VeeFriends: From Their Universe to Ours, The BTSU
- Andrew Isler
- Jul 8
- 4 min read
The day started out after a two hour drive from Newport, Kentucky to Grove City, Ohio where myself (@AndrewIsler), Jon G Ferreri (@Jon_G_Ltd) and Jay Banks (@TheNativeBrand) waited in a long line outside of CardCollector2 Sports Cards, the location of the event. Trade Day with GaryVee. We were all eagerly waiting for the event time to start. However, even at that moment the event seemed to have already begun…
That ‘Eager Eagle’ Energy!
The VF Community immediately began connecting and talking all things VeeFriends. Whether it was about a rare Erupt! ‘Perceptive Puma’ card that Jake Say (@SnakeJake) and Mandi Pants (@LadyMandiPants) had driven nine hours to hand deliver to a Very Very Very Very Lucky WhatNot customer, or the VF Community showing off their VeeFriends merch fits and comparing big cards that they had pulled from the recent VeeFriends 2025 Topps Chrome release. This was a proactive moment for the VF Community to engage with each other before the main event and they embraced that moment to the fullest…
That ‘Proactive Piranha’ Energy!
Once the time struck twelve, Noon, the VF Community was already interacting with Gary Vaynerchuk the visionary and creator of VeeFriends. We received a creative limited /99 poster signed by the talented D.J. Coffman, the illustrator for the VeeFriends Comics and so much more…
That ‘Creative Crab’ Energy!
Connecting with all of the VeeFriends Team was a major highlight for myself and our team. Huge shout out to Courtney Knecht, Adam Ripps and Tyler Schmitt for being so awesome and friendly! I had learned about them on the WhatNot App over the last few months on the VeeFriends streams but really getting to connect with them in person was very insightful as well as a great experience overall. They are awesome people. It was a pleasure getting to know the team that helps Gary Vee move as effectively as he does - so much respect.
That ‘Well-Connected Werewolf’ Energy!
It was finally time for the main event and our opportunity to show Gary Vee our ‘Brave Blink’ character, @TheNativeBrand submission for the opportunity to potentially become the next sketch artist for VeeFriends.
Everyone was more than ready to connect with him. The line to the stage filled up quickly, with the VF Community building friendships all while getting their items prepared to be signed by the man himself. The stage had an energy unlike anything I had ever experienced on a stage before, it was like a movie.
Also, it was awesome seeing David Rock (DRock) of DailyVee Vlogs behind the camera and seeing all the rest of the VeeFriends Team in action and watching them create a smooth experience for everyone involved.
That ‘Smooth Spider’ Energy!
I personally gave Gary three options of cards to pick from to sign, curious as to which one he would choose. The options were ‘Adventurous Astronaut’ (Series 2 TCG), ‘Decisive Duck’ (Base Chrome and my favorite character) and the ‘O.G. Ox’ (Yellow Refractor Chrome) card which of course he decided on the ‘O.G. Ox’ which happened to be a throw back to my music career referencing Ocean Grid. OG was the band I was in for many years and ultimately the reason I was there in the first place. He also signed a ‘Resourceful Robin’ Manga Sticker for my 5 year old daughter Charlie, what a very cool moment, thanks again Gary!
That ‘Decisive Duck’ Energy!
There were moments of networking, moments of surprise, excitement and passion all within a single community that’s all about love, kindness and connection. The members of this community can be anyone and everyone in the world and that’s a beautiful thing to me.
Everyone was able to get involved and be included. There were stories told of successes and resilience all while VF Community members were included with no conditions involved. Simply just being in the room was enough, which is one of my favorite parts of VeeFriends, it’s all about love, respect, passion, and inclusiveness.
That ‘The World Has Plenty Of Love Start Listening To It’ Energy!
As Gary and the VeeFriends Team were leaving, Gary took the time for one last signature for myself to give to Jon G so we could round out our personal 1 of 3 signed limited posters made specifically for the event signed by both D.J. Coffman and Gary Vaynerchuk. He was gracious enough and that was incredible to witness, so much respect again, thank you Gary!
That ‘Gracious Grizzly Bear’ Energy!
We went there as artists, collectors and fans but we left as friends and family, just as Gary and VeeFriends are known for...
That ‘Gary Bee’ Energy!
Massive shout out to the whole VeeFriends Community, thank you for a great interactive experience!
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