Gaming
Devin Gislason
Business Analysis
Yamato,Kanagwa
Summary
Results-driven entrepreneur with a passion for computers, gaming, and community creation! Starting my own business in 2019 taught me about leadership, marketing, positive affirmations, time management, responsibilities, and self-improvements. Born and raised in Japan until I was 10 years old, and lived in the States for 13 years. Fluent in both English and Japanese.
Overview
2
2
Languages
5
5
years of post-secondary education
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
CEO
Portalk Inc
Minden, Nevada
09.2019 - 01.2021
- Portalk Inc is a forum-based platform built for gamers all over the world to connect and interact.
- My business partner and I created this company a year ago since our passion for gaming was immense. The idea for the platform first came from using Reddit. I noticed that it was a little confusing for new users to get into and not as community-driven as I hoped. I talked over with my best friend and he agreed with my concerns. We found a problem and so we came up with the solution. Thus, Portalk was born.
- The start-up funds came from my father's company. We gave 20% of the companies equity in exchange of the start-up funds + more future expenses.
- As for monetization for the company was thru ad revenue. We wanted to make sure the users can join for free and stay free by putting ads on our platform.
- Initially contacted hundreds of small gaming companies to "collaborate" with us but didn't work. We eventually found several companies to have mutual sponsorship with Portalk to get some sort of monetization.
- Unfortunately, the third-party company we used to create the back-end of the website put a limit on what we could do.
- I made a complete 30 page mock-up UI design on Adobe XD but the coder couldn't do half of the things I wished to do since the back-end of the website's code was locked.
- We did whatever we could to make the platform visually eye-pleasing and easy to use for users... but it just didn't workout in the end. Sadly, we had to dissolve the company.
- The skills I've achieved from starting my own business was the best investment I got from this whole experience.
- Overall was a humbling experience and a self-discovery journey. I appreciate all the knowledge that I received from Portalk.
Twitch Streamer / Pro Gamer
Twitch
04.2018 - 12.2019
- Streamed Fortnite full time for a year when it was popular in the States in 2018.
- Competed in a Pro esports team and attended Twitchcon 2018 Fortnite Fall Skirmish Tournament. (Prize Pool 3.4million / broadcasted to over 400,000 people live)
- Entertained my viewers by showing high level gameplay, funny interactions, and talking to live chatters.
- Actively listened to what my community wanted and gave them what they asked. (24 hour streams, hosts, played variety games)
- Learned about the truth of esports scene and how hard it is to compete in the pro scene, mentally.
Sales Manager
Pure X-Hale
Camrbridge, Minnesota
08.2016 - 03.2018
- Being a sales manager at an electronic-cigarette lounge taught me the importance of products and the science of retail.
- Managed order cycle to enhance business development and maintain sustainability and customer satisfaction.
- Monitored customer buying trends, market conditions and competitor actions to adjust strategies and achieve sales goals.
- Created effective strategies to target new markets after researching and analyzing competitor behavior.
- Identified, hired and trained highly-qualified staff by teaching best practices, procedures and sales strategies.
- Developed strategic relationships with key suppliers and clients to foster profitable business initiatives.
Work Stay
KAUAI BEACH HOUSE HOSTEL, LLC,
Kapa'a, Hawaii
09.2016 - 12.2018
- Did a work-stay at a hostel in Kauai Island for a month at the age of 21.
- Social skill grew immensely from making great memories with new travelers every week.
- Delivered exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions.
Education
Associate of Arts -
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Cambridge, Minnesota 06.2016 - Current
Skills
Leadershipundefined
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Interests
Gym Training
Computers
Meditation
Podcasts
Quote
Every problem is a gift—without problems we would not grow.
Tony Robbins
Timeline
CEO
Portalk Inc
09.2019 - 01.2021
Twitch Streamer / Pro Gamer
Twitch
04.2018 - 12.2019
Work Stay
KAUAI BEACH HOUSE HOSTEL, LLC,
09.2016 - 12.2018
Sales Manager
Pure X-Hale
08.2016 - 03.2018
Associate of Arts -
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
06.2016 - Current
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