Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Smith.
Hi Adam, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Years ago when I was working for Best Buy, early in my time as a manager, they were doing one of those anonymous 360 surveys to help identify strengthens and weekenesses. I dont remember much of the results except 1 verbatim comment. “Adam’s a manager now, if he wants to be taken serious he needs get rid of those geeky toys at his desk”. I’m autistic and working in an office setting was always hard for me, it was always too loud, too quiet, too many unplanned social interactions, my cube was my fortress of solitude. I didnt understand why what the setting of my work area would matter and my leader at the time told me the feedback was not worth paying attention to.
Unfortunately, especially with something I dont understand I can’t let it go. I start ruminating, playing the conversation with my manager over and over, playing out different scenarios, I had this invisible person who had me second guessing if I was taken serious as a leader. I knew it was not logical but this ruminating lasted years. My career continued to grow, and I finally asked a leader who was very into sports if they ever worried their love as a fan ever made anyone take them less serious as a leader and what they said changed that narrative I had for years. First they laughed a bit, but seeing i was serious, said absolutely not! In fact, if anything that little team logo on their shirt is an opening to build relationships and connect with others who are also fans. This is where the idea for Discreetly Geek came from. A small in assuming badge for those in the know to connect over. Its not like other geeky atire that’s printed all across you but rather something you can wear to most and occasion.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Im generally pretty tech savy, but I missed the social media age. Building a website, tracking inventory, analyzing traffic and sales from different events was no big deal, but honestly I still cannot figure out connecting 8t all with tiktok.
The other big learning was the first show we did. Rather than starting small with community markets, I went directly to the convention center with GeekCraft Expo, 2k tickets sold to people looking to buy crafts. I had no idea what to expect and jumped in with my first inventory order. I way over thought it, bought too much of single designs to little of others. The event was amazing and I fell in love with the coolmmunity, but im still sitting on an embarising number of Game Master sweatpants.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I believe people should be comfortable in what they wear, and reflect a style that’s authenticity them. So, I started DiscreetlyGeek.com a place where you can find apparel that crosses different fandoms, starting with those i love of course. D&D, Dr. Who, Wheel of Time, Lord of The Rings, etc.
The products we sell are comfort forward. Super Soft fabric, tagless or removable tags, and embroidered. No sticky iron ons.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Im fairly extroverted and love to talk with others about shared interests, however I also have extreme anxiety and struggle with social interactions. This is why I’ve loved the Geek c9mmunity, it’s a bunch of people who are unapologetically fans of syfy, fantasy, superheroes, etc. There’s no judgment for being “childish” or fringe.
I suppose out of all thelat what might be most surprising is my love to spend a week every year completely disconnected and hanging between two trees in the boundary waters. Really my least geeky fandom.
Pricing:
- T-Shirts $25
- Sweatshirts $55
- Polo Shirts $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Discreetlygeek.com
- Instagram: Discreetly.Geek
