How to open a Stupid Card Business. 

1. 1:27 No Pink Visor and White Board - No need to watch anymore. 2. 6:32 "Everybody has got a plan until you get hit in the mouf." 3. 12:30 Don't use Accounting terms around Rudy or he'll kick you out the door. 4. 14:05 Utilites 5. 16:18 Rudy doesn't buy insurance (he hides it in the $300 left over in the 7,000 rounding). 6. 19:39 You have to sell 369 boxes of LOTR boxes to break even. 7. 20:30 Rudy is hungry. He's gonna get tacos. 8. 24:37 Rudy doesn't include taxes. 9. 26:52 MOM Aftermath sucks. 10. 28:09 your employees make more than you. 11. 29:00 Part 4 - 2023 Cash is king. 12. 32:44 Rudy forgets the yield curve is inverted. 13. 35:33 It costs a house to sell the good boxes. 14. 37:21 Rudy bankrupts small children. 15. 38:28 "Dump it" 16. 40:01 You could get a free car instead of selling cardboard 17. 40:41 Part 5 or Part 6 I dunno whatever. 18. 45:35 How to lose money 101 19. 46:37 Part 69 Risk vs Reward 20. 49:03 Employee vs Owner 21. 52:31 I'm a hustler 22. 56:25 I'm a business owner 23. 57:34 I've stumbled my way to victory 24. 58:40 You have no free time 25. 59:08 Pepe Silvia out.

There's an entire continent out there with no card shops, and nothing but nerds and smart people with nothing to do. Obviously Antarctica is the largest remaining untapped market and I can't wait to start my new store.

Rudy's Guide on how to open a Card shop. Step 1; Don't.

My best moment of this video is "You start with 50k" and then proceeds to buy 300k worth of LOTR set to put business in black numbers

you've convinced me, I'm quitting my job tomorrow and going all in on a card shop. thanks rudy

When the world most needed him whiteboard Rudy returned

I wrote a card shop business plan for my BA degree. The conclusion was the shop was not going to be profitable.

Moral of the story: Don’t open an LGS. Just become an LGS Employee

No shave Rudy hits different. It’s dirtier, grungier, gritty. Dark light suggests he’s giving up being the good guy and slowly turning into the chaotic evil the MTG community needs.

I was so tied and tuned in…..then it cut off and snapped me back into a cold reality at the end

I opened a card shop and made money. Not by selling cards, but when I sold the property. If you want to open a shop, my experience is buy the commercial property first to reduce overhead. I barely broke even on paying the electric bill and it being just me and my friend (co-owner) working there. Selling the building was the only profit we made above $100.

Store owner here. So much truth here. It’s a low threshold business that many folks think they can easily do. The ones who have stood the rest of time often have special circumstances that made it happen. It is a tough business, for sure.

If your play group isn't rich and dropping thousands on sealed product every month, your store isn't going to make much money. The owners of my lgs have full time jobs to support the store. It's a passion, not a gold mine

I like these long, "boring" videos 😎 If I had Rudy as a teacher, in my high-school days, I would've gotten straight A's

It's wild that the man that constantly makes Step-Sister jokes, is also teaching me more than my business classes ever could in. Thanks for bringing white board Rudy back. Also, hope you didn't mean to cut off at the end, and there's a moral to the story. TY Mr. Tacoman

Hour long Rudy whiteboard video? Damn, it can’t be denied, Rudy is still in his prime.

I fell into an opportunity and started my own business. Anyone under the delusion that the owner gets to kick back and fat cat it, especially if you are providing a service based business is in serious delusion. Completely agree Rudy, when you hit that stage all bets are off, normally rules and times don't apply, you are 7 daying it if you want to make good money.

I run a gym and the same thing applies; I was laughing like a maniac when Rudy says the $19 has to "attack" that 7K; it's exactly like an RPG boss battle lmao. Great stuff Rudy!

Keep doing these videos! As a university finance educator, these videos hold immense value. Reaching 21K views and counting, they provide crucial information for potential business owners. I'm a simple man; whenever someone (remembers to) point out the opportunity cost, I get happy :)

Rudy I really don’t understand how you get a bad rep. You’re a real one! Keep it up!

Years ago I considered starting my own business. Not a card shop, but the same basic principles apply. I did some super basic number crunching like this and decided there was no way. I'd have to work my ass off and get extremely lucky every month just to keep the lights on and break even.

