Fraser Townley is the CEO of Riot Pwr, a company that is pioneering the mobile gaming sector with the ultimate long-form mobile gaming controller that every Apple user needs. Fraser has a mindset that will inspire anyone, let alone fellow entrepreneurs. Read along with us for incredible insights and a surge of ingenuity to apply in your own life.
What are three things every Entrepreneur should know?
Fraser took his answer to this question in a slightly different direction by mentioning three things that every entrepreneur should be able to do rather than know. The three things that Fraser believes every entrepreneur needs to be able to do really well are:
- Have a great idea
- Have a great plan of execution
- Be excellent at executing said plan
Naturally, you need a great idea in order to have a successful business. However, a great idea without a solid plan for execution won’t get far. Fraser also mentioned that within that you need money, staff, and tenacity, with tenacity being the most important. If your staff is also tenacious, you’re all the more equipped for success.
What problem does your business solve and who are its customers?
Fraser’s business, RiotPWR, is in the gaming sector. Something that he mentioned most people don’t appreciate is when you look at the entertainment sector, Hollywood is a twenty billion dollar market and music is twice that size. Gaming is a hundred-and-eighty billion dollar industry – a large part of which is made up of mobile gaming specifically.
Fraser believes the future of mobile gaming to be mobile console gaming. This is because, with the capability that streaming affords us, you can stream any of your console games on your mobile device.
Playing console games on your mobile, however, requires a full-size controller – which is what Fraser’s business makes. These controllers are made with cables that connect to your Apple device via a lightning cable. They are not battery operated and so your mobile device is what powers the controller, making them easy and safe to ship.
Fraser mentioned that although the controller is powered by the phone, it draws less power than a set of earphones so you won’t run your battery to death! Never mind the fact that there is a port on the controller that can charge your phone while you play.
The controllers also come with device stands for you to place your phone into. They are the only controllers that are both Apple-certified and come with the Xbox home button on the device and they have a massively shorter latency (0.2ms VS 100ms) when compared to Bluetooth controllers.
They are truly the best controllers for Apple users looking to play mobile/console games.
What inspired you to become an Entrepreneur?
This question sparked an interesting train of thought for Fraser, as he struggled to pinpoint exactly “when” he became an entrepreneur. This led Fraser to conclude that it all began with his upbringing.
His father was an engineer while his uncle was a retailer. This combination of being raised by his logical, process-focused, hardworking father while being exposed to his hustling, fast-life, intrepid traveler of an uncle inspired Fraser to design his life to be more like that of his uncle than his dad.
That’s not to say that Fraser doesn’t admire his dad: he certainly does, as he clarified. However, Fraser found that when it came to finding a career that would suit his work-life balance and overall lifestyle: he was more inspired by his uncle’s way of living. From this realization, Fraser got into the retail industry, more specifically the electrical sector of the retail industry.
Everything naturally trickled down and fell into place for Fraser to end up where he is now, as a pioneer of mobile/console gaming. Although he spent time at many large corporations, the roles he performed equipped him with the skills he now uses and expands on as an entrepreneur.
If someone had given you a million dollars when you first started your business, what would you have spent it on?
Firstly, Fraser doesn’t believe that a million is enough, particularly for his product. Cash flow is the one thing that people tend not to fully understand, however, everyone should. It is the lifeblood of business.
Essentially, Fraser understands the importance of spending money wisely and would have been meticulous about allocating the million dollars. A portion of the investment would have gone into securing essential protocols, such as USB standards and vendor IDs, as well as owning exclusive UPC codes to solidify his brand’s identity.
These strategic investments in the nuts and bolts of his business would ensure a robust and credible foundation.
Fraser also would have considered allocating funds toward working capital, marketing efforts, and product development, as well as possibly hiring key personnel. He understands the importance of having a contingency fund for unexpected expenses and the need to invest wisely in every aspect of his business.
Fraser’s approach emphasizes the meticulous planning required in the early stages, where even the smallest details can have a profound impact on long-term success.
What is your proudest accomplishment as an Entrepreneur?
Fraser Townley, reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, has found pride in several accomplishments over his 20-year career.
One significant source of pride for him is the work his company does with young adults with autism. By exclusively employing them in various warehouse functions, Fraser’s company has created an environment recognized as the “happiest place on the South Shore to work.” This recognition, even though it doesn’t directly translate into financial gains, holds particular significance to Fraser because it represents a heartfelt acknowledgment of the positive impact his business has on people’s lives.
Additionally, Fraser takes pride in winning the award for the “best new product” at a European trade show. Again, this recognition doesn’t bring him financial gain but rather showcases his commitment to innovation and the quality of his company’s products.
What big goals are you looking to achieve?
Fraser has several big goals in mind for both his business and his mission:
- Licensing Patents to Big Companies:
Fraser is actively working on licensing patents to large companies which involves taking innovative ideas and inventions developed by his company and partnering with larger corporations to bring these concepts to a broader audience. Naturally, this expansion and collaboration with industry leaders represent a significant growth opportunity.
2. Company Exit or Integration:
Fraser envisions the possibility of his company either achieving a successful exit or becoming integrated into a larger organization, demonstrating his willingness to explore different pathways for the future of his business.
3. Expanding Regional Centers:
Fraser’s vision extends beyond his immediate area as he aims to set up similar regional centers across the United States. This would allow people from various regions to benefit from the opportunities and support his company provides. He highlighted that this is particularly for young adults on the autism spectrum, as Fraser’s son is autistic. This led to Fraser’s last point…
4. Promoting Inclusivity and Altruism:
A core motivation for Fraser’s work is to create an inclusive and supportive work environment for individuals with disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum. He emphasizes the importance of not just providing jobs but ensuring that middle managers are incentivized and trained to work effectively with this community.
Fraser believes that this approach leads to a better quality of life for these individuals and enhances productivity.
Are you pioneering your industry? Paving the way for healthy workspaces and out-of-the-box inventions that solve a niche problem? Let us hear about it! Get in touch with Amplomedia today to share your own Entrepreneur Story.
