The Employee Spotlight series is a monthly blog where we get up-close and personal with some of the amazing team members here at Platinum Standard Grading.
For this month's Employee Spotlight, we spoke to Rhys Soloman, aka Pugz, who is one of Platinum Standard Grading's executive cardologist's.
What was the first pack of cards you purchased and how long have you been collecting?
It was a pack of 1992-93 Hoops. I pulled a Michael Jordan from my first pack and still have that exact card to this day. I've been collecting pretty much since 1992 with that first pack as I got hooked! I did have a break from collecting around 1999-2002, but then got heavily into it again in 2002 when I discovered eBay! haha.
When did you realise you wanted to make the hobby into your career?
Since a child. Going to card stores and interacting with other like minded people. Since then I’ve just always wanted to own my own card store. I was heavily working at making it happen in the last 5 years but covid put a hold on it all, as I needed to focus on working due to financial struggles, so I sold a lot of stuff off to help us stay afloat. Then I was given the opportunity to help build PSG, so I jumped at the chance. #goplatinum
What product do you look forward to the most each year?
I love Revolution and Court Kings. So those are always exciting to see. Flawless is always a winner in my eyes too!
What is an interesting fact you have outside of the card industry?
Basketball…. Anything basketball really. Also Hip Hop/rap music… which I personally do and travel around Australia & briefly overseas to perform and speak at schools, festivals, clubs, churches etc. Check me out @d4cmusic – plugging myself right now! haha.
What does a day at work look like for you?
I am one of the cardologists, a title we were appointed with, but don’t take for granted. Haha. My job is one of the chief graders and help with grading side of things and building up a team & helping them find what to look for and how to do it. I also create the labels for the cards, so I get to play with the big bad printer to create the beautiful labels we see today. I also use the “kerchunker”, which is the ultrasonic plastic welder, which moulds your prized possessions into the plastic slabs to protect them.
What do you like most about the hobby?
The community. Just being around other collectors and people that admire these little pieces of cardboard with peoples images on them. It’s a special community to be a part of. I just love it.
Read more employee spotlight interviews
You might enjoy this interview with CEO Brett McCallum
Comments