DogGi - Interview

BSP Date: September 28, 2015

What is the name of your brand(s)? 

DogGi

When & where was it founded, and where is it currently headquartered? 

It was founded over a year ago in Philadelphia and now its current location is Florida

Who are the founders/current owners? 

DogGi was invented by me, Guto Braga, and I am the sole owner

Is there any significance behind the name of the brand or its logo? 

It is a martial arts Gi for dogs so the name felt like a glove --DogGi

What was the driving force (or forces) behind the founding of the brand? 

I am a 25 years BJJ practitioner, a Renzo Gracie Team black belt, and a Dog lover. So it came to me like thunder hitting my head.

What are your personal strengths / the strengths of your brand? 

I am an apparel and graphic artist for the Jiu-Jitsu world, I have a company called Bjj graphics and have been working with the big names in this industry for many years. This product was very well made and thought. It looks good, fits great and all the dogs move freely with comfort.

What was your first product produced (prototype or otherwise)? 

I had probably 5 prototypes of the DogGi made and it took almost 10 months to perfect it.

In that first year or so, what were your primary struggles in getting the brand off the ground? 

I still struggle to get the brand known worldwide. Marketing is a very tough thing to do and yet the most important.

What would you consider to be your signature or keystone item(s) to date? 

DogGi:) it's unique and awesome

What items do you also sell that people may not be aware of? 

I do designs and produce apparels such as embroidered hats, silk screen shirts and tournament trophies/medals.

Do you have anything exciting coming up in the next few months or so that you can share with us? 

I just launched DogGi Teams, with Renzo Gracie, Carlson Gracie and Ribeiro Association logos on it. Let's see how it goes.

Geographically speaking, where is your primary customer base? 

USA

A common question/concern among our members is the issue of shipping. We have found that some brands will not ship worldwide or have carved out certain countries from their territory. So if you would, please explain your shipping policy, pricing and any geographic restrictions that you have with regard to the sale of your goods. 

I sell thru Amazon and so far I'm not doing international business with them. So when I have an item sold overseas I just ship myself. Usually costs around $18.00. I already sold to Australia, Canada and England.

Do you have any sponsored athletes? If so, do you have specific criteria for selecting such athletes? 

No I don't, I have friends that put the logo on their clothes to help.

Where do you get the inspiration from in designing new gear for your brand? 

I am very creative. I have been doing this for a long time.

What differentiates you and your brand from other BJJ brands? 

My unique product

What other brands are out there that you admire? And why? 

I admire them all, we are all chasing the same dream.

Is your company direct sales only? Or do you have distributors? 

Direct only for now

Do or have you participated in tournament booths or sponsorship's of tournaments? 

No, not yet.

Any plans for future expansion? 

There are always plans, but I need to live the reality of today :)

Please tell us a little about yourself, where you grew up, your BJJ experience, home life, education, military service, etc. Anything that might help our members get to know you a little better. 

I grew up in Rio de Janeiro Brazil and I was part of the first Gracie Barra, now I live in Florida with my 2 boys ( single dad) . I have my bachelor degree in advertising and communications and I'm a Graphic designer for living.

What hobbies do you enjoy? 

Diving, surfing, shooting, snowboarding, training etc...

Do you have any pets? 

Yes an English Bulldog named Boogie

Where did you grow up and attend school (University/College)? 

Rio de Janeiro and Rio de Janeiro

Tell us a little about your background in martial arts/grappling. 

I started when i was 4 with Judo, then I did tae kwon do, Full Contact, Box Thai and at the age of 17 started Jiu jitsu

Quick Fire

These questions are designed to allow for short, one or two word answers. Oftentimes just yes or no, and from a personal perspective.

Rash Guard – Short or long sleeve?

Long

Preferred gi colorway?

White

Rash under your gi?

Sure

Spats under your gi?

No

Gi Pants – Rip Stop, Cotton Twill/Drill Cotton, or Cotton/Poly Blend?

Cotton

First gi that you owned?

Krugans

Favorite submission?

Armbar inside the guard

Last stamp on your passport?

Belize

Beer or wine?

None
Tea or coffee?

It depends on my mood

Do you wash your belt or not?

NOOOOOOOOO

Regular knot or superlock knot in belt?

Regular of course

Isle or window seat?

Isle

What is your website address? Do you have more than one? And what social media do you participate in and what are those addresses?

Website: http://originaldoggi.com/

Amazon Storefront - Click here.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/originaldoggi
Also, personal page: https://www.facebook.com/guto.braga.5

Instagram: https://instagram.com/original_doggi/

Final Thoughts

DogGi is a real work of art that was created to look cool but most important, to be comfortable to our 4 legged babies. A lot of work was put into it and it takes a lot to make it too. Thank you to all of you that support this idea. OSS !!

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LEaO OPTiCS - Interview

BSP Date: September 28, 2015

What is the name of your brand(s)?

LEaO OPTiCS

When & where was it founded, and where is it currently headquartered?

We were founded in 2015 and located in Oceanside CA

Who are the founders/current owners?

The founders and owners are husband and wife Lionel Turner & Jemelee Turner

Is there any significance behind the name of the brand or its logo?

Being named “Lionel” I have always loved lions. LEaO is Portuguese for “Lion”. The LEAO OPTiCS brand is dedicated to and rooted in the Jiu Jitsu community and Lifestyle. Lions have always been synonymous with jiu jitsu. Some of the things that I love most in this world? Lions, BJJ and sunglasses. Bring them all together... “LEaO OPTiCS”.

What was the driving force (or forces) behind the founding of the brand?

We wanted to make a unique and quality item with a foundation in the jiu jitsu lifestyle. We wanted to do something that no one was doing but at the same time something that anyone would appreciate and like to own even if they didn’t practice jiu jitsu.

Sunglasses are one of the few things that I try take extra good care of and I felt there was a void in regards to a sun-glass company that supports the jiu jitsu community.

What are your strengths / the strengths of your brand?

