Exclusive interview with Jason (aka FiGPiNMemes), creator of Discord server FiGPiN FANS

I’ve had the chance to interview some really engaging people in our FiGPiN community, including Top 10 Collector CLUTZ, Cofounder Amado Batour, and Retailer Taggem. Working on this website continues to give me the opportunity to meet and interview more interesting people in our community. In this week’s interview, I get to chat with Jason (aka FiGPiNMemes), who is the creator behind the powerhouse Discord server FiGPiN Fans. Chances are if you are a member of the Discord server, you spend a lot of time on it like me. You’ve probably made some friends on it, too. It’s a friendly, inviting online community, with a lot of helpful users. If you want to meet the man behind the Discord server, here’s your chance.

1. Please tell me a little about your background.

As far back as I can remember I have always been a collector. Growing up, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) was my all-time favorite cartoon. Naturally I had to have the action figures which lead to me collecting every new one as they came out. From then on out I have collected a variety of things. Comic books, trading cards, movie posters, Funko, to name a few and of course FiGPiN.

2. How did the Discord Server FiGPiN FANS get started? What influenced you?

When I just started collecting FiGPiN and learned there was an app, I found that there was not much information online at the time. In my quest for knowledge I had joined a few Facebook (FB) groups and that is when I was introduced to this amazing community. I started asking questions and quite a few people answered them and help talk me through the app. As I became more involved in the FB groups I soon realized it was quite different than any other collectible community that I have been in. I had only a handful of pins at the time and when another member found out, sent me out several FiGPiNs at no cost refusing my offer to pay something. I noticed this was common in this community. Ever since then I have always wanted to pay it forward 10 times over. This was the spark that led to the eventual creation of the FiGPiN Fans Discord server.

Included in the server banner is our motto “for the community” which we have tried every aspect of building out the server for the community benefit. The Help Desk channel is a prime example. There is a Q&A section to help brand new collections with any questions they may have. There are training videos such as how to unlock a FiGPiN and how to boost a FiGPiN and an important links sections to direct new collectors to popular FiGPiN resources online.

3. When did you realize you had a success on your hands with this Discord Server? How long did it take?

Part of making the server a fun hang out spot by having a lot of events and one of those is the Wheel of Boost. Very early on about the month after the servers creation we decided every weekend one lucky member to be selected in which the rest of the community would boost their favorite FiGPiN to try to get it to max. The idea behind this is this would not only bring the community together but also get people who don’t normally boost others to start to become more involved. To help encourage this at the end of the month we would give away prizes to everyone who participated. When we first started it, I didn’t know where the prizes would come from. I donated the first month’s prize in hopes to instill that same pay it forward mentality that I have seen in the community. Within a few weeks people started reaching out to reach out to me wanting to donate pins we could use to give back to the community and at that moment I knew it was going to be a success, not only the Wheel of Boost event but the server in general.

4. Did you have competition?

I don’t consider what we are doing is competition. Whether its FB groups, Reddit or Discord, we are all part of the same community just wanting to have a place to meet to share in our passion of collecting FiGPiNs.

5. What is the best thing that has happened to you since you have started the Discord Server?

I would have to say it is being a part of amazing team of moderators. While most of our time is spent discussing server improvements. We have been there to support and encourage each out when we are having difficulties in our personal life as well as share in our accomplishments and achievements. While the closest I have been to meeting them is over zoom I would consider all of them friends that wouldn’t have been possible without this server.

6. What do you love most about running the Discord Server?

There is a sense of satisfaction to see a lot of what I had envisioned come to fruition. I am the type of person who tends to overthink and overanalyze a lot. So its been a fun journey constantly looking at ways to improve the server, setting a plan, implementing it, and finally seeing it in action.

7. What is one thing people don’t realize about running a Discord Server of this size?

It is a large commitment and requires dedication running it. There is a lot of time invested in planning events and giveaways to keep things fun and members engage. There is day to day handling questions and moderating the chat when deemed necessary.

8. Who are your biggest supporters of the Discord Server that help you day-to-day?

This would be the team of moderators: ZER0, NotSoSuperSaiyan, imtoofu and LegacyFox. As well as the FiGPiN Ambassadors which are an extension of the moderators in supporting the server whom are: AggieMickey, clearscreen, Colti, DisneyFigFan, Gettyup21, and HeeroS.

9. What gives you motivation to keep going with the Discord Server?

Seeing how much people love it as I am right there with them enjoying it as well. It is a great way to spend free time talking to people from the community. I am introverted by nature, so the Discord server is socialization made easy. You can say nearly anything with little judgement and be yourself. Its not something I would ever want to end.

10. Do you collect FIGPINS? If so, do you focus on a certain line? (Can you share photos of your collections?)

Of course! Some of the main lines I collect are Naruto and MHA in which I have completed 99% of both sets. I collect TMNT which albeit it is only 4 pins total, own 100% of the line but I am anxiously awaiting the next wave and plan to collect them all.

11. Where can we find you online?

You can find me on IG and TikTok @figpinfan and on my youtube channel FiGPiN University.

** Have something to share with the FiGPiN community? If you would like to take part in the interview series, please e-mail [email protected] **