Nerdpreneur

In this interview with Dan Zehner, the visionary behind Bear Cavalry Paints, we discuss how Dan is revolutionizing the miniature wargaming industry with eco-friendly paints that don't compromise on quality. Dan is passionate about sustainability and works on finding that balance between a day job while building a business. In our talk, Dan shares insights on

• how to use your day-job skills to enhance your nerdy business

• the hurdles of creating an eco-friendly sustainable product

• ways you can engage with your community and create partnerships

• how sustainability fits into the mess of modern business

Whether you're a hobbyist or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with wisdom and jokes. Tune in to explore the colorful world of Bear Cavalry Paints and learn how you can turn your nerdy passion into a thriving venture.

In this episode of Nerdpreneur, we dive into the creative world of Justin Hillgrove, a full-time artist known for his whimsical and imaginative art under the brand Imps and Monsters. With over 20 years of experience, Justin shares:

• His journey from graphic design to becoming a successful artist,
• Creating everything from comic book covers to murals for major companies like Facebook,
• How to balance his passion for art with the business side,
• and unique ways to connect with his audience.

Whether you're an aspiring artist or a fan of nerdy entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Tune in and get ready to be inspired by Justin's story and his dedication to doing what he loves.

In this episode of Nerdpreneur, hosts Chris Saunders and Frank chat with Rick Heinz, co-founder of Storytellers Forge, a long-time writer and game designer, about turning a nerdy passion into a thriving business.

Rick shares his unique approach to game design, heavily influenced by metal music and coffee, and how he creates immersive tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) that blend storytelling with diverse multimedia elements. He also delves into the realities of crowdfunding and the strategies behind building a successful creative studio in the TTRPG industry. This interview offers a fascinating look into the dedication and innovative thinking required to transform a personal passion into a professional enterprise.

• The unexpected origins of a successful TTRPG studio.

• Integrating music and other media for enhanced player immersion.

• Key considerations for effective crowdfunding campaigns in the gaming world.

• The evolving landscape of audience engagement and community building for creative projects.

Back in March of 2024, hundreds of angry nerds came after our growing podcast because of someone we interviewed and we were nearly canceled.

In part 2, we take a closer look at the macro level events around these events. Rick Heinz graciously reached out during these events and brought context for the industry as a whole.

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In this interview we spoke with Ryan, co-owner of Hexwood Forge. He runs the business with his wife Kess, who started the operation years before it came to be known as Hexwood Forge.

Hexwood Forge is a small business that makes tabletop accessories. It's run by just the two of them out of their garage with several laser machines, their hands, and creative minds. They started to really ramp things up during the pandemic and since then have scaled up to running two booths during PAX West. And that's no small feat!

We talked with Ryan about a lot of topics, including:

• Challenges of running a goods-based business out of their garage

• Effective elements for creating an inviting booth at shows

• Product ideation and testing

• and collaborating with other nerdy entrepreneurs to share lessons learned.