Hello everyone and welcome to the Within Range Coaching podcast. I'm Ranger, a certified
holistic success coach, and in this podcast, I break down the journey entrepreneurs face
as they start their organizations, overcome roadblocks in their way, and create an impact
that lasts. We talk with entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and purpose-driven community members
just like you. Together, we learn how to grow our impact and develop ourselves as the people
behind the mission. My intention is to help more people, help more people. And remember,
if you're curious about expanding your impact, growing a community, or defining your mission,
vision, or values, we can chat off the record. You can find my info in the show notes or at my
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I know you're just as eager to get started as I am, so let's jump right in. Good morning,
good afternoon, and good evening, everybody. And welcome to another episode of the Within
Range Coaching podcast. I'm your host, Coach Ranger, and today we have a truly special
conversation lined up just for you. We're diving into the world of Renaissance Fairs,
community building, and the incredible power of giving back. Joining us is Daris Gibbons,
the executive producer of the Medieval Mayhem Renaissance Fair in Arizona. In this episode,
Daris shares her journey of creating an immersive educational experience that brings joy to people
of all ages, while also supporting a cause that's close to her heart, the Mountain of Hope
Foundation. Get ready to explore how passion, creativity, and philanthropy come together in
the most magical of ways. Let's jump right into the conversation. We are joined today by Daris
Gibbons. Daris, thank you so much for joining us today. Ranger, thank you for having me on. I
definitely appreciate your time and your mission. So it's an honor to be here. Yeah, for sure. I
appreciate that. And I mean, people have already been able to tell by the intro and the thumbnail
and all that kind of fun stuff. But you are the executive producer for Medieval Mayhem.
Renaissance Fair. Renaissance Fair. There we go. Okay. So the Medieval Mayhem Renaissance Fair,
which was the first Renaissance Fair I've ever attended. And I volunteered at Yeah, right. The
House of Voodoo Reptile booth while I was there. So I got to see I don't know, kind of firsthand as
not only an attendee, but kind of, I guess, behind the scenes. It's like a little bit of behind the
scenes. Yep. It's like not even behind the scenes of the event, but like behind the scenes of a
small portion of the event. So it was like behind the scenes, behind the scenes. It was weird. But
yeah, thank you for coming on today. Because I know you guys have a nonprofit aspect that you guys
raise money for a few different nonprofits. And I'd love to just kind of hear a little bit about
what you do. But if you could just go ahead and start off with what your intention for today's
episode is, and a little bit of background on yourself, I'd appreciate it.
Well, background on myself, I was raised as an only child by a woman who owned her own advertising
and public relations firm. And then my stepdad was in radio and sales. But with that came a lot of
events. So I did events all through growing up. It wasn't an obvious field for me to get into until
my husband, I was working as a massage therapist in a little tiny business that was a nursery, a
little coffee shop. And then there were some outbuildings for people who were doing other
types of businesses, but needed a place to do them. So I was practicing massage out of one of the
outbuildings. And we were looking for a way to promote that venue. And I asked my husband for
suggestions. And he said, Well, why don't you do a Renaissance fair? Famous last word. All right. So
we just wrapped up our 17th year. And over the course of time, as as the event grew, my husband
and I are very passionate about education. And the first event was done for fun. From there on out,
it kind of became what we would call today an immersive educational experience. So one of the
things that we're big on is the trades. And so we love sending people out. We've got blacksmiths
out there. We've got people weaving spinning wool, weaving fabrics, making things right on site,
right next to your booth, I guess a couple booths away was Howard Noble, who does armory and
he makes armor the old fashioned way he pounds that metal colt. And then with him was Noah, who
does wire wrapping, and jewelry that was incredible. But all these things are done by
hand. So we want to give props to all the trades out there, which goes along with why we started
our foundation was we're education based nonprofit foundation. And we encourage lifelong learning.
