Insight Into the Mind of a Founder

Being the founder of an original IP while running a media and marketing company puts you in a unique position — one filled with both opportunities and challenges. A founder’s job, in my view, is to continuously articulate and refine the brand’s vision while simultaneously putting out fires. There’s always something that needs attention. It might be small, but handling it quickly can prevent much larger issues down the line — especially in the crypto industry, where things move faster than most of us are truly accustomed to. The space itself is still evolving, still in its infancy, and that brings both volatility and possibility.

⸻

Background and Perspective

From 2021 to today, my journey in the crypto space has been far from traditional. I entered the ecosystem not as a developer or investor, but as a premium collector — someone who specializes in high-end graded cards and limited-edition art toys. I’ve been professionally grading and collecting since 2015 and have surpassed $1 million+ in total sales.

Within crypto, our company has generated several million in revenue, given away over a quarter of a million dollars in prizes and rewards, collaborated with some of the most respected brands, and built a cult-like following that now spans the U.S., U.K., and major markets in Asia (Japan, Singapore, China, Indonesia), as well as Canada.

Like any brand, we’ve had our share of wins and losses. But through it all, one mission has remained constant: to build and expand our own original intellectual property. For me, that’s the core of everything. Our audience is a mix of collectors, speculators, art purists, and genuine supporters — all driven by a shared belief in creativity and storytelling.

⸻

The Collector’s Mindset

While our sales and the rising value of our art played a major role in our early success, those same factors can also accelerate decline if the ecosystem becomes too dependent on speculation. Sustainability requires participation, authenticity, and community — not just price action.

My creative foundation came from my years as a vintage card collector, particularly within Pokémon. To me, trading cards were never just for playing — they were art. Each card carried history, craftsmanship, and emotional resonance.

As a collector, my process resembled that of an art archaeologist: buying sealed packs, hunting for rare pulls, examining them closely, and sending only the best candidates for grading. The dream was always the elusive gem-mint 10 — a small piece of perfection that represented both patience and precision.

Over the years, I’ve built my philosophy around three key principles that apply to both collecting and brand building:

• Provenance: The story, origin, and creative lineage behind a piece.

• Rarity: How uncommon it truly is — not just in supply, but in essence.

• Scarcity: The tangible limitation that makes something desirable and enduring.

⸻

From Collectibles to Digital Art

What many don’t realize is that trading cards — whether Pokémon, TCG, or sports — all begin as digital art before they’re ever printed. They’re digital collectibles first, physical objects second.

After a decade in that world, I had an epiphany during the rise of NFTs: What if we could create perfect digital collectibles that didn’t need grading — items that were verifiably scarce, immutably stored, and directly owned by collectors?

In the traditional card world, even “rare” Pokémon cards are printed in the millions, graded in the hundreds of thousands, and only a handful truly hold lasting value (Charizard, Umbreon, Mew). True rarity exists in the ultra-limited — cards like No.1 Trainer, Illustrator, or World Championship Trophy editions, often with fewer copies reserved for top trainers.

That philosophy became the foundation for Monster Suit — a collection designed around authenticity, scarcity, and art. My partner and friends USGMEN, who has illustrated official Pokémon art and cards, shared that same passion for storytelling through character design. Together, we set out to create something nostalgic yet entirely new — a world that carried the same sense of wonder as the classics, built with the creative freedom of Web3.

⸻

Building Sustainable Art in Web3

The NFT era introduced something revolutionary: royalties. For the first time, artists and brands could earn a percentage — often up to 10% — every time their work changed hands. Provenance became transparent, ownership became programmable, and creativity became scalable.

Yes, many brands made millions, but the true innovation wasn’t financial — it was philosophical. Digital art now had permanence and purpose.

Being a founder in this space means balancing creativity, strategy, and chaos all at once. The vision must evolve without losing its soul. My journey has been one of art, community, and experimentation — an ongoing lesson in building something that outlasts hype cycles and continues to inspire.

⸻

Reflections and Lessons Learned

If I could do it all over again, I absolutely would — but I’d make a few strategic changes now that I’m more seasoned.

First, I would have made the collection fully on-chain from day one. On-chain provenance not only guarantees authenticity but ensures your work exists independent of any platform, trend, or market.

Second, I would have limited the supply to 2,500 pieces. Early on, I wanted to give everyone a fair chance to collect and participate. That was the mindset of a hopeful founder. But managing a massive, globally diverse community is complex. Intimacy and connection often scale better than size.

Finally, I would have been more disciplined about not overextending myself. Founders often try to do everything — but real growth comes from focus and collaboration. Surround yourself with people who share the vision, not just the enthusiasm. Alignment creates longevity.

⸻

Closing Thoughts

In the past few years, I’ve achieved more than I could have imagined — and it all began with a single idea and belief in that idea. That belief still drives me today.

Being a founder isn’t about getting everything right the first time. It’s about learning, adapting, and evolving while staying true to the vision that started it all.