We feel the strengths of the brand are the “Details”. Everyone wears sunglasses and we try to go the extra mile when it comes to the details and branding of our eye-wear. We try to over deliver with our quality, branding and packaging so our customers feel that they are receiving a piece of eye-wear with some thought and passion behind. I have always enjoyed opening a new Kimono.

I like inspecting the details that are hidden in the cuffs and lining or stitching. The new gi bag designs are really nice as well. As much as we can I would like to help our customers have that same  experience when they open their sunglass box for the first time.

We Use 100% bamboo for our frames because of the history bamboo and wood for that matter has played in the history of martial arts. Not to mention it’s just really cool. The feel and weight is different then what you get with plastic or metal and it brings a “Natural” element to our brand. We are also are also looking into different kinds of woods such as Ebony and skateboard.

All of our glasses have UV400 polarized lenses which offer amazing clarity. All of our glasses have stainless steel spring hinges that help to keep the eye piece sitting properly and in place.

The springs also help to expand out a bit if need be.

Also our customer service. We do our best to do same day shipping with tracking numbers quickly provided. We have a very quick response time to questions through all channels. Our main goal is customer satisfaction… period

What was your first product produced (prototype or otherwise)?

The “OGs”… That was the first styles that we did. I went after a style that I would wear. I don’t see us even not producing them in the future. The OGs and the BUMPS can be considered our “COMP STANDARD.”

In that first year or so, what were your first struggles in getting the brand off the ground?

Getting our name out there and our glasses in customer’s hands has been the hardest struggle so far. We have been actively increasing our following and receiving great feedback from either customers who have received a pair and had a chance to see the quality and detail up close or people who want them but are not sure about sizing. We are currently working on some things to help customers make a good buying decision for themselves on our website. But at the same time our personal customer service can take care of any of these issue and make sure you get the right pair in your hands.

What would you consider to be your signature or keystone item(s) to date?

“OGs” and OG BUMPS” as of right now they are our only two styles available. They are stylish and universal.

What items do you also sell that people may not be aware of?

Nothing as of yet but new styles and different wood materials are in the works. Also we are working on shirts and hats and patches.

Do you have anything exciting coming up in the next few months or so that you can share with us?

Yes we do. Early next month we are releasing the “SUAVECITO’s” which I personally really like and wear daily now. They are a good happy medium between the OGs and OG BUMPS with wide legs. There is also some extras details that will be on them that we are keeping a hush hush on…. We are also working some styles for the ladies.

Geographically speaking, where is your primary customer base?

We are building a good base here locally in SOCal but our social reach has us sending a lot of boxes back east and west to Hawaii. We have sent glasses to Brazil, Japan, UK and Mexico as well.

A common question/concern among our members is the issue of shipping. We have found that some brands will not ship worldwide or have carved out certain countries from their territory. So if you would, please explain your shipping policy, pricing and any geographic restrictions that you have with regard to the sale of your goods.

We will ship where ever we legally can as long as the customer receiving them is willing to pay for shipping.

Do you have any sponsored athletes? If so, do you have specific criteria for selecting such athletes?

Yes we do. We have a few high level purple belts that compete often. Also a really good green belt kid from out here is San Diego.

I like to see some sort of social following or influence other than just what they do on the mat. I like people who use social media quite a bit and can make people laugh from time to time. But most of all people who truly appreciate our product

Where do you get the inspiration from in designing new gear for your brand?

Jiu jitsu and the SoCal Lifestyle scene. It’s what I’m around and its what I love.

What differentiates you and your brand from other BJJ brands?

Currently there is no one doing what LEaO OPTiCS is doing so I would say “Everything”. But we are striving for quality and style so we hope to always be separated from the rest.

What other brands are out there that you admire? And why?

CTRL IND, Shoyoroll, RVCA, Triumph United, 93 Brand

CTRL and Shoyoroll have their fans waiting for them to come out with new things. They are not just feeding the market with another gi or rash guard. RVCA and Triumph United has crossed over to many aspect of combat sports and extreme sports. 93 Brand makes really clean and quality GI for a very good price.

Is your company direct sales only? Or do you have distributors?

We are direct and we are also in a couple retail locations

As of now we are in one retail store, but we are really not pushing in that direction. We are working with BODEGA BJJ and Pasando Guardia on better distribution to Mexico and Latin America. We are very excited about this.

Do or have you participated in tournament booths or sponsorships of tournaments?

We just had our first. It was the Grand Opening for Carlson Gracie San Diego. They just moved to a very nice new location and asked us to come out and share our line. It was a great time.

Any plans for future expansion?

For now our plans are strictly eye-wear but we see more styles coming down the pipe in the future.

Please tell us a little about yourself, where you grew up, your BJJ experience, home life, education, military service, etc. Anything that might help our members get to know you a little better.

I am from Oceanside CA and have been doing BJJ since 07 though I did not get serious until 2011. I am currently a Purple Belt under Mark Hopkins who is under 7th degree Carlos Valente.

I rep under the 99 banner under the Turtle Master Eduardo Telles. I live in a jiu Jitsu household. My partner in crime in my wife Jemelee of 16 years who happens to be a blue belt.

And we have one son LJ (12) who has been training jiu jitsu since he was 6 and also wrestles and plays football.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

Outside of jiu jitsu I’m a foodie. I truly believe that when you are with good people eating good food for that moment in life you are a “Billionaire.” Nothing gets better.

Do you have any pets?

We have 3 dogs. Dozer, Bubbles and Pork Chop

Where did you grow up and attend school (University/College)?

I grew up in Oceanside, went to Oceanside High and then the school of Hard Knocks.

Tell us a little about your background in martial arts/grappling.

I boxed in high school for a local club and competed in Golden Gloves and Jr Olympics. I really enjoyed it and it has stuck with me through the years.

I started jiu jitsu in 07 but did not take it seriously until 2011 at the PANS. We went up to see a team mate compete and while I was there I decided……”I’m getting my blue belt this year”. I did.

