In this episode of the Business RPG Podcast, host Isaac Smith sits down with Mason, owner of CNA Games in Louisville, Kentucky, and one of the most transparent voices in the trading card and collectibles industry. Mason shares how his journey began with eBay and TCG Player before transitioning into brick-and-mortar retail nearly a decade ago. From Pokémon and Magic to retro video games and anime collectibles, he explains how customer demand shaped his store’s growth and why owning a physical location is both rewarding and grueling.

Mason dives into the inner workings of TCG Player, where CNA Games now manages over 125,000 listings. He reveals how small innovations, like custom shelving, allow his team to compete with larger players, and how he balances efficiency with customer experience. For newcomers, Mason explains the bare necessities of starting on TCG Player and the critical KPIs that determine when to scale.

Looking ahead, Mason reflects on content creation, industry trends, and the future of collectibles. While digital platforms and corporate giants present challenges, he remains focused on adapting, experimenting, and making CNA Games a destination experience for fans. This candid, behind-the-scenes conversation offers rare insights for entrepreneurs in gaming, retail, and e-commerce.

In this episode of Business RPG, Jordan Jaclyn, CEO of Phoenix Performance Coaching, discusses how he empowers gamers to improve their health without sacrificing their hobbies.

We discuss:
- Jordan's unique blend of gaming and sustainable health to help gamers achieve fitness goals.
- The challenges of serving an underserved niche and breaking stereotypes.
- Practical fitness advice for gamers in sedentary jobs.
- How his approach mirrors the "leveling up" process in RPGs.
- Insights into starting a coaching business in health and fitness.

Connect with Jordan:
Instagram.com/phoenix.performance.coaching
website: phoenixperformancecoaching.net/

In this episode of Business RPG, we sit down with Craig Stern, CEO of Sunrise Leads and Content Wave, to learn about his unique approach to lead generation and building client relationships. Craig shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his first business attempts to developing innovative lead gen strategies that connect with clients across various industries. Known for his early adoption of LinkedIn as a lead generation tool, Craig has worked with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to unique startups, demonstrating his adaptability and expertise.
Join us as Craig delves into:
His background – From launching a mobile app to developing a lead generation agency
Key challenges and lessons – How he shifted from struggling entrepreneur to confident industry expert
Innovative pitching – His technique for simplifying complex concepts and connecting with clients
Lead quality vs. quantity – The importance of defining target clients and ensuring quality leads
The future of lead generation – Insights on the evolving challenges of cold outreach and building credibility
Whether you're a business owner looking for lead-gen insights or an entrepreneur interested in Craig’s inspiring story, this episode is packed with value.

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cdstern

Josh Rook shares how he transformed his passion for retro gaming into a thriving store called 8-Bit Legends in Jonesboro, Arkansas, all while working as a full-time firefighter. He progressed from being a home-based reseller to owning a physical retail location and discusses the challenges associated with a brick-and-mortar. Josh shares insights on how he balances these two roles and emphasizes the importance of physical media.


Connect with Josh!
Facebook: facebook.com/8BitLegendsVideoGames
Instagram: instagram.com/8_bit_legends_video_games

Brian from PokeNE is back!
In this episode he updates us on

• How Pokémon card sales have been in the past year
• How he has navigated the scarcity from the lockdown craze, by tapping into the demand for Japanese and Korean cards
• His strategic approach led to $1.3 million in sales within a year, focusing on international markets to gain exclusive deals.

Brian discusses building relationships with these international distributors, choosing the right products, and leveraging content creation.
He hints that exciting developments are on the horizon, and is looking forward to the challenges and developments in 2025.

The previous episode with Brian

Connect with Brian brian@pokene.com
His website
YouTube
Instagram

Do you know how to grow an audience? Do you know how to grow an audience, specifically, for your podcast? Is it enough to just be a nerd about a topic, like successful nerds, or is there more to it?

Today I would like to introduce you to the minds behind the book "Podcasting Made Simple", Taig and Anthony. I actually connected with them over on IG, and after a conversation we had back and forth, I wanted to invite them onto the podcast to share some of their story and their expertise.

