Gen Con 2015 is now behind us and what an amazing show it was! In fact, it was the biggest show in our young company history! But before I go into the photos and the fun, I have to tell you one of the most iconic stories that is going to go down in infamy. That time I went to pee and missed Wil Wheaton‘s visit to my booth.

It was Thursday afternoon and we had been going strong with the pre-order pick ups and sales. Thursday ended up as our biggest day at the show. In fact, Ted and I skipped lunch that day, we just had no time. That afternoon, I finally ran to the bathroom. I left my phone in the booth, which is CRAZY because I never go anywhere without my phone. But I was in a hurry and didn’t want to drop it in the toilet. Ew. So I ran around the corner to the restroom. On my way I stopped and talked with one of my Gen Con BFFs and another exhibitor about business. Then I ran into another exhibitor who I was introducing to LARPs the Series. Finally, I went back to the booth and it went like this:

Me: Ted I’m SO SORRY I was gone so long, I know you had to go too.

Ted: No, Shelley. No. I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry.

Me: What???? What’s wrong, Oh my God!

Ted: Wil Wheaton came to the booth and you missed him. I tried to call you, but your phone rang right next to me. He told his people about the journals and what a great idea they are. He hung out a little bit. He asked if I was the one who emailed him all the time and I said ‘no, that would be my business partner, Shelley.’ He left and I forgot to offer him a journal so I found him and did so. Then he was gone.

Me: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

*currently taking a few minutes to pull my shit together*

Ok. So I did not immediately start sobbing in the booth. I had customers for eff’s sakes. But I was shaken. I looked around and Ted said he was long gone. I texted my sister and my daughter about my agony.

Daughter: OH NO MOM!

Sister: Only you.

I tried to go to the Titan’s Grave panel and it was sold out. I went by Geek & Sundry a few times. But it’s hard to be gone from the booth that long for a panel or to walk the floor because we were working hard to try to sell our asses off. In fact, I lost my voice because I was pitching the journals so hard.

I sat down on Friday night and wrote him another email, thanking him for taking the time to come by the booth. That’s when I cried, just a little. You see, I think he just seems so fun. I love to watch Tabletop. I’m a fan. And I’m really into building a business around doing things that I love. Just like Wil and his wife Anne and Felicia Day. *sigh*

At the time, I tweeted that this is simultaneously the worst and best Gen Con story EVER. And that’s true. But I would rather have had the story be: THE TIME WIL WHEATON STOPPED BY MY BOOTH AND WE CHATTED AND HE SIGNED IT.

There it is. BUT we did have a fantastic show. And made some amazing connections! We didn’t sell out, but we will next year.

And John Kovalic stopped by our booth! Amazingly, I was not in the bathroom when this happened so I got a picture with him!

Thanks to Gen Con, Scott, Megan, Jen, Roy, Tracey, Michelle, Doug, Kathy, Haley, Megan, Darrin, John, Dan, Liz and so many of our friends and family, we sold more journals than ever. And we were just so proud of the beautiful Gamer’s Journals that Tracey Gurney designed. We really wanted to make something beautiful and unique as a thank you to the Gen Con Community for all of their support during our 2014 Kickstarter.

Here’s our Gen Con love letter in pictures. We can’t wait to get started on 2016!

xoxo,

Shelley