And one of our taglines is not all education looks the same. So not everybody's cut out to go to
college, we're a family of tradesmen. And over the years with the foundation, we've struggled to find
donors. So my husband and I have pretty much been funding it ourselves. But this particular event is
like our, our big gala every year as a fundraiser. And so proceeds from this event go directly to
scholarships, we don't use it for operating expenses, we don't use it for anything else, it
goes directly to our scholarships, which are beneficiaries are Arizona veterans and first
responders who become disabled in the line of duty, and their families. So what do I want people
to get out of it, I guess, being able to be creative, learning how to manage yourself before
you can manage everything else. And that requires lifelong learning, it requires exploring different,
different areas of self in order to learn to have the tenacity to keep going, have the ability to
work with other people and teams and take ideas and suggestions, grow them. There's a lot of
research in my business, or businesses, I should say, because I handle the production, but I also
am the executive director for the foundation. So it's it's nonstop.
That's amazing. Yeah, it sounds like there's so many different facets and things that you wouldn't
even really think of when it comes to a Renaissance Fair. I mean, kind of from the outside, like very
removed from it when you're not in the weeds, I guess. I guess, like my to kind of just go back,
so you're on your 17th year. Can you re explain why your husband suggested it in the first place?
Like, have you always been in Renaissance Fair?
We are Renneys and we had moved from Phoenix to Sholo and we had not been to the Arizona
Renaissance Festival in several years. And we're of the mind any excuse to dress up. So, yeah,
that's kind of where that inspiration came from was we missed going to the Arizona Renaissance
Festival. And since then, we've been to several other festivals around the country. And while
the event is known across the country and literally has seen international waters, we were
sponsors for the first Renaissance themed cruise back in. I can't remember when it was like six or
seven years ago. So we were sponsors for that and we got to actually go on a cruise or first
honeymoon and make connections. And it was a working cruise, but it was fun.
Hey, everyone, just a quick message. You know that my mission with this podcast is to share stories
of influence and impact so that we can help more people help more people. But to do that,
I need your support. Please rate, review and share this podcast. If I could ask for just one favor,
it's to just leave a review. It takes about 10 seconds and a few clicks, but it means the world
to me and could inspire someone else to make a difference. Thank you so much. Now back to the
show. The other thing I want to ask you about with the Renaissance Fair, the way that you're kind of
describing it, because I know we talked a little bit about the way that you're describing it,
because I know we talked a little bit about a little bit before we hopped on the recording,
but you mentioned that a lot of it is improv or that's something that you're very much familiar
with. And it reminds me, I did an interview with the Santa Breckenridge. They're a married couple
out of Mississippi that do miss or Santa and Mrs. Claus together. They went to Santa school. They
did all this crazy. They tell me that as soon as they step into on stage in the arena, whatever,
Santa said it was. In character. When they're in character, you prep for it, but as soon as you're
in front of a kid, it's all improv. Is that kind of how it feels with you guys too? You kind of
train beforehand or how do you kind of develop those characters? Yeah, we kind of develop the
characters. SCA, Society for Creative Anachronisms, what is probably the best known group,
that does historical recreations. So with us, we kind of, my character, Bronwyn Hawke, is a Scottish
Viscountess. So our event website tells the whole backstory on Wyverton Shire and how Viking saw a
lady across the field while he was raiding her village and stole her away. And there's a big long
story behind it. So you kind of come up with the backstory and you imagine, okay, if I were this
real person, how would I react? What would I say to people so that you actually, it's almost like
a personality shift. You become this character and then everything that happens, questions and
people improving and playing and harassing on the field and that kind of thing, just kind of comes
naturally after that. Once you've spent some time with your character, if you will. I've only had
five official acting lessons, I think. And unfortunately, I don't have time to take more,
I would love to, because it's a lot of fun. But yeah, you just kind of immerse yourself in your
character and act as though they would act in any situation.
Gotcha. So I guess I don't do cosplay or dressing other than little things, one-offs here and there.
So for you, what does it take to kind of do that show? What does it take to kind of
do that shift in your mind when you're in character? Is it like, is it the...
Initially, it took a lot of concentration to do it and improv was not necessarily easy.
