Latest / Once Upon a Hot Take / Episode 17- Benevolent Ball Interview
Transcript
- Leah And Jordan: Hello and welcome to Once Upon a Hot Take. We have a super exciting special episode for you today. We are interviewing Samantha, of the Benevolent Ball Company, who is putting on the Fractured Heavens Masquerade Ball coming up this fall in Green Bay, Wisconsin. So we're talking to her a little bit about the ins and outs of ⁓ planning ball on this scale, what that looks like, And we hope you enjoy our conversation. we have a super special guest that we're very excited about today. Her name is Samantha and we will let her introduce herself to you and tell us why she's talking to us today. Samantha: Exciting stuff. Okay, so hello everybody. I'm Samantha. I am the host of the Benevolent Ball, which is a Wisconsin based fantasy ball company. We are going into our second year, which is kind of why we're here today. We're talking a little bit about the Benevolent Ball Fractured Heavens Masquerade. exciting stuff. Leah And Jordan: you Yes, which we are stoked about. Okay. Yeah Jordan: Wait, did we know it was called Fractured Heavens when we talked before? Samantha: ⁓ we might not have. No, I don't remember. think we talked about last year and things were announced. No, yeah, so it is the Fractured Heavens Masquerade this year. So, which is really fun. So we just talk about all the theme stuff, which comes along with that. Leah And Jordan: Maybe not, I don't know. Jordan: ⁓ Leah And Jordan: ⁓ yeah. ⁓ yeah. Jordan: Ooh, I'm excited. I was like, think I'm already hearing new information. Leah And Jordan: Tell me more. what is a fantasy ball? Because I was sort of new to this game and I saw a little Instagram ad and I was like, what? These are things. So give us the overview of what this even is. Samantha: you Thanks Yeah, so I was gonna say I have like a love-hate relationship with this question because I've discovered that if you are a fantasy person and I explain it to you, you're like, yes, this makes so much sense. But if you're not, you're like, I don't know what you're talking about. And I don't know if I can explain it to that, whoever, essentially a fantasy ball is a black tie gala type event set in a fantasy immersive world. So there's live performances that are like either music, sometimes there's like fire throwing sometimes. Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Samantha: there's LED lights or the ⁓ dancer it's whole thing. ⁓ It's a big Sometimes there's cast to kind of help get you that immersive storyline throughout the night. There's quest options for people to participate in. Very thematic, very highly decorated venues. ⁓ It is basically meant to be a big production to give people a night away from reality to step into the fantasy essentially. ⁓ So the way that I Kind of word it to people is it's if you took ⁓ fair after dark mixed with a murder mystery gala This big rush thing ⁓ Jordan: Ooh, I love that! Me too! Leah And Jordan: Yes, I see all of that. That was well done. That was a very succinct response. And I feel like you're hitting all the people. The fantasy people are like, yes, I can picture the world I'm looking for. People who are like, what is fantasy? Ooh, gala, I get it. Yeah, that was well done. I like that. Yeah. ⁓ Samantha: Thank you. Yes. Yes, thank you. I got a lot of practice. Jordan: Mm-hmm. Leah And Jordan: So now this is just kind of off the cuff. you ever, how many balls have you attended? Not as necessarily a planner, but that you've gone to. Samantha: Yes. So I've been to two separate balls. One of them, when I kind of knew I wanted to get into this a little bit, was the Yule ball put on my second star events. It was in San Francisco. And that was kind of when I realized, I was like, there's nothing local for this type of event that actually we could attend. And so I was like, maybe I kind of want to do this. And then I like, of course was like, hey, my husband, you're coming with me to this. I don't really care if you think it's weird. But we ended up going, it was a fantastic time. Leah And Jordan: Mmm. Jordan: Ha ha ha! Samantha: like in this really beautiful big venue and like everybody was dressed to like the nines and like there was like I someone was wearing like 10 foot like wide like angel wings like somebody was in like a like pixie like sugar plum fairy kind of it was just like everything under the sun that you could imagine was there and it was amazing ⁓ and then the other one that I attended the think it was like two weeks after I actually had my first ball here in Wisconsin was the enchanted kingdom ball and they've done like they have like five year five of their ball like they're ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Whoa. Jordan: Wow. Samantha: well established. And that one's just like a bunch of different courts. Kind of, mean like Enchanted Kingdom, if you could picture it, it's kind of that essential kind of thing. So those are the two that I've attended separately outside of mine. I'm hoping to attend more as like they start to pop up a little bit more locally, but that one was also in Indiana. So I've also, I've had to travel out of the state for everything. So ⁓ but. ⁓ know, I was going to say that. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mm. Mm-hmm. So we are stoked. Jordan: Wow, so we're super lucky that you're doing this in Green Bay, nice and local for us. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: cannot tell you how excited I was when I was scrolling Instagram randomly and I saw just a little another fantasy ball thing and it was like Green Bay, Wisconsin. I was like, what? And I thought maybe it was one of those that had already happened and I missed it. I was like, no, it's coming up in the fall. Yes. So Samantha: You Jordan: You Samantha: so like the first one I started promoting and advertising it about a year in advance and people were like, ⁓ is this next year? Is this this year? And I was like, no, next year. And they were like, why are you like advertising this so early? I'm like, because ⁓ at this point, this was prior to like, there's another fantasy ball company did pop up in Wisconsin, which I love. ⁓ But this was prior to that. And I was like, ⁓ if people traveling for this, they need time to like request off work, a hotel. there's a lot more think planning that goes into this because this is a destination Leah And Jordan: Mm. Right. Right. Mm-hmm. Right. Jordan: Mm-hmm. Samantha: kind of event for a lot of people. So was like, you need the time to, you know, be able to show up, I guess. So yes. Leah And Jordan: Yeah, get your duckies in a row. Jordan: ⁓ yeah, totally. Yes. Leah And Jordan: So yeah, what is the date of this ball? Just so we can get that out there right off the Jordan: ⁓ Samantha: Yes, so the Fractured Heavens Masquerade is November 13th and 14th of 2026. The 13th is the Friday night and that is partially included. If you, you know, purchase a VIP ticket, there's like a welcome party or if you do an add-on, you could add that party on. ⁓ then Saturday, the 14th is the actual day of market and the actual benevolent ball. Jordan: there's a lot that we're gonna have to talk about yet, but ⁓ I lose my train of thought, ⁓ you have plans to track where people have traveled to come to the ball? Samantha: is yes. Leah And Jordan: Yes. Samantha: ⁓ Okay, so last, so at our previous one, that was one of my questions was like, where are you traveling from? And we had people come from like South Dakota. that was the furthest I think location we had. ⁓ We had ⁓ Sarah Klein, like tall glass of Klein was like our influencer last year. She came from New York. So technically that was ⁓ the furthest person, but furthest everyday Joe kind of person was from South Dakota, which I thought was really cool. So they just like drove over and ⁓ Jordan: Mmm. Leah And Jordan: Whoa. Samantha: Otherwise it was like a lot of like Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois kind of thing. So yeah. Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Jordan: Makes sense. Okay. Ooh, so exciting. Okay, cool. Well, I hope you track it again this year because that's awesome. Samantha: Like fun little like fact-twits. You're like, ooh. Jordan: Mm-hmm. Can't wait till you hit both the coasts at the same party. Yeah, or like all four corners. ⁓ something cool. That would be fun. Leah And Jordan: Aw man. Bam bam boom! Samantha: you You Leah And Jordan: why don't you talk to us more about like the name of this specific ball and kind of what inspired that and where that came from. Samantha: Yeah. Okay. So two parts. the brand essentially is the benevolent ball and kind of the story behind that is ⁓ growing up, dad was a police officer and was very involved, volunteering with things. And I always kind of just had a place in my heart where I liked being able to give back in some capacity. So ⁓ part of the benevolent ball is supposed to be an act of benevolence. ⁓ like 10 % of the proceeds the ball go towards an art or literature nonprofit that are voted on by the attendees. ⁓ So when people buy a ticket, they can nominate a Wisconsin based art or literature nonprofit and then they vote on it at the ball itself. And then that's where 10 % of the proceeds come from. So that's where the benevolent ball came from. Cause in my mind, all of those arts and literature areas are the thing that keep a little bit of magic alive in our world. So that was kind of where I wanted to support that a little bit. When it comes to the fractured heavens masquerade part of things, so my favorite book series of all time are Book World. Jordan: No! Leah And Jordan: Love that. Mm-hmm. Jordan: ⁓ my gosh. Leah And Jordan: you Samantha: is the Shadowhunter universe, ⁓ a lot of people read in middle school. ⁓ But I like my intro to fantasy like as an adult. ⁓ And so like that's kind of where the end spell for this ball came from, which is kind of supposed to be like the angels and demons and that whole vibe. So that was kind of where the fractured heavens masquerade thing came from. ⁓ And it's a unique story, though. So it's inspired by like the books, but the actual storyline that's created that our cast is going to do throughout the night and all that stuff is very Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Samantha: like original to my cast handler person. she's like my guru, whatever you want to call her. She's created a ⁓ whole world for what is going to actually be. And so that's kind of where that came from though. So. Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. That is so cool. Jordan: Yeah, that's the City of Bones book that I said I want to go back and reread because it was also, I remember absolutely loving it in high school, but I have no recollection whatsoever about what the story is about. So I was like, I need to remember why I loved this. Samantha: Yes. Leah And Jordan: Yes. Yeah. Samantha: Yes. Well, I was gonna say, like, her... Leah And Jordan: Yeah. Samantha: Her world, also like the Shadowhunter world, like grew so much because there was like the original like six books, which is like what City of Bones like was. So like there was that. And then there's like, I think total in that Shadowhunter world for books she's written, there's like 20 some. And like the newest one comes out this December. there's she's not done ⁓ ⁓ it's so there's because there's the main six, then there's six that come before and there's three that come after. And then there's ⁓ standalone ones about specific characters. then they ask there's a new trilogy coming out that's like supposed to wrap up. Leah And Jordan: my gosh, ⁓ wow. Jordan: ⁓ it's still going. Samantha: the entire world. it's like never ending, which is why I feel like I loved it when I got into fantasy because I was like, there's just so much to discover here. ⁓ And to say at that point, it was like all 20 of these things were published. So was like, I could just keep reading without having to wait. ⁓ So that's, I know I was like, that's what I need. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Yes, you can just keep spiraling with it. ⁓ that's the best. Jordan: Leah, I think we have to put it on our TBR list before the ball. At least like book one. We've got to get through book one. Leah And Jordan: I think we absolutely, yeah, we have to, we have to. Right, we got, yeah, yeah, so we have at least some semblance of like who these people are. Yeah, same thing, I think, I feel like I have a vague memory of reading it on my old school Kindle, but I could tell you no characters names, I could tell you nothing about it, so yeah, definitely need to reread. Samantha: You I was like... Jordan: Yes. Samantha: Okay. You Jordan: Yeah, all I remember is the main girl, her name is Claire, and that's all I've got. Claire-y! I don't even have the name right! Samantha: Larry. Yeah. Larry. Leah And Jordan: Yeah, because Cassandra Clare is the author, right? Cassandra Clare? Yeah, okay. So you were close, Jordan. Yeah. I mean chalk it up to pregnancy brain. It's fine. Samantha: Yes, yeah. It's in the wheelhouse. Jordan: was close. know. You know what? I'm also just going to chalk it up to it's been 20 years. So I think that's okay. No, not 20 years, 15. Either way, more than a decade ago. Samantha: There, yeah, I see it's moving. Leah And Jordan: There's that. There's that. You're younger than me. So yeah. It's been a while. Yes. Samantha: you Whatever. It's fine. Jordan: so that is so cool. love, let's quick circle back to the nonprofit part. That, geez, try to make me cry about it over here. My goodness, that's beautiful. ⁓ Samantha: Yeah. ⁓ yes. Leah And Jordan: That's such a good idea. Samantha: I like the fact that the are the people who also get to kind of make ⁓ that decision. So for me, that was an part of a lot of times, when you purchase something, they're like, ⁓ you know, you can ⁓ donate towards this or any like business in my mind can like that they're gonna like dedicate like, you know, a portion of funds And like, I love that. That's always an amazing idea. But I think it's also special when everybody who is purchasing a ticket can feel like they have a say a little bit and like where it's going. Then they kind of feel like they're a part of that process, and especially when they get to both nominate them as well as vote on them. I think that's kind fun. Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Jordan: Yeah. Leah And Jordan: That's so true because like, I feel like some people aren't even going to know what's even out there. So then just by getting to see what other people are nominating, that it'll open their eyes to, more, more options. Samantha: I was gonna say, and I kind of like, if you're like looking into it a little bit too, like, ⁓ like, yeah, like if I don't know things that are out there, like, what do I want to look? And then also like, you're like spending time looking at these like amazing nonprofits that are doing really cool things. yeah. Jordan: Love it, love it. That's so great. What a great name. What a great cause. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: I know, man. We could end the interview right now, like that's so good. ⁓ But we won't. So why don't you tell us a little bit more about this mini market beforehand? What does that all look like? What could people expect that? Samantha: Done. Check. ⁓ Jordan: Hahaha! Samantha: Good Yeah, so the market essentially is both fantasy and kind of craft artisans as well as local authors. ⁓ So ⁓ our event ball in last October, ⁓ we had did everything at the ball itself. So we all of the vendors were at the ball. So people only had about three hours to shop, but also to you're walking around like a ball gown and you're trying to shop, but you're like, don't really know where to put my stuff. ⁓ And so I very quickly that one people needed more time to shop and actually able to appreciate and look at everything. Leah And Jordan: Yes. Mm-hmm. Samantha: but to ⁓ needed to just be able to shop carry around bags bring it back to a hotel wherever they're staying whatever and set it aside before the ball itself. ⁓ So that's kind of what this year is going to be so it's going to be a daytime market ⁓ and then it'll be probably like ⁓ six hours ⁓ and we'll have authors we'll have vendors we'll do like they'll be permanent jewelry tattoos all the things ⁓ but people are able to then just shop walk around do all the fun things ⁓ and have a little bit more time to actually appreciate that. