Divot #5: StockX, ghostwrite, and Economics Behind The Hype Economy
Apr 2, 2025
Josh Luber, co-founder of StockX and collectible toy brand Ghosts, dives into his fascinating journey from sneakers to creating a $4B platform. He discusses how storytelling, scarcity, and market data influence the hype economy. Josh explains the Dutch auction model that allows consumers to set prices, revolutionizing traditional pricing strategies. He shares insights on nostalgia in sneaker culture and how innovative collectible toys are transforming personal expression and community engagement in the collectibles market.
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GhostRite: A Blank Canvas Collectible
- Josh Luber discusses the evolution of collectible toys, from Bearbrick to his own creation, GhostRite.
- GhostRite serves as a blank canvas for storytelling, similar to trading cards and sneakers.
The Importance of Storytelling in Collectibles
- Great collectible products are rooted in stories that go beyond their visual representation.
- Just like art, collectibles gain value from their narrative and cultural significance.
Designing the GhostRite Shape
- Josh Luber describes the design process for GhostRite, involving 14 toy designers and numerous iterations.
- The goal was to create a shape that was iconic and could be adapted to various designs and collaborations.