I have been training pretty extensively since. I have competed in PANS and MASTERS at blue and purple….no podium.

Quick Fire

These questions are designed to allow for short, one or two word answers. Oftentimes just yes or no, and from a personal perspective.

Rash Guard – Short or long sleeve?

Long Sleeve

Preferred gi colorway?

Blue or Black..I can’t decide

Rash under your gi?

No

Spats under your gi?

No

Gi Pants – Rip Stop, Cotton Twill/Drill Cotton, or Cotton/Poly Blend?

Comfortable

Gi jacket weave?

GOLD!!! Love it

First gi you owned?

OUANO 99

Favorite submission?

North South Choke

Last stamp on your passport?

Mexico

Beer or wine?

Beer

Tea or coffee?

Coffee

Do you wash your belt or not?

That’s bad Juju

Regular knot or superlock knot in belt?

Regular

Isle or window seat?

Window

And finally…what social media do you participate in and what are those addresses?

Currently we are on Facebook and Instagram

Website: http://leaooptics.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaooptics

Instagram: @LEAO_OPTICS

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Wolfhound Fightwear - Interview

BSP Date: September 14, 2015

What is the name of your brand(s)? 

Wolfhound Fightwear

When & where was it founded, and where is it currently headquartered? 

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Ireland

Who are the founders/current owners? 

Ian Stewart, Marko Conroy & Roger Dardis

Is there any significance behind the name of the brand or its logo?

The name was chosen for many reasons, the Wolfhound is a peaceful yet formidable dog that we feel represents BJJ practitioners.

It is an animal that is very much associated with Ireland, hence why it’s called the Irish Wolfhound. The Wolfhound is also part of ancient Irish folklore, which we base our products around, and it represented in the tale of Cu Chulainn, a very well-known Irish tale that has been passed on for centuries.

Our tagline 'Tada Gan Iarracht' is an old Gaelic expression that translates to 'Nothing Without Effort'. We felt this was especially applicable to BJJ as anyone who trains in BJJ understands the immense effort and time that is required to succeed.

Finally, the actual logo features the Wolfhound Head and all the belts looping around it as we felt that too many brands focused on the black belt, using it in their logo, when the journey is more important; we have also incorporated this message into our hoodies with the message 'Is tábhachtaí an aistear ná a cheann scríbe' which directly translates to 'The journey is more important than the destination.'

What was the driving force (or forces) behind the founding of the brand?

The brand was founded in 2012 after Ian and Marko discussed the lack of Irish BJJ apparel available. BJJ was still quite a small sport at the time and if you wanted a Gi, you would have to pay big money and get it sent from the UK. It took close to 14 months, a lot of money, many samples and a lot of investment from various manufacturers until we found 'the one'.

Wolfhound was launched to the market in 2014 with 3 products, a white 450gsm pearl weave gi, a black 550gsm gold weave gi and a rashguard. It has been growing year on year with new gis added, more rashguards, shorts, kids gis, t-shirts and hoodies and we sell globally from Australia to the US to Russia.

What are your personal strengths / the strengths of your brand?

We are all BJJ practitioners and train a lot so we know what is needed. Marko Conroy is a Purple belt who has trained over 6 years and Ian Stewart is a blue belt with over 3 years training. Roger Dardis came on board in 2014 and is a very well respected and decorated Marcello Garcia Brown Belt having trained over with him in New York for years.

Ian Stewart also holds a BSC in Product Design so we actually have a product expert in our management team who knows textiles inside out and who technically designs the products from scratch. We do all our own design work in-house and we have worked with some of the top BJJ clubs in Ireland doing custom gear. This is a service that really makes us stand apart.

What was your first product produced (prototype or otherwise)?

We launched with 3 products, the Puca 450gsm pearl weave which is still our top selling Gi, the Dabilla 550gsm Gold Weave which we have modified and updated to the Dabilla 2.0 and finally our first rashguard.

In that first year or so, what were your primary struggles in getting the brand off the ground?

Getting the right supplier! We spent 14 months finding the right supplier. We wanted to ensure we had a premium product that was affordable and that lasted before we went to market. Each sample was rigorously tested until we found the right manufacturer. Getting awareness of the brand was the next big challenge but we literally contacted every academy in Ireland and the response was phenomenal.

We did have an issue with the first batch of white gis and the material was over treated in some of them, we immediately contacted every customer and told them that we would replace any gis with problems and although it cost us a lot, it really helped our brand profile.

What would you consider to be your signature or keystone item(s) to date?

The first 2 Gis, they are still in production and as popular as ever. They are very reasonably priced for the quality and we have heard nothing but positive comments about them.

What items do you also sell that people may not be aware of?

Our design service is something that a lot of clubs outside Ireland are not aware of. It’s completely free and we have a minimum order quantity of 20 units for rashguards / tees / hoodys and shorts and the prices are very competitive, like all our products :-)

Do you have anything exciting coming up in the next few months or so that you can share with us?

Oh yes, we have something that will address one of the biggest problems for BJJ people, unfortunately, we cannot share it with you but let’s say, its addressing a big problem in a unique way :-)

Geographically speaking, where is your primary customer base?

Ireland and the US at present.

A common question/concern among our members is the issue of shipping. We have found that some brands will not ship worldwide or have carved out certain countries from their territory. So if you would, please explain your shipping policy, pricing and any geographic restrictions that you have with regard to the sale of your goods.

We ship worldwide and try to keep the rates as low as possible. We have a rep in the US who takes orders and they we bulk ship them. We are hoping in 2016 to have a drop shipper in the US to reduce the rates even further.

Do you have any sponsored athletes? If so, do you have specific criteria for selecting such athletes?

We have some very high profile athletes. These include UFC fighter Neil Seery, BAMMA fighter Chris Fields, Sam McNally a current European IBJJF champion, Brendan McGarry, Darren Curtis, Lee Hammond, Tom Halpin, Roger Dardis and Steve Cassidy in the US. All these fighters are active competitors.