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Samantha: The other nice thing about that too is our vendors didn't really get to experience and appreciate the ball. So like if they also want to attend, like it also kind of like opens it up for them to be able to like actually get dressed up in like ⁓ a that doesn't have to be functional to serve their booth, but can just be ⁓ for themselves too. So yeah. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: ⁓ sure. You That is so thoughtful. My type A heart loves that. Like you've evolved, you've seen an issue and you're like, now I have a problem to solve it. Boom. ⁓ what a good idea. Samantha: Yes! Jordan: Yeah Samantha: the other part too that I thought was like super interesting and going back to we learned a ton of like we again was supposed a three hour event and Tattoos they only had obviously it so we like flash tattoos and like they only had a very specific number of people they could do I think like only do like 40 something out of like the 350 attendees and they sold out of their signups within 10 minutes of the doors opening So that was the other that was the other part too where I was like, okay, we need like more time for tattoos or something Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Jordan: What? Samantha: thing at least so like it's nice that we'll be able to like offer it at the daytime market but then still at the ball itself there's still gonna be like tarot like art stuff and tattoos so like we're still like both opportunities but it kind of opens it up a little bit more at least to offer that because it was highly desired apparently yes Leah And Jordan: Yeah. Jordan, should we get tattoos? I think so. Jordan: was like, Leah, do we have to start thinking about this? Samantha: They're really fun because they're like your small like flash tattoos that are like and they made them all fantasy themed because obviously they were like we have a theme to run with so like It was great Leah And Jordan: Yep. I could, I could be persuaded. could be persuaded. Yeah. Yeah. If there's like a good, yeah. Jordan: Wow. We'll have to see if one really catches my eye. I could also probably be persuaded, but my sister will be hella mad at me getting a tattoo without her. So yeah, so I'll have to drag her with just to get the tattoo. ⁓ no, this is my question though. So the market, since it's pre-ball, is it open to the public or do you have to have a ticket to attend? Samantha: You Leah And Jordan: Oh, cause she, cause she wants, does she want to assist her tattoo? Yeah. Tell her to come. Yes. Yes. Samantha: She can just come. She can just come. Yes. Mm-hmm. Yes. No, so the actual market itself will be free and open to the public. So that's kind of like the differences this year too. So like that's also a little bit more beneficial for vendors because also like when it's a limited number of people, like sometimes it's a little bit riskier and a little scarier as like, especially like a small business owner or like vendor to be like, yeah, I can spend the money to produce, you know, the product for these things. So we're opening it up to the public so anybody can come. However, given that obviously the people who purchase tickets for the ball themselves, we want them to have a little bit more of an elevated experience. So there's going to be like ball. Jordan: Love it. Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Samantha: ball guest exclusive things. ⁓ some vendors might have exclusive offerings for them. We're gonna have actually like kind of an open craft station that people can participate in if they are like a ball attendee. So it kind of gives them an incentive of yes, you bought your tickets. So don't feel like you're being shunned a little bit, but also it makes it a little bit more beneficial and less scary to like the vendors that are putting in the effort and the time and the money to come and offer their stuff. So. ⁓ Jordan: Wow. Leah And Jordan: You think of everything, that's so smart. ⁓ my gosh, that is brilliant. Wow, I'm so excited already. ⁓ Samantha: You Jordan: You That's so cool. So how many vendors do you have signed up so far? Samantha: you Currently, I think we're sitting at about, I'm gonna say like 13 or 14. And I think we have space for about 20 where we're at. we're, I very strongly believe we're gonna fully fill spots. But it is like so fun, like the variety that we have, like so there's like tattoos, there's permanent jewelry. We have a lot of independent authors, which I think is super fun. And then obviously some other stuff kind of sprinkled in there too. But it's just, it's a good time to see it all come together and to see like the mix of people. Leah And Jordan: ⁓ Samantha: who are like in this like super niche community of like bookish merch almost you're ⁓ that's handcrafted you're I want all of this ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Yeah Yes. Oh, I've and I've never been to Jordan and I have been to like really small bookish vendor market things too. So this is oh, I'm so excited. this is going to be cool. We sure did. I can't wait to just blow through it out. We're supporting local. We're supporting local. OK, so it's fine. Jordan: So cool. Samantha: Mm-hmm. Jordan: and we spent enough money at those ones. Samantha: Yes, they're exactly the same. Jordan: Leah, was going to say start, start budgeting Leah, like start slipping that cash money. Yeah. Leah And Jordan: Start a fund now. Yeah, yeah, for real. Oh, found a quarter here? That's going in the fantasy fund. That's not a bad idea. Oh, good, yeah. Oh, I'm so excited. I can't wait to talk more about the costumes too, but we're gonna save that for later. So let's just get a little bit more into like your role as the overseer, as the planner. Jordan: You Samantha: You ⁓ yeah, that's a thing. Mm-hmm. Leah And Jordan: as the Queen Bee. What is your official title, by the way? What do you like to be? Host. Samantha: Yep. I just call myself like host because like I don't because there's so many different facets of I have my hand in like everything. So I just call myself host and I just because technically I'm the owner of the brand but like it's kind of like umbrella underneath my like other actual wedding event business. So I just like it's separate. So I just call myself the host essentially. The hostess is like the mostess. I don't know. Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. That makes perfect sense. love it. The hostess with the mostest. So as the hostess with the mostest, like how far in advance? Okay. So you knew this was coming in November, 2026. How far back have you been orchestrating planning, getting your duckies in a role for this? Jordan: Yeah. Samantha: Yes. Yes, so I was gonna say with like theme and like idea brainstorming like two years, ⁓ because kind of starting top tier I need to know like what ⁓ look I want for the event which I have to think about the theme and all the stuff because then that's going to influence the venue I pick the decor all of the vendors that are hired the ambiance all of that kind of stuff. ⁓ but like actual logistics for ⁓ this event itself was about like a year. ⁓ because I had first benevolent ball last Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Samantha: October and then in November I was touring venues booking things getting stuff situated ⁓ and we ⁓ once like date and all of like kind of large-scale details were underway we like launched our ticket sales for Black Friday so like people could kind of get it in for the holidays ⁓ but so like large-scale religious sticks was like about a year out so ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mmm, yep. Samantha: That's kind of my like typical timeline. I feel like because I'm in like the wedding industry, my brain works in year to two years out kind of way. It's just my norm. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Yeah, because me hearing that I'm like so over. So like, you as you're planning this one, do already have another one like in the works for like Jordan: Mm-hmm. Makes a ton of sense. Samantha: I have like all of like the brainstorm theme ideas. I have like three or four ideas of what it could be. But then I have to figure, I just, because I also kind of go where the dopamine goes. ⁓ so I'm okay, this idea sounds really cool. And then I'm like, okay, but we have an event to play on Samantha. we gotta go back here. And I'm like, but this potential magic system situation could be, and I just the whole, I'm like, okay, we're getting too into this. ⁓ It's like we need to back up. Leah And Jordan: Yeah. Yeah. Sit back, sit back. Jordan: ⁓ my gosh. ⁓ my gosh. Leah And Jordan: Do just have like spreadsheets on spreadsheets on spreadsheets? how do you, yeah, how do you keep track of all of it? Samantha: Okay, I'm more of like a word dump on Google Doc kind of girl, but yes. Like, yeah, Leah And Jordan: Yeah, yeah. Jordan, you're probably the spreadsheet queen, right? You're more into that. No, I like the dock. You can like voice text too, so you can just be like lounging and be like, brr, brr, brr, brr. Yeah. ⁓ Wow, that is so exciting. So how long have you been a wedding planner for? Jordan: Yeah, I would do it in spreadsheets. ⁓ Yes. Samantha: Yeah, so I've been in like the wedding, like slash event industry for about like seven years. ⁓ in college, I like interned with the Minnesota Vikings. I was like part of their like event day team for like PR stuff. ⁓ and I worked on like career services, on campus and was like in charge of ⁓ helping the career. also I've been the events world forever. ⁓ post college, I worked at Green Bay Botanical Garden where I did I helped day of coordinate 50 weddings a summer, and I ended up transitioning into coordinating concerts and they're like. Leah And Jordan: Mm. Jordan: Mm-hmm. Samantha: big light show and all the stuff. And kind of started my own thing on the side with weddings and that's kind of where I jumped in. And so that's what I do now full time technically is I just run my business. ⁓ But the ball kind of came about as like a... needing an escape from kind of the monotony and of like everyday stuff and I was like I think I could do one of these. ⁓ And so I just kind of jumped in and like I did a little bit of a test of where the interest lied with it and there was a lot of people who were interested in like something like this happening here. ⁓ So I was cool okay let's do it. So here we are. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah, that is so interesting to me that there are so many different careers out there for so many different people with so many specific skill sets. that's so cool that you, you can do that. You can make that happen. ⁓ Jordan: Wow. Samantha: you I will say, definitely, like, my husband is a huge support in the sense that he's like our, you know, he has the health insurance and does like the job that's stable and then ⁓ I dance around over here like a princess and I'm like, I'ma buy a ball gown, like, I don't know. ⁓ Thanks honey. Leah And Jordan: Mm. Get to do the fun things. love it. I love it. Jordan: ⁓ that's awesome. Wow, so event planning, just jumped into it and never looked back. You're just like, nope, this is what I meant to do. Samantha: Pretty much, yes. I like events. There's always an energy about it and there's always people you're meeting and talking to and I think, again, part of like... I realized there's a part of me that's very much a homebody and I love being home, around my people, and just kind of like comfortable. But then if I'm going to leave, I'm if I'm going to spend money on something, I want it to ⁓ be something I'm going to remember. I'm big on experiences, I'm big travel. And so the idea of being able to do like events where you're like, ⁓ it's not your everyday, I'm going out ⁓ you know, get food or whatever it is. something to kind of take a piece with you and whether that's pictures that you took at the event or whatever, it's something that stays with you longer. So. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mm hmm. iconic, yes. ⁓ of that, yes. ⁓ man, so okay, ⁓ us just kind of the rundown of all the things, you talked about the venue, you talked about the mini market, but like what else do you have to arrange and organize to make this happen? Samantha: You're ⁓ Jordan: Hahaha! Samantha: you Yeah, so again, starting from, oh gosh, like, there's so many things. just the ball itself to happen and run, there's probably 12 to like, 20 different vendors between food, beverage, venue, all of the performers, DJ, there's tickets sales, I have to deal with like, a rep every once in a while when ticket things go weird, like, There's just like, so there's a ton of stuff there and then you have to like break it down to like, okay, and then we have like our storyline and cast. So there's story creation, working with the person I'm working with to make sure that this happens. our nine cast members, ⁓ there's all that. And then there's, know, the three social media channels, channels that I'm trying to like push things out on and all of the ⁓ layouts, logistics, timelines, like ⁓ of all that, just ball itself. then there's the market that has however many vendors and like, so there's like, I mean, there's a lot of stuff. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Yeah, I'm already having a panic attack. Samantha: And then there's like all the different questions like, how do I want it to look? Jordan: I'm overwhelmed just listening to this. This is so much. Leah And Jordan: You But this is so interesting. Samantha: It is, it's a lot. I think that's like, again, we're like, also, it's like, it is supposed to be this super over the top event, you're supposed to walk in, feel like you're in a different world. So it's definitely something where the decor is really big, the immersive experience is really big. So those are things that definitely take a bulk of the focus to make sure that you're not coming to this and you're feeling like I'm in everyday. ⁓ you're supposed to walk in and like, ⁓ I am ⁓ Nyx of the now. I know, like I'm not me. I'm not, I'm not who I am anymore. I'm in a different Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Samantha: world so that's the important ⁓ Yes, I mean yeah I was gonna say you can still be you but like elevated. ⁓ fantasy. Yeah you're the fantasy you. the you that opened the book and all of you were like ⁓ and just sucked in. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: man, I'm excited to not be me. Yes, that's cool. ⁓ mean, I like me, but I also like fairy princess me. mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Yeah. Elevated, yes! ⁓ Jordan: ⁓ yeah. Yes, you're the fantasy you, Leah. Leah And Jordan: Like BAM! ⁓ that's a fun reel Jordan we should do that like when we're in a when we're a street close Jordan: Ugh. Samantha: Those are, I see those videos all the time and I think they're the best thing ever and I'm like, I love those. They're so good. Leah And Jordan: Yes, and then we jump out of the book and we're in our costumes. ⁓ I can't wait. Yeah, yeah. We're just all like, we're just so every day. ⁓ Jordan: That's fun. I see. Okay. Okay Samantha: you Jordan: ⁓ my gosh. Yeah. This is like really take when she says, you said, the monotony of your everyday, which is wedding planning. I think about how weddings are just not, they're like, Samantha: Yeah. Leah And Jordan: Hehehehehe Samantha: I will say some of that too is dishes, laundry, having to go, you know what I mean? Like the stuff that is cleaning your toilet. I don't know, the stuff that nobody wants. just, yeah, it's all good. And there's so much in the world itself that you're just, know, but we can just ignore everything that goes on for a little bit. Take a break. Jordan: ⁓ yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Leah And Jordan: Bingo, I'm here for that, yeah! ⁓ Samantha: Like, heal your inner child a little bit in the sense that just needs to feel happy and joy and all that kind of stuff, Leah And Jordan: Absolutely. Treat yourself. Yes. So, all right. We got like six, seven months left. What is still on that massive 16 page to-do list? Jordan: Ugh. Samantha: Yes. It is a lot of like finalizing like decor plans and all of that kind of stuff for the most part the Timeline and the layout of things that for the most part are figured out because we have our performers We have our cast we have like our most of our vendors ⁓ It's