Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration started with a Bubba Thompson card I pulled as a gift for my cousin, who was a big fan of his. When I saw the value of the card after grading it, I realized the opportunity in the collectibles market. As I learned more about the industry and saw how large platforms and scandals hurt trust with collectors, I was motivated to start Graden Cards LLC at 13 to build a collector-first company.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by the mission behind Graden Cards LLC: building a company that truly serves collectors. Starting the business at 13 taught me that success comes from consistency and hard work. Balancing academics, athletics, and entrepreneurship pushes me to improve every day, and my goal of building a collector-first platform that can compete with the biggest companies keeps me driven.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest the $25,000 directly into scaling Graden Cards LLC by expanding inventory, improving technology, and strengthening our marketplace for collectors. The funding would help us build better tools for buying, selling, and consigning sports memorabilia while continuing to offer fair pricing and transparency. My goal is to grow a collector-first platform that can compete with the largest companies in the industry.