Today we’d like to introduce you to Damaris Membreno.
Hi Damaris, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My nerdventure started during the pandemic craziness of 2020, I was already struggling financially pre pandemic and I was so unhappy with where I was in my life. I kept thinking that I didn’t want to hit my 30’s and have little to nothing to show for, I was tired of being a cashier for retailers and companies that did not have my best interest or wants in mind and that’s not what I wanted to be doing for the rest of my life. I knew I needed to do something about it or quit complaining, so I did.
I had a few original character designs made into stickers, printed them and signed myself up for a local nerd market in 2021 started with six stickers, one picnic table and a $40 canopy from Walmart.
Now my business offers a variety of kawaii and geeky collectibles for everyone at all ages. I wanted everyone to be able to get their hands on that super cool item they saw someone somewhere had but have no idea how to get. I’m out there every day hunting for my fellow geeks and my very own collection is a contender. I am so excited to say that now we’re moving onto making our character designs come to life on clothing and embroidered apparel. I’m working hard to bring my ‘geek joy’ to life so others can find their Geekjoy with us.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has most definitely not been a smooth ride haha, I basically jumped into this without really knowing anything about owning, much less running an operational business. I would say that figuring out how to manage finances was a very new and very real challenge. Theirs so much more involved now, it’s not just rent, food, and utilities. Now it’s rent, food, insurance, cpa, insurance 2x haha inventory, gas! Oh my goodness, the cost of gas has definitely been a factor into how many events I’m able to attend per week.
The every day struggle is so much more, it’s so tiring it’s so stressful but it’s also the most rewarding, I’ve never been happier with so much work.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Before I started working on Geekjoyco I was doing odd jobs for friends and family and working as a cashier to make ends meet, I didn’t start to really find joy in anything until I started working for myself. I’m proud of myself for accepting the challenge and I believe what sets me apart is my attitude and the absolute happiness I get from being able to find rare or exclusive collectibles and bring them to my customers and see them reach their ‘Geekjoy’.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
The actual amount of hours that I put into hunting for collectibles that a customer may have mentioned once!
Pricing:
- Pops $15-$50 commons-rarest
- Accessories $5-$15
- Plushies $10-$35
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@geekjoyco.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/geekjoy
- Facebook: facebook.com/geekjoyco
- Twitter: twitter.com/geekjoyco
Image Credits
Damaris Membreno
