Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eli Moreno. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Eli, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The mission behind Gnomies is rooted in a very personal desire: to create a space where people can gather, feel welcome, and tell unforgettable stories together. At its core, Gnomies is more than just a brand—it’s a living, breathing community where friendship is forged and grand stories are told. Whether it’s around a tabletop for a Dungeons & Dragons session or while grabbing a coffee at our future tavern-style hideaway, everything we do is centered on human connection, storytelling, and belonging.

The idea for Gnomies came out of my own experience growing up loving fantasy, building worlds, and playing games that brought people together. I wanted to create something that could represent that same magic for others—especially people who may have never had a space where they felt seen, safe, and encouraged to be themselves. From our whimsical clothing to our plans for immersive gaming spaces and inclusive campaigns, we’ve designed Gnomies to be a home for dreamers, adventurers, and misfits alike. It’s a space that welcomes everyone, regardless of background, where your creativity is your greatest asset.

Every element of Gnomies is deeply influenced by my personal values. I’ve always believed in the power of community, of showing up for the people around you, and of building something meaningful that can outlive any single campaign or product. That’s why we’re creating more than just merchandise—we’re building hubs, hosting events, and launching programs like our Gilded Gnome Guild to challenge and reward those who invest in the community. We want our supporters to feel like they’re on a lifelong quest with us.

Our commitment to doing good doesn’t stop at the gaming table. I’m an avid hiker and have always taken pride in cleaning up the paths I walk. That sense of responsibility to the world around me inspired our Gnomies Forest Initiative, where we plant trees for every designated purchase. It’s not just about offsetting our footprint—it’s about honoring the lore of the gnomes we love, caretakers of nature and defenders of the forest. That story aligns with our real-world responsibility, and we take that seriously.

In everything we do, from the design of our characters and stories to the physical spaces we’re building, Gnomies reflects who I am and what I believe in: kindness, creativity, community, and care. We’re here to make people feel seen, heard, and inspired—while forging friendships that last a lifetime. That’s the heart of Gnomies, and it’s what drives us forward every day.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Eli Moreno, and I’m the founder and creative heart behind Gnomies—a growing brand and community built around storytelling, fantasy, and friendship. I’ve always been a builder, a storyteller, and a dreamer at heart. Growing up, tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons gave me not only an outlet for creativity but a lifeline to lifelong friendships and shared adventures. Over time, I realized that the magic I experienced around the gaming table wasn’t just something I loved—it was something I wanted to share with the world. That’s where Gnomies was born: from the desire to create a space and a brand where people could come together and feel safe, inspired, and connected.

Gnomies is a multifaceted business that blends fantasy-themed apparel, immersive tabletop gaming experiences, and soon, a physical tavern-style gaming café called Gnomies Hideaway. We provide high-quality, whimsical clothing inspired by gnomes and fantasy lore that speaks to a community of adventurers, gamers, and daydreamers. But it’s not just about merch—it’s about the experience. Through our events, homebrew campaigns, storytelling settings like The World of Arcanus and Magithosa Academy, and our upcoming space designed for players and DMs to come together in-person, we aim to be a one-stop hub for the TTRPG (tabletop roleplaying game) world. We’re building a physical and digital ecosystem where fantasy lovers can meet, play, grow, and belong.

The problems we solve go beyond gear or game rooms. Many people in the TTRPG space struggle to find consistent groups, inclusive environments, or creative spaces that feel welcoming. We fix that by providing not only the gear and aesthetic to represent that identity—but also a true sense of community and belonging. With initiatives like the Gilded Gnome Guild—our interactive loyalty and challenge program—and the creation of safe, DM-hosted campaigns for new and veteran players alike, we help people connect meaningfully. Whether you’re stepping into your first game or your hundredth, we want Gnomies to feel like home.

What sets us apart is that everything we do is driven by my real values and lived experiences. I’m proud of how personal this brand is. Our Gnomies Forest Initiative, for instance, was inspired by my love for hiking and cleaning up the trails I walk. That care for the Earth, and the storytelling behind the lore of our forest-dwelling gnome characters, directly influences how we operate. We don’t just slap a logo on products—we write character backstories, embed magic into every garment, and build connections with real-world causes. Every part of the brand is thoughtful, intentional, and authentic.

If there’s one thing I want potential customers, followers, or fans to know, it’s this: Gnomies is here for you. Whether you’re looking for your next favorite hoodie, a safe space to play your favorite game, or a community to call your own, we’ve built this brand to celebrate you and your story. We want to bring people together who believe in imagination, kindness, and camaraderie. Gnomies isn’t just about playing games or selling clothes—it’s about creating moments that matter and friendships that last a lifetime. That’s what I’m most proud of, and that’s the legacy we’re building every single day.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Gnomies actually started as a side hustle during one of the most uncertain times of my life. When the COVID-19 quarantine hit, I lost all my hours at my auto detailing job. Like many others, I was suddenly faced with the reality of needing to pay bills with no stable income. But instead of letting that defeat me, I saw it as the push I needed to finally chase the dream I’d always had—starting a business and building a meaningful community. I began by selling simple designs online to friends and family, doing everything from marketing to order fulfillment myself. It was scrappy, but it was real, and I poured every ounce of creativity and grit into it.

What started as a hustle quickly turned into a personal mission. I began teaching myself how to build websites, manage databases, and handle the many behind-the-scenes tasks required to run a business. I read leadership and business development books, learned from mentors where I could, and worked to turn my vision of Gnomies into something with real purpose and structure. Every step—from making our first sale to launching new product drops—was about improving the quality of our work and building something sustainable. I wasn’t just making shirts—I was building a brand that represented connection, fantasy, and belonging.

Now, we’re taking the biggest leap yet. Gnomies is no longer just an online store—it’s growing into a full-fledged movement. We’re organizing large-scale community events, hosting immersive D&D campaigns, and expanding our product line with premium fantasy-themed gear that better reflects the magic of our brand. The journey from that first t-shirt sold in quarantine to where we are now hasn’t been easy, but every challenge helped forge the heart of Gnomies. And this is still just the beginning.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the clearest moments of resilience in my journey came during the early days of the COVID-19 quarantine in 2020. With no hours at my detailing job and bills still due, I made a bold decision to use my last full paycheck to invest in myself. I purchased a heat press, printing equipment, and basic materials to start producing Gnomies apparel from scratch. I didn’t have much left after that, so I offered to clean my landlord’s house just to secure a desktop computer and ensure I could still pay my rent. It was a humbling moment, but also an empowering one—it forced me to dig deep and find creative ways to survive while building something I believed in.

From there, I became a one-man army. I used every social media platform I could to push the brand, and whenever I had a shift at the car wash, I’d bring a backpack full of Gnomies merch to try to make a sale. Every “no” could have been discouraging, but I saw each one as a step forward, as proof that I was out there grinding for something real. I kept my composure, learned from the rejections, and kept showing up. That persistence not only helped me stay afloat but also shaped me into the kind of leader I needed to be—first for myself, and now for a growing team that shares the vision of what Gnomies can become.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gnomieshop.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialgnomies?igsh=NWNzbDdscWJleThp&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGnomies?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gnomies/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@gnomivision?si=-qE_KL7UZMgM6SkV