We don't have a specific selection criteria and we decide based on the merits, all our sponsored athletes are representatives of the brand so they need to be respectful. We do generally tend to lean towards fighters who are medaling at high profile competitions, this gives potential athletes something to aim for so it’s beneficial for them and us.

As we are a small growing brand, we don't have too many sponsored athletes as we take it very seriously and wherever possible, we help them out financially as competing, especially on the international stage, is quite expensive.

Where do you get the inspiration from in designing new gear for your brand?

Irish mythology is our inspiration. We grew up listening to these tales and loved them. We are all very proud to be Irish and we let this flow through our designs.

What differentiates you and your brand from other BJJ brands?

Our Celtic inspiration, the quality of our merchandise and our values. We are very much a part of the BJJ community and we also like to give back. We recently produced a rashguard to highlight suicide awareness and all profits were donated to a charity. Our pricing is also very good, especially with the dollar / euro conversion and the quality is top notch.

What other brands are out there that you admire? And why?

Tatami are probably the brand that we aspire to, they started and have built up a very good brand that is probably the biggest in the world. Design wise I love Ronin stuff, I don't have a gi but I think their designs are really nice.

Is your company direct sales only? Or do you have distributors?

We are direct sales company but we have a US rep. We stock some club stores but being honest, we are a new brand and we try to keep the margins down so that our products are affordable.

Are you set up for wholesale accounts for BJJ schools and/or distributors? Please elaborate if so.

Yes, we do offer generous discounted rates for clubs as we know how costly running a club is. The club owner can sell at retail prices, which are still very good, and keep the margin to invest into the club, or they can sell at cost price.

Do or have you participated in tournament booths or sponsorships of tournaments?

Yes, we have been sponsoring the Irish Open since it launched and we also sponsor other events. We are looking internationally at events but it’s all about the money and return on investment.

Any plans for future expansion?

Yes, we dipped our foot into casual wear and the response has been brilliant, especially the BJJ dogs t-shirt. We intend to continue expanding of our range and adding more casual wear. We have some really cool new gis in development and we also have an entry level gi that will be extremely competitively priced but of the same quality as our other products. We are growing the business organically through reinvestment of profits, to date, we haven't taken a cent from the company so we are in it for the long haul!

Please tell us a little about yourself, where you grew up, your BJJ experience, home life, education, military service, etc. Anything that might help our members get to know you a little better.

I was born and raised in Ireland and I am 38 years young. I am married with a son who I absolutely idolize and I will mold into a future BJJ world champion... he is 3 years old and knows the spider guard folks, don't teach your kids spider guard, makes changing them an absolute nightmare!

I have been studying various martial arts since I was 8 but in my teens I started playing football and that took over my life until I smashed my knee. I started training in BJJ 3 years ago but I was out for 9 months with a torn ACL in my other knee kids, never drink water on the mat!!!!

I have a degree in product design and I have also studied animation and design and have a full time job as a marketing manager so I bring a lot of my skills to this company.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

BJJ, BJJ, BJJ, BJJ, BJJ, BJJ... I also enjoy cycling, cooking and I am a book worm. Being honest, when you have a kid, hobbies go out the window because you want to spend as much time as possible with them. I try to train as often as possible but having a full time job and also a company to run, you have little free time, I am trying to get as many friends and family involved in BJJ so that when I build a house I will have a training room to invite them over to get choked out :-)

Do you have any pets?

Nope, I would love a dog but I wouldn't have the time to care for it properly.

Where did you grow up and attend school (University/College)?

I grew up in Leixlip, Co. Kildare. A lot of people who have never visited Ireland have an idea that it’s all quite green and rural. It’s a big town with a lot of tech businesses. I went to school in Leixlip and when I finished I started an apprenticeship as a mechanic. I then went to study animation and design before then switching to Industrial Design and later Product Design in the UK.

Tell us a little about your background in martial arts/grappling.

I started martial arts when I was 8 doing Kempo and studied that for 2 years. The academy closed and I then started studying Bushido and stayed with that for a further 2 years until football took over. In my late teens I took up boxing but I had to move away for college and never got back into it. After I shattered my knee, football wasn't an option so I started doing Judo and then MMA. But it was the BJJ in the MMA that I loved, and soon I just focused completely on the BJJ.

What drew you into Jiu Jitsu and now that you are "hooked" (like most of us), what keeps you excited about training?

The tactical side of it is what hooked me. I am a naturally big bloke and when you have a guy half your size flipping you like a pancake, you can’t but help to be intrigued. I remember looking up YouTube videos and I couldn't understand how exactly they were doing these things.

When I started it was tough, I was not used to being dominated but thankfully I didn't have an ego and could accept it. It’s hard to join a club when you are much older than everyone else. You have to persevere and when you start to piece things together and hold your own, then it becomes additive.

Tearing my ACL was very tough because I had built up momentum and then I lost it, and was set back. I saw lads that started after me being promoted and it was hard to go back, especially when you are a lot older than most others it’s not an ego thing, but there is some pride involved. I shoved those feelings back and I went back and I am so thankful that I did. It definitely has changed my life and I love the sport.

Quick Fire

These questions are designed to allow for short, one or two word answers. Oftentimes just yes or no, and from a personal perspective.

Rash Guard – Short or long sleeve?

Short

Preferred gi colorway?

Black

Rash under your gi?

Definitely

Spats under your gi?

No way

Gi Pants – Rip Stop, Cotton Twill/Drill Cotton, or Cotton/Poly Blend?

Cotton Twill

Gi jacket weave?

450gsm Pearl

First gi that you owned?

Non branded one I bought off a Judoka

How often do you typically train in a given week? Teach? Assist?

3 days

Favorite submission?

Kimura

Last stamp on your passport?

Argentina (mainly travel in Europe so don't get stamped)

Beer or wine?

Red Wine (Malbec)

Tea or coffee?

