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Categories: GeekCraft, Internets, Interview
Tags: UberDork Cafe
When I started this article on Wednesday, my hope was to nudge readers to pledge money for Natali’s UberDork Café. Her goal was to raise $5000 through Kickstarter to start a family-friendly café with a game room and classroom. UberDork Café would support local vendors and artists, but more importantly it would support Milwaukee’s geek community, starting with her two daughters.
But last night things changed. Last night, Natali sailed past her goal and she’s currently at 112%.
I’m proud to be part of this, humbled by the number of people willing to make someone’s dream come true and I don’t have the word to describe how I feel watching this unfold as a shared experience through Twitter. It’s like the taupe or mauve of emotions, or some other color I can’t identify.
However, I’m also realistic. $5000 is a good start, but she’s going to need more money. And since there are still 25 days left to give, I decided to still run this interview with her about UberDork Café and her reasons behind it.
Game Couch: Hi Natali! I guess we should start with the idea behind UberDork Café.
Natali: I am an ambidextrously-brained geek girl who just happens to be a single mom to two geekling girls. When trying to find new, fun things for us to try or places to go, I noticed the pickings were super slim. It got me thinking about what it was like being a geeky kid growing up and made me realize that the majority of our geeklings and even us as adults are really limited in places to go that really get us. That got me thinking about what the ultimate place would be for us. After I came up with it, I realized that unless someone actually created it, it may not exist for quite some time. So, I figured why can’t I be that someone?
Game Couch: I think that’s why I believe in this so much. A place like this would have had a huge impact on my life. But why would anyone not living in Wisconsin want to support this?
Natali: The simple answer is: this is just the start. I’ve had so many people tell me how much they wish a place like this existed near them. So much so that it has been added to the business plan- to open other locations across the… well who knows maybe world. :)
Ultimately though, the reason I think it is so important is what it stands for. UberDork Café is not just about a place you can go hang, grab coffee, game with your friends, listen to a lecture from a guest comic artist or throw your 5-year-old a build your own robot birthday party. It’s about a symbol of our community. Our community is strong but hidden- in back rooms of game shops, in basements with controllers in hand, behind computer screens with the online community we seek solace in.
What if there was some place to go do all of that while surrounded by people that got you? What if there was a place where geeky kids could go hang and meet other kids instead of avatars? Where people that believed in them so much that they might have a chance at a scholarship to go build the best video game ever or gadget that would save lives? What if we could all go someplace where everyone knew our gamertag? Or what a Dalek is? Or peacefully argue whose ears are more awesome- Spock’s or Yoda’s? Where we could wave our lil geek/nerd/dork flags high and proud?
But that all needs to start somewhere. Why not here? :)
Game Couch: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from the Kickstarter campaign?
Natali: There are two huge things that I have learned.
The first is that I was absolutely right about my community. The amount of love and support I have gotten from my geeky peeps is overwhelming. I have cried move over these last couple of weeks than I can remember. And they have all been tears of joy, pride and gratefulness. We are a tight group that love and support each other. That love meeting others that are like us and extending the love and support to them. That together, there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish.
The second was how much UberDork Café is really needed. It’s a bit more of a sad lesson. After I launched this campaign, people started reaching out and telling me their stories. About how they’ve always wanted to go to a Con, but never had anyone to go with them. About how many hours they’ve spent online with the community they’ve met because most of the people in their lives just don’t get them like their online friends do. About how they could never tell their other friends they camped out at GameStop for a midnight new release. How they often wonder what they would be like if their childhood was different- if they didn’t have to change on the outside to fit in or if they had other people that believed in their geeky dreams and aspirations.
Game Couch: After the end of the Kickstarter campaign, Friday, August 13th, what happens?
Natali: Phase II kicks in. Clearly it takes more than $5,000 to open a place like this. The money from Kickstarter is a huge part in getting all the lovely little business details in order and having money to secure location. More funds will be needed to obtain equipment, supplies, etc. The raising of those funds is already being worked on due to more amazing support from my geek community. I can’t tell you how excited I am for when I can finally announce what it is!!! :)
UberDorkGirlie:
I can not begin to thank you enough for being a HUGE support for this project and a part of this amazing journey. It means so much to me and my girls :)
Much love!
Natali :)
GeekGirlWife:
I think it’s been such an amazing effort, and I am also glad to be a part of this endeavor. This is a wonderful article — thanks for sharing it.
Ruth:
I really needed something like this growing up. Heck, I still need it. So glad someone’s making it a reality! :)
Lesley of GEEKSOAP:
I agree with Ruth! I really wish a place like this existed when I was growing up. I’m also glad Natali is making this a reality, because I can’t WAIT to go there! YAY NATALI! What an inspiration :)
Rosalind:
Great article! BTW, Dawn and I are totally reworking the Cheers theme song to go along with our tagline, it’s going to be awesome!
Rosalind
Girls Are Geeks
UberDorkGirlie:
OMG I totally can’t wait to hear it Rosalind!!! And *HUGE HUGGLES* to you ALL!!