VeeFriends Roundup: Reebok Shoe Collab Announced, VeeFriends Squishmallows Dropping Monday, Everything You Missed at The National… and MORE!
Welcome to Aspiring August, friends! This week’s roundup is brought to you by me, Aspiring Alpaca, because here at VeeFriends, August is my time to shine.
Many people view August as a month of rest and relaxation, they alpaca bag and set off on vacation for some end-of-summer fun. However, if you’re like mi amigo, GaryVee, you might see this month as a good time to triple down and grind hard — to strategize for the backend of the year while so many others are temporarily out of the game. If you’re not on vacation, consider using August as a month to focus on your aspirations. Any opportunity to move closer to your goals is a W in my book!
Speaking of moving toward goals, to kick off this Roundup, I’m proud to announce a collaboration between VeeFriends and Reebok that is custom-made for folks like us, those who take their passion and make it happen! Keep reading for more info about the new VeeFriends x Reebok Aspiring Alpaca Classic Nylons — the sneaker for anyone who has their feet on the ground and their head in the clouds.
Plus, we’re already fondly reminiscing about the mind-blowing experience that was the 2023 NSCC in Chicago last weekend. I’m not one to fixate on the past — moving toward the future is more my style — but this year’s card convention was unforgettably special.
Finally, you never know what someone’s secret aspirations might be until you get a glimpse behind their public image. This week we’ll go behind the PFP and learn the inspiring story of VeeFriends community member, Rahul.
More VeeFriends updates await you below, so keep reading — and keep dreaming, friends!
Unleash Your Aspirations With the VeeFriends x Reebok Aspiring Alpaca Classic Nylons!
Get ready to run after your dreams in style! VeeFriends and Reebok have just dropped the ultimate collaboration that will turn dreamers into doers: Introducing the VeeFriends x Reebok Aspiring Alpaca Classic Nylons! These kicks combine the classic vibes of Reebok with the inspiration of Aspiring Alpaca, keeping you motivated and moving towards your goals.
Starting August 17th, there will be an exclusive presale for VeeFriends Series 1 and Series 2 NFT holders. You won’t want to miss your chance to cop these exclusive sneakers before they hit the global market on August 24th.
And this collaboration is extra-special, as it comes with a dash of community flavor. We’ve featured some amazing community members in the campaign, including Shahreen “Katz” Ahmed, Christian Robles, and Esma “Same As Me” Shmeit, all of whom embody the spirit of Aspiring Alpaca in their own unique ways.
Check out our featured blog HERE for all the details and get ready to step up your sneaker game and embrace your aspirations like never before!
The Squishmallows x VeeFriends Collection Is Almost Here!
Karma Kiwi, Humble Hedgehog, Adventurous Astronaut, and Intuitive Iguana are waiting to join your squad! Get ready to bring VeeFriends to life with an exclusive line of Squishmallows™! This epic collaboration is launching on August 7, 2023, at 12:00 PM EDT in the U.S. through Jazwares’ website and internationally through the VeeFriends store.
Mark your calendars and set your alarms, friends, because this collection is a special way to celebrate your connection to VeeFriends!
Domestic: https://shop.jazwares.com/pages/squishmallows-veefriends
International: Shop.VeeFriends.com
For more information, read THIS blog post.
Fireside Chat with Jeremy Padawer and GaryVee
This past week. GaryVee went live with Jeremy Padawer, Jazwares’ Chief Brand Officer! In this engaging conversation, they delve into the story behind the beloved Squishmallows brand, its journey to success as the #4 toy company in the world, the secrets of building a thriving collectibles business, and the details behind Squishmallows x VeeFriends.
You can catch the full recording of the stream at garyvee.com/SquishmallowsFireside or listen to it on the VeeFriends On Air Podcast!
Recapping the Best and Brightest Moments of the NSCC!
The “National” (NSCC) was an incredible event that saw VeeFriends shine as a first-time corporate vendor, making an extraordinary impact on attendees. Both familiar and unfamiliar faces from the VeeFriends community gathered to support the brand, spreading awareness and educating new enthusiasts about VeeFriends collectibles.
The VeeFriends booth was nothing short of spectacular, attracting excitement and positive reception from all corners. In even better news, VeeFriends cards were taken seriously as a prominent card brand, and GaryVee’s active involvement in purchases and unboxings added to the thrill.
