My name is Bart, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve been a collector. Whether it was the thrill of a rare holographic card, the pixels of the original games, or the unique charm of Japanese collectibles, Pokémon has always been a constant in my life. This passion eventually led me to a deeper connection with the hobby’s roots; I’m happily married to my Japanese wife, and we often find ourselves back in the wonderful country of Japan, which has truly become a second home to us.
The real spark for Pikoba happened in June 2024. While visiting my family-in-law with my wife and son, I found myself completely submerged in the world of Pokémon once again. Surrounded by the energy of the shops and the culture in Japan, I felt a surge of inspiration to take my hobby to the next level.
The name itself came from a very special moment on that trip. My son was only a year and a half old at the time and didn’t have many words yet. However, every time he saw a Pikachu, his face would light up and he’d excitedly shout, "Pikoba!" and so, the name for my business was born!
On August 2nd, 2024, I officially launched our Rip & Ship channel. What started as a small idea grew into a daily ritual. Every day, we go LIVE to open packs for our community. The process is simple: you place an order through the website, and we open it right there on the stream for everyone to share in the excitement. Buyers can store their cards with us for up to six months, or you can have them shipped to your door whenever you’re ready.
As we’ve grown, so has the vision. We are currently rebranding from Pikoba Rip & Ship to Pikoba TCG, expanding our reach to offer sealed products alongside the live openings.
But beyond the cards and the "hits," what I’m most proud of is the incredible community we’ve built together. We aren't just faces behind a screen; we’re a group of friends. We occasionally host Community Meetups where we all get together to trade cards, open some packs, and just enjoy a good conversation.
Thank you for being a part of this journey that started with a toddler’s first words and a love for the chase. I can't wait to see what we pull next!