Tami Primero

I attribute my success to my daughters and the community that has supported me throughout this journey. My daughters have always encouraged me to keep moving forward, especially during the times when I questioned myself or faced challenges.

I am also grateful for the incredible community that has grown around Pop City Events and Glitter Pop Explosion. Over the years, I have met so many people who have supported our vision, volunteered their time, attended events, and reminded me why this work matters. When someone tells me that an event made them feel welcomed, helped them make friends, or gave them a place to belong, it reinforces the impact that community can have.

Success is never achieved alone. The encouragement of my family, volunteers, creators, attendees, and community members continues to inspire me every day and motivates me to keep building spaces where people feel connected, valued, and included.

The best career advice I ever received was from my mom, who told me if you have a dream, go for it and don't give up. She battled stage 4 cancer for 10 years after being diagnosed when I was pregnant with my second daughter, and she refused to die. She told me 'you're only as old as your mind tells you, don't go by stereotypes.' Even on her deathbed in 2012, she looked at me and said 'you're gonna make things happen.' Her strength and encouragement have guided everything I do.

My advice would be to stay true to yourself and not feel pressured to fit into someone else's definition of success.

There will be challenges, setbacks, and moments when you question whether you're doing the right thing. Building a business, creating events, and leading a community can be incredibly rewarding, but it also requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning.

One of the most important lessons I've learned is that you do not have to fit a specific mold to be successful. You don't have to look like everyone else, think like everyone else, or follow the same path as everyone else. The qualities that make you different are often the qualities that help you connect with people and create something meaningful.

Build relationships, support others, ask questions, and never stop learning. Most importantly, don't lose yourself trying to become what you think a successful person is supposed to be. Success comes from being authentic, staying committed to your vision, and continuing to move forward even when the path isn't easy.

The biggest challenge in the event and convention industry right now is funding and sustainability, particularly for independent and community-driven events. Rising costs for venues, guests, equipment, and operations continue to increase, while many organizers are working hard to keep events affordable and accessible for attendees.

At the same time, I believe there is tremendous opportunity. Communities are looking for meaningful, in-person experiences where they can connect with others who share their interests. Smaller, community-focused events have the ability to create welcoming and inclusive environments that larger events sometimes struggle to provide.

I also see growing opportunities to collaborate with local artists, creators, small businesses, and community organizations. Those partnerships strengthen events, support local economies, and help create experiences that are unique to each community.

The values that guide both my work and personal life are compassion, empathy, respect, and community. I believe people thrive when they feel welcomed, supported, and understood, and I strive to create environments where everyone feels they belong.

Much of my work has centered around bringing people together, whether through nonprofit service, community events, or fandom-based experiences. I value meaningful connections and believe that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on someone's life.

Family is also incredibly important to me. My daughters have been a constant source of inspiration and support, and they remind me every day of the importance of perseverance, compassion, and creating opportunities for others.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: people deserve to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect, and communities are strongest when we lift one another up.