Your videos are not only helpful for cardshop. I’ve opened a bookstore (profit since day 1 ✌🏻) in Denmark, and your perspective and lessons have been immensly helpful

This is the reason why I continue to support your work for years on end, sometimes you drop a real gem 💎 of a video where you share some real info that Pit falls to buying sealed products. Great work on this.

22:25 my favourite scene its my first time seeing Rudys Phone and him answering a call

Been there, done it for 6 years, got burned out on it. But now I am thinking about saving up and doing it again at some point. It was a dream of mine to have my own hobby shop and I did it! Loved it and I miss being my own boss. Made a new channel, got a new logo just in-case I decide to do it again in the future. Definitely buying my own place next time around. I am going to save for that.

So THIS is why Rudy is always hyping up every Metazoo release. Imagine being an LGS and losing your ass on a couple failed sets 🥵

The first company I owned I worked more than 90 hours a week. Yes, we were going on vacations monthly; three day vacations and the whole time on vacation I was checking my email, trouble shooting problems with employees, paying bills, billing customers, making future plans and making the wildest things happen for my company that is too bazar to explain here... trust me a large payroll is a job all by itself the stress is maddening. Oh, my car was a prius with over 100k miles and I still drive a vehicle with over 100k miles.

Dude, this was a hell of a video. I've watched tons of your box openings and some of your side chats,this one takes the cake. I really hope you make more videos like these because it's a great way to show people how to think and what to think about when it comes to mental shifts when you want to run a business. Please make more videos like these.

This is the best channel on youtube. Rudy is literally no BS, even answers the phone for tacos later. If I wasn't a fan of magic I would've never seen this channel is what makes me sad.1 Edit - What happened to the end of the video!?

That's the most well-paid card shop employee I have ever heard of....

Not really into MTG, but always watch Rudy's videos about the financial stuff. He is a good business man with knowledge. This was a good video.

I work in finance and while this is very simplified, you raised one point that is rarely talked about is risk.Everyone hears about the success stories but rarely how owner may have barely been able to pay their own bills before success and it can quickly go back unless it has engagement.

The last 13 minutes of this video are why I watch and love Alpha Investments. Thank you, Rudy.

Love this. Didn't realize the profit was so close on cardboard. I used to deliver for UPS and asked how stores like Brass Buckle could keep clothing for a week or two and if it didn't sell they would ship to a different location. Well from what I was told they make 80 to 90% profit margin on the clothing. I know some other business' generally deal with 30 to 40% profit. So yeah I can see how cardboard can make the small guy fail at only a 10% margin. Sounds to me like Hasbro just is trying to screw the little guy. Keep them hanging on strings.

Heck, this could be explained to nearly ANYBODY wanting to be an entrepreneur.

I appreciate the time you put into this Rudy, i'm so glad my friend introduced me to your channel 4 years ago!!

I started Magic in 4th edition. Left/came back a few times, last time I played/collected actively was Kaladesh cycle. I still watch Rudy because he talks about the business. Top tier content, bucko!

This needed the pink visor.... I'm sad :( EDIT: You were aware! I was too early posting this. Doesn't matter Rudy! Will wait a bit longer on the return of the infamous PV!!

Thank you Rudy for putting time and making this video. This really opened my eyes

Haha the random cut off at the end. I randomly found your video and appreciate the honesty. The last section is what I am going through at the moment. Have a standard “9-5” job and a side business selling items on Ebay. And you need to dedicate a shit ton of time and reg life gets put on the back burner. I literally don’t do any of my hobbies (fishing, video games, hiking, etc) anymore. All of the focus needs to be on the business and the remaining time on family, reg job, chores/errands, etc

How did it take me this long to realize Rudy is left handed?

I don't know if I can trust any info from Whiteboard Rudy if he isn't wearing the pink visor. If No-Visor Rudy tells me not to open a card shop, that must mean Visor Rudy would tell me to open one. Timmy's TCG Tradepost coming soon™️ On a serious note - thanks for doing this Rudy, we *_love_* these videos.

