In Partnership with Inc.
Brent Wagner, The Day of Games LLC
FULL ESSAY
A. My business is a Leisure Sports Products, Apparel, and Events company. The concept of "Day of Games" has grown from actual events that friends and myself would throw semi-annually. It was a day of leisure sports, bbq, the beach, some beers, and everything was competitive throughout the day. I eventually discovered that although we have been Day of Gaming since 2006, there are other 20-somethings who have been doing the same thing. They may call it "Sports Day", or a fraternity based "Greek Week" or a "Beer Olympics"... the fact is, there is a large market of 20-something leisure sport enthusiasts. I got started by designing my brand, working on my first batch of products, and starting Leisure Sports Leagues in Los Angeles and San Diego. Next summer the goal is to expand to every major city.
B. Recession catalyst?? How about this... I used to work for Countrywide. They don't even exist anymore. Ive kissed goodbye my 12+ hour-a-day cubelife now that I have tasted entrepreneurship. It tastes good. It even smells good. Although I have no idea where this business will lead me, I know that chasing the dream is 1000% more fun, difficult, and rewarding than what I was doing before. Slinging sliced up commercial real estate loans vs. selling bocce balls? No contest.
C. I am already using Alibaba. I have found several contacts in China who are currently working on my products. One factory delivering cups to another factory who is producing beer pong items. A different factory is creating my leisure sports games. The grant money would go towards the purchase of my first round of products. There is no way for me to make money until my quantity goes up significantly, so until that time I will be stuck making nothing and carrying the cost of a drop-shipper to store my items once I get them in. I can't wait for the first round of samples to be delivered so I can order my first container of items.
You haven't heard of The Day of Games yet? Just wait. Your kids will be throwing their own someday.
At this point I can't even get a credit card, or inexpensive insurance, or maintain an office. But I am creating something out of nothing and building a new brand. The grant money would be a HUGE investment into the business and would allow for rapid growth.
