entry fees
- Selling snacks, drinks, and supplies at events
Startup cost: $1,000-5,000 (space, tables, prizes)
Profit potential: $10,000-50,000+ per year
Best for: Community builders with local player base
3. Pokemon Content Creation
What it involves:
- YouTube pack openings and card reviews
- Twitch streaming of gameplay
- TikTok Pokemon content
- Instagram card showcase
Startup cost: $500-2,000 (equipment, initial inventory)
Profit potential: $0-100,000+ per year (highly variable)
Best for: Natural entertainers comfortable on camera
4. Pokemon Accessory Sales
What it involves:
- Selling sleeves, binders, deck boxes
- Custom playmats and card storage
- Dice, damage counters, and tokens
- Display cases and protective supplies
Startup cost: $1,000-3,000
Profit potential: $15,000-40,000+ per year
Best for: People who hate card price volatility
5. Pokemon Coaching and Tutoring Services
What it involves:
- Teaching competitive Pokemon TCG strategy
- Deck building consultation
- Tournament preparation coaching
- Collection valuation services
Startup cost: $0-500 (mainly marketing)
Profit potential: $10,000-60,000+ per year
Best for: Competitive players with teaching skills
When Does Collecting Become a Business?
Here's the exact moment your hobby becomes a business:
You're Still a Hobbyist If:
- You've sold a few cards casually
- You don't track profit/loss
- You don't have a system for sourcing inventory
- You sell only when you need cash
- You have no idea what your total profit is
You're Running a Business If:
- You regularly buy cards to resell
- You track every purchase and sale
- You have systems for sourcing, pricing, and selling
- You make buying decisions based on market data
- You can tell me your profit margin
The Test: If someone asked you to produce a profit/loss statement for the past 3 months, could you? If yes, you're running a business.
Ready to Turn Your Pokemon Passion Into a Business?
This is just Module 1 of Week 1 in our comprehensive Pokemon Business Startup Course.
In the complete course, you'll get:
- 40+ video lessons covering all 8 weeks
- Downloadable templates (business plans, tracking sheets, pricing calculators)
- Real examples and case studies
- Step-by-step guidance from sourcing to scaling
- Lifetime access to all updates
Enroll in the Pokemon Business Startup Course →
Module 1.1 of Week 1 - Pokemon Business Startup Course