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Hobby Shop Owner with MD in Running for eBay’s Small Business of the Year Award

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A hobby shop owner from Blaine, MN is in the running for eBay’s Small Business of the Year award.

Todd Hallada owns 2Bros Sports, one of eBay’s largest sports collectibles sellers and also owns a brick-and-mortar shop, located just north of Minneapolis.

Hallada and his brother Tom were born with muscular dystrophy but that hasn’t stopped either of them.

Todd (L) and Tom Hallada of 2Bros Sports Cards inside their Blaine, MN shop. Photo from eBay.

At age 16, they began selling sports cards on eBay, starting with $50 and the contents of a few packs they had opened. After earning a Master’s degree and working in the corporate world, Todd and Tom turned 2Bros Sports into a full-time business. 

“This whole business, ever since I was sixteen, is just us grinding,” he said.

The company now has six full-time employees and an inventory of over three million cards.

“We do not sell sealed sports card boxes online, so several of our customers will purchase them in our store. On the flipside, after opening a box of cards, many of our retail customers will check our website to fill the cards they missed in their box,” Todd told eBay for a Q&A in conjunction with the contest.  “Our online platform enables our retail success and vice versa.”

2Bros is one of eight finalists for the eBay award, which will be determined via an online vote.  

“The biggest asset to selling on the platform is the ability to reach global customers.  Selling globally has actually given us the ability to sell soccer and hockey cards because there is a high demand overseas. We ship significant amounts of cards internationally every week.”

2Bros has over 112,000 items in their eBay store. 

Votes will be tabulated when the contest closes on July 25.  Anyone can vote once per day via this page. The grand prize winning small business receives $15,000 and other prizes.  A $10,000 donation is also made in the winner’s name to an eBay Charity of their choice.  Seven runners up also receive cash and other prizes.

Todd Hallada says he’s hoping their story will have an impact on others who have similar dreams but may be facing some obstacles.

“We met our challenges with a ‘can-do’ attitude, which is the core of our business, and our future. We want nothing more than to inspire others, specifically those with disabilities, and teach them that great things can happen when you set realistic goals and work towards them with a strong work ethic and perseverance.”

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About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for over 40 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected].