Following a Dream
Donation protected
UPDATE: 7/20/19
So as I landed in San Diego, I learned I fell victim to a job scam. So where this fundraiser was set to help off-set this trip, refocusing to climb out of this scam. Here’s the story I posted on my Facebook:
“So some of you know the struggles I’ve hit financially being self-employed, some of you know of the asks for help, for not only the cash struggles, but helping me offset the cost to the trip to SDCC to help me build my client base & try and get more work in entertainment. And some of you might’ve seen that post seeing if someone would be willing to float me $6500...
Well, that last bit, I am humbling asking you for your help one last time. What’s going on? Well, In the weeks leading up to SDCC, had an online interview for a remote designer position & accepted their offer. In their offer, they provided a check to setup a home office to meet their needs, with instructions to make payment to their vendor.
Well, it was a scam. Their deposit was returned, and my account is currently negative several thousand dollars. And I found all of this out when I landed at my destination.
How am I surviving in San Diego? Cash on hand I received as an advance for a commission, the hotel allowing me stay with what my deposit will cover, and friends who joined me today for a trip to cover the rest of the hotel.
I should be able to make it back to KC. But I have NO IDEA how to climb out of this scam. So am I hoping, one last time to ask you, family, friends, clients, heck, if any philanthropists happen to see this... I am asking for your help. Grassroots movement of love. I really have no idea what else to do. I hope you can help, every little bit helps.
Here’s the link to the GoFundMe I made to help offset the cost for SDCC:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/9mw8sy-following-a-dream
Obviously the language on the page doesn’t speak to this situation, but being out of town, typing this on my phone, it’s the only donation mechanism I have at the moment.
I really hope I’m not overstepping. And I hope you can help. But either way, thank you. ❤️“
Definitely hope you guys can help. Love you!
—
Greetings GoFundMe,
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Ben Lee, and I am a freelance creative here in Kansas City. And I've started this GoFundMe to ask for your help to chase a dream of mine.
I’ve been very fortunate to make it out to the San Diego Comic-Con for the last few shows to show my work with hopes of breaking into the industry. But this year, I could really use some help to make the show.
A little about myself, I’ve been in marketing and advertising for the majority of my career. But I hit a point in that career where I wasn’t sure what I was doing with my life, and I definitely wasn’t happy. At the time, I was in my 30’s and single, and I realized if I was ever going to chase my childhood dream of making comics & art for a living, the time was now.
So in 2015 I left my job in marketing and advertising, and started chasing the dream of making comics by starting a company, Big Head Productions .
Safe to say, this journey has not been as fruitful as I would’ve hoped. And that’s a much larger story in it of itself. But making it out to the show is everything right now, especially this year. With each trip I’ve made it out, feedback has gotten more and more positive every year. Both from companies and attendees alike, and attending panels about industry business & breaking in, a lot of professionals would talk about an 8-10 year turn before they got their break, and I’m hitting that benchmark this year.
On top of all that, Comic-Con International approved me for a “professional” badge this year, so this will be the first time I will be attending as a professional.
Safe to say me being superstitious & hopeful is understatement that something will break this year.
Those of you familiar with the San Diego Comic Con, I’m sure a few of you might be thinking, “Why the heck I’m I gonna donate so you can geek out?!!!” I won’t lie to you, there is a lot of involuntary geeking out. There’s no getting around that. But I promise you that the majority of my time at the show is spent at the portfolio review area, business panels, and on the exhibit hall floor trying to meet with stakeholders from companies to show my work.
I truly hope you can trust in that.
I’m sure some of you are wondering where my skill level is at, I mean, I would if I came across a campaign like this. With that, please check out the Big Head Productions site here to see my self-published work . And please take a look at my portfolio site here to see my freelance work and personal art.
There are social links on both sites if you wanted to take an even further dive into the work I do.
At the end of the day, all I can say is, your support would mean everything. Truly. I don’t think I’ve worked for something so hard in my life since going solo, and I’ve been giving everything to chase this dream. And any support you’d be able to give, I would be beyond grateful. Words couldn’t capture the appreciation and thankfulness.
Thank you so much.
