Whanganui teen supplies gaming accessories

Brad Kirkland of Whanganui has established an online business with potential to corner a unique market. Photograph by Stuart Munro

Launching an online company is a daunting prospect for most people so it is easy to imagine that a 17-year-old would be unnerved by the prospect.

Not so for young Whanganui business owner Brad Kirkland who arrives for an interview wearing a crisp, white t-shirt bearing his blue company logo and hands over his equally crisp white and blue business card.

Brad registered his company Ubisales in June this year and financed the set-up costs himself with income from part-time work.

He has designed and built his own site, done his research, engaged with mentors for business and financial advice and knows his products have a ready market in New Zealand.

So what is he selling?

"Gaming accessories," says Brad.

"I currently sell clothing, computer components and gaming audio, although I will be always expanding."

Brands like Razer, Plantronics and Activision may not mean anything to people over the age of 40 but the products are very desirable to a generation of gamers who grew up with home video consoles.

Brad says he has always been "an inside kind of kid" who has played console games since he was around five years old.

"I started out playing my older brother's gaming consoles and it's just gone on from there."

As Brad was growing up, Microsoft would develop improved versions of Xbox which would be rivalled by Sony with PlayStation 2 and Nintendo with GameCube.

Brad has combined his life-long hobby and current knowledge of the gaming world to corner a market that exists in New Zealand and he reckons he does not have a lot of competition.

"I've made a lot of elite contacts through gaming," says Brad.

"So I am in touch with my market."

Warren Ruscoe of Meteor Office Products Depot in Whanganui is one of three business mentors to Brad.

"He knows his market and he has really done his research," says Mr Ruscoe.

"I have been able to give him the benefit of my experience but he knows a lot more about his products and who will buy them."

Mr Ruscoe said he thinks Brad is an "amazing 17-year-old" and says it is easy to forget that he is so young when talking to him.

Brad says he is keeping his youth in mind though and knows starting a business so young will leave future options open to him.

"I want to build the business up, I enjoy the challenge and have built a great team around what we do however university is an option I'm not closing yet."

To find out more about Brad's business, go to www.ubisales.nz or contact him on 021 265408.