What does it take to turn a passion project into a thriving business in just five years? For Cody Gutberlet, owner of 740 Hobby in Marietta, the answer is simple: start with your uncle, work full-time jobs on the side, and never stop believing in the community.

In this episode of Mid-Ohio Valley Main Street, host Stephanie Plant sits down with Cody Gutberlet, owner of 740 Hobby in Marietta, Ohio.

Together with his uncle Aaron, Cody took over a trading card store that’s been in the community since 1992 — and transformed it into one of the region’s hottest gathering spots. From two people working weekends to six employees hosting 80+ person tournaments, here’s how a side hustle became a success story.

In This Episode:

• How a family legacy of entrepreneurship shaped Cody’s path to business ownership
• Why starting as a “side hustle” while working full-time jobs was actually the secret to success
• The explosive growth: from 2 people to 6 employees, 1,000+ customers, and three relocations in five years
• What “the toughest year in business” really means — and why it was also the best year
• How social media strategy changed everything for 740 Hobby in the last year and a half
• The power of hiring for passion: building “the best team out of any card shop, period”
• Why tournaments every night of the week keep the community coming back
• The diverse customer base: from 4-year-olds to collectors in their 80s
• Work-life balance as a business owner: the reality of 1 PM–8 PM hours (and 2 AM tournament finishes)
• Pokémon dominance in the trading card game market — and why 740 Hobby is the area leader
• What’s next: online expansion, new games, and a mystery Kickstarter project
• His simple advice for anyone thinking about starting a business: “Do it.”

About 740 Hobby:

740 Hobby is a trading card game store located at Pike Street in Marietta, Ohio, right beside Panera Bread.

Services include: Pokémon cards, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, Dragon Ball, sports cards, booster boxes, elite trainer boxes, singles, supplies (sleeves, top loads, binders), and more.

Weekly Events: Tournaments every night of the week

• Mondays: One Piece Trading Card Game
• Tuesdays: Dragon Ball League
• Thursdays: Pokemon League Day
• Fridays & Saturdays: Magic: The Gathering