Ben
So as I landed in San Diego, I learned I fell victim to a job scam. So where this fundraiser was set to help off-set this trip, refocusing to climb out of this scam. Here’s the story I posted on my Facebook:
“So some of you know the struggles I’ve hit financially being self-employed, some of you know of the asks for help, for not only the cash struggles, but helping me offset the cost to the trip to SDCC to help me build my client base & try and get more work in entertainment. And some of you might’ve seen that post seeing if someone would be willing to float me $6500...
Well, that last bit, I am humbling asking you for your help one last time. What’s going on? Well, In the weeks leading up to SDCC, had an online interview for a remote designer position & accepted their offer. In their offer, they provided a check to setup a home office to meet their needs, with instructions to make payment to their vendor.
Well, it was a scam. Their deposit was returned, and my account is currently negative several thousand dollars. And I found all of this out when I landed at my destination.
How am I surviving in San Diego? Cash on hand I received as an advance for a commission, the hotel allowing me stay with what my deposit will cover, and friends who joined me today for a trip to cover the rest of the hotel.
I should be able to make it back to KC. But I have NO IDEA how to climb out of this scam. So am I hoping, one last time to ask you, family, friends, clients, heck, if any philanthropists happen to see this... I am asking for your help. Grassroots movement of love. I really have no idea what else to do. I hope you can help, every little bit helps.
Here’s the link to the GoFundMe I made to help offset the cost for SDCC:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/9mw8sy-following-a-dream
Obviously the language on the page doesn’t speak to this situation, but being out of town, typing this on my phone, it’s the only donation mechanism I have at the moment.
I really hope I’m not overstepping. And I hope you can help. But either way, thank you. ❤️“
Definitely hope you guys can help. Love you!
—
Greetings GoFundMe,
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Ben Lee, and I am a freelance creative here in Kansas City. And I've started this GoFundMe to ask for your help to chase a dream of mine.
I’ve been very fortunate to make it out to the San Diego Comic-Con for the last few shows to show my work with hopes of breaking into the industry. But this year, I could really use some help to make the show.
A little about myself, I’ve been in marketing and advertising for the majority of my career. But I hit a point in that career where I wasn’t sure what I was doing with my life, and I definitely wasn’t happy. At the time, I was in my 30’s and single, and I realized if I was ever going to chase my childhood dream of making comics & art for a living, the time was now.
So in 2015 I left my job in marketing and advertising, and started chasing the dream of making comics by starting a company, Big Head Productions .
Safe to say, this journey has not been as fruitful as I would’ve hoped. And that’s a much larger story in it of itself. But making it out to the show is everything right now, especially this year. With each trip I’ve made it out, feedback has gotten more and more positive every year. Both from companies and attendees alike, and attending panels about industry business & breaking in, a lot of professionals would talk about an 8-10 year turn before they got their break, and I’m hitting that benchmark this year.
On top of all that, Comic-Con International approved me for a “professional” badge this year, so this will be the first time I will be attending as a professional.
Safe to say me being superstitious & hopeful is understatement that something will break this year.
Those of you familiar with the San Diego Comic Con, I’m sure a few of you might be thinking, “Why the heck I’m I gonna donate so you can geek out?!!!” I won’t lie to you, there is a lot of involuntary geeking out. There’s no getting around that. But I promise you that the majority of my time at the show is spent at the portfolio review area, business panels, and on the exhibit hall floor trying to meet with stakeholders from companies to show my work.
I truly hope you can trust in that.
I’m sure some of you are wondering where my skill level is at, I mean, I would if I came across a campaign like this. With that, please check out the Big Head Productions site here to see my self-published work . And please take a look at my portfolio site here to see my freelance work and personal art.
There are social links on both sites if you wanted to take an even further dive into the work I do.
At the end of the day, all I can say is, your support would mean everything. Truly. I don’t think I’ve worked for something so hard in my life since going solo, and I’ve been giving everything to chase this dream. And any support you’d be able to give, I would be beyond grateful. Words couldn’t capture the appreciation and thankfulness.
Thank you so much.
Ben
Organizer
Ben Lee
Organizer
Kansas City, MO
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