It all started with an idea and a simple post in a paintball forum. The rest is now Animal Paintball History……welcome to the Catshack Mr. Mondo of Animal Custom Jerseys!
Animal Paintball started with a crazy idea. Lets give the people what they want. At the Mardi Gras Open in 1999, Mondo and Rosey went to Louisiana to compete with team “Texas DiamondbaX”. Each of the team members had just dropped easily about $85 each on our new “JT” jerseys with custom lettering. When we got to the event, we saw that about 20 other teams had the exact same jersey. We even played 2 teams with the exact same setup. Imagine our disappointment, to spend so much money and end up looking like everybody else.
Mondo, being upset told Rosey and the rest of his team that he saw a niche in the market and was going to take advantage of it. Mondo and Rosey had been saving for a new house and decided to use that money to start “Animal Paintball”. We purchased 900 jerseys from a jersey manufacturer and imagined that we would be wearing these jerseys for years to come if they did not sell. Well we sold out in 3 months.
Animal Paintball evolved into 2 brand names to accommodate all our customers. Animal Paintball and Animal Customs now leads the way in custom jerseys in the paintball, BMX and soon the soccer and hockey world.
Animal has grown into a huge success. It is hard to open a paintball magazine that does not feature our jerseys and / or products being showcased. Our products have also been on major television stations, such as MTV, FOX, ESPN, ESPN2, and many others.
When and where did you play your first game of paintball?
The first time we played was here in Laredo, Texas in 1997 Believe it or not it was my wife who had heard an advertisement on the radio for a local paintball field, and she wanted to give it a try. The rest is history
Having been in business for around 10 years, what is the most important thing you have learned?
That being an overnight success takes years of hard work, a bit of luck and years of hard work.
If there was any advice you could give to a new player what would it be?
Practice, practice, practice. No matter whether I was playing in the NPPL versus teams like Avalanche or playing at home against a local team, I always learned something new about me and my playing abilities.
What has been your favorite jersey design you have produced to date? There have been so many, and it changes from week to week, since we my designers are constantly surprising me with new and fresh designs. But if I had to pic one of our latest ones it would probably be this one, a tribute jersey we produced for FireFighters, who on a daily basis, risk life and limb for us.
If you could change one thing, what would it be? To be honest, I cant think of anything. Well, other then the economy of course, but as for my business, things are going just as planned.
When you were a young lad, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a Psychiatrist. I did get my Psychology degree and believe it or not use it every day when dealing with employees and customers alike.
Being one of the most recognizable names in the custom jersey market how do you stay on top?
There will always be competitors who keep an eye on us and we have had them copy everything from our designs, to our website, to our policies. As long as they are copying/following us, they can never truly be innovative or a leader, so that alone keeps us on top. Well that and the fact that we work very, very, very hard 
If you were to close your doors tomorrow what would you do next? Wow…I truly have never given that a thought. With 30+ full time employees who trust me with their livelihood, I cant and would never let that happen.
For all of your custom paintball needs please visit Animal Paintball and Mondo at http://www.animalpaintball.com/. My team has personally used Animal in the past with a great experience.
Want to Twitter with Mondo? http://twitter.com/AnimalCustoms
By Paul Forcier – Catshack Correspondent