kind of like the small details now. Jordan: You Samantha: our venue was the Epic Event Center in Green Bay. so ⁓ because we're in Wisconsin because people at my first ball made it very clear to me that they liked that it was local, ⁓ I wanted to stay and not go spread out. ⁓ Wisconsin, if you didn't know, being in our nice little flat level Midwest, we don't have cathedrals. We don't have a ton of really unique, special historical venues ⁓ that can hold ⁓ enough people. Cause you can some, but it's ⁓ ⁓ our guest capacity is like 150, which means like ad Leah And Jordan: Love. Mm-hmm. Samantha: gowns and wings that's like maybe 75. So I needed a place that could yeah it's like a totally different capacity. Jordan: Yeah. Leah And Jordan: You gotta spread out, yeah, I need my space. Everybody get away. Samantha: So when I like was looking for a place I needed like high enough capacity but then I was like, okay, maybe I look for blank canvas. ⁓ And kind of the way that I went this year. So the Epic Event Center is a rock concert venue which fit like the we're going dark moody like ⁓ Fractured Heavens Masquerade kind theme. But I was like, it's also pretty blank in the sense that I can fully decorate the space. So we're doing like ⁓ really big like ceiling draping with ⁓ I don't even know how to it to people. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mmm. you Samantha: We're just doing ceiling draping wall jet. We're like kind of... transforming the space so it doesn't quite feel like it. The other nice part about being at the Epic is that because it's a concert venue, I get help from their on-site production team with lighting and all of that kind of stuff. So we get to have a little bit of elevated dramatic lighting, some effects and things while we're doing stuff throughout the night. So feel like that's also really going to help with that immersive feeling of Jordan, love your face right now. Leah And Jordan: ⁓ sure sure. Jordan's face, I know, I was like, are you frozen? Samantha: So like that's kind of what's coming next. We're working on those more fine details of what everything's officially gonna look and how all of it's gonna come together that way. ⁓ So. ⁓ Jordan: I'm I can tell you this will be the most unique experience I'll ever go to. Samantha: I'm all done, thank you. Leah And Jordan: for sure. Jordan: ⁓ my gosh, that is crazy. I'm like- Leah And Jordan: That's again, so many you've thought through so many things that would not have occurred to me in the slightest. I'm so impressed. Samantha: You Jordan: I'm nearly speechless and that's not a great place to be on a podcast. Leah And Jordan: Just dumbfounded. Jordan: Okay. Yeah. Okay. So you did mention capacity for wing space. Let's talk about costumes. Yeah, let's get into it. Samantha: Yes. Okay, so this is... Okay, so like, top, normal part of this or whatever, the dress code ⁓ formal fantasy. It's kind what it's called. So ⁓ essentially that means on like bare bones is like... ⁓ Leah And Jordan: ⁓ I've been waiting for this part. Yes. Tell us how to dress. Mm-hmm. Samantha: Floor length dresses ⁓ like it's ⁓ kind of like that gala level like formal wear But we're adding that fantasy twist to it ⁓ So ⁓ could look a ball gown with wings and a crown and I mean it can be whatever you want But also if someone wanted to come in a full suit of armor like that counts ⁓ so like ⁓ they like Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Yes! ⁓ Jordan: Yeah Samantha: The range is epic. just needs to be when you... think the best advice I could give is that when you are either buying or creating your outfit, you're thinking like whatever your character you come up with in your mind, whether it's you or you're playing a character, if this is something that you could wear to a royal ball type deal in a book or in a movie or a world or whatever, then it's fine. It passes the check. But... I also liked kind of go into the realm of ⁓ had one person last year who made their entire costume head to toe and they were like a court jester and they were like super nervous it wasn't gonna be and I was like, no, you're fine. Like that's perfect. ⁓ And was amazing. ⁓ So like, I think if you're, you can get super creative out there and like do something that seems a little bit off the wall, but ⁓ that's, that's perfect. love that. ⁓ It feels formal. like, ⁓ Leah And Jordan: It's cool. Mm-hmm. As long as you're like under that umbrella, like fantasy land. Yeah. Yeah. ⁓ Yeah. Jordan: you're not showing up in jeans and a t-shirt. Put in the work, put in the effort. Samantha: Correct, no. yeah. And I was just saying, are like pretty, yes. I was gonna say, and we're pretty stern about our dress code too because we're trying to protect the integrity of the immersive feel of the event. ⁓ Because it's every person that comes in is also like adding to that immersive experience. So it's like, you we don't want to, we don't want that to get to like, to take away from anything too, so, but. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: You Mm-hmm. Absolutely. So do you have suggestions ⁓ ⁓ people could get an outfit like this? do you go to Etsy? ⁓ you ⁓ a prom dress? Like what do you see people do for this? ⁓ Samantha: I've seen pretty much everything I've seen things from people buying fabric and making their own thing from a pattern they bought ⁓ I've people order off of Amazon because again also like ⁓ Budget wise kind of depends on like what you can afford but you can definitely run with that like that's awesome Some people go to Etsy some people buy from selkie like sites like that that are a little bit like higher-end if they have the budget for that ⁓ But otherwise, I've definitely seen people like thrift old wedding dresses dye them like I mean you can definitely ⁓ get creative and whatever Leah And Jordan: Thank You Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Samantha: sense and like whatever budget you have you can make it work so yes I would love to hear it I want yes Leah And Jordan: Okay. Can I tell you what I'm thinking right now? Jordan and I are thinking we're going to repurpose our actual wedding gowns and like, yeah, like do that. Cause what, you're not going to wear your wedding gown again ⁓ ever. it's just sitting in a box. It's sitting in a box right now. ⁓ Samantha: Yes! No, yes! We had at least one person. We had at least one person last year who did that. That's what she did. She was like air course. She wore her wedding dress. She's like, this is like wear number two. Like never thought I'd have that again. And I was like, I love that for you. So for sure. Leah And Jordan: Yep. Yeah. Yeah. I'm already started a Pinterest board. was like, okay, how do I repurpose this? Cause I don't want to die the whole thing. Cause I had, I had a big ball gown, like is big. So my step one is I'm actually going to cut a lot of that tool away. Cause I am not about hauling that big donk around. ⁓ I it once and I, ⁓ my gosh. Samantha: Yeah. Leah And Jordan: Paul, at the end of our wedding, we're driving to the hotel and he's like, let's stop at Taco Bell. I was like, I gotta get out of this. Like, is that the bone corset too? I would not let him stop at Taco Bell on our wedding night. We had to go home so I could get it off my body. And it does not zip anymore, but I've got, it's a corset back so I can make it work. think I got, yeah. Samantha: Bye! It's so funny. Jordan: hahahaha ⁓ Samantha: I feel like that's what the course is for, right? It's fun. Leah And Jordan: I got like a cloak situation I can throw over it. Yeah, I've got ideas. ⁓ I'm so excited. Samantha: My other thing I will say is a lot of times some people, know, like less is more. No, more is more in fantasy. Like more is more. you want to put, like, you know, you want to wear like some fey ears? Yes. You want to add a crown? Also, yes. You want to add earrings? Yes. Like you, ⁓ ⁓ more is just more. ⁓ that's my advice. