Summary
In this festive episode, Tim Hyde shares holiday greetings and discusses travel plans, including a flight with American Airlines. The conversation touches on gift exchanges, experiences with flight attendants, and the upcoming content for 2025, including a focus on fast food archeology and pop culture themes.
Chapters

00:00 Holiday Greetings and Gift Exchange
06:18 Travel Plans and Experiences
09:05 Pop Culture and Future Plans
12:16 Closing Remarks and New Year Wishes
12:41 Podcast Outro 1.mp4

In this episode of Con Culture Convo, Tim Hyde interviews artist and musician Sukesha Ray, also known as Sushi. They discuss her journey from being an anime nerd to becoming a successful artist and musician, her experiences at various conventions, the challenges she faces in the industry, and her aspirations for the future. The conversation touches on the importance of mental health, navigating criticism, and the impact of success on personal life.

Takeaways
-Sukesha's journey began with a love for anime and art.
-Her first convention experience was eye-opening and profitable.
-Transitioning from art to music has been a unique challenge.
-Success in the art world can be defined in many ways.
-Memorable conventions can significantly impact an artist's career.
-Health issues can affect performance and opportunities.
-Criticism in the industry can be harsh but is often unfounded.
-Future goals include expanding her reach internationally.
-Mental health is crucial for sustaining a creative career.
-Embracing one's identity and work is key to success.

00:00 Introduction to Sakeisha (Sushi) and Her Background
03:15 Journey into Art and Music
06:26 The Transition from Art to Music
09:15 Defining Moments in Her Career
12:14 Best and Worst Shows Experience
18:38 The Struggles of Event Promotion
21:15 Confrontations at Comic Con
27:09 Future Aspirations and Mental Health
31:17 Addressing Criticism and Embracing Individuality
35:05 Podcast Outro 1.mp4

Summary

In this episode of the Con Culture Convo, Tim Hyde interviews artist Lisa Cossentino, who shares her journey from pursuing a master's degree in music to becoming a successful pixel artist. Lisa discusses her early experiences at Comic Cons, the evolution of her art business, and the challenges and successes she has faced in the creative industry. The conversation highlights memorable shows, insights into sales, and Lisa's future plans, including opening a storefront in Florida. In this conversation, Tim Hyde and Lisa Cossentino discuss the opening of Lisa's new comic shop, the Pixel Gallery, located in Cocoa, Florida. They delve into the challenges of setting up a storefront, including logistical hurdles, permits, and unexpected costs. The conversation then shifts to the oversaturation of comic conventions, particularly focusing on NostalgiaCon and its impact on vendors and smaller shows. They express concerns about the sustainability of such large events and the implications for the comic convention landscape. In this conversation, Lisa Cossentino and Tim Hyde discuss the evolution and challenges of anime conventions, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. They explore the growth of new conventions, the financial struggles faced by vendors, and the competitive market dynamics that influence convention success. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding market demands and the impact of FOMO (fear of missing out) on vendor decisions. Through personal anecdotes and industry insights, they emphasize the need for conventions to adapt and learn from past mistakes to ensure a thriving environment for all participants.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Con Culture Convo
01:44 Lisa's Journey into the Art Industry
08:08 Growth and Evolution of Lisa's Art Business
10:44 Memorable Comic Con Experiences
16:28 Best Shows and Sales Insights
21:57 Future Plans and New Ventures
22:14 Introducing the Pixel Gallery
30:03 Challenges of Opening a Comic Shop
39:53 The Oversaturation of Comic Conventions
42:48 The Rise of Anime Conventions Post-Pandemic
44:56 Challenges Faced by New Conventions
47:55 Vendor Experiences and Financial Struggles
51:52 Market Dynamics and Competition in Convention Spaces
54:59 Lessons Learned from Failed Conventions
01:01:49 The Impact of FOMO on Vendor Decisions

Summary

In this episode, Tim Hyde dives deep into the complexities of credit card processing, debunking common myths and misconceptions surrounding transaction fees. He explains the various fees involved in credit card transactions, including interchange fees, network processing fees, and the fees charged by payment processors like Square and PayPal. Tim emphasizes the importance of negotiating better rates with these processors and provides practical tips for reducing transaction costs, including the benefits of encouraging customers to use debit cards. He also discusses considerations for international transactions and the importance of currency choices. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to be informed and proactive in managing their payment processing costs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Credit Card Processing Misconceptions
06:06 Breaking Down Transaction Fees: A Detailed Analysis
12:26 Tips for Reducing Transaction Costs
18:09 International Transactions and Currency Considerations
25:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Payment Processing
30:13 Podcast Outro 1.mp4

