Jim Lesser
31, founder of JDL Management in Philadelphia, maker of three of the top 10 arcade games in the world
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Description: Sportsmarketing and promotion
Start-up: 1998 with $550,000to $600,000
Sales: $7 million projectedin 2001
He’s got game: “Weredesign old games and do promotions. With Super Shot, we addedflat-screen TVs that have Reggie Miller or Vince Carter talkingtrash at you. High scorers get flown to the NBA Finals and competein a tournament for $50,000 in cash and prizes. [This year’swinner played] against Vince Carter on the Late LateShow.”
That’s a lot of start-upcapital: “I funded it with money from my clubbusiness and other promotions I’d done, and went to the bankfor the rest.”
Is technology the enemy?“Actually, I see the opposite. You can pay $40,000 for a newgame that’s obsolete in one year, but our games have beenaround for 90 years. Technology will not overtake them, becausethey’re physical, interactive games.”
High stakes: “Youcan’t be concerned with the naysayers. If you believe somethingis special, you have to be willing to roll the dice.”
Contact Source
- JDL Management, 610) 668-9930, fax: (610) 668-9935
Description: Sportsmarketing and promotion
Start-up: 1998 with $550,000to $600,000
Sales: $7 million projectedin 2001
He’s got game: “Weredesign old games and do promotions. With Super Shot, we addedflat-screen TVs that have Reggie Miller or Vince Carter talkingtrash at you. High scorers get flown to the NBA Finals and competein a tournament for $50,000 in cash and prizes. [This year’swinner played] against Vince Carter on the Late LateShow.”
That’s a lot of start-upcapital: “I funded it with money from my clubbusiness and other promotions I’d done, and went to the bankfor the rest.”
Is technology the enemy?“Actually, I see the opposite. You can pay $40,000 for a newgame that’s obsolete in one year, but our games have beenaround for 90 years. Technology will not overtake them, becausethey’re physical, interactive games.”
High stakes: “Youcan’t be concerned with the naysayers. If you believe somethingis special, you have to be willing to roll the dice.”
Contact Source
- JDL Management, 610) 668-9930, fax: (610) 668-9935
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