But after 17 years, I can certainly go from one to the other very easily and I can answer a patron
as executive director, or I can harass the pirates and tell them they need to get back to their own
little hangout joint outside the pub and leave my royal court alone. So that's...
It's just practice. It really is just practice and switching back and forth.
That's really cool. That's interesting. Kind of like putting yourself in a completely different
mindset, I guess. Yep, completely different.
Interesting. Okay. But yet still a part of you.
Yeah. And it sounds like... So I guess when you're creating that character, is it like you're
researching the history of the area? How much of it is just kind of like you're making things up and
actually basing it off of real characters from history?
It's not necessarily a real character. I did the research on Scotland and what was going on.
And this actually comes from medieval times when Vikings were running around and doing all their
wonderful pillaging and whatnot. So around that time, which I'm not going to quote an era because
I'm not 100% sure on it, but we do tagline that the event is where a thousand years of history
comes to life because we run from the fall of Rome to the end of the Renaissance.
And everything in between, we're not a historical recreation. We are in the spirit of.
So that's why Vikings and pirates are playing on the same field because pirates are technically
post-Renaissance, just post-Renaissance, but post-Renaissance. But people attending don't
really know that. So it's kind of based on the era and what was going on in Scotland with that
population, how things were. The field that we rent from the city transforms into Wyvertonshire,
which is basically Dragon County translated. And so everything there is about dragons.
And that's where the fantasy kind of comes into it. But also the beliefs of the people back in
those days play into it. People believed in wisps and fairies and dwarves and gnomes and
elves and everything else. So that was part of the practices back in the day, as far as their
spirituality and their religion. And then came the Renaissance, which was the biggest religious
conversion movement that has ever been. And so we combine everything together. So there's a bit of
there's a bit of historical research, but it's always in the spirit of. And as a Scottish lady,
I normally, you know, I would not don belly dance garb, but it's hot out on that field.
And belly dance garb is nice and cool and moves well. So I wear it on the field. So
that's awesome. I really like the way that you kind of say like the it's in the spirit of,
because you're like, I'm no historian. I haven't hit that phase of my life yet, whatever.
But you know, like you're saying, it's all these different, you know, like the pirates, the
Vikings, the fairies, because I mean, your background right now has the fairies. And that's
what I was kind of curious about, too, is like, with that, it's like that mythical realism almost.
Is that right? Yeah, it's it's bringing that fantasy to life for people. We tout ourselves
one of our taglines for that is escape reality. You know, step back in time, you learn things,
whether you're aware of it or not, you would not believe the feedback that I get. Do you know,
I did not know. Do you know, I didn't know. I didn't know that. So I know that we're
getting education out there and expanding people's minds and the kids. You know,
childhood is all about magic and bringing that kind of magic to life for the kids.
I mean, how many kids went crazy in the reptile tent? So they were just kind of. Yeah, they were
all over it. I mean, we had the fairies walking around with the snakes and everybody loved the
tortoise walking around, taking his walks on the field and stuff like that. So it brings that magic
into an experience for kids and adults. Adults just don't like to admit it.
I was going to acknowledge that as well. It's like there's so many different like, I don't know
how many of the adults are going to sit there on little steps and watch the fairies do their bubble
things. But when they're walking around, they're definitely like side on like and like they're
they're enjoying everything as well, because that's kind of what I was like the first impression.
It's like, oh, they have things for kids and they have things for adults,
but it's all still very intermixed. Like you still see the kids like in the armory, like looking at
things and learning. And that was the other thing was it's like the while the entire event isn't
necessarily historically accurate because there's so many different whatevers. It's like, it's like
its own little micro slice because they're going to know all the history. They're going to know all
the cool like there's the board game lady. She they have like those old timey board games like
the oh yeah, the Merry Merchant. She custom she custom makes all those games on leather with the
pieces. So you just cinch it up. You got the pouch the game and it can literally hangs off your belt
and you can pull it out and play a game at any time. But yeah, she does a lot of historical
research on the games and they are real games that were played through many different eras
by many different cultures, which yeah is that to me is is amazing that she does all that.