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mm. ⁓ Getting a crumb. This is, ⁓ this is my jam, yes. I'm gonna be dripping in jewels. Jordan: Yeah. Yeah, Leah, we... ⁓ yeah, we have to get crowns. There's no question about it. Samantha: You Leah And Jordan: Absolutely, yeah! Samantha: There's not lot of times in your life that you can like, that have a reason to go go back into like how you would have loved to dress up ⁓ as kid. ⁓ you're I have loved to put on ears and fairy wings and like. ⁓ Jordan: now. Leah And Jordan: Yes. Jordan: Mm-hmm. Samantha: ⁓ curious like staff, I don't know, like you know what mean? all of the things that you would have loved to have dressed up for like Halloween as a kid or maybe this was just your everyday like I'm fairy princess, great. But you don't get to do that and so then to be able to actually now come into this and be like I can do this as an adult who has a ⁓ deeper appreciation for the genre, like ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Right, right, like. Jordan: you Leah And Jordan: ⁓ my gosh, like the fact that these things even exist is blowing my middle school mind and I could cry from happiness right now. is everything I've ever wanted. ⁓ Samantha: Bye. you Jordan: Ha I do feel. Samantha: You Jordan: Yeah, I do feel like there has to be a way for me to carry my Luna Lovegood wand around, but wands, I'm just realizing, are not ⁓ conductive to just like, where do they go? I'm gonna like... Samantha: Yes. Leah And Jordan: You need to bring it, you need to bring it, yeah. Samantha: or yeah. Leah And Jordan: having you need it you need like you need that your your satchel Samantha: Okay, so, okay, well, I, okay, this is the part of me that watched Wizards of Waverly Place. You could just see like an Alex Russo and sticking out a boot. Leah And Jordan: There you go. That was literally my next question. What are we doing about footwear? Because I feel like boots are the general thing, but is that weird? Tell me. Jordan: ⁓ Samantha: Okay, yes. No, so I will say people do a variety of stuff. Some people wear heels, some people wear boots, some people do sparkly sneakers, because again, you're about it too, you're gonna potentially be on your feet for, you know, three to four or five hours, whatever it is. So you wanna be somewhat comfortable cause you cannot take your shoes off. That's the only caveat. ⁓ I know, I will say which like, you know, like. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Sure. Yeah. Gross. Thank you. Good. Samantha: Not that I'm guess like ⁓ there with binoculars like watching, but we're in a public venue. So it's more like this like concert tap in here. I wouldn't necessarily take your shoes off. ⁓ But like ⁓ be comfortable, you want it to kind of like match the outfit. so like boots are a really great way to do that. Cause especially with like the fantasy and this like world, like that just fits. ⁓ So, you ⁓ know. Leah And Jordan: Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Okay. Sure. Okay. I'm already thinking. I got the perfect boots. Samantha: One other thing, no it's okay, one other thing now that I talked, you talked about the wand and now my brain's going like accessory like things. ⁓ Because also I feel like in fantasy, everybody loves a good sword. But that's like also the one other caveat is weapons technically aren't allowed. you want to it, my recommendation always is if you have a sword or a dagger or something that's really amazing and you want to do pictures with it, do it pictures prior to when you come. Don't even worry about bringing it. ⁓ Because nothing real can come. Leah And Jordan: Mm. Yeah. Jordan: ⁓ yes. Leah And Jordan: Mm. Mm-hmm. Samantha: in everything that's prop basically like so it's basically pew pews and ⁓ swords daggers allowed ⁓ those are are a no you'll have go back to wherever you brought them from ⁓ but other things can like coat check so like if you bring like a wand or like a staff or honestly if you're wearing fairy wings and you're like i really tired of these like all of those items can be coat checked if you want to otherwise you can carry them through ⁓ our sponsor for the event ⁓ like the balls title sponsor is like hebner Leah And Jordan: Those are no. ⁓ Mm. Samantha: And he is like the biggest nerd that you would never expect to be a nerd. And he has this like six foot tall staff with like an orb at the top. And it's amazing. Like he like, I remember year one, he's like, I have this staff. he's like, I'm gonna be able to bring it right. And I was like, yeah, that's fine. I just wanna make sure like I'm bringing it. And I was like, no, that's great. Please do. And it makes it really easy to find him. Cause he's also like, he's like over six foot. So it's like, I just like have to look like the really tall man with a really tall staff. Leah And Jordan: you Yes! and Wow, yep, step, yep. Yes, my goodness. Samantha: he is, that's our sponsor. So yeah, I'm just saying. So like no weapons, but like other like prop, like accessory type things are fine. So yeah. Jordan: That's incredible. Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. That, okay, that brings me then, we don't have this on our question sheet, but where you get the talent from? Where do you find these people to play these characters? are you hunting for them? Are they coming to you? they audition? What's the process here? ⁓ Samantha: Ooh, it's so wet. Yeah, so it's a little bit of both. So my the first one of our cast members her name is Elizabeth She goes by the cursed Faye on her social media channel. She's from Green Bay. She's from Green Bay. Yeah, so she's local she reached out to me originally being like hey like I'm kind of interested in like collaborating with you on something and I was like great cuz I don't know anything about theater Like that's not where I don't have a background in I never participated in high school and I was like and if we're gonna do like a storyline that's kind of theatrical and sense I'm I would love to have somebody who has that Leah And Jordan: ⁓ We follow her Jordan on Instagram. She's awesome. Yeah Mm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Samantha: background and she does. So we ended up meeting and I was like, great, like, let's do this. it sounds great. And so we ended up posting a casting call on our social media channels and then cosplayers from everywhere just submitted. Like, we, I haven't like, 50 or 60 people that like applied, that like applied. So they submitted the actual like kind of application form. And then they, basically just requested like a Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Mm. ⁓ that's so cool! Jordan: Cool. Samantha: two to three minute video audition of some sort, however you wanted to kind of go about it. There was prompts they could do. And then we sat down, we reviewed them, we looked at, they had to come up with an original character. So that's the other fun part about ball that we're kind of doing these original stories is we also are letting them create a character and we're merging them to bring them to life all together and have this intermingled story. ⁓ And so ⁓ all came up with that. We did some calls, kind of interviews in a sense, and then we ⁓ found Leah And Jordan: Right. Cool. Samantha: our cast and now they're all in like a little group chat and they can talk about stuff and like it's I'm very excited they're kind of coming from all over the place too some are like ones from Arizona ones some are like kind of local to Wisconsin some are down in like Tennessee I mean so they're all traveling like to come here which is awesome it's gonna be really fun Leah And Jordan: Peace. you Yeah. Jordan: That's incredible. ⁓ that's so cool. Leah And Jordan: That is so cool. Samantha: ⁓ Leah And Jordan: my gosh, I'm getting excited. So who attend this ball? Like if someone is on the fence about whether or not this is for me, what advice or what thoughts do you have for them? Samantha: Okay, I'm glad. Okay, so I always say that like, you know, you're gonna like it and have a good time if you're into fantasy, like in general, if you like live events, festivals, things like that, this is another really great just simple live event for you and if that's kind of your world, you already know you like. The other thing I like to say though, is like if you're on the fence, you might not be into fantasy. if you enjoy like music performances, things like that, this is still a really great way to experience that. But in kind of a one of a kind kind of way, because Again, like these