WHEN two cousins suffered a mutual loss, they grew close enough to discover they had similar quirks and interests.
The pop culture fanatics are now business partners and are next week planning to open a store in Springwood which they believe will not only service a like-minded community but help people who’ve been too afraid to explore their inner-dork.
Dorky Desires is the brainchild of Sarrin Stewart and Shontel Bussa who until Covid hit were taking their anime products to pop culture conventions.
They’re now planning to help a whole lot of new people of all ages discover the Dungeons and Dragons, and other games in a room that comes with more adventure characters and plots than even the most serious game enthusiasts could dream of.
The cousins argue there’s a gap in the market, but not just for the supply of rare cards and other collectables.
They say there’s a whole bunch of people – young and old – who want to learn how to play, but don’t have people close to them to learn and grow with.
“During my childhood, anime was a key part of family time,” Ms Stewart said.
“As an adult, the fond memories drew me back into this lively world, and soon enough, I was completely immersed once more.”
Ms Bussa said her best friend was quite insistent that she gave it a go.
“Eventually, I gave in to the gentle nudging, once I had a taste, I was instantly smitten by all it had to offer.”
But it’s not just anime that’s drawn the two close.
“Our bond goes deeper than family ties,” Ms Bussa said.
“As kids, we’d hang out sporadically, but our relationship truly solidified in the face of tragedy – after suffering a close loss.
“During that difficult time, we found comfort in each other and discovered we had more in common than we’d ever realised.
“In the years that followed, our connection grew, transforming us from cousins to best friends.”
So why do they feel dorky is the new “cool”?
“It shows how important being yourself has become today,” they said.
“We’re in a time when people really celebrate different hobbies, like anime and gaming, which were once considered ‘nerdy’.
Now, everyone sees how much energy, creativity, and detail go into these interests and we think that’s why.”
They now hope others will see their games area as a safe haven for people who respect each other’s passion.
Games, they said, are about “thrilling unpredictability, the freedom to create, and the chance to escape into extraordinary worlds”.
“The community, our community, is a haven of like-minded enthusiasts who are passionate, accepting, and diverse,” Ms Stewart said.
“It’s this blend of backgrounds, interests, and ideas that makes this community so attractive. It feels like home.
“For our store, we hope to foster a space where everyone feels welcome and united by a common love for pop culture. Our aim is to create a vibrant, engaging environment where ideas are exchanged, friendships are forged, and memorable experiences are created.”
