Intro - First Post · 10Fold Founders

Intro - First Post

"We're here to build what's entrusted to us. Build to last. Build for freedom. Build with honesty and integrity, always. And no one builds alone. Faith is explicit here. We pray for each other, and for each other's businesses."

Oh man, did I just find my people? Pleasantly surprised after stumbling on an Instagram Ad.

Nice to meet you all and excited to be a part of something so new and with like minded folks! I hope to provide what value I can as I learn and collaborate alongside you all.

My name is Noah. I am a single guy with no kids in my early 30s. Living nearby to family in North Carolina.

I have a BFA in video game art and design, with a informal bit of graphic design sprinkled in.
I've been in the gaming/entertainment industry for 8 years in Quality Assurance and leadership roles. My name was in the Fortnite credits for a few years which is pretty fun 😎

Two months ago I very unexpectedly lost my job of 5 years. Decided that this was as good a time as any to take the risk and put forth my best effort in turning a creative project from the last few years -> into a business.
My goal is to prove viability/scalability to myself over the next 6-8 months, see what doors the Lord opens or closes and then re-evaluate. Unless the Lord leads me otherwise, currently this has my sole focus and I will remain unemployed for this 6-8 month window to give this my full attention. I don't have any KPIs or much metrics established yet and have focused on just standing up something to start with.

Company:

The Tharseo Collective (LLC) is currently a one-man operation. It is a for-profit, lifestyle and apparel brand. With the mission to impact culture through culturally provocative art and apparel.

Though it is for profit, I recently decided that I want to donate a % of profits to organizations like the Tim Tebow Foundation and the A21 Campaign - as they have active roles in the fight against human trafficking. I'm still praying on and feeling out what that % will be long term but at the moment it is a bold 50%.

More info on the website, Facebook and Instagram.. I do have more of a larger manifesto written out for the company and vision but have not posted it up anywhere yet - been acting more as an internal guiding document for myself.

Product:

Main focus for now is Graphic Tees, gonna try and do some embroidered stuff this winter.. I do have a larger vision for later - just trying not to get to ahead of myself before proving viability and establishing SOPs/processes/infrastructure etc first.

Business Model:

Limited window pre-orders.

Audience:

Probably a bit more broad than what I should be starting with but there is some decent crossover..

Gamers, gym bros, streetwear/skaters, and the gun range/EDC type of folks.

The main thing I need help with and am looking for is just hands on guidance and feedback from people who have been doing business - let alone in a God fearing way. I actually am pretty confident in the designs and my "why" - I just have struggled with how to get it in front of the right people and in a method that aligns with my values and vision. I also recognize the importance of having strong systems and infrastructure put in place to start with, and with me starting out still. It would be a huge force multiplier for me to have your guy's experience to pull from in setting mine up. There will always be room for improvement for things like messaging and consistency, but I feel like I've done a lot of the harder "why" work already. Its just the marketing piece and setting up stronger infrastructure and systems that I think I need the most help with.
Personally - as you can tell I can be quite verbose. Detail oriented-ness and communication in general is a strength of mine but when it comes to communication - especially when written. Conciseness/effective communication is an area of improvement for me.

Outside of business I love being a son, brother and the "fun uncle". I enjoy gaming, researching random topics/how things work, skateboarding, hiking, paddle boarding, and working out. I serve on the security team for my Church and stay involved with community groups there. Doing creative things and working with my hands. I really dig superheroes, Star Wars, and any medieval stuff - knights, samurai, vikings etc. I like to think of myself as a cool nerd.

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Intro - First Post