Coffee

Do you wash your belt or not?

Hell YES

Regular knot or superlock knot in belt?

Regular, took me long enough to learn

Isle or window seat?

Isle

Your primary mode of transportation to and from work and/or the dojo?

Car

What is your website address? Do you have more than one? And what social media do you participate in and what are those addresses?

Website: http://www.wolfhoundfightwear.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wolfhoundfightwear

Twitter: www.twitter.com/wolfhoundfight

Instagram: www.instagram.com/wolfhound_fightwear

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RollBliss Kimonos - Interview

BSP Date: September 7, 2015

What is the name of your brand?

RollBliss Kimonos

When & where was it founded, and where is it currently headquartered?

RollBliss Kimonos was founded in 2015 and is currently headquartered in Kyle,Texas.

Who are the founders/current owners?

Mo Siddiqui.

Is there any significance behind the name of the brand or its logo? 

At RollBliss we don't just sell Kimonos. We live, breath, and embody the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu spirit. That spirit, along with our personal philosophy, is exemplified in our very name;RollBliss.

--Roll-(Rolling): Represents free sparring which is an active part of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu practice.

-- Bliss: Refers to the perfect state of happiness also known as oblivion.

RollBliss is the happiness you gain from training jiu-jitsu.

What was the driving force (or forces) behind the founding of the brand?

One day after coming home from training jiu-jitsu my wife was looking at my gi and thought it would be fun to design one for me. My wife was already in the beginning stages of starting her own business with a friend where they were going to design clothing and sell it online. After she made me my own gi I thought it was so great I encouraged her to do it full time. My wife being as cool as she is didn’t hesitate to push full steam ahead and shortly thereafter RollBliss was founded. She has the coolest the job in the world and I’m happy to work for her. She pays me in gis!

What are your strengths / the strengths of your brand?

I remember a time when the customer was king. I want to bring that philosophy back. At RollBliss customer satisfaction is our priority. I think it’s a big deal when a customer takes their hard earned money and spends it in your business when they could of gone anywhere else. We want to let our customers know that we realize and appreciate that by doing everything we can to provide them the best product possible along with unmatched customer service.

What was your first product produced (prototype or otherwise)?

The RollBliss Original BJJ Gi. It’s our top of the line 450gsm pearl weave.

In that first year or so, what were your first struggles in getting the brand off the ground?

Getting people to know we exist! You can have the greatest product in the world but if people don’t know you exist it does no good.

 

What would you consider to be your signature or keystone item(s) to date?

Our “Brazillion” 100% rip stop gi. It’s one of the lightest bjj kimonos on the planet and it’s super comfortable.

What items do you also sell that people may not be aware of?

We also sell premium rash guards.

Do you have anything exciting coming up in the next few months or so that you can share with us?

We have a few ideas for belts, competition gis, and we’ve been receiving lots of requests to design a gi specifically for women.

Geographically speaking, where is your primary customer base?

United States and Canada.

A common question/concern among our members is the issue of shipping. We have found that some brands will not ship worldwide or have carved out certain countries from their territory. So if you would, please explain your shipping policy, pricing and any geographic restrictions that you have with regard to the sale of your goods.

Currently we are only shipping in the U.S. and Canada. Shipping anywhere in the U.S. is always free. However, if we have a customer on the other side of the globe that really wants one of gis we will find a way to get it to them!

Do you have any sponsored athletes? If so, do you have specific criteria for selecting such athletes?

We do have a couple sponsored athletes. We like our sponsored athletes to be a genuine fan of our products before they are actually sponsored by us. We like our athletes also to be active on social media and have a large following so that they can help promote our products.

We currently don’t offer financial sponsorship, but we try to get our athletes the best gear we have in stock for training and competition.

Where do you get the inspiration from in designing new gear for your brand?

Our gis are designed with BJJ athletes in mind. To us a BJJ athlete is not just someone who competes, but anyone who religiously trains BJJ and puts a lot of time in on the mat. Our gis are designed with those people in mind. We want to give them the most comfortable gear possible, because if you are comfortable you will perform better. In addition, BJJ is a physical martial art. So we design our gis with this in mind and try to produce gis that will withstand the toughest training environments.

What differentiates you and your brand from other BJJ brands?

That’s hard to say because I’m not too familiar with the other brands out there. What I can say is that at RollBliss it’s not all about selling gis and making money. We are currently producing BJJ specific blogs and high definition training videos to the BJJ community, and all that stuff costs us time and money to make but we provide it for free to the BJJ community on our website and on our social media. Our goal is to help all BJJ practitioners along their journey. Perhaps they will read one of our blogs or see one of our training videos, and if this helps them on the mats in someway I would consider our company successful.

What other brands are out there that you admire? And why?

To be honest, there are a lot of good gi companies out there and we admire anyone who takes the plunge to start their own company and tries to turn a dream into a reality!

Is your company direct sales only? Or do you have distributors?

Currently we are direct sales only.

Do or have you participated in tournament booths or sponsorship's of tournaments?

No.

Any plans for future expansion?

Yes.

Please tell us a little about yourself, where you grew up, your BJJ experience, home life, education, military service, etc. Anything that might help our members get to know you a little better.

I grew up in the central Texas area. I attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a degree in government and a minor in philosophy. I was a nationally ranked amateur boxer but hung the gloves up after graduating from college. I still had the warrior spirit inside me and I was looking for another outlet to release it without getting punched in the head! That’s when I stumbled upon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and never looked back. I’ve been training BJJ for two years and I am a blue belt studying under Ryan Shinto, who received his black belt from master Cleber Luciano.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

Jiu-Jitsu! What else is there? I also like to read…about jiu-jitsu.

Do you have any pets?

No.

Where did you grow up and attend school (University/College)?

I grew up in the central Texas area and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin.

Quick Fire

These questions are designed to allow for short, one or two word answers. Oftentimes just yes or no, and from a personal perspective.

Rash Guard – Short or long sleeve?

Long sleeve.