Love these types of videos. i even rewatch the old ones sometimes to have something to listen to while i work

This is exactly what happened to me. I had aspirations of opening a card store when I was younger. I looked at the financials and I couldn't make sense of them. I was working a 9-5 which turn into a side hustle for cranberry farming which has turned into an agritourism business. While my dream of opening a card store is dead I've found my side business and still get to enjoy Magic with my friends and local LGS. Rudy, you are spot on with this video. If you want to be an entrepreneur find a problem you love and only you can solve and go do it - hustle, hustle hustle. Don't make your hobbies your business-- it will destroy your financials.

39:50 - i really enjoy all your videos man, great quality stuff. you got me into FaB and back into the cardboard world. thank you

Always love me a good, sudden, open ending. Amazing whiteboard video as always, thanks papa Rudy!

I never thought about opening a shop for cards, but I have still learned a lot listening to this. I greatly appreciate it!

Well, Rudy's experiences and explanations convinced me. I'm gonna open my own card store!

Bit of an abrupt end but good stuff. Really opens my eyes to the struggles of owning a hobby store.

As someone who just last year in January started selling cards online, this is all true. I wasn't planning on opening up a physical store or anything, but wanted to sell cards cause I like collecting them. So figured I'd buy a case or 2, whatever I can, open a box for myself, sell singles I don't want and selling the rest sealed. Nothing grand, just simple (least for now) and am just trying to make $10 after shipping and fees on TCGP. I haven't bought many sets yet, but the SINGULAR set I have made ANY sealed product sales on at the moment is the Mushoku Tensei WS set (not counting a couple boxes someone I know bought from me). Everything else has dropped and my sale prices are like $20+ more than the lowest prices so they are more than likely not selling any time soon. Only reason I am okay just sitting on everything and waiting (hoping) they go back up at some point is because I didn't buy anything on credit and don't have payments for a physical store.

I remember the first few videos that I watched on this channel. I was relatively financially responsible, made some money while in school, got my first credit card to build a credit history, paid off a couple grand loan, graduated got my first job when those first few videos were coming out. Spent the next few years using what I learned here to stay afloat as the reason for the loan earlier kept needing more and more as life events public and personal kept rocking the boat. Kind of sitting here thinking back now that I have a better paying job, that reason is no longer around, and I have a relatively stable position in life... it's been a ride but I'm glad Rudy puts up these videos.

Thank you so much for this video Rudy, as someone that has been wanting to open a shop this has opened my eyes.

Thank you for this video. There's always been this itch in the back of my head wanting to run a board game/hobby shop. This is the realism my lizard brain needed to hear.

I live for these videos Rudy! Your knowledge took me from a dirt poor Timmy to someone who has a savings account for my daughter's college. Thank you bro I owe you a lot.

I love videos ending abruptly just like the bond video keep up the good work Rudy!! Love your content!+

This is why I subscribed and started buying up product to sit on. You’re a wealth of real world knowledge and a blessing to the hobby

A healthy dose of reality in this video, Rudy. What an eye opener, it be rough out there.

This video was amazingly informative and entertaining, Loved how you pointed at the $19 lmao.

Good wisdom Rudy, The side hustle thing you mention in the end is huge and I belive more people needs that wisdom

Love you made this like a week after I asked you questions about this. Liking it so far minus the business plan info. Gotta have a structured plan in order to have higher success, but we aren’t made to agree on everything. I’m within 3 hours from you in Florida too. Appreciate all the content you create and subscribe to your patreon

Is it or me or do others also see the irony in Rudy mocking business plans while he proceeds to draw out a business plan.

_Florida Man Records Video in the Dark_

Great video Rudy! As a business major I loved the detailed breakdown. I hope people looking to start their own card shop / LGS find this video and watch it through. Lots of food for thought.

Love living the risk free worker lifestyle! Such security! Okay well time to get a new job Well I spent my entire savings and I'm in pretty big debt but if I can just hustle and work 60 hours a week I'll be able to stop the bleeding so I can find another job to work 80 hours and break even 😅 Risky owners vs lazy workers is such a Timmy mindset.

These videos are you at your best. So many people out there have no idea the margins and capital required to succeed at running a business. Not to mention the risk involved. Our schools are a disaster and not teaching what kids really need to learn to succeed. Keep these up!

I always enjoy your content. Thanks, Rudy!

really good reality check and insightful perspective not only on MTG / TCGs but on life. Thanks. Subscribed.

