Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Watts.
Hi Erik, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I learned to sew while I was in the Coast Guard where I started by making Halloween costumes for myself and my friends. Slowly, I branched out and began making garb for Renaissance Faires. In 2012, I attended my first comic convention and decided to dress up, so I made my first cosplay. It was Hawkeye from the first Avengers movie. Since then, I’ve added 3D printing, foam armor, and leather working to my arsenal.
Every year since 2012, I’ve made cosplays for myself and my family. Sometimes friends would ask me to make a piece for them. I decided to offer my services to the public in 2018 and that’s when I started my Facebook and Instagram pages where i do most of my business. I have probably become most recognizable for my Bro Thor cosplay since I debuted it at Comicpalooza a couple of weeks after Avengers: Endgame came out. I was even invited to Celebrity Fan Fest as a Guest Cosplayer because of Bro Thor.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting any business can be a difficult process. Between promotion and order fulfillment, I’ve had plenty of issues as I am my only employee. Covid-19 certainly didn’t help as people were attending less events and needing less cosplays.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in prop and cosplay construction using fabric, leather, 3D printing, EVA foam and a variety of other materials. I have been a special guest Cosplayer at Celebrity Fan Fest and even created a full cosplay for that event in under 26 days. I have partnered with another local Houston business, ZYLtech Engineering, to create my very own color of 3D printing filament called Cobalt Blue Metallic.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
To those starting a new business I’d like to say: keep at it, anything worth having isn’t easy. Follow your passion, love what you. “Likes” don’t equal success or respect, don’t fret over your social media numbers. Time management is key if you’re going at it solo, keep to deadlines. Even if the client says there’s no due date, make them set one for you.
Contact Info:
- Email: wattsnext00@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wattsnextcosplay/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wattsnextcosplay
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/cowboyEwatts
Image Credits
Mauro Gomez