And she's also on our board of directors and does a lot for us on the board too. So she's a busy
lady. Yeah, I actually won one of the little board games from the raffle. I got it sent back home to
my fiance's house. So I haven't had a chance to mess with it or play it yet, but I'm going to put
her link in the show notes as well. Oh, awesome. Yeah, she would. She would love that because yeah,
that's and until you sit down and play the game, you really don't realize how much fun it is.
Most all of them are strategy games. So it encouraged strategic type of thinking and thinking
ahead, which, you know, is another form of learning. So it all comes as my husband and I used to teach
our kids. Everything comes back to education. Exactly. I was going to say, you know, the not
all education looks the same, whether it's the the board games, whether it is the historical
reenactments of the like the fighting. Yeah, the fighting demos, the and all those guys belong to
different guilds that are historically accurate. So though the weaponry may be blunted to ensure
these guys can make it home and go to work on one day, the fighting moves, the techniques,
the armor that they wear and how they fight is 100 percent accurate as to the time frame of when
armored knights roamed throughout Europe. Interesting. Yeah. And see what I mean? It's
like those like micro, historically accurate things. I think that makes the whole event so
interesting and fascinating because like what even like the the the the the the the the the
the like were the reptile people that next to us was the bug or there's a bug person nearby.
Oh, the right next to us was the oh my goodness, the mushroom guy, the mushroom guy. Yes. And
and yeah, what what does he make? He makes a lot of tinctures and and he's got I had one of his
lion's mane infused coffees. That's just it's absolutely delicious. But yeah, he makes a
variety of things and offers locally. He takes people out on hikes to forage for mushrooms.
So it's it's an introduction to something that was used way back in the day, but that can still be
used to this day for health benefits and just even for, you know, cooking. So yeah, it's it's
kind of it's a fun microcosm in a macro setting, if you will. And I think that's the other interesting
thing, because it's kind of like something that I really like with the podcast or with my coaching.
It's like, I want to help more people help more people. And like there's like that aspect of like,
you know, event organizers that allow these other vendors to come in and do their thing.
Because like what there's the coffee guy that's themed like the Renaissance coffee guy, basically.
I was like, yeah, fairy tale coffee, fairy tale coffee. And he was fairy tale coffee when when
he first applied. I didn't even know he was up here. Yeah. But yeah, that was awesome. I love
having Austin up there out at the event. So yeah, he's my coffee guy. And it's like, where else
in the morning with the cup? Yeah, or a few times during the day with healthy other fun things he
has. Oh, yeah, he's got such a huge variety of things that he can do. It's amazing. But yeah,
it's like where else I mean, you could see these people at craft fairs, I'm sure or farmers markets
sometimes, but it doesn't really make sense. Not in a setting like this. Maybe that's just me being
a little bit more. Yeah. Some of it is and actually our mushroom guy does work a local farmers market.
And our coffee guy works other events, you know, here locally as well. And it's a cute little
novelty kind of in a farmers market arts and crafts type show. Another event that we have up
here is called solo days, which is a fundraiser for our local Chamber of Commerce. And that is,
you know, basically, it celebrates, you know, everything that's available up here. So like,
all kinds of businesses come and set up. But this is themed. And so it's actually harder to find.
But the other thing that we do along your lines, you wanting to help people help other people is
we have in the House of Voodoo is one of them. Other nonprofits that set up, we do not charge
them to set up because we're nonprofit and we need to get our name out there. So Greyhounds of the
Royal Realm is one of them that teaches kids about the breed Greyhounds and why they were the royal
breed of choice at one time by the English crown. And House of Voodoo, all our fighters,
their guilds, they are all volunteer, they spend money out of their own pocket to be there.
I'm trying to think who else?
Is that the fighters? Is that realms of history?
There's realms of history, but then there's also the Adrian Empire, which is part of a group called
or no, it's Umbria from the Adrian Empire. So yeah, both of those groups join together.
