Episode 40 - Tyler Schmitt - How Trading Cards Became a Billion-Dollar Industry

This week on the Two Dads Podcast, Mitch & Bill sit down with Tyler Schmitt, VP of Core Relationships at VaynerX and longtime right-hand to Gary Vaynerchuk.We dive into Tyler’s journey from the early days at VaynerMedia to leading relationships across one of the most fast-paced media companies in the world. He shares the career lessons, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes insights he learned working directly with Gary Vee.Then we crack open a world a lot of us grew up with — trading cards. From Pokémon to vintage sports legends, Tyler breaks down why the hobby has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar market, what makes certain cards worth thousands (or millions), and how nostalgia, scarcity, and culture are reshaping the industry.Plus, we put Tyler and Bill to the test with two card-themed games — guessing real card values and ranking which collectibles are actually worth more.Whether you’re into business, collectibles, or just great storytelling, this episode shows how passion and career can collide in surprising ways.Big ideas from small towns. Enjoy the show.