In today's episode, Gary shares insights into his venture VeeFriends, a contemporary IP and entertainment company with over 250 characters created to inspire accountability, positivity, and balance through competition and content. Gary outlines his journey from the initial idea of creating characters to provide escapism and perspective at work, to the realization that he could create his own intellectual property. He emphasizes his long-term vision for VeeFriends, aiming to impact children and parents by promoting values like empathy and accountability through his characters. The discussion also covers strategies for making VeeFriends accessible and collectible, including collaborations with brands and institutions, live shopping events, and the creation of physical and digital collectibles. The conversation touches on the importance of storytelling through mediums like comic strips and the potential of live commerce. Hope you enjoy this one!