Ideate

1 Minute with a Superhero: Rudy Chetty of Gamer Gear

by Fred Roed on 16/01/09 at 12:25 pm
9 comments

Today we welcome Rudashan Chetty from Gamer -Gear, a t-shirt label for all the gamers, geeks and otaku out there. Rudy specialises in customised gear for clans, lans, etc. and supports the local gaming scene by rewarding those gamers who support them back. Rudy’s also giving us a little surprise at the end, but first, Rudy - what makes you guys different?

We’re more than passionate. We are part of our target market thus we actively participate in the gaming community. I could tell you how we offer great service and quality apparel but we are a bit more modest than that.

How did you get into this industry?
One day I realised that there was a significant lack of gaming and geek apparel in SA. More so that people are still hesistant to express their inner geek. Gamer Gear is about embracing it and showing the world that it’s cool to be a gamer or geek or both!

What about your job makes you lie awake at night?
Apart from all the caffeine…it’s the constant need to do something extra. Like adding a new design or giving out some prizes to a startup LAN. I love offering great products and service to customers and my mind is always thinking of ways to better and improve upon them.

What education do you have?
Bsc Computer Science

Tell us one disaster story…
This one time at band camp….jokes. No seriously, we had a a big order that came in and it needed to be done very quickly. We sent if off to the printer and it came back botched. Luckily I got them to redo it (at their expense) and still managed to deliver it on time.

What kind of customers fans are you looking for?
Well since we are a conglomerate of labels – we are looking for anyone who enjoys cool t-shirt designs. Gamer Gear is designed for the gamers and geeks out there. RudRa is more of an alternative label and Fireball (to be launched) is more mainstream.

Your secret to success…
Never give up. You will always face obstacles and the more you face, the easier the next one becomes.

Tell us something that no one knows about you…
I wrote a book of poetry called Broken Verse. [Note: we tracked it down, and here it is - click!]

Wow – talented guy, Rudy! What is the best lesson you’ve learned so far?
If something doesn’t work – try something else.

What is your BHAG?
We’d love to be an international brand. Fact we’re already getting interest from other countries so it’s taking shape. And world domination would be the next logical step…

And so, a word of advice to Ideate readers – is there a lot of money to be made in this industry?
Well it depends on the market. You need to find a target market and cater for them. If you try to branch out too early then you don’t have the same quality of merchandise as if you are focused. That being said if you work hard and keep at it…you’ll make it big. You just need to be patient, passionate and pointed in the right direction.

And, finally, what’s your surprise for the readers that have made it this far down the page?
I’m offering Ideate readers a one time only 20% discount off all items bought from Gamergear.co.za – just use the discount coupon IDEATEROCKS to cash in.

Thanks Rudy! Thanks also for your time – we wish you all the best for your noble adventures in the business world! Ideate readers, go to www.gamer-gear.co.za, and redeem your 20% now before it’s too late.

Fred Roed is the marketing guy in the Ideate crew. Fred is the CEO of web marketing company World Wide Creative and the co-founder of online learning portal Heavy Chef. Fred loves writing about people out there doing marketing right. Follow Fred on Twitter here. View more articles by Fred Roed.

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