Preferred gi colorway?

White, blue and black. I like variety.

Rash under your gi?

Absolutely!

Spats under your gi?

Haven't tried that yet. Perhaps when RollBliss comes out with a line of spats I'll give it a go!

Gi Pants – Rip Stop, Cotton Twill/Drill Cotton, or Cotton/Poly Blend?

Rip stop all day everyday.

Gi jacket weave?

Rip stop and pearl weave…I go back and forth.
 

First gi that you owned?

The first gi I owned was a Gameness.

Favorite submission?

Anyone I can get!

Last stamp on your passport?

London.

Beer or wine?

No alcohol.

Tea or coffee?

Coffee for sure.

Do you wash your belt or not?

Always wash.

Regular knot or superlock knot in belt?

Regular knot. Unless I’m in the middle of a hard roll and I need to take a breather…then we go with the old superlock!

Isle or window seat?

Window seat.

What social media do you participate in and what are those addresses?

Website: http://www.rollblissgi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roll-Bliss-BJJ-Kimonos-938303166182758/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rollblissgi
Instagram: @rollblissgi www.instagram.com/rollblissgi
YouTube: RollBliss Kimonos

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BJJ Globetrotters - Interview

BSP Date: August 31, 2015

What is the name of your brand(s)?

BJJ Globetrotters

When & where was it founded, and where is it currently headquartered?

Founded late 2012 and HQ is primarily where ever my brain and laptop are located, but in terms of physical location, we are storing some stuff in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Who are the founders/current owners?

Christian Graugart

Is there any significance behind the name of the brand or its logo?

Hm not really. I just wanted something that wasn't all bulldogs and skulls. And I love the old VW vans, so I thought that was a fun little different thing to do.

What was the driving force (or forces) behind the founding of the brand?

It was completely by chance, I never planned to build a brand or a business. It just started with a fun logo, some patches and then slowly evolved from there on it's own. I feel like I'm pretty much just sitting on the sideline observing it grow and nursing it a little bit, feeding it good karma.

What are your strengths / the strengths of your brand?

Not sure, really :)

What was your first product produced (prototype or otherwise)?

I guess the first was our patches. I originally just made them for me and my friends who were going to the Europeans but suddenly people from all over asked me if they could get one. So it's not like I planned to start a brand and designed some product to launch it.

In that first year or so, what were your first struggles in getting the brand off the ground?

I never worry/worried about trying to build it up or sell stuff, so there has been no struggle. Every product I've designed, I've done because I wanted one for myself. That other people also turned out to like it and wanted to pay for it was just a bonus. I still don't really focus on making money or building a business, but more on doing interesting stuff for myself and inviting other people along. For instance, I love to travel, so I come up with ideas of the most interesting trips I could possibly imagine doing and then see if someone else wanna go along for a training camp. So far it's been working pretty well.

What would you consider to be your signature or keystone item(s) to date?

I guess it would be the travel gi. My first gi project was the full rashguard lining Sunset gi, which I produced because I thought it looked amazing. They were heavy and expensive to produce and ship though and with the whole travel theme of BJJ Globetrotters, it just made sense to do super light weight gis. Kauai Kimonos and other brands made them way before I did so I wouldn't really say it's a "signature" product in that sense. I still love and train with my Kauai Kimonos gi - they're the best hand made rip stop gis out there.

What items do you also sell that people may not be aware of?

I just produced flip flops and microfiber travel towels because I always throw away my own. Not sure many people know about those products, but at least I'll have a life time supply of them for myself then.

Do you have anything exciting coming up in the next few months or so that you can share with us?

We're releasing a brown edition of the travel gi. I have a prototype that I think is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to train in it at our Summer Camp in Belgium next week.

Geographically speaking, where is your primary customer base?

I sell to pretty much all areas of the world. Mostly North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. I guess that's where Jiu Jitsu is most wide spread.

A common question/concern among our members is the issue of shipping. We have found that some brands will not ship worldwide or have carved out certain countries from their territory. So if you would, please explain your shipping policy, pricing and any geographic restrictions that you have with regard to the sale of your goods.

We ship for free to any country in the world, no restrictions. With a travel themed Jiu Jitsu brand, I don't think it would make sense to not treat every customer equal no matter where in the world they might find themselves. Needless to say, we make less - or even lose - money on a sale if we need to ship it to a South American rainforest or the middle of Russia, but our business is being built on a foundation of good karma, not profit, so that's where our focus is. If you're out there traveling and need our gear, we'd happily take a little hit in return of supporting your adventure.

Do you have any sponsored athletes? If so, do you have specific criteria for selecting such athletes?

We have no sponsored athletes, but we do have a bunch of sponsored travelers. The criteria are not really defined, but I guess you need to be on some sort of epic, ambitious adventure and spread a lot of good vibes in the academies you visit.

Where do you get the inspiration from in designing new gear for your brand?

Mostly from traveling to exotic places, I think.

What differentiates you and your brand from other BJJ brands?

Don't really know much about other brands, so I'm not sure.

What other brands are out there that you admire? And why?

Again, not really into the "scene" and don't buy/own a lot of gear, so I couldn't say.

Is your company direct sales only? Or do you have distributors?

A few small distributors, but haven't really explored that option  much yet, so we just sell from our own website.

Do or have you participated in tournament booths or sponsorships of tournaments?

No, since we do only 100% IBJJF illegal gear and our whole vibe is more about traveling than winning, I haven't really found that to be relevant. But might set up a booth at a competition one day if it's in a cool place to visit.

Any plans for future expansion?

No grand plans, just enjoying the ride.

Please tell us a little about yourself, where you grew up, your BJJ experience, home life, education, military service, etc. Anything that might help our members get to know you a little better.

Grew up in a suburb to Copenhagen, Denmark. Started training Taekwondo at age of six, did well in school but had too many ideas to keep studying after (Danish equivalent of) high school. Dodged military service so I could learn computer programming. Live in Copenhagen with my girlfriend and our two year old son, who we are planning to have set foot on all continents before he starts (formal) school.