are all original themes like we'll probably never do a fracture heavens masquerade again it's all kind of a once like one-of-a-kind experience And I had a friend last year who came and she brought her boyfriend and he was not excited about this He's like I'm going because I love you like that's like whatever and then at the end of the night he came up He's like, hey, so when's the next one cuz he had a blast cuz he was like Well got to dress up this was kind of cool. you know, he felt like it was weird at first but then when you're in a room of 350 people or Leah And Jordan: ⁓ Yes Samantha: whatever the number was, of people are into fantasy, ⁓ who the same things, who are like just open to being themselves and enjoying the night, like... I mean, how can you not have fun? that's how I like to look at it too. I'm like, ⁓ it's again, these are all things that I feel like fantasy was stuff people got made fun of for in like middle school. you weren't cool or it you had to like it a little bit you were like, can't, can't like these things. That's not the cool thing. But I feel like when you're in a space with people, everybody there loves this. you're like, everything is fully like accepted. everybody's so welcoming. you make with all these people you'd never met. it's just a very like cool and unique experience. So I think like. Leah And Jordan: ⁓ Mm-hmm. Samantha: honestly anybody who thinks it might be a good time like yes like you should come Leah And Jordan: It would be a good time. ⁓ man. You can just let, let your nerd out. ⁓ that is so exciting. okay. So, I mean, you kind of walked us through like people who have never been to fantasy balls before what they can expect. Are there, I'm just, you know, from a logistic point, are there places like to sit too? I'm just thinking is this like a middle school dance where like you got a big Samantha: You doesn't. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: open area and then there's kind of tables off to the back what's kind of the the visual physical setup. Samantha: Yeah, so I was gonna say, so there's always some areas for seating just because you kind of need it when you're doing something like that's like this long. ⁓ But there is still going to be a larger open space because a lot of people do really enjoy dancing at these things. But also there's the activity. So there's like the really large stage. This is the nice part about being at the epic. There's a giant stage because it does concerts. So like a lot of our live performance and like aspects like that are able to happen on stage and then the dance floor is able to be open for people to dance. We do have a group dance ⁓ that takes up the entire thing. People will mark out to do the choreographed group dance. And then they'll still be like tables and stuff. So our VIP guests, when they come, there's a meal and everything that's provided for them. So there's tables that they're able to set their stuff on. But then there'll be some additional seating. There's an upper mezzanine area at the Epic Event Center that has like additional tables and seating as well up there. So like one, if you also want to just like go up so you can people watch and see kind of what's going on from a different angle, you're able to go up there. But also you can like sit down or whatever kind of with that. Leah And Jordan: Mm. Samantha: situation there too. Jordan: Cool, that's awesome. what, so the food and drink situation. So VIPs ⁓ dinner, what? Tell us. Samantha: Thank you. Yes, so the VIP is their ticket you get you come in at five o'clock There is a like kind of dinner service type thing and then the rest of the individuals who are coming as a part of kind like general mission or that mid-ticket mid-ticket tier There is still service of like appetizers throughout the night. So there's appetizer we eat There's gonna be like a whole dessert station. I partnered with like a local bakery So she's doing like all these like themed like cookies and kind of things that'll kind of be fun and available for people and then Drink wise there is like Leah And Jordan: Awesome. Samantha: open cash bar for everybody. VIPs though, they do like that's like fully open bar for them. They can order whatever they want. It's included in their ticket. And then there's like a mid tier that's a kind of version of in between where some stuff is hosted some as cash bar. So, ⁓ but they're also all themed ⁓ through sponsor. He's amazing. love him. ⁓ His name Nathan. ⁓ He does million things for me. ⁓ He has me like partnering with somebody that he knows who like owns like a ⁓ distillery. She's like a bartender there. So she's like kind of Leah And Jordan: You you Samantha: coming up with the actual like crafted cocktails so that they're super thematic and feel very like fantastical. Like, so it's just like fun. So like everything, again, going back to that immersive experience, everything is very well thought out throughout the entire night. Jordan: Mm-hmm. Leah And Jordan: ⁓ nice! Jordan: Awesome. ⁓ my gosh, that sounds like a great time. I love a good themed drink. That's the best. Leah And Jordan: That's going to be, ⁓ yeah. So let's talk a little bit about the ticket situation. Where I get them? You told us a little bit about the tiers. How soon in advance do I need to get them? Do you sell them at the door? That was like four questions in one. ⁓ Samantha: I mean that also just makes it better. Okay. So, no, okay. So first question about the way you can get them on. So if you go to any of our social media, you'll be able to find the link to our website, which is the benevolentevents.com. You can go on there. Tickets are for sale right now. When you go into our website, I will say the other part too, is you do need to be 18 plus to attend. So on the day of the event, you have to be 18. ⁓ But when you go to buy tickets, you can't even buy them if you're under 18. We enter your birthday or whatever. So it kind of is a reminder to you. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mm. Mm-hmm. Samantha: So like you can buy them on our website. always we don't sell tickets at the door. We'll say we have to have final counts until all of our vendors like four out or something that. Additionally, too, because there's everybody gets like a swag bag. We have to make sure that's all prepped and stuff. So ⁓ all of like the ticket sales end four prior to the actual event date. ⁓ So that's that's bare minimum. the last day can buy, which I think is October ⁓ 18th or something like that. That's probably the wrong date. But I'm gonna throw it out there. Sounds right. ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mm hmm. Somewhere there. Jordan: Yeah. ⁓ Samantha: I'm like... But so like you have to buy before that but I will also say too like the sooner you get it I feel like the easier it is for you to plan the rest of your stuff especially if you're thinking about attire or you're thinking about kind of what court you might want to be a part of or some of those things I think sometimes if you know going and you have your ticket like you know that everything's set because if tickets sell out tickets sell out there is a limited capacity of them so like I would say ⁓ the panic ⁓ so I say like you're wanting to come and you're able to afford your ticket I would say like you know purchase it just so Leah And Jordan: ⁓ Panic! Samantha: can kind of get that head start with it. The other thing I will say too is like VIP has a lot smaller of like availability so those always sell out first and they ⁓ be gone at some point so that's of my recommendations there I guess. Leah And Jordan: you said pick your court. Do you pick your court when you are purchasing your ticket or on an event night? Samantha: Yeah. So you kind of pick it for the event. So we are not making anybody select their court ⁓ the time of checkout this year, we did last year, because certain things were ⁓ themed or to each individual person. ⁓ But based on our experience from last year, we're not doing that this year. So we kind of give people a little bit more time to like, decide what they want do. Because some people wanted to switch courts because as they started like planning their outfit, they were like, I don't want to do I want