In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Sal Amezcua (@kickstradomis), one of the most well-known sneaker customizers in the world whose work has been worn by NBA players on the court, and the founder of Kicksverse, a platform merging sneaker culture, art, and collectibles.

Kicks is an artist who’s built a brand at the highest level of culture. From designing custom sneakers for athletes and celebrities to expanding into trading cards and art, he’s carved out a lane that blends creativity, community, and commerce.

Alyx and Kicks explore the crossover between sneaker culture and the modern hobby—two worlds driven by passion, scarcity, and hype, but also increasingly shaped by scale and pressure. They also discuss intentional collecting, staying connected to passion as the hobby becomes more transactional, and how Kicks' journey as an artist has shaped his approach to collecting.

With over a million followers and global influence, Kicks shares his perspective on the hobby, the responsibility of influence, and navigating a space where entertainment, commerce, and culture intersect. They also discuss legacy, giving back, supporting emerging artists and brands, and continuing to push creative boundaries through Kicksverse. They also discuss legacy, giving back, supporting emerging artists and brands, and continuing to push creative boundaries through Kicksverse.

This isn’t just a conversation about sneakers or cards—it’s about building something real in a space that’s constantly evolving. At its core, this episode is about creativity, culture, and the difference between collecting, creating, and chasing.

Topics covered include:

• Kicks' journey to becoming one of the most recognized sneaker customizers in the world

• Creating customs for NBA players, celebrities, and influencers

• The evolution of sneaker culture and its parallels to the hobby

• Scarcity, hype, and the role of community across both spaces

• The difference between creating and chasing

• What intentional collecting looks like from a creator’s perspective

• Building Kicksverse and expanding into trading cards and art

• The current state of the hobby through an influencer lens

• Responsibility, reach, and the impact of having a large audience

• Auction culture, exclusivity, and digital collectibles

• Paying it forward and supporting emerging artists and brands

• Advice for creators and collectors navigating today’s environment

If you’ve ever thought about the intersection of art, sneakers, and collecting—or wondered where passion fits into a space driven by hype—this is conversation will resonate. Building and chasing are simply not the same.

Subscribe, share, and join the conversation around awareness, creativity, and building a more intentional relationship with collecting.

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Learn More & Follow Kickstradomis:

Website: thekicksverse.com | kickstradomis.com

YT: @kickstradomis

IG: @kickstradomis

X: @kickstradomis

TT: @kickstradomis

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This Episode of The Collector's Compass is sponsored by ‪All Touch Case, a premium display and protection solution designed to showcase your cards while keeping them safe. Use code COLLECTORSMD for 15% of your order. Collect. Protect. It’s a peace of mind.

#CollectorsMD | #Kickstradomis | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QwKEVVunX8&t=1870s