Cole Does Customs
During the Pandemic, I decided to create a small business, using Etsy as a storefront. I created all the collateral and handled all business responsibilities.
The GameCube Switch Dock
Super Smash Bros. Melee is a Video Game that was originally released in 2001 on the Nintendo Gamecube.
People loved to play the game with the controllers that came with the console, and even today several generations of the Game later, a large number of gamers still choose the Gamecube’s controller when playing competitively. Super Smash Bros Ultimate is a game that can be played on the Nintendo Switch, but uses a different controller. I wanted to create a device that allowed people to play the newest game in the series with the Gamecube controller.
Getting out there
After starting my store, I knew I needed to let people know I was out there. I decided to gift one to Twitch streamer PayMoneyWubby since he had expressed his love for Nintendo in the past, and his community would possibly be interested. I left my information in the box along with the Gamecube Switch Dock, and asked that he only shared my store’s only if he felt it was worth doing so.
Visibility
After the shout-out from PayMoneyWubby, I started receiving orders from his community. This boost in sales also helped me with Etsy’s algorithm to the point where I was on the first page if you searched Nintendo on the site. After gaining visibility, I expanded with more products and doubled down on my branding. You can find a gallery of images created for my storefront below.
Shop Logos
Inspired by the Nintendo Switch Controllers
Earlier on in the store’s history, I started off by modifying Nintendo Switch Controllers by adding new colors and buttons. This is where the name Cole Does Customs initially came from and why the Nintendo Switch controllers are so present in my shop’s branding.
Portable Switch Dock
The Nintendo Switch dock that comes with the console is large and not great for travel. Smaller, Third-party docks exist, but they are almost guaranteed to damage your console. Using 3D printing, I created a new housing for the Nintendo Switch Dock that was 80% lighter and 85% smaller than the original housing.
Gamecube Switch Dock
My most popular product by far, allowed people to use the Gamecube controller ports on an original Gamecube with their Nintendo Switch. To make these, I’d source broken Gamecubes, gut the internals, and rebuild them with 3D-printed and electrical parts. As mentioned above, since Third-Party Docks damage the Nintendo Switch Console, all of these were built with original Switch dock internals. This decision brought the price up a bit, but to many it was worth.
General 3D Printing Services
Since I was already using a 3D printer to create parts for the above two products, I rented out my printer to anyone needing 3D printed parts. This process would involve a customer sending me their desired .stl file, telling me any relevant information about the parts, me printing the parts and processing them, and then mailing the finished parts to the customer.
Closing Shop
As lockdown restrictions became less intense, High School picked back up, and schoolwork demanded a lot more of my attention than it did during quarantine. After reflecting on how many people I had met and made happy with my business, I decided to finally close shop in mid-2022. I think it was an overall successful experience that I was able to learn a lot from.
