Chris Knape

FROM SAILBOATS TO STARTUPS. Chris Knape’s journey to founding Rare Candy is a testament to his ability to navigate uncertainty and embrace his authentic self. Rare Candy, a marketplace for collectibles, is more than just a business venture; it’s a reflection of Chris’s lifelong passion and the community he cherishes. “I wanted to create a space where people like me could connect and collect the things they love,” he shares.

Chris’s unconventional childhood set the stage for his resilient and adventurous spirit. Born in the US Virgin Islands, he lived on a sailboat with his three younger brothers until he was almost 13. Chris’s early years were spent exploring the globe, crossing oceans, and living in close quarters with his family. “It was an amazing way to grow up, and I’m super grateful to my parents for having the courage to do something so off the beaten path,” he reflects.

After five years of homeschooling at sea, the family sailed back to Michigan, where Chris faced a stark transition. “Starting seventh grade in Michigan was an absolutely horrific transition,” he admits. From an adventurous, free-spirited life to the structured environment of public school, Chris struggled to fit in. However, his love for self-proclaimed “nerdy” pursuits like fantasy novels, video games, and trading cards helped him find his tribe.

Chris’s drive to escape the confines of Michigan led him to Dartmouth College, where he majored in international relations and French. After Dartmouth, his career took a pivotal turn when he landed a job at YouTube in 2010. At YouTube, he experienced rapid growth and immense learning, starting as a strategy analyst and eventually becoming the youngest manager at the company. This period was transformative, offering him a front-row seat to the inner workings of a burgeoning tech giant.

TURNING PASSION INTO PURPOSE. Despite his success at YouTube, Chris felt a growing desire to have a more direct impact. He transitioned to product management roles at smaller startups, gaining valuable experience through working to grow marketplace businesses. “I was really hungry to have more of an impact in actually building the business,” he says.

During the pandemic, Chris found himself reconnecting with his love for trading cards. He met his future co-founder Lee Steinfeld, and together, they saw an opportunity to create a professional, well-managed marketplace that could authentically channel the “nerd culture.”

In Rare Candy’s early days, Chris admits he struggled with self-doubt and impostor syndrome. “Looking back, I was scared out of my mind for the first year and a half. I was constantly afraid that I wasn’t good enough, that I wasn’t doing enough, and I made so many mistakes. But what is liberating about it is that it’s actually the way you learn and grow faster than ever before.”

BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF COLLECTORS. As an openly gay founder, Chris values the opportunity to lead with authenticity and create an inclusive environment for his team. “We’re always learning to be more real and more authentic. Being a founder really pushes you to face your demons, and for me, helped me see where I still had room to grow in terms of my internal shame and self-doubt,” he says. As Rare Candy continues to grow, Chris says his founder journey has been a continuous learning experience, helping him own both his strengths and weaknesses.

Ultimately, the journey has taught Chris to champion and stand firm in his vision for the company he’s building. “You have to be bold and confident about the why you’re building even more than the what. Being clear about your mission is the best way to recruit the people you really want to work with.”