Realms of history is kind of the one that oversees all the rules and regulations,
because that's way too complicated for me to get into. It was like, okay, I give you a fighting
arena and you handle everything. And he's like, okay. So that's kind of how that goes. But yeah,
any of those organizations are welcome to come up and join us in those fighting.
So we've had members of the Society for Creative Anachronisms. And I'm trying to think,
I think it was called ACL, but they've changed their names since then. I can't remember what it
is now, which stood for American Combat League. And they're a little bit more aggressive hands on,
less padding and more aggression kind of thing. But they're a nonprofit. Oh, I know there's like
three or four others that I'm forgetting off the top of my head.
No, you're good. It's not a test, but no, it sounds like bringing in all these different
nonprofits and these other organizations that support you in your mission, kind of, again,
giving them a platform, giving them an opportunity to kind of show off their skills, because
I'm not sure if House of Voodoo could throw a Renaissance fair right now. So,
sure they could. But it's hard, I'm sure.
Oh yeah. Event production is not for the meat.
And I will say that it's typically a team effort for most events. However, I am a one-man operation
who reports to a board. So I do 98% of everything that you see on that field I'm responsible for
putting together. Everybody shows up on set up and take down day and for the event, which I
definitely can't do all by myself. But yeah, most of it is all the organizations and all that sort
of stuff, behind the scenes stuff is all me. And that's a lot of work.
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I bet, could you give like a like a consolidated like what,
because I'm sure the planning for the next event starts probably during the current event,
or well before the current event. I tell people ask, you know, well, how long does it take to
put that together? I said a year and a half, and it happens every year. So yeah, you do the math on
that, and I'm working on two years at the same time, always. Interesting. Is it just like,
I'm assuming a lot of it is like what, permits or safety kind of stuff? I know from my experience,
anything? Those are kind of the easy parts. Okay. Going through and finding vendors, recruiting
vendors, making sure there's a platform that's easy for them to sign up on, getting our talent
booked, and getting any like accommodations that they might need booked, drafting contracts,
sending out contracts, booking time on all four of our performance areas. I love having the
fairies there, and I hope every year that they come back. Budgeting, yes, there's planning
meetings with the city, and in those is, you know, all our first responder stuff, all our legal
stuff, all getting the insurance, getting the alcohol, getting the stuff for our dry dock bar.
The list is endless. So that would be a quick snapshot of what I spend my time doing.
Yeah, and I'm sure there's some listeners that are probably going, man, I would never want to do
that. But then there's those few ones that are like, man, that sounds kind of fun, or
up my wheelhouse, maybe not fun is the right word. But you know, there's people that are into doing
all the organizing, because it's for a greater something. Like, it's not just organizing event
for the sake of an event. It's the fundraiser, it's the experience, it's the community that you're
fostering. Well, and a lot of people have asked, you know, well, why do you do it if you don't get
paid? Yeah. And it's like, I realized because I want to bring joy to people, even if it's only for
a few hours, I want to bring joy to people. I love going out on that field and seeing the smiles,
hearing the laughter, the little kids, you know, seeing them run across the field, either bubbles
in tow, or, you know, crawling on the ground with the tortoise, and hearing all the giggles and the
screams, watching the, our royal court will do floggings, their whole other group that's volunteer,
as well. And they're, you know, they've been amazing. And so I will have to say that I, I would
not be nearly as organized had I not joined an international association called the International
Festivals and Events Association, and received my CFEE certification, which is, oh, it's, I think
they give you like four years to complete it. But I did it over COVID. So I completed it in two years.
And basically, it's a condensed, intense version of a college course in event production, that
covers every aspect you can think of it with it. And we have, there's a lot of support there. So
when I need, when I'm having a problem or whatnot, we've got affinity groups, I've got friends that I
can turn to and say, Hey, what did you do about this? Got any ideas for me? And truly, you know,
it's, it's like a family of its own. And hopefully out at Mayhem, you kind of got a sense of the
family aspect of it. I mean, truly, there's a lot of Mayhem family out there. And for us, this is
like a family reunion every year.