The last part is so absolutely true about the hustle. I'm lucky, making about $140k at a full time job. Started a side hustle. Broke even for 4 years, then suddenly it started paying off. First it was a few hundred a month, now it's over $10k a month and climbing faster then I thought was possible. In retrospect, all the work and a lot of luck helped make it happen, but it is a total mind f**k to go through it and see money start to actually roll in. I'm still working my regular job as the pay is high, but if I am really lucky and things keep going at some point this whole thing might flip on its head. It is all totally crazy. Who knows what will happen. All I can say is just keep plugging away day after day after day and something will happen.

I know rhese videos aren't popular, but honestly, the whiteboard videos are by far and away my favourite. Thanks for putting up with the trouble and still doing it! edit: it also ended very abruptly lol

YES! So excited I pushed back the washer/drier repair man!

even with the abrupt ending this was a very informative for people who want to (blindly) open a business of any kind. I managed to solidify my own business nearly 10 years ago and I still remember my stupid teen me trying to open all kinds of things without any idea of what I was doing. I'm glad you're doing whiteboard vids again, they're really good and fun to watch

Rudy: "Having Business plan is stupid" Rudy: Proceed to show the LIFE plan

Man I’m so happy taco man put out this type of video. All these locals think I’m the fed and printing like crazy but this really shows people how tough running a shop is. The one thing that really needs to be stated on is the taxes on top of said profit...

Great advice as always. It's funny how people tell you these things growing up but as a kid you never really can process it until much later in life.

The last part of your video is super insightful in general. Not only related to lgs.

I'm very happy years ago you convinced me not to open a shop. Instead I did a little remodeling in my garage and I just run a little magic League out of my garage. It lets me feel like a card shop owner with out the over head... now I couldn't tell you how legal it is but that's my advice if you want to give it a try.

I'm here for it bro. Gonna watch the whole hour for sure, this is the kind of content I prefer.

I really appreciate the legit perspective on card shop ownership, it's really good to hear someone with a solid head on their shoulders lay it all out in a no nonsense way.

I really liked this video style. Your free form style of speaking shows a deep understanding. Good job, Rudy!

Informative video - I can't imagine how any hobby stores survive nowadays,

Love these videos, I know it’s cliche but Rudy has really taught me some great financial practices over the years and a mind set of building for the future. I wish schools taught a lot of these things. Thanks for the hard work man

I GREATLY appreciate your blunt-ness when it comes to these things. and explained very well, I might add. I think it's easy to have rose-colored glasses for things you love, but like in all things, once its a business-it's work.

I just love this videos! Keep on going! Thanks for the amazing content!

As a trader who’s in the stage of still being employee 4 days a week and after 3 years my side hustle becoming more and more successful, I wish this video was complete and about 20mins longer 😅

It would be cool to see a video like this but instead of opening a brick and mortar shop, ones where its run out of the persons house while working solo.

I love these vids as it's real talk no smoke and mirrors it shows how businesses work and some great advice always a great listen while working on your own little Empire

Instant sub! Love this guy already!

I opened my store during the pandemic and it’s very successful atm. However, I had a gimmick, went the membership route and sell both miniatures and ccgs. High income customers are essential, you can’t succeed on struggling college kids

An yearly update video, with the same content... Only Rudy can do this because Timmy's keep springing up

Your entire channel rules I could watch you talk for 30 years lol love the channel

Reallyl appreciate this kind of video Rudy!! Always love the white board vids!! Keep up the good work!!

In Rudy We Trust. 😂

_Florida Man: Your Stupid Card Shop Is Gonna Fail-Sell Me Your Collection Instead and Save Yourself the Aggravation_

Thanks Rudy. This should be required watching for anyone who is seriously considering this in any year. Sadly, the concept of “Community”was destroyed by social media when “Friends” become people who click a button and started spamming each other with updates on the things in their lives no one needs to know.” A more accurate term would be, “Marketing Group.”

I'm a Patron and I love these things. Thank you Rudy!

I knew how this video was going to go-- and still I watched the entire hour long knowledge dump many people will just ignore. We need more whiteboard videos.

The part where he says “you aren’t chasing women, drinking or smoking a ton and draining your resources…” is important.

This is an amazing visualization of not just a card business but really it translates to ANY business!

I love how the video just cuts out at the end. Dont ever change Rudy

God, I love your financial talks. Such great information told as plain and honest as only Rudy can get. You've always got my view.