Turning a Project for his Kids into Legendary Hobby Memorabilia | Reclaim Customs

The Genesis of Reclaim Customs

• 💡 Eric Wagenmaker founded Reclaim Customs after making relic cards for his sons, which quickly garnered online orders and inquiries.
• 🌱 What began as a side hustle, including furniture restoration and fake brickwork, rapidly evolved into a full-time commitment due to overwhelming demand.
• 🚀 Early growth was significantly boosted by social media shares from influencers like "the collectibles guru" and MLB player Evan Longoria, leading to a surge in followership and recognition.

Unique Craftsmanship and Creative Process

• 🎨 Reclaim Customs specializes in transforming existing memorabilia into enhanced, custom pieces, emphasizing the "reclaiming" of an item's image.
• 🧠 Eric's creative process is highly visual, focusing on textures, layers, depth, and colors, with each design starting from the story behind the artifact.
• 🔬 The company distinguishes itself from mass-produced items with "perceived rarity" by creating truly one-of-a-kind pieces, where every item is unique, even with similar base artifacts.
• 🛠️ Reclaim Customs has developed a "secret sauce" by engineering machinery and equipment to work together in unconventional ways, a process refined over six years.

Business Growth and Scaling

• 📈 To manage larger orders, Reclaim Customs partners with manufacturers that also serve major card companies, ensuring consistent quality for high-volume runs.
• ✅ For one-off custom pieces and shorter runs, all production remains in-house, supported by additional designers to manage the continuous flow of orders.

The Philosophy of Collectibles

• 💬 Eric views the business as being in the "people business," valuing collaboration and hearing the personal stories behind each piece of memorabilia.
• 💖 The most meaningful collectibles are often tied to family, memory, and legacy, whether it's a family heirloom or a ticket from a memorable game.
• ⚠️ While the hobby is booming due to celebrity and cultural icon involvement, the increasing financial investment and conglomerate influence raise concerns about its long-term accessibility and feel as a hobby.

Customer Experience and Impact

• 🎯 The customer journey typically starts with inquiries via contact forms or social media, often directed to a detailed FAQ page and an order form on their website.
• 🤝 Reclaim Customs prioritizes personal conversations and email exchanges to ensure every detail is captured, aiming to "blow away" customers with the final product.
• ✨ Customers have the option for creative control, but many trust Reclaim Customs' expertise, always approving the design mockup before printing and shipping.