Robert Gifford made custom, heirloom-quality gaming tables for the discerning gamer/geek who cares about aesthetics. He could accommodate any customer’s gaming interests and style. The wooden tabletops that doubled as dining tables were made of the finest cherry, maple or walnut and slid open to reveal a polished surface tailored to the desires of the individual customers, regardless if they wanted a table for card games, board games, or any other kind of game, or the drawer that transforms into a desk. There are also receptacles for gaming accoutrements such as dice, tokens, chips, snacks, wine glasses and beer bottles. The tables cost an average of $3,500, and Robert said they made $2 million the previous year.
Robert Herjavec had gone out but changed his mind and offered $300,000 for 25% equity. Robert G. accepted. Until later when he went over the contract with a fine-toothed comb (as someone else called it, “in true Geek mode”) and declined, accepting an investment with someone already involved with the company instead.
The company did well for a while, then folded. Robert posted a message filled with his own angst at the turn of events on the website, but he ignored the customers who had put down thousands of dollars on the tables. He did not answer emails or phone calls.
His employees fared better. They started their own gaming table company, Bandpass Design, armed with the knowledge of what not to do from Robert’s mistakes. It appears to be doing well based upon a beautiful top-notch website displaying fabulous furniture.
Geek Chic is no longer in business.