I did kind of speak to that. It was funny seeing people while we were setting up the booth, me and
one of the other volunteers that were there were kind of doing, we're doing things and everybody
else was coming up and saying hi to the director and to her friends that were there too. So it was
just like, well, like, that's fun. It reminded me of like,
You take them back! Good to see you!
I haven't seen you since last time. It reminded me a lot of like my, my county fair growing up,
because I was doing, you know, FFA and 4-H and stuff. So it was like every year we'd see kids
that we hadn't seen since last year or families. So that's kind of what it reminded me of was that
community that everybody sees once a year.
Yeah, we have literally watched kids be born and grow up in that event.
We've got, I know we've got three, four kids off the top of my head
that have never known life without the event.
That's amazing. And that's just over the 17 year history of...
Yep.
That's so interesting.
Yep. So they've literally grown up.
How funny. That's so fun.
Yep.
Okay.
And that's what it's about is family.
Yeah.
You know?
I know. That's so interesting. That's so cool. I know the, the girls on our way up when we're
packing for everything, you know, it's always frustrating packing for an event, but the whole
time, even though they're like sweating and like kind of, you know, cursing at the boxes,
they're like, I can't wait to see blah, blah, blah. Like, I can't wait to get there. Like,
let's like, hurry up, we got to get there. You know, it was just, it's so like the excitement
for them was also very, it was exciting for, for me just to be kind of like, okay, well, packing
sucks, but they still have a good spirit. So I think we're doing all right.
Yeah. And that's one of the reasons why for the cast we do. And when I say cast, I include vendors
in that.
Yeah.
And that's one of the reasons why we do the potlucks on Friday and Sunday nights is for that
camaraderie. That's where we get to know each other and build those relationships that then
translate outside of the event. And then again, then there's our closing toast where we give
recognition and celebrate the end to another year, look forward to the next year and kind of close
everything out on a calm, fulfilled exhale, if you will.
And a little sigh of relief as you.
Yeah. It's like, okay, we made it. It was a good event, you know, made money or not made money.
We had fun. We built relationships and like I said, they, they continue on outside of the
event year round.
Gotcha. And then I know that that's so fun that it's like the, I don't know, that last little
moment, it was like, it kind of felt like a very movie moment, like thank you to everybody doing
the toast, the dancing, the huzzahs. It was like a fun little, it was like a really good closure, in
my opinion, of the event. Because I know a lot of other events I've been to, it's kind of like,
well, it's five o'clock on Sunday, pack up and go home.
Yeah.
See you guys next time.
Yeah. And that closing tradition actually came from our original queen. Her name was Tina
Talkington and we just lost her this last year before the event. It was very unexpected. So
it's, it will always be a raise a glass to her. We wouldn't have an event if she didn't meet with
us after the first event and encourage us to keep going and help us keep going and build a royal
court for us in those early years. So that song, A Health to the Company, is something that she
started at closing for our event and will continue in honor of her. And all of those we've lost over
the years, because we've lost a lot of people. I'm sure. And I think that also just showcases the
importance of kind words from one or two people that, you know, I'm not sure exactly what the
situation was with her that first year, but to have a conversation that's so impactful to the
point that we're 17 years in and still going. And I mean, that's amazing.
Yep. I know she will be proud. She knew that we were still going, even though she,
in her personal life, was unable to fulfill duty as queen for several years. But I know that
this event is a legacy that she leaves behind. And she offered help. She had connections that
she offered help. She had connections in the Rennie world here in Arizona. And we basically
said, yes, please. And she helped to guide us to what we are. And that's the power that one person
can have. I mean, you know, we've grown into a large enough event that, you know, I can go to my
local municipality and go, okay, here is the economic impact that this event, specifically this event,
is generating for your city. Here are the people that we are reaching, you know, across the country.
One of our vendors comes from East Texas. And yeah, he was like, count me in. I'm here. I love it.
