Founder of StockX & Fanatics Collectibles | Josh Luber's Bold New Venture
Dec 6, 2024
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In this discussion, Josh Luber, co-founder of StockX and the creator of the collectible toy brand ghostwrite, explores the fascinating world where culture meets commerce. He shares his entrepreneurial journey and the transformation of collectibles into significant cultural staples. Josh highlights ghostwrite's unique approach to customizable collectibles that encourage storytelling, innovation, and collaboration with major brands like the WNBA and NBA. Their conversation delves into the evolving landscape of collectibles and the collector mindset shaping today's market.
Josh Luber illustrates his entrepreneurial evolution from launching StockX to creating GhostRite, emphasizing collaborations and community engagement in collectibles.
The podcast explores how collecting has transitioned into mainstream culture, with modern collectibles serving as both investment and personal expression for younger generations.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Collectibles
The discussion highlights how collecting has evolved from niche hobbies to mainstream conversations, particularly because of cultural shifts among younger generations. Collecting items like sneakers, sports cards, and toys is increasingly seen as a valid form of investment and expression. The speaker recalls a dinner party where vintage sneakers and art sparked discussion, emphasizing that such topics will become common in everyday conversations. This trend reflects humanity's long-standing affinity for collecting, dating back to early civilizations, and suggests a significant shift in societal values surrounding personal possessions.
Josh Luber's Entrepreneurial Journey
Josh Luber shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, particularly with StockX and Fanatics Collectibles, illustrating his experiences creating businesses that revolve around collecting culture. He explains that launching StockX in 2015 was a result of recognizing the chaos of sneaker drops and a growing market for resale, which he was uniquely positioned to address. His transition to Fanatics Collectibles involved acquiring licenses for major sports cards, culminating in building a billion-dollar business in just a year. Luber emphasizes the importance of collaboration and having the right team to navigate the complexities of the collectible industry.
Introducing GhostRite: A New Collectible Toy Venture
Luber discusses his latest venture, GhostRite, a collectible toy brand featuring a blank canvas design, allowing for diverse artistic expressions. This model draws a parallel to established collectible markets like sneakers and trading cards, focusing on a culture-driven approach to value. He highlights the importance of collaborations with various brands, which enable unique storytelling through the toys while being adaptable to different cultural narratives. GhostRite aims to fill a gap in the collectible toy industry, leveraging learned experiences from previous ventures to create an engaging and innovative product line.
The Future of Collectible Toys and Community Engagement
The future vision for GhostRite includes community engagement through collaborative projects, making collectible toys relevant to a broader audience. By actively tapping into cultural moments—such as partnerships with franchises and celebrations of sports achievements—the brand aims to resonate more deeply with consumers. Luber believes that collectible toys should tell compelling stories and encourage public interaction, similar to how sports memorabilia functions within fan culture. GhostRite’s approach combines nostalgia with contemporary design, suggesting that the collectible toy market has a substantial opportunity for growth in the coming years.
Hey everyone! This episode of the GaryVee Audio Experience is an absolute gem, especially for the collectors and entrepreneurs in the house. I sit down with my friend Josh Luber, co-founder of StockX and now the creator of an exciting new collectible toy brand, ghostwrite. We dive into the fascinating intersection of culture and commerce, exploring how collectibles have evolved into mainstream cultural staples.
Josh shares his entrepreneurial journey, from building StockX to scaling Fanatics collectibles, and now shaping the future of the collectible toy industry with ghostwrite. We break down what makes ghostwrite unique—think of it as a blank canvas for storytelling, collaborating with brands like the WNBA, NBA, and MLB. Plus, we geek out over collectibles, cultural trends, and how the collector mindset is reshaping the new money landscape.
If you’re into collectibles, entrepreneurship, or just love hearing stories about building something from the ground up, this episode is for you. Don’t miss Josh's insights into where the industry is headed and why this moment is so pivotal for creators and collectors alike. Enjoy!