VeeFam Sessions

For episode 32 , I chat with Veefriends Designer, Mikey Caloca. Mikey is responsible for many of the graphics and assets that we’ve seen at Veecon, on apparel, in social media, and most recently, the wildly popular Halloween Pin boxes. After getting into designing back in 2020, Mikey hustled working for content creators for free which helped him land a job at One37pm. In 2022, Mikey left his post at 137 to work with the Memphis Grizzlies, only to return to the Vaynerverse a few short months later to work with the team at Veefriends. In this episode, Mikey and I chat about how he serendipitiously got his job at VeeFriends, what it was like getting thrown into the team during the launch of Series 2, why he left the NBA, and what he did to make Gary want to fire him the day after Veecon 1. I had a blast chatting with Mikey for this one- he is a fantastic dude and a great storyteller. It was a privilege to talk to him and I hope you enjoy getting to know him as much as I did. Here we go.

Links:⁠⁠  

Twitter: @MikeyCaloca

Credits:

Host: Rob Messer (⁠@mistirmesser⁠/⁠@veefamsessions⁠)

Podcast Intro: "VeeFam Sessions" created by ⁠@itsjustlos⁠

For episode 31, I chat with all-time reseller & YouTube creator, Mike Rezendes, better known as Reezy Resells. Reezy started hustling and flipping from an early age to make it and then one day he came across a book called, CRUSH IT by a Gary Vaynerchuk. After initially dismissing it, Reezy not only consumed the book in a day, but executed on the books premise. Now, hundreds of videos and 470k YouTube subscribers later, Reezy is one of the most successful resellers out there and makes content for a living after simply following Gary's advice. Throughout the conversation, Reezy shares the trials and tribulations of his journey, how he strategically hacked the attention of Team Gary and ultimately landed a guest spot on Gary's podcast, his thoughts on the Veefriends community, and what its like going to Veecon has a well known influencer. Reezy is a stand up guy and is living proof that you can crush it by doing what you love and creating content around it.

⁠Links:⁠  

Twitter: @ReezyResells

Reezy's YouTube & Other Socials

Credits:

Host: Rob Messer (@mistirmesser/@veefamsessions)

Podcast Intro: "VeeFam Sessions" created by @itsjustlos

For episode 28, I chat with Twitch streamer, card collector, entrepreneur, and OG Veefriend, Mr. Tom TGer. In the spring of 2023, Tom started the TGer Collector's Corner Twitch Channel for members of the Veefriends Card Community to gather for box breaks, battles, and conversation. Now only a few months into Tom hosting the party, his stream has become a pivotal part of the Veefriends Cards ecosystem & a fixture in the VF community. Throughout our conversation Tom talks about his journey to buying his own business, his Veefriends origin story, what it was like for Gary to blast out his stream and come on to razz him, and what his future plans are for the Collector's Corner. Not only does Tom have an amazing story but he is a really amazing dude and is one that I am proud to align myself with. It was a pleasure to chat with him 1-1 and I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

⁠⁠Links:⁠⁠  

Twitter: @TGer_01

Twitch: twitch.tv/tgercollectorc…

Credits:

Host: Rob Messer (⁠@mistirmesser⁠/⁠@veefamsessions⁠)

Podcast Intro: "VeeFam Sessions" created by ⁠@itsjustlos⁠

For episode 27, I chat with business powerhouse, advisor, founder, community member, and mom, Seema Alexander. After spending years as a brand strategist and advisor, Seema founded her own company, Disruptive CEO in 2014 to help founders and CEOs better strategize their plans and brands using her own UNIQUE method. Seema has been a holder and active community member since Day 1. She has been a pillar of Leaders on Chain community and and was an organizer of the uber successful Veefriends Takeover team in November of 2022. In May of 2023, Seema was selected as a speaker to share her business expertise on the Veecon community stage. It was a pleasure chatting with Seema to hear her story and to talk about the future of Veefriends and Veecon from her perspective.

Links:  

Twitter: @SeemaAlexander

https://www.disruptive.ceo/

Seema's Linktree

Credit: Host: Rob Messer (@mistirmesser/@veefamsessions)

Podcast Intro: "VeeFam Sessions" created by @itsjustlos https://twitter.com/its_JustLos

For episode 26, I chat with Mike Hampton & Luke Fraser, founders of Bartbridge Clothing. After meeting Gary and getting a hat into his hands at Veecon 1 in May of 2022, less than one year later they are the first Veefriends collab to stem from the community. This past March, Series 1 holders of the 6 characters featured in the exclusive hat drop were given free hats, while Series 2 holders of the same characters got the opportunity to purchase at discount. Throughout our conversation, Mike and Luke talk about the origin of their friendship and business, how they caught a break making hats for the Golden State Warriors, and how they went about planning to get Gary’s attention and securing an official Veefriends collaboration.

Links:  

Twitter: @bart_bridge

bartbridge.com

VeeFriends BTS Video

VeeFriends Blog Post Announcement

Credit: Host: Rob Messer (@mistirmesser/@veefamsessions)

Podcast Intro: "VeeFam Sessions" created by @itsjustlos https://twitter.com/its_JustLos

For episode 25, I chat with one of the members of the original Veefriends Tech team, Cam Stewart. During our conversation, Cam shares the cool story of how tagging his friend Erik Zettersten in a Gary tweet started the domino effect of both of them working on the original Veefriends team, what they quoted Andy and the team to make the initial Veefriends website, Cam's biggest "oh shit" moment behind the scenes, and how Gary interacts with the team. Cam is a true legend; one of the nicest guys around. It was a pleasure speaking with him and getting to know him more. FYI This conversation was recorded back in Nov '22. The content was lost & thankfully re-discovered. Thanks for being a Patient Panda, Cam.

For episode 24, I chat with marketer, founder, and web3 personality, Ashley DCan. In our conversation, Ashley shares her journey into web3 and crypto, and the story of how she became the known as the "Titty Queen" of Twitter. Ashley also opens up about how her experience at Veecon has helped inspire her to rethink the content she puts out.

Links:  

Twitter: ⁠@AshleyDCan ⁠

Credits:

Host: Rob Messer ⁠(@mistirmesser⁠/⁠@veefamsessions⁠)

Podcast Intro: "VeeFam Sessions" created by ⁠@itsjustlos

For episode 22, I chat with someone who is a former assistant to both AJ & Gary Vaynerchuk. Currently he's the Office of the CEO at VaynerMedia, co-host of the CardTalkPod, and General Manager of ONE37pm. He is the one and only Tyler Schmitt. Tyler, who entered the Vayner universe more than 9 years ago as a community manager, shares about his early days at VaynerMedia, how he woke up at 4:30am to play in a weekly pickup basketball game with Gary's inner circle which ultimately was a factor in his career trajectory.  The Penn State alum also shares his perspective on what it was like being in the Malibu house for the creation of Veefriends back in 2021,  the 2018 project he headed up that was "almost" Veefriends.   I had a fantastic time chopping it up with Tyler.  I hope you enjoy this conversation like I did. 

Easter egg! Be one of the first 5 to subscribe to us on our new Youtube channel & comment with Tyler's favorite episode of  DailyVee and receive a free VeeFam Sessions t-shirt: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeIUFWDntyAZ4pCY3yxEv2A

Links:  Twitter: @tyschmitt5

Credit: Host: Rob Messer (@mistirmesser/@veefamsessions)

Podcast Intro: "VeeFam Sessions" created by @itsjustlos https://twitter.com/its_JustLos