In this episode of the Con Culture Convo, hosts Tim Hyde and Chris Bower discuss their experiences at various conventions, including Anime Town Pensacola and Grand Rapids Comic Con. Tim reviews the Anime Town Pensacol event from the owner's perspective and Chris reviews Grand Rapid Comic Con from a vendor perspective! They delve into the world of trading cards, particularly historical collectibles, and share insights on vendor experiences, attendance, and the challenges faced in the convention circuit. The conversation also touches on the importance of scheduling and the impact of local food scenes on the overall experience. With a mix of humor and candid reflections, the hosts provide a comprehensive overview of the convention landscape.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Trading Cards and Collectibles
04:07 The Appeal of Historical Trading Cards
07:07 Comic Con Experiences and Reviews
09:46 Promoting Anime Town Pensacola
12:42 Event Setup and Vendor Management
15:47 Sales Strategies and Attendance Insights
18:19 Event Attendance and Vendor Dynamics
21:01 Programming and Event Structure
22:38 Sunday Show Hours and Vendor Experience
24:47 Vendor Sales and Event Performance
27:53 Future of the Event and Vendor Considerations
33:21 Parking Costs and Logistics
34:59 Show Hours and Attendance Dynamics
37:41 Saturday Success and Crowd Analysis
41:31 Sunday Sales and Vendor Experiences
47:05 Food and Local Recommendations
53:07 Overall Show Assessment and Future Considerations
54:46 Podcast Outro 1.mp4

Summary

In this episode of the Con Culture Convo, hosts Tim Hyde and Chris Bower discuss the impact of recent elections on conventions and vendor sales. They explore how economic factors influence consumer spending at conventions, share personal experiences from recent events, and analyze sales trends in relation to the political climate. The conversation emphasizes the importance of adaptability in business and offers predictions for future conventions, encouraging vendors to evolve and innovate in response to market changes.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Chronicles
04:05 The Impact of Elections on Vendor Sales
07:13 Analyzing Sales Trends at Conventions
10:16 The Aftermath of the Election on Conventions
13:13 Vendor Experiences and Sales Dynamics
16:33 Reading the Room: Understanding Audience Dynamics
18:40 Sales Trends and Economic Indicators
23:25 The Impact of External Factors on Business
24:18 Excuses vs. Accountability in Business
30:16 Predictions for Future Sales and Market Trends
32:41 Podcast Outro 1.mp4

In this episode, Tim Hyde and Chris Bower delve into the history and evolution of the Motor City Comic Con, exploring its origins, growth, and the changing landscape of comic conventions. They discuss personal experiences, the transition from comic-focused events to celebrity-driven shows, and the impact of these changes on attendees and vendors alike. The conversation highlights the significance of the Motor City Comic Con in the comic culture landscape and its role in shaping the experiences of fans and creators over the years.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Con Culture and New Segment
02:20 The History of Motor City Comic Con
07:06 Evolution of Comic Cons: From Comics to Celebrities
12:50 Personal Experiences at Motor City Comic Con
20:34 The Changing Demographics of Comic Con Attendees
26:13 Transitioning from Attendee to Vendor
33:10 Current Trends and Future of Motor City Comic Con

New York Comic Con 2024 Review!

The conversation dives deep into the experiences of attending and exhibiting at New York Comic Con 2024, highlighting the challenges faced during setup, the flow of sales across the days, and the overall costs associated with the event. The hosts share personal anecdotes about their experiences, frustrations with the venue and union workers, and insights into the changing dynamics of comic conventions.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction to New York Comic Con 2024
01:57 Arrival and Setup Challenges
13:14 First Day Experience: Thursday
22:17 Friday's Flow and Fire Marshal Concerns
30:18 The Rollercoaster of Comic-Con Days
36:11 Sales Strategies and Price Adjustments
39:35 Reflections on Past Shows and Current Trends
51:35 The Cost of Doing Business at Comic-Con
01:00:09 Looking Ahead: Future of Comic-Con Participation