# Passion to Profession: Building the Ultimate Hobby Experience with John Amendola of Mintink

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stacking-slabs-754804/passion-to-profession-building-the-ultimate-hobby-experience-with-john-amendola-of-mintink
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stacking-slabs-754804/passion-to-profession-building-the-ultimate-hobby-experience-with-john-amendola-of-mintink.md
Podcast: [Stacking Slabs](https://stenobird.com/podcast/stacking-slabs-754804)
Published: 2026-06-22T06:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/b9dd5018
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/b9dd5018/b32c751f.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/stacking-slabs-754804/episodes/passion-to-profession-building-the-ultimate-hobby-experience-with-john-amendola-of-mintink
Duration seconds: 3620

## Resource

What does it take to build one of the largest hobby businesses in Canada? John Amendola, CEO of Mintink, joins Passion to Profession to share the story behind turning a pandemic-era card business into a national brand. John discusses the early days of Breaks After Dark, scaling livestream commerce, hiring and developing talent, creating community through retail, and why relationships matter more than transactions. We also explore leadership, mental health, customer experience, the future of hobby retail, and the opportunities most businesses still overlook. This conversation is packed with lessons for collectors, entrepreneurs, and anyone building something for the long haul. Sign up for Hobby Jobs and The Weekly Rip for free A special thank you to eBay for sponsoring Passion to Profession . The biggest and best marketplace to buy your next favorite trading card. Get exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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## Transcript

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