The exclusive Super Stickers, particularly the Rare Robot and Hungry Hammerhead designs, captivated the crowd, with VIP attendees rejoicing in their exclusivity. From children to seniors, several hundred participants engaged in plinko games with their stickers, winning fantastic prizes like CGC-graded ultra-rare VeeFriends cards.
The event enabled thousands of individuals to obtain their first-ever VeeFriends cards, cementing the brand’s presence and impact. What made this event even more exciting was the use of Meet.VeeFriends. Our new video conferencing platform played a significant role in sharing the collective experience with the community and fostering a sense of togetherness. The VeeFriends team went live multiple times throughout the event to give token holders a look inside all the activity.
The Inaugural Collector’s Cup Championship… Which Collector Reigned Supreme?
Outside of the NSCC event space, 52 community members gathered with the VeeFriends team for the first-ever Compete & Collect Playtest Tournament featuring our fresh-off-the-press rules! The atmosphere at the tournament was a unique blend of nervousness and camaraderie, as participants felt the pressure of a first-time competition while enjoying the familiarity of a family reunion. Rahul, our featured Behind the PFP this week, emerged as the ultimate champion of the tournament, bagging a coveted 1/1 2023 Compete & Collect Collector’s Cup Champion Card. Rahul’s preparation and strategic approach, including a spreadsheet to check probabilities, paid off handsomely.
Witnessing the gameplay in real-time was enthralling, and attendees received a special rainbow planet sample card as a cherished memento from the event. Overall, the NSCC and Compete & Collect Tournament were resounding successes for VeeFriends, further solidifying our position as a top-tier collectible brand.
VeeFriends Takes a Step Back to ATL NEXT WEEK!
The 10 lucky winners of Eruption 8 are gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime in Atlanta next week! On Wednesday, August 9th, they’ll join GaryVee for an electrifying experience that blends business, music, and entrepreneurship with none other than Snoop Dogg. The winners will get to hang out with GaryVee and gain VIP access to Snoop Dogg’s The High School Reunion Concert. This once-in-a-lifetime journey will fuel their dreams and leave them forever changed. 🔥🎉🚀
Check out our featured blog HERE for more details about this incredible Burn Island prize!
Behind the PFP — Rahul
Name: Rahul
Twitter handle: @rahulbtweets
Hometown: Houston, TX
Bio:
Rahul is a proud VeeFriends community member and co-founder of Day One, a coaching/mentoring service, and community for founders and entrepreneurs. Since 2020, they have supported over 500 entrepreneurs, with more than 100 from the VeeFriends community, helping aspiring business leaders with finding customers, investors, products, and marketing strategies. His exciting journey has taken him around the world, from NYC, SF, DC, Austin, and Baton Rouge, to India and Hong Kong. With a diverse background in industries like oil/gas, water/wastewater engineering, and youth development programs, Rahul has served as a nonprofit executive director, mentor, and investor to startup founders. Beyond his professional ventures, Rahul is deeply passionate about VeeFriends Compete & Collect Cards (100+ boxes ripped), attending Pearl Jam concerts in six countries, and cheering for LSU sports. He seizes these passions as opportunities to travel, create friendships, and build cherished memories.
What Does the VeeFriends Community Mean to Rahul?
For Rahul, VeeFriends is not only about values like optimism, abundance, curiosity, and authenticity but also a mindset of defining personal success and reaching for it. He joined the community in early 2022 due to the alignment between Gary and Day One but quickly realized he had found his tribe. From NFTs to VeeCon to Compete & Collect cards, he’s actively involved and constantly building meaningful connections.
Favorite VeeFriends NFT:
While he has a soft spot for both the Entrepreneur Elf and Innovative Impala, due to their significance in the VeeFriends and Day One partnership, the Resourceful Robin holds a special place in his heart. This choice is deeply personal, as it connects to Rahul’s childhood experience and his journey of strength and confidence.
Fun Fact:
Rahul has worked with FOUR Nobel Prize winners in his life. If you’re curious to know more, DM him on Twitter!
Organized Ostrich’s Sneak Beak at the Week Ahead
- Monday, August 7th 12PM ET — Squishmallows sale goes live
- Wednesday, August 9th — Eruption 8 Winners party with GaryVee and Snoop Dogg in Atlanta
- Wednesday, August 9th 5:55PM EDT — 5,5 at 5:55 Twitter Spaces
Non-Fungible Talk
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