We were lucky to catch up with Austin Bryan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Austin, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Back in 1996, the Pokémon Franchise changed my entire life in ways I couldn’t comprehend at the time as a 6-7 year old. It wasn’t until 1998/1999 when the Pokémon Trading Card Game entered the US, that I’d begin collecting, trading, and enjoying all of the cards printed and packaged in various foil-packs and boxes.
Around the time of the second Pokémon movie’s release: “Pokémon The Movie: 2000” I received an ‘Ancient Mew’ Promotional Card that would become one of my favorite cards, and would encourage me to hold onto my collection of cards. Sadly, in my middle school years I was bullied for being into the game and eventually stopped collecting the cards. I put them away.
Fast forward to 2023, I’m 31 years old, traveling back to Tennessee from a beach trip with my fiancée’s family in Florida, and we’ve made several rest stops at gas stations all along Highway 65N. To my surprise EVERY SINGLE GAS STATION, had Pokémon Trading Cards for sale. I bought a pack at every stop and thought to myself, “maybe there’s something to this franchise that I missed as a growing teen”.
Now, here I am, a proud Influencer on TikTok with a channel (just reaching) 1,000 followers in a month’s time, and growing more every single day. I’ve found my purpose is to share these experiences of opening packs, collecting cards, grading them, and buy/sell/trading with others in the community!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As of August 2023, I’ve started a child-friendly/parent approved TikTok channel dedicated to sharing the love, imagination, and passion of the Official ‘Pokémon Trading Card Game’.
Every day, 7 days a week, I create engaging content (and conversation), where packs of cards are “ripped” open for the enjoyment of the community, rare cards are highlighted, I have “pack battles” with my fiancée, and some of the holographic/rarest cards end up being sent out for grading with the company PSA.
Thus far ‘Master Grade Cards’ have two, PSA graded cards in possession, with many of my vintage cards from my childhood years being sent off to be graded and preserved/documented. The purpose of grading is to provide a solidified value on cards which can be displayed or represented in someone’s collection.
We also post funny videos, interact with a community of amazing Pokémon fans, and work to also buy/sell/trade other cards graded or “raw” (ungraded), with other resellers/collectors/and fans.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1.) Don’t get too emotionally involved. Have a passion and love for what you do, but remember to focus on your brand and identity. Business is business at the end of the day, celebrate milestones but don’t get too down or hard on yourself.
2.) Manage expectations, pay attention to what you do in your routine each day. And VALUE your community and the people who support and love what you do. Remember, it is easier for a client to be a friend then for a friend to be a client. Don’t put too much emphasis on those closest to you to support what you do, build your own base as you go! They will follow.
3.) Don’t give up, remember why you got into this, and don’t let social-media bog you down when you’re just getting started. Someone will see the value and importance in what you’re doing and aiming for. Just don’t get discouraged. Keep pushing!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Oh man! A few celebrities I would love to partner with would be: Logan Paul, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, and Katy Perry. Basically anyone notable who LOVES Pokémon/The Pokémon Trading Card Game and would want to make a difference for other kids, teens, and adults who LOVE the game as well. If I could collaborate on a custom card with the Pokémon company to raise money for an organization like “Make A Wish Foundation”, it would be an honor.
I encourage any of the folks listed above, collectors, resellers, fans, or anyone to reach out to us via TikTok or directly by email at: [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/master_grade_cards?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-bryan-964a06a6
- eBay Store link: https://www.ebay.com/usr/master_grade_cards
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@mastergradecards
Image Credits
Austin T. Bryan
