*sigh* (Thread)

@/HMHowlFest and specifically @/sailorrooscout have used and manipulated me and my company, causing us to lose over $2,000 in the production of the tees

After nearly putting my company in financial ruin by failing to do a single trademark search, Chise proceeded

to lie and manipulate me to ensure that the convention would get their big payday.

She then sabotaged my business relationships which resulted in the loss of two artists, one of who pulled their Kickstarter print 3 hours before the contracts were to be signed.

Full Story

On June 30th I sent her a DM explaining that I was super excited about this project and wanted to help give them financial support.

So I offered to produce a run of custom tees at no cost to her or the con, then donate the PROFITS (important point here) to the convention.

In retrospect I made two major mistakes. I did not have a formal contract drafted first. And I promised all the profits when I should have only done a portion so I could cover my own overhead.

But regardless, that was the agreement and I reached out my head designer to begin

drafting the design.

On July 7th I sent her the 1st rough draft, along with notice that I’d be willing to gift the commercial rights and profits to the convention and would draft a formal agreement once their organization was set up (which to my knowledge still hasn’t happened)

I then explained that I’d be happy to fulfill one of two roles:

We could either do this project as a one off donation

Or I could step in on staff to handle their con store and merch responsibilities

Let me reiterate, on July 7th I CLEARLY asked which route they wanted to take.

Chise responds saying that their artists will be doing marketing & con store and we’d do this design for donations.

I then offer use of my fulfillment centers to handle shipping for any products they produce. That way they don’t have to do all the packing and shipping alone.

She says “Deal!” and I proceed to ask how staff is communicating so I can stay informed of what’s going on, so I can plan accordingly. She asks for my discord username and claims they’ll be set up shortly.

This never happened. I was never added to a discord channel at any point.

We then proceed with promotion.

And I did everything. Literally.

I formulated the tweets. I explained how to promote, when to release, and what to say. I even told her how to change the @.

All those tweets on her personal account and the con twitter account?

That was me.

I’m not mad about doing it

On the contrary, social media is something I’m VERY good at so I WANTED to do it because I knew it’d make sure the project was successful

We launch and the response is overwhelming.

Chise says “we sincerely need and want you on our team for certain”

The con is getting an injection of funding with ZERO COSTS (which is unheard of for most first year cons). I’m ecstatic.

Now sadly this is where things beging to turn.

On July 12th I inform her that I’ve been approached by other con leaders about MFF’s trademark on “Furfest”

At the time I was not properly educated on trademark law (which I very much am now lol).

So I trusted what she said and that she had done due diligence.

In reality she had no idea what she was talking about.

MFF absolutely holds a trademark over “Furfest” in ALL of the US.

On July 15th it happens

MFF sends a C&D through their law office (which was a whole thing bc MFF didnt even bother to learn who the actual con chair was. So they sent it to a completely unrelated email and it nearly went unseen)

I get a voice note at 12:12pm. She’s freaking out

Understandably so of course.

I respond at 1:04pm and immediately begin trying to figure out solutions.

I offer to reach out to MFF and open communication so we can discuss terms with them and what changes we’d have to make. I send emails and messages to open up dialogue.

At 1:22pm she responds and says they’ve already changed the name, their social media, and branding.

This presents a major problem because the day before I had paid the $3,600 deposit for the tees to be produced.

And they were headed to production THAT DAY with “Furfest” on them

I’m obviously upset. Mäul is the one financially responsible for these tees. So to change everything before consulting me WAS NOT OKAY.

And I expressed this to her very clearly. I again called for a staff chat and was told there’s a discord but to hang tight “we got you”

Thankfully I have a close relationship with my print shop and they decided not to charge me for changing the design.

But I was still very upset bc their mistakes could have bankrupted me and the company.

But I decide to trust that she’ll figure out the communication issues.

So I didn’t message her. I figured she would iron out the con structure, establish a chat, and get back to me when it was ready.

I did not hear from her until 10 days later.

At this point I’ve lost my patience. She’s failed to establish any kind of regular communication

and instead has given me MULTIPLE excuses as to why this is the case.

I start to worry that she’s stringing me along just so they can get their big donation. And sadly this is what I believe was the case.

She finally messaged me on July 30th and I proceed to explain all of the

problems thus far. The lack of communication, the trademark issue, and yet again BEG her to make some kind of chat so we can communicate and avoid all these issues.

She refuses to understand what she’s done wrong. Won’t take responsibility for nearly bankrupting me. And has

nothing but excuses.

Finally the bombshell.

The chat is only for the board. She never had any intention of adding me to it. Nor did they ever intend to work with me.

She literally just strung me along till the shirts were done so they could get their money and bounce.

I decide that I just need give them their money and done with it.

In my anger I ask to keep selling the non text tee so I can at least salvage SOMETHING from this nightmare, which in retrospect was a poor choice.

When she says no, I lose it. Tell them everything she did wrong

and that ultimately it’s my company and I’ll do what I damn well please.

Because turns out she’s been going to Solardog and Wolf (Kind7ed).

Claiming I’m talking down to her and trying to “buy” my way onto the board. Which is a bold faced lie.

As a result Wolf pulls their print

For our Kickstarter 3 hours before the contract was supposed to be signed.

I contact my print shop, get a shipping estimate, and based off that I send Chise $4,000 to her personal PayPal (because they still don’t have an actual org).

I just wanted it to be over.

Immediately after sending the $4,000 donation, Chise and Wolf (the Vice Chair btw) block both my personal Twitter account AND my company account.

And if you notice, Harvest Moon has not RT’d a single customer image of them receiving or wearing their tees.

Not a single one.

On August 19th, 13 days since we last spoke, Chise finally does the bare minimum and asks for an update.

I inform her the cost of shipping is over $2,000 more than the estimate. I hope maybe she’ll voluntarily offer to cover part of it.

She doesn’t even acknowledge it.

So on August 25th I formally request that she send back $1,000 to help with the costs. I already sent the donation, so in good faith I decide to not ask for the full amount. Just half.

No response.

On August 27th I check in again. I’m told she’ll talk to her team.

It is now over 24 hours later and still nothing.

At this point I’m done being silent

I have been used and manipulated. And now I’m about to lose $2k on this nightmare

I’m now asking for the full $2,056.47 amount otherwise I’m pursuing legal action.

I paid the retainer today.

I want to apologize to all of you wonderful people who showed up in support for what ended up being a compete and utter fiasco.

I apologize to MFF for speaking on HMHF’s behalf and wish to mend any hard feelings of what I said.

I’m sorry to Danger for having to see all this.

But ultimately I’m sorry that I had to go public.

I truly believe the IDEA of Harvest Moon Howl Fest is sound.

But it’s now clear to me that the leadership has no business knowledge, no experience, and ultimately is not fit to run ANY convention.

Thank you for reading.