A lot of you already know this, but for any new listeners out there, I am a full time podcast producer for a number of other shows...but I wanted to have these guys on for a couple of different reasons. One, I know some of you are podcasters as well and I think it is a great resource for those of us in this industry, which I think would be nothing without nerds. But also, they have explored some growth strategies for their business, that not a lot of other people have use who have been on this show. So I am excited to share their story with you today and the resources that they offer.

Join their Facebook groups:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastmarketingmadesimple

Check out their website https://getmorelisteners.com/

Link to their books:

Podcasting Made Simple / Podcast Marketing

Business RPG is a business podcast for nerds who are determined to turn their passion into a profession. Follow me on Instagram @BuisnessRPG. Connect with me on Linkedin here. Email me sir.isaac.smith@gmail.com

Learn how to become a Podcast Producer from my teachers at Podcast Production School use my affiliate link here

Find me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/join/Business_RPG?

Follow my store here

Music: NEW HORIZONS by Lesion X | https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_USb

Get ready for Part 2 of our interview with Steve Kamb from Nerds Fitness. If you haven't listened to part you you can find it here. In this episode we talk a bit more about the business side of Nerd Fitness and Steve's experience building a team and how he sets goals.

Today you will be hearing from Steve Kamb, the creator of Nerd Fitness and the rebellion, a community of nerds looking to level up their lives and become real live superheros. Steve is an author, blogger, writer, adventurer, fitness coach, and is known for usually going with the Wizard class when playing rpgs.

Steve's journey, as you will hear in this interview, is a very unique one. He found a way to bring nerds and fitness together to create a business and community that is strong and thriving today. He wrote the book "Level Up Your Life: How to Unlock Adventure and Happiness by Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story"

This is actually one of the books I read when I was becoming serious about being an entrepreneur. You will hear me fan-boy from time to time in this interview, which I should apologize in advance for but I wont because this was such a big interview for me in my Hero's Journey.

Follow Nerd Fitness on IG: @NerdFitness

Website: https://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/

Steve's Book here

Business RPG is a business podcast for nerds who are determined to turn their passion into a profession. Follow me on Instagram @BuisnessRPG. Connect with me on Linkedin here. Email me sir.isaac.smith@gmail.com

Learn how to become a Podcast Producer from my teachers at Podcast Production School use my affiliate link here

Find me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/join/Business_RPG?

Follow my store here

Music: NEW HORIZONS by Lesion X | https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_USb

The Hero's Journey has been a topic of discussion lately on this podcast. And I think because of this interview, I have come to appreciate it as part of every entrepreneur's road to success. However this episode is also a major point of reflection for me because I get to introduce you to someone who played an important role in my hero's journey to becoming a successful nerd.

Today you will be hearing from Steve Kamb, the creator of Nerd Fitness and the rebellion, a community of nerds looking to level up their lives and become real live superheros. Steve is an author, blogger, writer, adventurer, fitness coach, and is known for usually going with the Wizard class when playing rpgs.

Steve's journey, as you will hear in this interview, is a very unique one. He found a way to bring nerds and fitness together to create a business and community that is strong and thriving today. He wrote the book "Level Up Your Life: How to Unlock Adventure and Happiness by Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story"

This is actually one of the books I read when I was becoming serious about being an entrepreneur. You will hear me fan-boy from time to time in this interview, which I should apologize in advance for but I wont because this was such a big interview for me in my Hero's Journey.

Follow Nerd Fitness on IG: @NerdFitness

Website: https://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/

Business RPG is a business podcast for nerds who are determined to turn their passion into a profession. Follow me on Instagram @BuisnessRPG. Connect with me on Linkedin here. Email me sir.isaac.smith@gmail.com

Learn how to become a Podcast Producer from my teachers at Podcast Production School use my affiliate link here

Find me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/join/Business_RPG?

Follow my store here

Music: NEW HORIZONS by Lesion X | https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_USb