I ran a martial arts academy since 2003 but recently sold my share in it. Have been focusing for a long time on breaking free of the monthly cycle of paycheck and bills. Through years of heavy downsizing, frugality, saving and investing, I am now at a point where I don't really need to worry about having a job. It's a nice feeling.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

Apart from my main interest of making ideas come to life, I enjoy reading, writing, surfing (just a few times a year when traveling though), longboarding, programming, cooking, not spending money, etc.

Do you have any pets?

This question is terrible timing, I have had a wonderful cat for 16 years but he is getting euthanized tomorrow. I'm gonna miss him.

Where did you grow up and attend school (University/College)?

Grew up and went to school in and around Copenhagen, Denmark.

Tell us a little about your background in martial arts/grappling.

Started Taekwondo at six, tried Jeet Kune Do around 17 which was some sort of Kung Fu that eventually evolved into some sort of MMA, then into actual MMA. The grappling aspect was always my favorite and I think that most people - like me - get tired of getting punched in the face every day, so Jiu Jitsu is a way to keep training at a competitive level without the headaches.

Quick Fire

These questions are designed to allow for short, one or two word answers. Oftentimes just yes or no, and from a personal perspective.

Rash Guard – Short or long sleeve?

Short. My guns are swole.

Preferred gi colorway?

Gray

Rash under your gi?

No

Spats under your gi?

No!

Gi Pants – Rip Stop, Cotton Twill/Drill Cotton, or Cotton/Poly Blend?

No preference

Gi jacket weave?

Ripstop / pearl weave

First gi you owned?

I think it was an old Judo gi. I decorated it with some nice patches from cutting out t-shirts with cats and bungee jumping.

Favorite submission?

Anything that looks cool

Last stamp on your passport?

El Salvador, I think? Travel in Europe all the time but get no stamps for it. Such a disappointment.

Beer or wine?

Both

Tea or coffee?

None

Do you wash your belt or not?

WASH!

Regular knot or superlock knot in belt?

Not even sure what those are, I haven't changed my knot since the one I learned when I started Taekwondo in 1988.

Isle or window seat?

Window

And finally…what social media do you participate in and what are those addresses?

Facebook (Christian Graugart) and Instagram (@bjjglobetrotters and @graugart)


Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrazilianJiuJitsuGlobetrotters

Website: http://www.bjjglobetrotters.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/bjjglobetrotters

Instagram: https://instagram.com/graugart

As a component to BJJ New Gear's questionnaire that nearly 200 of you completed for BJJ Globetrotters, many of you took the opportunity to ask questions of Christian. Well, as promised here are most of those questions and his answers. Enjoy.

Oh, by the way...we've taken out duplicate questions and any that were inappropriate.

Any advice on finding a gym when traveling.

Use the BJJ Globetrotters community, it is build for the same :) Tons of affiliated academies and members around the world who welcomes travelers, just check our website

www.BJJglobetrotters.com. Our Facebook group is also very active in helping people find places to train on the road: https://www.facebook.com/groups/757904750904200/

Any camp in Asia someday?

Don't know :)

Any plan to come to Sweden?

Yes, I'm teaching a seminar in Östersund next month.

Any thoughts on a female line of gear? Sometimes it is hard to get a perfect fit with universal.

Maybe down the road, but with all the sizes and colors we would need to stock, it is primarily a question of not having enough physical room for it at the moment

Are you a bjj fighter?

Not sure haha :D

Are your trips BJJ on beach overseas family friendly or do they tend to be for adults?

Our camps are primarily for adults. The big ones in Europe, we have a few teens participating but that's about it.

Can i please come stay with you Christian and train the time? i will sleep on the mats. Anything for jiu jitsu!

Anytime, just come by :) Not possible to sleep on the mats though, since our academy is in a public sports center that closes at night. Visitors always train for free at my place.

Can I run away from home to travel with you?

Sure, just shoot me an email ;)

Do they have any black Sunset gi in A3?

Sold out and we won't make any more unfortunately.

Do you feel jiu-jitsu is getting softer as it becomes more sport and less about the fight?

I don't know and I don't care, I just roll :)

Do you feel that the steep prices in IBJJF tournaments should be reduced for competitors and fees removed for schools so the students can accurately represent their academies?

IBJJF is a privately owned business so I don't think they can be demanded by the public to change anything. It's supply and demand. If people pay for it, they will keep doing it. So if you don't like it, you should support other competitions instead. Or maybe even start your own :)

Do you have a store front anywhere?

No

Do you have any advice for a small group Bjj club just starting out?

Keep an open mind, train with as many different people as possible, travel, compete and focus on expanding your community. As for building a business (or anything, really), I personally base it on two things only: Treat every single person walking through the door as a potential new best friend and always try to give people 10% more than they expect.

Do you have plans on adding more products to your shop?

Not really, but maybe I come up with something cool, who knows

Do you sponsor mma/bjj fighters and how can I be part of it?

No, we only sponsor travelers.

Favorite choke?

Anything that makes the opponent tap

Favorite gym of all time to train at?

Not really a gym, but I love to train at our Beach Camp in El Salvador. Most beautiful matspace I know.

Favorite jiu jitsu item? Specific Rash guard? Maybe shirt? Tape?

Not really :)

Favorite pre-comp meal what is it?

Food. I hate cutting weight.

Gi or no Gi?

Both

Had an amazing time at the summer-camp in leuven.. even if i know the answer... did you christian ? ;-)

It was the worst week of my life hahaha ;)

Have you gotten much grief from the BJJ "establishment?"

No, actually not :)

Hints for big guys?

CRUUUUUUSH

How about adding a high quality back pack to the lineup?

I've considered it, but I think there is too much research and work in making it a quality I could accept. Also, they would take up a ton of space that I don't have and I'm not sure my mum wants any more stuff in her garage.

