Exploring Life & Business with Mark Gravel of North Georgia Collectibles Show

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Gravel.

Mark, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I live by the saying, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” My love for collecting started with my dad, a huge Bob Dylan fan, and quickly shifted from music to sports cards. At 10, my twin brother and I were biking miles to buy Donruss Fun Packs, trading cards for hours, and watching our favorite players come to life on TV.

As a teen, I discovered the “Golden Age” of sports cards—boxes bought for just $14 each! Life then took over—marriage, kids, limited income—but collecting returned when I shared the hobby with my children. Opening boxes together helped them connect the cards to the players on the actual court and field, and made sports come alive in our home.

Eventually, I started selling cards at local shows, bringing my kids along to sell their own. After a gut-check moment when a favorite show was ending, I stepped up to promote it myself. My first show in August 2023 had just 49 attendees, but two years later, we’re drawing nearly 300, with an incredible team supporting the events.

For me, show promoting isn’t about money—it’s about community, empowering others, and sharing a passion that inspires.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I truly believe that in life, you’re either going through a difficult season or just coming out of one—and the business world is no different. One of my biggest challenges came when I faced poor show attendance, which made me take a hard look at how I was marketing the event and how to keep dealers coming back to rent tables.

To tackle the issue, I built a strong social media presence for the show—at the time, I didn’t even have a personal account! Today, about 60% of our attendees learn about the show through Facebook and Instagram. To encourage dealers to return, I partnered with Long St. Café to provide a full free breakfast each morning. To this day, we’re the only show in the Southeast offering a full breakfast to dealers.

We’ve been impressed with North Georgia Collectibles Show, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a trade show focused on bringing together collectors, vendors, and families. My team handles renting out dealer booths, and we typically host 20–25 dealers across 50 booths. Most of our vendors sell trading cards and sports memorabilia, and our primary audience is men aged 35–55.

What sets our event apart is our family-oriented approach. We love seeing families enjoy the show together because the hobby is a great way to connect across generations. As someone who went through a divorce 10 years ago, I’ve always looked for ways to bond with my kids, and collecting cards became one of those connections. That’s why families, especially those navigating similar challenges, hold a special place in my heart.

At our shows, all kids under 13 receive a free pack, and we regularly host fun activities like gueststimations contests, scavenger hunts, and trading card bingo to make the experience memorable for everyone.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Take every meaningful meeting seriously and listen closely to what people have to say. Then, step back and honestly evaluate your business and decide which feedback is valuable and which comes from a biased or uninformed perspective. Keep the insights that truly resonate and discard the rest.

Ultimately, the responsibility to grow and improve your business is yours, but you can’t do it alone. Embracing other people’s ideas and seeking their help is imperative to making your business the best it can be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.northgacollectiblesshow.com/?origin=side+cart
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northgeorgiacollectiblesshow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/181610431451920
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sportscardhub6388