to do this instead or whatever it is. So you kind of just like get to go into Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm. Samantha: the actual event having whatever theme you want for that night. Jordan: Okay. Leah And Jordan: I'm just looking at the website right now. Yep. There it is. We'll, all of that too in our show notes, everybody. So you'll be able to, to find it and we'll tag obviously Samantha and everything that we're posting with this too. I'm getting stoked. I'm getting stoked. Jordan: what are most excited about? Samantha: I feel like on a personal note, I'm most excited for my husband to be able to actually come this year because he was deployed last year. So he watched me plan all of this, but then he didn't get to go. ⁓ So like he, just it was happening and I sent him like pictures afterwards, but he actually gets to like be there this year to like see it come to life, which I feel like is ⁓ for me, it's kind of fun. I'm like, this is all the hard work I did and you get to see it actually happening. this is what you support me in doing. But when it actually comes to the event itself, I think I'm Leah And Jordan: Yeah Mmm. ⁓ Samantha: just super excited to see people who came last year, because some of the people who already bought tickets are people who came last year, and they just are really excited to come again, but also to continue meeting new people. Because especially over the course of a two-day type event, you get to just really meet a lot of wonderful people, and it's super fun. And think that's probably the part I'm most excited about. Leah And Jordan: Yeah, that sounds amazing. Okay, I had one more question that popped into my mind. Do you have your costume figured out and picked out yet? Jordan: I love it. That's so great. Yeah. Samantha: Yes. I have a vision in my mind, but haven't actually started working on it yet ⁓ because like want to ⁓ crap so I to do okay I'm going back to my Shadowhunter Okay a little bit I've always been like in the like like kind of I just think that's cool and I want a reason to wear really big angel wings. I want to be I want to be in like the court. I want to do like a full like ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Mm-mm. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Samantha: like armored angel kind of vibe but I feel like I'd have to make and don't know how well I could do that so that's where I'm at this point where I could it I'm like I feel like making it would be cheaper but I don't know how it would so ⁓ I'm in between I don't know might totally like KM that idea and dress and do then just go as the fallen and be like this is what it is so but ⁓ Leah And Jordan: Dang. Hahaha! yeah. Mm-hmm. So I already bought these, can you see these like sleeves? Kind of. Yeah, that I figured that's gonna go with my wedding, because they're white, right? So like, then, but I wanna get some like, yeah, some like colored tool, like a colored tool belt to kind of go over the white so it's not just pure white, know, so it doesn't like too wedding dressy. Yeah, I don't know yet. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Samantha: See those are so fun! Jordan: ⁓ Samantha: more is more. like it. No, I like it. That sounds great. Jordan: haven't given it as much thought as Leah. Samantha: Jordan. feel... To be fair, you're having a baby between now and then. Yeah. I was gonna say, I feel like you're gonna be like occupied. Yeah. Well, honestly, last year, have, I was gonna say, last year I had my baby in July. And so like the ball was in October. So I was like 12 weeks plus part of so like I had someone making my dress and she was like, do you have your measurements yet? And I was like, give me like a little bit to like see what things, what happens. Leah And Jordan: Well also, you are still pregnant so you can't like even try on your dress. Jordan: Yes. I still have to figure out my nursery. Yeah. Leah And Jordan: Yes, yes. Mm-hmm. Yeah. No. Where are things going to shake out? ⁓ Another factor, Jordan, because you're doing July too. So you'll get an extra month, though, because it's in November this year. Jordan: Yeah. ⁓ Samantha: You did, yeah, see, you're welcome. Jordan: Yes. Yes! Leah And Jordan: this was just a delight and so enlightening and I ⁓ am more excited than I even was before, which is ⁓ something say because I have been so excited since I saw that ad on Instagram. I was like, ⁓ is this for real? Samantha: you Well, I'm super excited. I'm very glad you guys are talking to me about this though, too, because it's really fun to like share all of like the behind the scenes details too, because like, well, one, really wants to know all the time. Sometimes they do, but sometimes they're like, that's a lot of information and overwhelming, and I'm like, I know. Jordan: you Leah And Jordan: Yes! Yeah. Yeah. Jordan: Yeah, well, and I think it also might help for people who maybe will feel sticker shock if they've never like looked at a fantasy ball. Samantha: Yeah, that's I was gonna say it kind of shows a little bit of a lot that goes on behind the scenes There's a lot of cost that ⁓ on a ball. So it kind of is You're what you're paying for I will say like it sometimes is Shocking but you think about going a concert you spend a similar amount of money to see one artist perform for like an hour or two ⁓ That's kind of how I to compare it sometimes like you're gonna see multiple performances. You're getting a full Storyline ⁓ like immerse like that you participate happening throughout the night Leah And Jordan: Right. Jordan: ⁓ yeah. Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Jordan: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Samantha: food or drinks in some capacity are provided and included so there's there's a lot that you're getting with your ticket that makes worth what you're what you're getting Leah And Jordan: a really good analogy. Yes, like comparing it to a concert or like, you know, like ⁓ going to a Broadway show or something like that where you're just sitting and getting and you have to pay so much extra for your drinks too and like snacks. Yeah, right. ⁓ Jordan: Absolutely. Samantha: Yes. Yep. Jordan: Mm-hmm. Samantha: I was gonna say, it's also such a niche thing right now too. They're not super common and happening everywhere. So it is kind of like, and it's a smaller sample sale. It's not I can't host a thousand people for this event. It's a smaller number. it has to be worth being able to do this and make it actually repeatable and happen multiple times. Cause I don't wanna just be one and done and we disappear from the face of the earth that it never happens again. Leah And Jordan: Mm-hmm. Right. Because this is cool. And the fact that it's here in Green Bay is even cooler. the closest one I saw, I saw one happened, I think, in the spring and it was in like Beloit, know, which is three ⁓ hours from us. I don't It's far away. ⁓ Jordan: Totally. Samantha: Mm-hmm. I was gonna say that's the other company that popped up. She had one last November too, but yep, it was in Beloit. She's ⁓ of like south of the state, kind of by Illinois, Leah And Jordan: we are ⁓ super excited. Thank so much for talking to us today and giving us the insight. Your brain must just be full of everything. ⁓ Samantha: Thanks for having me. Jordan: Hahahaha! ⁓ Samantha: It's like that and like mom brand so it's mixed with like diapers like it just Leah And Jordan: Wow! That is kudos to you, girl. that's impressive. Jordan: hahahahah ⁓ Samantha: You Jordan: Wonderful, it was so great chatting with you today, Samantha. Leah And Jordan: Well, we, yeah. Samantha: You too. Leah And Jordan: think we, might try to get maybe another episode with Samantha a little bit closer to, and you know, maybe get a little more sneak peeky type things, to, nudge those maybe people who are sitting on the fence about buying tickets or not be like, no, you need to go to this. Amazing. Well, thank you so, so, so much. was so lovely and so insightful. Samantha: exciting stuff. Jordan: ⁓ Samantha: ⁓ Thank you so much. It was great to see you, talking with you both. Jordan: Yes. Leah And Jordan: Yeah. All right. Well, we'll talk to you later, I guess. Samantha: It sounds good. Jordan: Yeah.