And we were a trial for him this year. So yeah, it certainly, it just kind of goes to show that
how many lives one person can touch when you just pass it on, whether it's pay it forward, pay it
back. But reaching out to your fellow human in the spirit of support, rather than the spirit of
competition, makes a huge difference. And I think that that also, it's not just, I think,
the way that I kind of see it is like that ripple effect, right? Like the stone in a pond,
like it ripples out. But it's also when that stone hits the water, other water moves, and it also
creates smaller ripples all over the place. And I think that that's the other thing too. It's like
the power of one person to create that impact, but also to empower others to continue to make
that impact. Exactly. And then it goes over the entire surface of the pond and beneath and however
else you want to, I don't know, but like just what you're saying, like, you know, cross country,
like country lines, state lines, like all over the place. Like this is an event that's been,
you know, it's not just the whatever 40-ish, I don't know, making up numbers, vendors that show
up. It's all the guests, the people that see it on social media, the people, you know, like it's...
Yeah, the people who, you know, click that share button and raise that awareness. We've had, you
know, some people say, oh, well, you know, Renaissance fairs aren't my thing. And it's like,
have you ever been to one? No? Then how do you know? And then you know, it's like,
how do you know? And then they come out and they experience it. And they're like, I had no idea
that this was so awesome. So now I'm going to date myself. There was a shampoo company called Breck
back in the day. And their commercial was, and they tell two friends, and they tell two friends,
and so on, and so on, and so on. And they would split the screen and, you know, show more of the
same girl. But yeah, that's how it works. And, you know, we definitely try to stay on the side of...
And one of the things that makes it harder is people who have a bad experience will tell
everybody. People who have a good experience are less apt to actually share that information.
And so a lot of people have good experiences, but they don't think to share that. And I think
that's where it really matters is, you know, we're so quick to criticize and we are so quick
to condemn, you know, something that we don't like, or we don't understand, or we don't agree
with, as opposed to focusing on, you know, okay, well, I don't necessarily like this,
but what do you like? And people know what they don't want. They don't know what they do want
a lot of the time. There was a fellow in one of my networking clubs back in Modesto in California,
and he owned a cleaning company. And his little one of the things that he would say to us is like,
my job is to make sure that nobody knows that I work there. Like, if I do my job right, nobody
will think about it. But if I miss one bag of garbage, if I, you know, miss a little thing,
a dust on the ground, they're going to know about it. And then they're going to tell all their
friends. Right. And that's the hardest part is when I do a good job, nobody thinks of it.
And when I do a bad job that they want to just tell, he tells you. Yeah. And I mean, I've noticed
that with myself too. It's like, I go to a restaurant and it's bad. And I'm like, my first
thing is I'm going to leave a bad Yelp review, but I get a lot of bad reviews. And I'm like,
a bad Yelp review. But I go to restaurants all the time and I have a great experience. And I never
think of that. So that's something I've been trying to correct in myself is like, okay,
leave a good review too. Like those are what people need. Just like I want good reviews with
my coaching business. Like other people want that too. So I think that that's another good thing for
folks who remember that are listening right now. Like we're all trying our best to make it, leave
the good review, tell the friends, share on social media. Cause that's the other thing too. Shares are
free. Like it, it, it, they're priceless. They really are. They're priceless. It's not even like,
I think that, you know, if I make a post and somebody shares it, I'm going to make a thousand
dollars sale. That's not the thing. It's like even just like seeing that as like an entrepreneur or
a nonprofit leader, it's just like, okay, somebody like cares enough to share like that, that just
helps. Well, somebody cares enough to help us get our message out. Exactly. And you know, that's, we
will do some online fundraiser type things. I know most of our board members will do a fundraiser for
their birthday on Facebook. And I think it's been a few years since any of us have been able to hit
our goal. I get it. You know, the economy sucks, but the willingness to share and get the information
out about the foundation and that we exist. Yeah, we need help to help the group that we're trying
to target because there's a need for them. And I think that serving the people who put their lives
on the line for us every day is a worthy cause. You know, when they suffer a loss that they can no
longer do their job, they deserve all the help that they can get and government resources are limited.
