100% American: A Gogoplata.com Interview with Ranger Up's Nick Palmisciano
Ranger Up began three years ago to produce shirts for military, patriots and anyone in support of the American Armed Forces. Gogoplata.com caught up with former Army Ranger and Ranger Up founder Nick Palmisciano to talk about the company and a couple of his favorite shirts.
Gogoplata.com: How did Ranger Up get started?
Ranger Up: After leaving my last military job at the United States Army Ranger School, I came to Duke University for grad school. I missed military life and volunteered to teach the army’s equivalent of MMA, as well as small unit tactics to the ROTC kids in the area. The guys I taught always complained about the lack of cool military shirts to wear – everything seemed to be an over the top skull graphic with “Death from above” or “Death before dishonor” on it. I started this company as a hobby to give back to the military community. I never expected the reaction that we’ve received.
Gogoplata.com: Why should fans and martial artists pay attention to Ranger Up?
Ranger Up: We support the troops because we are the troops. Almost everyone in our company has served and deployed to combat zones around the world. We’re not sitting here telling you that if you wear our shirts you will be the toughest dude or dudette ever, we’re simply designing apparel that is inspired by military service. Every design has meaning – they aren’t just for aesthetics. We are also very particular about who we sponsor. Our athletes have almost always served in the military or in the police or fire departments and have the highest moral standards. We don’t want people who talk a lot of crap and live from one after party to the next. We support real heroes who respect their opponents and the sport.
Gogoplata.com: Share with us your one favorite product and tell us why it’s your favorite.
Ranger Up: War Eagle is my absolute favorite shirt. It is based on the great seal of the United States, which carries an olive branch for peace and arrows for war. Our eagle carries arrows in each hand, because by the time our troops are deployed or our fighters enter the cage, peace is no longer an option.
Gogoplata.com: What is your best selling item? And why do you think this item is doing especially well?
Ranger Up: Our best selling shirt is Patriots Day. It is an amazing work of art showing the new post 9-11 NYC skyline with the reflection on the water made up of fire fighters, police, and troops. It might be the shirt that I am most proud of, and we’ve received a lot of thanks from a lot of New Yorkers and soldiers for designing it.
Gogoplata.com: What are your inspirations for the products and designs you produce?
Ranger Up: Everything we do is designed with our troops, police, and firemen in mind. Every design is based on their history and founded in their culture. If you don’t support those groups, we really don’t want you wearing our stuff. There’s no job harder than wearing the uniform and walking through the wire into the unknown, leaving friends and family far behind and putting your life on the line. That’s what we are about and what we support and what our products reflect.
For more on Ranger Up, visit www.rangerup.com.
Empowering Women Worldwide: A Gogoplata.com Interview with Fight Chix's Elisabeth Nuesser
Born as a voice for women’s MMA fans and fighters, Fight Chix has become the undisputed leader in women’s MMA clothing. CageShirts.com chats with Fight Chix founder and CEO Elisabeth Nuesser about her clothing line.
Gogoplata.com: How did Fight Chix get started?
Elisabeth Nuesser: I was watching the male dominated sport of mixed martial arts and came to the realization that I loved the sport. I was overwhelmed by the passion and dedication of the athletes. The timeless effort for little money. Like the early days of other major professional sports these athletes have full time jobs and train whenever and whereever they have a chance. I quickly engulfed myself in research and discovered there are many female fighters struggling harder than the men and a woman fanbase that is as large as the male fanbase. I also realized the woman’s voice was not being heard or if it was we weren’t being represented like we should be.
I went to my husband Jacob, who is a graphic designer and more importantly a huge fight junkie, and brainstormed on different ways to empower the woman’s voice. After several late night discussions I decided a clothing line would be the best way to have female fighters and female fans feel empowered. A few days later we came up with the name and a logo. A week later a website. I was so proud to because we had created something that was a small voice for female athletes and female fans of MMA with the dream of it becoming millions of womens voices being heard.
Today Fight Chix has transcended just mixed martial arts and has become a lifestyle brand for all the women in the world that have overcome struggles to reach their potential. Fight Chix is for the women who will be the future leaders of the world. Fight Chix is for women who are not afraid of a challenge and meet it head on. Fight Chix is Sexy. Fight Chix is Strong. Fight Chix is Empowering Women Worldwide.
Gogoplata.com: Why should fans and martial artists pay attention to Fight Chix?
Nuesser: Fight Chix is the ONLY brand out there that is focused on the females. All the other brands have something for women, but they feel more like after thoughts then the focus. The ladies want to have something to call their own. We are for women by women.
Gogoplata.com: Share with us your one favorite product and tell us why it’s your favorite.
Nuesser: The track jacket! I love the longer length and its form fitting. It is super comfortable and makes you feel slimmer. I basically live in mine and plenty of people who have bought one tell me the exact same thing!
Gogoplata.com: What is your best selling item?
Nuesser: The “I Break Hearts and Faces” shirt has always done really well for us. I think girls get a kick out of the attitude Fight Chix brings and it is spelled out in that shirt. Everything in the After Hours collection does really well, because the items have a much different design look compared to what is on the market now. The quality is also very high!
Gogoplata.com: What are your inspirations for the products and designs you produce?
Nuesser: Our real inspiration is to empower women. We want the people who wear our clothes to feel strong, sexy and confident and we are so honored when we get testimonials telling us that is exactly how they feel!
For more on Fight Chix, visit www.fightchix.com.
