Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! Today I am happy to post an interview I did with Shakib Nassiri, founder of Submission Fight Company. Shakib was not only nice enough to give us his time but also a coupon code for 5% off any item from his website. Enjoy!
Hi Shakib Nassiri…thanks for taking the time to talk to us about your company, Submission Fight Co.
First, what is your BJJ background?
I have been training BJJ a little over 3 years now under the legend, Jean Jeaques Machado.
What made you decide to start your own BJJ apparel and gi company?
Well I started this brand a few years ago when I was a full time college student and had barely started training jiujitsu. I was unemployed at the time because prior to that I had a mortgage company that had to shut down due to the economy. Being a business major and business minded I was always on the lookout for a new business opportunity I can begin. My dream had always been to be working in an industry that I love and I sure did love jiujitsu at the time, still do. It was actually an idea of a friend of mine to start a gi brand for all martial arts like karate, judo, bjj etc. After a while I realized he wasn’t going to pursue his idea so I asked him how he planned on starting the gi company. He told me what he knew and I found a supplier in Pakistan through family so I decided to give it a try. Luckily everything turned out great!
Is SubmissionFC your full time job or do you have another profession?
Yes, this is my full time job and I love it! Wouldn’t have it any other way.
What was your first product?
The first product I came up with to start Submission Fight Co. was the Pearl Weave Gi. It is now a discontinued bjj gi.
Where there any challenges to getting Submission FC up and running?
Yes, of course there were many challenges. I started the business with almost no money to start, I had no experience when it came to almost any aspect of this business, and there were many times where I had to nearly quit the business because of all the struggle I had with the company. Fortunately, I feel that I have undergone all the hardships that a business has to go through in the beginning, so now you will see Submission Fight Co. come out full force over the next few years!
Once you decided on a new product design, what is the next step? How do you flesh out the idea?
I never create a product that I personally would not like to wear even if this was not my brand. Usually, I get a few samples of the products that I would like to soon release and have them tested by high level bjj fighters including myself. I gather all the feedback and see if there is anything to fine tune on the product. If there are any changes that needed to be made I order another small batch of samples until the product is perfect and ready for the market.
How do your gis differ from the other brands?
First, let’s talk about our Submission Light Gis. You may see a lot of other brands selling similar gis made of pearl weave fabric, contrast stitching, rip stop pants, etc. However, you will not see any other brand out there that can match our quality at this low price tag.
As for our Hemp Sensation Gis, well I think this one is a no brainer. This gi differs in the fact that it is made of Hemp! A natural fabric that is simply superior to cotton.
Where did the idea of the hemp gi come from and what benefits does the hemp material hold over the traditional gi material?
The idea of the Hemp Sensation Gi came to me about 2 years ago. I knew to stand out in the market I had to create a new niche with high demand and dominate it. I believe I have done so with the Hemp Sensation Gi. The benefits of our Hemp Sensation Gi compared to a normal 100% cotton gi are infinite. Too name a few, hemp is 4 x stronger, 4 x softer, anti-microbial, breathable, super light, super comfortable, environmentally friendly, etc. I can go on and on. The crazy thing is, these Hemp Sensation Gis actually get better after every wash!
I see on your website you sell temporary tattoos…how can you talk a little about the idea behind that product? I don’t generally see stuff like that from other BJJ product companies?
I think about BJJ and Submission Fight Co. 24/7, I just can’t get it out of my head. I always try to think of unique products that creates a new niche in BJJ Gear that has a high demand, like what I’ve done with the Hemp Sensation Gi. This idea is just one of those things that suddenly came to me. I searched and found no one sells BJJ temporary tattoos, so I decided to be the first one. Same goes for our really awesome, “Submission Fighter” license plate frame.
Does running a BJJ related company ever put a damper on your training? What I mean is, do you get to the point where you need a mental break from BJJ?
Haha its funny you ask that question. Just like most others, I originally started BJJ as a hobby and quickly fell in love with it. I used Jiu Jitsu to get away from the daily grind. Now I work in the Jiu Jitsu industry full time, train regularly and have friends who train BJJ as well. Sometimes it feels like I just can’t get away from BJJ wherever I go. But it’s ok, that’s a good thing!
I know you train with Jean Jacques Machado but if you had the opportunity to train with anyone else, who would it be?
I feel there are tons of great jiujitsu fighters out there that you can learn a lot from. One might be a great guard player and another, a great guard passer. So, If I had the chance I would love to be able to travel the world and learn different techniques from high level black belts all over the world.
Looking in a crystal ball 5 years ahead, where do you see SubmissionFC?
My goal is to make Submission Fight Company one of the top brands in the Jiu Jitsu industry, and at the rate our brand is growing we will. 5 years from today I see myself as the owner of one of the top brands in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by being the leader in organic Jiu Jitsu gear. I see myself not only growing the Submission Fight Co. brand but also expanding the growth of BJJ.
If you could grapple anyone in history, does not have to be a noted BJJ fighter, who would it be and why?
Maybe Helio Gracie, to see where Brazilian Jiu Jitsu started from and how much it has progressed over the years.
Thanks Shakib!
If you see something you like on the SubmissionFC website, be sure to use the coupon code below for extra savings!
Thanks Shakib!
If you see something you like on the SubmissionFC website, be sure to use the coupon code below for extra savings!
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