And so, and even we can only do, you know, service the state of Arizona. You know, we can't do this
nationwide, at least not at this point, because we're not that big and we're not well known.
So yeah, those shares, they matter. And it's not a matter of maybe the share will bring me
a new donor. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. But it is at least getting the little bots out there
to, you know, people who are, who, you know, being those little Google algorithms.
Yeah, let's get the Google on this on our side and the SEO and all the other,
all the other, the million other things you have to know as a event person and business owner. It's,
it's overwhelming for sure. It is very overwhelming. And you know, some things you just,
I got to shake my head and go, why, why am I doing this? Oh, yeah, it's the happy faces.
It's the, the little light bulbs that go on. And it's the ability to take the financial benefit of
that and give it to somebody in need to help another family. There's a, there's a saying,
I think it might be a good way to kind of kind of wrap up the podcast there. But those who say money
can't buy happiness, haven't given enough away. And I feel like that's a good one. Yeah, yeah,
that's a little, that's for the Post-it board for sure. Yes, definitely. But yeah, no, Darius,
thank you so much for spending some time with us today. I think that there's a lot to kind of like,
I don't know, think about in terms of just the, the impact of, you know, doing an event that means
a lot to you for a cause that means a lot to you. Like it sounds like it's checking a lot of boxes,
not only the Rennie side, but also the nonprofit and giving side and the causes that matter. So
I think that that's really impactful and interesting. Yeah, I strongly believe in
philanthropy. Name Richard Branson, one of my heroes, mostly, and a big part of that is because
he was a high school dropout. And, but he was, he was similar to me. He was a serial entrepreneur,
man. And he just kept going and nothing stopped him. And he gave back, you know, he, he nurtured
other people to do things and invited and supported other entrepreneurs and in huge variety of, of
different businesses. And so when I grew up, I want to be like Richard Branson. I love it, but yeah,
awesome. So Darius, if people want to follow along on the journey of medieval mayhem and
donate or attend a future event, what would be the best way for folks to get in contact with you and
check you out? For the event, the website is azmayhem.com. And for the foundation, there were,
there's a link on the website that will take you to the foundation website, but the name of the
foundation is Mountain of Hope Foundation. And the website is mountainofhopefoundation.org.
Perfect. Yes, unfortunately it's all spelled out. Sorry. I wanted to do it. I wanted to do it as
moh.org, but it was already taken. So dang it. For ease of listeners, I put everything in the show
notes, so it'll be down there and folks will be able to easily check it out. So yeah. And you can
follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We have both. We're a little quiet on social media right now,
just because we're gearing up for our next fundraiser, which takes place in December,
which is also themed. It's called a Dickens Dinner and Dessert Auction. And so we learn all about
Christmas in the Victorian era and why Charles Dickens is the father of the modern day Christmas.
Interesting. That sounds like a whole other episode, but awesome.
No, it's just a dinner.
It's just a dinner.
Perfect. But yeah, no, Daris, thank you so much for taking the time to hang out.
Thank you for taking the time while you're on your journey for the interview. I appreciate
your time, definitely.
Yeah, no problem at all. I'm just walking.
Aren't we all one step at a time? Just take the next step. You don't have to see the whole
staircase. Just take the next step. Martin Luther King Jr.
I love it.
And that's a wrap for today's episode. I hope you enjoyed our chat with Daris Gibbons and got a
glimpse into the inspiring work she does through Medieval Mayhem and the Mountain of Hope Foundation.
It's amazing to see how one person's passion can ripple out to create such a profound impact on the
community. If you want to stay connected with Daris and learn more about the Medieval Mayhem
Renaissance Fair or the Mountain of Hope Foundation, be sure to check out the links in the show notes.
Remember to share this episode with friends and leave us a review if you liked what you heard.
Your support helps us keep bringing you these incredible stories
and helps us with our mission to help more people help more people.
Until next time, remember to have fun, stay safe and be yourself. I'll catch you guys in the next episode. See ya.