Hi, I’m Sylvain Cormier, PCI Ambassador, hobby lifer, and the person behind the “Confessions” series on the Hockey Cards Gongshow podcast. The first three chapters explored summer strategies, grading wins, auction plays, and the day-to-day reality of life behind the dealer table. This chapter focuses on change.
But a lot has happened since those early episodes were recorded.
Taking the Leap
In October 2024 I finally took the plunge and went full time in the hobby. Until then, every Confessions segment had been recorded while I was still working a full-time job. That transition, stepping away from the safety net, was both exhilarating and terrifying.
For the first few months things moved quickly. Shows were busy, grading and consignment services were picking up, and I was finding my rhythm as a full-time operator. But like any big leap, the reality was more complicated than the dream.
The Local Show Boom
One bright spot has been the incredible growth of the Maritimes show scene. Just a year ago, the local circuit was modest. Now, it is thriving!
These days, it’s crazy to think that there is a local show almost every weekend.
However, I am skipping two upcoming shows in order to attend the Saskatoon experience. The Toronto Expos remain non-negotiable for me. April and November are circled in red every year. The consistency of local events has been a game changer for visibility and community. The number of local events also means that this hobby isn’t going anywhere, either!
But, what is still missing is scale. There is not yet a big multi-day anchor show anywhere in Atlantic Canada. A few people have approached me to brainstorm how to get something started in Moncton. I believe it is only a matter of time before someone makes it happen. I may not have the resources to pull it off alone, but with the right partners, I would love to be part of it. If you are reading this and want to contribute to the brainstorm, please contact me!
A Possible New Chapter: Partnership Conversations
Lately I have been in talks with a local TCG shop about a potential partnership to help them grow their sports card section. Every Thursday I run a Slab Sharks pop-up there to take in consignments.
The idea of co-owning a storefront is tempting because I love the hobby and the community side of this business. But I have also had to be honest with myself. Right now my biggest opportunity lies with PCI and Slab Sharks. None of my other B2B hobby relationships have shown the structure and long-term vision that Ferrari Group brings to the table!
For now, it remains a possibility for the future rather than the present.
Navigating Setbacks
Not every chapter in this journey has been smooth. At the end of 2024, I took what I believed was an important next step for my business.
Unfortunately, that decision led to significant financial and operational challenges that were completely unexpected. The outcome forced me to pause all buying and selling activity while I work through the situation with legal support.
It was a difficult blow after years of reinvestment and steady growth. Since then, my focus has shifted to staying active in the community through consignments and grading. Attending local shows as a Slab Sharks representative has been my anchor during this period. It is not the path I envisioned a year ago, but it has allowed me to keep my footing and remain connected to the collectors who make this hobby meaningful.
Hitting Pause on “Confessions”
Because of the setback, the Hockey Cards Gongshow team and I decided to pause the ‘Confessions’ segment until everything is resolved.
That said, I have not disappeared. I am still a regular on their Slab Sharks Weekly Live Shows most Thursdays, and I often join their Friday Nights with Phil segments. The Confessions story is not finished. It is simply on hold for now.
Where I Stand Today
This chapter of my journey is not about aggressive buying or scaling inventory. It is about stabilizing, adapting, and protecting my future. Right now my focus is on:
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- Consignments and grading services rather than dealing
- Earning commissions steadily to support myself
- Rebuilding trust and strategy after a major setback
This experience has forced me to grow up quickly. I have learned that not everyone in this space operates with good intentions. It is a difficult lesson, but one that is making me stronger, sharper, and more vigilant about where I put my trust.
Mental Health and Transformation
Going full time in the hobby was a life-changing decision. It has challenged me in ways I did not expect, but it has also given me a sense of purpose that I had not felt in years. I have shared parts of my mental health journey in interviews, and looking back now, I can see how transformational this past year has been.
The setback hurt. But thankfully it did not break me!
If you take one thing away from this article, I want the message to be that this industry is not just flashy wins or big flips. For me, it is about resilience, adaptability, and remembering why I started this journey in the first place. For now, I will keep doing what I do best: showing up, supporting collectors, and staying connected to the community that has given me so much.
See you at the next show!
Sylvain Cormier
Sylvain Cormier is PCI's East Coast Ambassador. He is a Moncton-based entrepreneur who has transformed a lifelong passion for sports cards into a career built on resilience, community, and trust. Sylvain is excited to add Private Collection Insurance as another brand he represents at shows, reflecting his belief that protecting collections is as important as building them. He continues to be a fixture in the fast-growing Maritimes show scene, while also exploring opportunities to help bring a large-scale event to Atlantic Canada. His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and purpose, a reminder that the true value of the hobby lies not only in cards, but in the people, trust, and communities that surround them.