My small business @ateyo_ makes the best zip-up for gamers!

We’re flattered the billion-dollar company @Championesports agrees!!

Maybe a little too much?

1/14
Here's our story of how we made the best sweatshirt for gamers AND the billion-dollar brand who took notice.

It all started back in 2018…

2/14
In April 2018, after years of work, we launched the Ateyo Zip-Up!

It featured:
✅ Oversized double layer hood that fits over headsets
✅ Fitted arms to reduce irritation while playing
✅ Strategic stretch panels
✅ Poly/Cotton sweat-wicking fleece
✅ Comes in Black & Grey

3/14
In Nov 2018, my cofounder @breannehp was on an 'Apparel in Esports' panel with the CEO of Dignitas. (Sponsored by Champion)

On the panel, she talks about the features of our Zip-Up.

Then, he admits that @championusa is 'hyper-aware' of our work.

🔗

4/14
"They (Champion) were sort of hyper-aware of folks like Ateyo...who are doing a really good job…(Champion is) taking the learnings we have seen from the fantastic start-ups like you (Ateyo.)"

- @dignitas CEO, Nov 2018

5/14
We were flattered!

Until last month, when @championesports @dignitas released their 'Gamer Zip Front Hoodie'.

It features:
✅Oversized double layer hood that fits over headsets
✅Fitted arms to reduce irritation while playing
✅Odor control Fleece
✅Comes in Black & Grey

6/14
After reviewing the details, we’re shocked!

It looks eerily similar to ours?

Trust us, @championusa, it takes a lot of hard work to design a great Zip-Up for gamers.

So, here's how we make it happen...

7/14
✅ Don’t live in LA yet? Pack your bags. Move across the country with no money and no connections. Find an apartment on craigslist.

✅ Live & work in the apartment with your co-founder. Devote 90% of the space to your business. Sleep with boxes of Zip-Ups in your bedroom.

8/14
✅ Read all of Reddit.

✅ Keep up with what's happening on Twitch. Learn the lingo and spend all your free time in chat.

✅ Talk to 1000's of gamers over many years.

✅ Spend every weekend at events. This involves a lot of flying. Ask to sleep on friends' couches.

9/14
✅ Go without any salary! You’ll need that money to put into R&D!

✅ Develop fabric from scratch. Go to the factory every day to check on it.

✅ Sew products on your home sewing machine. Carry them across the country in your suitcase. Sneak them into every event.

10/14
✅ Hold your launch event at your apartment. Do all the setup and clean up yourself. Repeat for more events.

✅ Use your bedroom, living, and bathroom as a set to create content. Again, do all the setup and clean up yourself.

✅ Use your little brother as a model.

11/14
✅ Build your website yourself. Pray it works.

✅ Pick up your first production run in your car. It will take a few trips.

✅ Pack every order by hand. Write a personalized handwritten note to thank every customer.

✅ No money left for a booth? Sell out of your car!
Trust us, @ChampionEsports it’s hard!

You’ll want to give up.

But, every time someone puts on the Zip-Up, that you worked so hard to design, and tells you it’s their favorite thing they own, it will be worth it.

13/14
You can follow @rachellipstick.
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