Today we’d like to introduce you to Hugo and Amanda Soto.
Hi Hugo and Amanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
We have always been into nerdy stuff. I found out about 10 years ago that a comic convention existed, and I went to my first show in Atlanta. I knew the second I got there that I had to share it with my family. So, the following year my wife and I took our 2 boys back to that show and had a blast. We did as many shows as we could.
We went to a convention in NC and saw a guy out front screaming at people that they were going to hell and not really talking just yelling hate. As Christians, we knew that the guy was hurting more than helping.
So, my wife and I decided to get productive and start a local convention that was a family-friendly event where people just nerded out and came together over our shared joy in our own fandoms. And in that way, we could also show the love of Christ in our works not only in words.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Lol, I wish we could say it has been. But we would be lying. We started out in the Savannah area. With our first show being in 2019. It was a hit.
But then Covid hit, and it ruined everything. It really set us back and put us in a bad spot. Where we didn’t know if we were going to ever do another show again. So, we decided to step back and regroup. We moved the show 45 minutes away to be more local for us. We did our second show in the Springfield area last October, and once again, it was a hit.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Empire Comic Con is a family-friendly event. We strive to bring the simplicity and joy that ourselves and others remember when we were growing up and share it with our kids now. Who may have never played an Atari 2600 PAC-Man or Nintendo with Duck Hunt on an old wooden boxed TV.
Touched an original G.I. Joe, He-Man, Power Rangers, Polly Pocket, Gummy Bears, Mask, Voltron, or Biker Mice From Mars toy. Have read the death of Superman, Batman Death in the family, Howard the Duck, The Fantastic Four, or X-Men? We want to offer a chance for people to start a collection of vintage video games or start learning how to play Dungeons and Dragons.
Money is not our main focus. I would say our passion to bring a truly family-friendly experience is what sets us apart.
That when it comes to any Empire Comic Con event it is going to be well worth your time
We offer so much to entertain at our events. We teach tabletop gaming, we offer free-to-play vintage video games, celebrity guests, and over 50 vendors with a wide variety of items to choose from.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Take your time. Get your ducks in a row. It’s better to start small and grow than to go too big too soon. Make sure you are passionate about it. Passion produces a better product than greed.
Pricing:
- $5 general entry
- Kids 12 and under free
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @theempirecomiccon
- Facebook: @theempirecomiccon
