NJCS 13: Like Father Like Son Cards & Breaks Interview - Family Live Streaming to a Million Dollar Biz!

Using a combination of high-energy, multi-platform live-streams and a one-of-a-kind private Facebook group where their loyal followers can feel safe buying and selling, Ryan and Desiree Knowles talk us through their journey as a family and as a successful online business.

They're the founders and owners of Like Father Like Son Cards & Breaks, a digital-first brand. They have successfully navigated the transition from Hobbyist to Breaker and are now entering a third phase: Niche Influencer.

Key Timestamps and Episode Moments

00:00:00 – Cold Open: From Rock Bottom to Seven Figures

Ryan reflects on losing his construction career, battling depression, and how a simple idea with his son sparked a life-changing business.

00:01:35 – Host Introduction & Guest Welcome

Steven and John introduce Ryan and Desiree Knowles of Like Father, Like Son Cards and Breaks and tee up their live-shopping success story.

00:03:20 – The Fall: Losing the 178-Employee Company

Ryan shares how the HVAC company collapsed, forcing him back to manual labor and triggering a difficult personal period.

00:07:30 – A 6-Year-Old’s Idea: “Dad, Why Don’t You Do This?”

Ryan’s son convinces him to start breaking cards live—an idea that would ultimately change everything.

00:10:15 – First Facebook Live: “I Almost Threw Up”

Ryan describes going live for the first time in their private Facebook group—shaking hands, cracked voice, and all.

00:14:45 – Parenting in Public: Why Authenticity Fueled Growth

How real-time parenting moments, life lessons, and community values built trust and separated them from transactional sellers.

00:20:30 – The $11,000 Bet: Proving the Naysayers Wrong

After being told they’d never fill a high-end case break, Ryan sells out an $11K product in 36 hours—marking a turning point.

00:24:40 – Going All In: Quitting the Job & Betting on the Dream

Ryan takes six months of unemployment to build the business full-time, launches the LLC, and begins scaling operations.

00:29:50 – Building the Team & Launching Their Own Product

Expansion into repacks, bringing on trusted partners, and transforming from hobbyists into a structured brand.

00:35:40 – More Than Cards: Community, Sobriety & Mental Health

Powerful stories of followers choosing their live streams over destructive paths—proof the brand became something deeper than commerce.

00:41:15 – Instagram Explosion: 22K to 30K+ Followers

Desiree breaks down their aggressive content strategy, posting cadence, and how events like Fanatics Fest amplified visibility.

00:48:30 – Collabs, Controversy & Buying 5,000 Followers

An honest discussion about collaboration strategy, ad boosting, algorithm myths, and the surprising psychology behind buying early followers.

00:54:10 – Friday Night “Adults Only” Lives

How they segment kid-friendly breaks from late-night adult sessions—balancing brand values with personality and fun.

00:58:45 – The American Dream in Real Time

Ryan reflects on building a trust-based, family-first business—and why it still feels surreal.

01:02:10 – Seven Figures by Year Two & Going Global

The business hits seven figures within two years, and attending major shows (including Dubai) becomes a compound growth engine.

01:08:30 – Parasocial Boundaries & Mental Health in Live Streaming

A candid conversation about burnout, dopamine addiction, late-night DMs, and protecting personal boundaries in an always-on business.

01:21:40 – Live On-Air Card Break & Emotional Closing Moment

The hosts open a repack live in-studio, react to a high-value pull, and reflect on family, legacy, and the deeper meaning behind collectibles.