Former Yu-Gi-Oh competitor @NessaMeowMeow was a sponsored player and has a good number of decent finishes at Championship Series and Regionals along with Nationals invites. But it’s all because she just really loves card games. And magic! It’s her whole world. In addition to streaming, this JBL Quantum Grant winner plays most formats on paper. You may also have seen her compete at the Mythic Invitational or Mythic Championship III.

What is your dream in gaming and/or esports? 

My dream in gaming is to be a full-time trading card game content creator. I’d love to be known for not only being a great player but also making it a fun and welcoming experience for everyone.

How will this award from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals? 

This award will allow me to attend more in-person events. These events are not only home to notable tournaments but also are crucial hubs for content creators to network with others in the space.

What does being a 1,000 Dreams Fund – JBL Quantum Grant recipient mean to you? 

I’m so thrilled to be chosen. It reinforces to me that my dreams are worth chasing and that what I’m doing is valuable.

Women are underrepresented in gaming and esports. What can we do to change this?

I think the best thing we can do is to continue to showcase the achievements of women in this space. One of the biggest motivators for me when I first started was seeing women like Hafu on Twitch do well in big strategy game tournaments.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

One of my biggest challenges has been balancing a day job with my own dreams. With inflation and the rising cost of most things, it’s difficult to find the funds to do the things that I want to do. In the past, another big challenge was simply finding the confidence to position myself as an expert in my field. Especially in gaming and other male-dominated fields, people will always doubt your abilities more than your male counterparts. It’s tough to push through that and assert who you are and what you know.

What advice do you have for women who want to work in the gaming or esports industry? 

My advice would be to stay focused and don’t doubt that you can achieve that goal that you have. It is possible, and you do belong here.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals? 

I keep telling myself that, one day, I’ll be able to have a career I love that feeds my desire for strategy and creativity. That sounds amazing and I can’t help but chase that every day.