Interview with the founder of ItsUpshot, Sebastian Thiel
Hello Sebastian, How’re you doing?
I am real good, just cre8ing as usual, working hard and staying on my hustle.
Can you quickly give us some background information about yourself?
I am 18, I was born in Zambia. I do graphic design, video editing & Creative direction work. I used to play basketball intensively, that was my life daily before I dropped out of college to start up Upshot.
Moving forward quickly, what inspired the creation of upshot?
The fall of another dream, that inspired me to create something else. I got Fed up of trying to go to the states for basketball. I initially started upshot to make money. My mission evolved once I realised what I could do with the brand, movement/family.
When was upshot born?
2007 August
I know you founded it, but how many people are involved in upshot?
2 Others are directly involved in the company in terms of ideas and so on, but there are many involved in what I call the upshot circle. The Upshot circle is put together of friends , family and talented people that support us and in return we help them in any way we can
Why start a business?
Because I am in control, I can do what I want & make my own decisions. I find it hard to work for people in jobs such as retail and so on. I have my own visions, i am too much of an individual to be trapped in the box of modern day slavery, Hence why I thought outside the box and cre8ed Upshot ;)
How intense is the competition out there? How do you manage to stay in check?
I say, don’t watch competition. So I don’t know how intense it is... Ok let me put it like this, if you’re in a race, u waste time when you look behind yourself to see your competition, even if it’s a split second, that look can make you loose the race. I prefer to stay on my track and watch my own pace. I trust my road & I know what my mission is. People will fall off in their own time; i am going all the way with this.
Who are your target markets?
Anyone, everyone, him, her , she , we, them. Upshots Universal. Just like music. However we may appeal more to young people.
What tools do you use in promoting your business?
Online sites & flyers.
What has been your proudest moment so far?
Winning the big challenge. £8000 funding. Thanks to all the supporters for voting for us.
What do you think is the top 3 things to consider before starting up any business?
* Make sure theres a gap in the market for what your offering.
* Know that everything wont be all good, there will be good times, bad times and a lot of risk taking.
* Do research and a business plan.
What advice would you say to young entrepreneurs out there trying to start up their own business?
Just do it. That’s what I did.
What do you do in your spare time? Any Hobbies?
Basketball but not so much now, i dont have alot of spare time. I love events with live bands, comedy, so i reach quite a few.
What would you be doing if you didn’t start upshot?
Basketball & University - I would still be designning but on a really small scale.
If you could go back in the time machine, would you change anything?
Nope as I probably wouldn’t be the same person and i wouldnt have attracted all these events into my life. One decision can change your day from what it could have been.
Do you feel the recession is a good time to start a business?
I guess so as a lot of people are coming out of work. It’s the times of doing it yourself if that’s your kind of thing.
When should we be expecting the launch of your website?
I am in the process of getting it revamped. So i am not sure when it will be active again.
What should we be expecting from upshot in the future?
I don’t want to spoil it for you. But I promise big things in the future from Upshot and myself.
Finally, why do you feel you’ve been so successful, what’s your tactics?
I don’t think i am successful yet, no way near, upshots an underground baby. I can say to get to the stage i am at now it took hard work and a lot of strategic coincidences ;)
FU8ERS
Sir-Bastian.
Thanks for your time.
Good luck with your business.
Contact Upshot@
http://www.itsupshot.com
http://www.myspace.com/itsupshot
http://www.myspace.com/upshot_clothing
http://www.myspace.com/bassy23
