Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jared Solomon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jared, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?

I want to say first of all I do not own the business, I just run the shop. My father and grandfather started it when they moved down to Florida 30+ years ago and they sold it a few years back. When it comes to the card business more so than the comics the biggest misconception nowadays is that the majority of people purchasing cards are loaded with money. The vast majority of people who keep the industry alive are your average Americans who work a 9-5 and still love to collect their favorite player. There are absolutely plenty of people with more disposable income that buy the higher end products and drop boats load of cash every time they are in and we appreciate them very much. However, they do not make up the majority of sales. Our average sale is around $200 and it’s our regulars who are getting some of the new products for them and their children to open. Topps the main baseball card producers are the best in the industry at trying to tap the potential of the average person with events such at the Topps Hobby Rip night being the best and also stuff like the MVP Buyback program. They drive people to come in and enjoy the atmosphere of a card shop and talk with us, do pack wars, and giveaways. I feel as though this is something that needs to be done more in the industry in order to keep people coming back. Getting people involved with their local card shops other than just buying the products is key because when a kid opens a pack and wants to show me the cool card he got and how excited they are about it is the point.

Jared, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

We are Wonder Water Sports Cards and Comics. A business my family started when they moved to Florida 30+ years ago. We are one of the largest card and comics stores in the southeastern United States. We have over 3 million cards in inventory, over a half a million comics and various other thing from memorabilia to action figures in our 11000 square foot store. The bread and butter of our store is always taking good care of the people who shop with us and getting them the products they want.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

There is always more you can do. I saw every person in my family work from the time I could remember to help the store. My father and mother spending late nights at the shop well past 10pm most almost every other day for years. My grandparents when they come back down from canada still come in everyday just to help out. Im even currently writing this article while Im in vacation in Montana.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Our store has always been word of mouth, we never really had a big social media presence. It’s treating people right, being a good person and even helping your customers out from time to time. People don’t wana feel coddled or talked to like a child, treat them with respect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marketplace.beckett.com/wonderwater_173/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderwatercards_comics?igsh=emF1OW04Y3c4bjIy
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/WonderWaterSportsCardsComics/

Image Credits

Customers during rip night