How can I travel more to train, not just to big locations like São Paulo but domestically in the U.S. and also Europe?

www.BJJglobetrotters.com and https://www.facebook.com/groups/757904750904200/ is your new best friend

How can someone globetrott if they are the bread winner in a family of 6?

They chose a different path of life and it's a long way to change it at that point, I can imagine. It's about priorities.

How do you pick the spots for the seminars, and is Hawaii on the list?

I spend a lot of time doing research and visiting places. Hawaii is in my notes but I'm pretty sure it will be logistically too difficult.

How do you plan on bettering the bjj community as a whole?

I don't really plan that. But I guess that building and expanding the BJJ Globetrotters idea and vibe, will hopefully infuse a bit of good karma to the BJJ community as a whole. It's my little addition to BJJ and if it can make just one person a bit happier, then it's all worth it.

How does your company plan to expand the world of Jiu Jitsu?

No plans really.

How to contact members in another country?

Just find the members list on www.BJJglobetrotters.com and shoot us a message requesting contact details :)

How would you suggest someone can learn and keep their edge for bjj if they struggle to find people to train with?

I guess they would have to put their primary focus on finding people to train with.

I'd like to know more about the non-gear aspects of becoming involved with BJJ Globetrotter and their travel/jits programs.

That was a pretty broad questions that I'm not sure exactly how to answer. Did you check out our website www.BJJglobetrotters.com? :)

Keenan Cornelius or Travis Stephens - in a submission only Match who wins?

I have zero clue, don't really follow Jiu Jitsu.

What country have you been to that you recommend any BJJ player make sure they go to?

Can't answer that, it completely depends on what you want to do with your Jiu Jitsu. Some train to be the best in the world, some use it to travel, some use it to socialize / get in shape etc. So your dream destination is completely depending on that.

What do you consider when sponsoring athletes?

We sponsor travelers who are on epic adventures and spread good vibes. Those are the main criterias.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

All of it.

What gave you the inspiration to call it "globetrotters?" how does that relate to fake basketball games?

It kind of spun off from a round the world BJJ trip I did in 2011 where I wrote a blog called "BJJ globetrotter"

What hair product does Christian recommend?

Great question! Moroccanoil curl cream is the magic stuff

What information would you give a person wanting to travel and roll?

Buy a plane ticket, pack your gi, go.

What is coming next on your marketing plan? New stuff? Book/Gis?

Not sure, I just kind of go with the flow and see what comes up

What is the worst experience a member has had training while away? We don't need a gym name!

Haven't really heard of anything actually

What is your secret new product in development? If you have one...

It's a secret

What motivates you to keep going?

I train, travel and make new friends all the time. Don't really need more motivation than that :)

What started you off in BJJ?

1999 with Chris Haueter's VHS tapes

What was, for you, the most rewarding part of starting the Globetrotters?

To build something that can make a lot of people smile.

What would you recommend for a lightweight travel gi? Not too flashy.

We have a white, basic model that should do the trick

What's the quality of the gi?

Not sure exactly what you would want me to answer here :D

When are you coming back to Pennsylvania or the east coast I know I just missed the US camp?

Plan on doing the New Hampshire camp again next summer, working on the dates and details now.

When are you coming to a London bjj school?

Eventually, I guess. Have many friends over there, so sooner or later I'll probably show up :)

When are you going to come visit Paul Sharp and I at our gym near Chicago?

I love Paul! Would love to come over.

When are you going to do a bjj camp in Poland?! :)

Not sure, do you have mats for 200 people? :)

When are you going to do a camp in the UK?!?

Might be sooner than you think...

When did you decide to start traveling and why no affiliation what was the motivation to do this?

When we started BJJ here, there were no one to teach us, so it just became a natural thing to travel. Also pretty quickly became obvious that affiliation is nothing but a business relationship which is not necessary at all in order to learn a sport or have a network in it.

When is team FAL getting back together again?

hahaha

When is the first BJJ Globetrotter's full moon all night trance open mat happening ?

Every full moon, did you miss it?!?!

When is the next world tour, Christian?

I'm kind of master planning it for my life, but I'm not in a hurry really. I want my son to be a bit older before we leave, so he can get most out of it.

When is your next rash guard drop?

Soon!

When you doing your next camp?

Three camps coming up in December, January and February. Check www.BJJglobetrotters.com/camps

When will you be bring Globetrotter training and luggage bags out?

Same question again! Now I might have to make it :D

Where did you get your inspiration for your dope sunset gi?

Not sure, just kind of came up with it

Where is the one place you've been that the bjj community surprised you the most?

Planet earth

Why can't anyone make a decent bjj gear bag like they have for triathlon?

Ok, this is it... I'm off to the drawing board.

Why did you decide to start your own team? I know it's to avoid politics, but that always happens anyways. What are you going to do to make the politics of jiu jitsu non-existent?

You answered it, politics will always happen as it is human nature. I never really decided to start my own team and I don't consider Globetrotters to be a team. It's just a community of people who agree on a certain view on things.

Why did you pick a VW bus on your patch?

There were zero arguments against it, that bus is dope.

Why don't you make gear for the larger players? All I see are gis sized A5 and lower, why don't you make gis A6+?

Because there is not much of a market for it. Send me an email and I'll make you a custom size gi.

Why is shipping so expensive to Ireland compared to UK?

Is it? We have free shipping to everywhere in the world.

Will there be any collaborations with other brands?

No plans, but who knows :)

Will there ever be a long-term (months) camp?

I don't think so

Will there ever be a UK camp?

That question again! :D

Will you be having a bjj camp close to Arizona anytime soon, my girlfriend and I would love to do a bjj camp with the BJJ Globetrotters?

Don't think so, but you can always jump on a plane and come anyways :)

Will you make a hemp gi at some point?

No :)

Will you make a seminar or camp over South America?

If the right opportunity presents it self :)

Will you sponsor me please ?

Are you traveling the world right now?

Would you consider doing a camp in the UK?

.... ;)

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