Today we’d like to introduce you to Geoff Garber.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always been an entrepreneur. I started importing clothing, jewelry, and accessories from China and India while I was in high school. At 15, I started a clothing company called Matrimoney and then rebranded to Roial, which has now grown to 120k+ monthly website visitors and 2M+ customers.
In October 2017, I co-founded an e-commerce platform called TwitchKit, which allowed gamers and streamers to sell made-to-order merch and handle the fulfillment for them. It was the first seamlessly automated platform of its kind, and in just 6 months we were acquired by the largest streaming tool company in the world, SF-based, Streamlabs.
I now spend the majority of my time between Dallas, SF, and Vancouver; managing Streamlabs Merch for 70+ million streamers and am still involved with the operations of Roial.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No. I’ve dealt with bad business partners, deceitful manufacturers, and lawsuits.
1. Bad Business Partner – I started a printed sock company with an industry acquaintance about 6 years ago before sublimated socks were a trend. We did one tradeshow, booked $120k in pre-orders from stores like JCP, Dillards, and Zumiez. 3 weeks after the tradeshow, I got a bill for $40k from AMEX. My former partner had stolen my SSN, opened an AMEX, and had $40k of fun. Business fell apart, never fulfilled the $120k in orders, and went to court with AMEX.
2. Deceitful Manufacturers – Word to the wise: if you deal with foreign factories, go visit them. When I was 15, I thought I could import from random manufacturers on Alibaba. I tried importing 5,000 shirts from a manufacturer in Bangladesh and after 3 months they claimed “their factory burned down” and never heard from them again. Lost $10k.
3. Lawsuits – About 3 months ago, Twitch (bought by Amazon for $800m) threatened to sue our company TwitchKit for using the word Twitch in our name. Fortunately, we were acquired by Streamlabs before we had to make a decision to rebrand or shut down shop.
Roial & TwitchKit – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
So, my first company, Roial. It is an e-commerce platform geared towards selling streetwear to the verge culture demographic. This demographic would include 18-25 year olds, predominantly male, who are interested in hip hop, culture, pop art, sneakers, and fashion in general. I am most proud that I started this business with $500 and grew it to a 7-figure business in just 3 years. We set ourselves apart by combining drop-shipping, manufacturing, and reselling limited edition products.
Before TwitchKit was acquired by Streamlabs, I was responsible for the web and product development. We differentiated ourselves by offering an all-in-one platform for gamers and streamers where they could get graphics, merch, and the ability to sell the merch without dealing with any of the fulfillment process. Since being acquired by Streamlabs, I am overseeing the entire development of merch for ~70+ million streamers.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is doing what you want, when you want, where you want, with whoever you want.
Being successful and being satisfied do not go hand in hand. For me, I am never satisfied and am always looking for opportunities and ways to grow and improve. Some have a very successful business and then become burnt out and lazy. That’s just not in my blood because I love to create.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ShopRoial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geoffreycrowne/?hl=en
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-garber-61669b96/
Image Credit:
Goldenlight Creative
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