Holder introduction — JAY
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JAY is a magician with a diverse professional background. Offline, he focuses on performing and teaching magic, offering unique courses to cultivate children’s expression and confidence. Online, he creates content on relationships and male self-improvement and has Instagram and YouTube channels.
JAY first got involved in the cryptocurrency market around 2018 or 2019 when he was introduced to PlusToken by a friend. After investing for two days, PlusToken collapsed, leaving him disappointed and confused. It wasn’t until the DeFi Summer of 2020 that JAY regained interest in cryptocurrency and started investing in meme coins, eventually leading him to explore the NFT space. Through the founder of the streetwear brand “CHRONIC,” FRDY, he discovered E-DAMER on a podcast and was fascinated. Last year, he directly purchased two E-DAMER NFTs out of curiosity and admiration.
Subsequently, JAY began collecting the Five Elements and successfully obtained a special benefit of a pair of Air Jordan 1s, which made him very happy. His interest in sneakers was born from this experience, and he identifies with THE REMADE’s passion for shoe craftsmanship and understanding of trends. Buying or using their products saves him a lot of time and the trouble of discerning taste.
Given the opportunity to design sneakers, JAY hopes to incorporate his own story into the design, creating unique products. Inspired by Peter Moore, the designer of Air Jordan 1 in “AIR,” he envisions integrating elements of magic into the design, such as automatic lacing features. In the past, he enjoyed the cushioning feel of Air Max 1 and preferred its compact design compared to Air Max 90. When purchasing sneakers, he prioritizes aesthetic design, believing that appearance is more important than brand and materials. Regarding THE REMADE, he feels that wearing unique customized sneakers represents a special identity, and this value brings him great satisfaction.
When JAY initially switched to REVO, his girlfriend’s mother mocked it, saying it looked like a net for wrapping guavas. However, once he tried on the REVO, he immediately felt comfortable. It reminded him of a scene from “AIR” where he initially found the naming of Air Jordan unfamiliar but gradually got used to it. Similarly, he had a similar feeling about REVO, initially finding it strange but gradually thinking it was cool. Interestingly, people around him also started getting accustomed to it.
JAY puts forward suggestions for project improvement. He shares the success story of Alex Hormozi as an example, emphasizing the importance of community influence. JAY believes that THE REMADE already has a loyal fan base and can expand its brand influence by collaborating with other brands and utilizing more precise social media promotion to convey the value of THE REMADE. He encourages perseverance and believes that such efforts will eventually lead to unexpected achievements.
For more detailed interviews, please refer to the following
Could you please briefly introduce yourself first？
I am JAY, a magician and magic teacher. I have a dual professional role. Offline, I work as a magic teacher, primarily focused on teaching and performing. However, I have delegated these responsibilities to my friends, creating a cooperative relationship. Additionally, online, I engage in internet-related activities, primarily providing content on relationships and male self-improvement. I have my own IG and YouTube channels. So, my profession can be described as having two facets, both online and offline. Furthermore, I have a keen interest in NFTs and cryptocurrencies, which is why I ventured into this field.
How did your magic career develop, and what is your business model？
Our magic career has developed in two aspects, both online and offline. Our offline endeavors started first, where we engaged in the sale of magic products. This is relatively uncommon in Taiwan, with only one company currently conducting such business. Typically, we would appear at night markets, department store exhibitions, and similar venues. Later on, we started offering magic courses, which differed from traditional magic instruction. We designed a completely new curriculum similar to a children’s version of Carnegie (Carnegie Training aims to teach interpersonal communication and stress management skills). Through these courses, we enable children to perform magic on stage, cultivating their expressiveness, interpersonal interaction, and self-confidence. They can perform for their classmates at school, gaining more social interaction and personal growth. Such courses are unique within schools, distinct from typical extracurricular programs. Our offline magic career primarily revolves around this aspect.
Are the offline courses related to the original magic product sales？
Our offline courses are integrated with our original magic product sales. We designed a live magic course primarily targeting families and specific audiences. Students can participate in our physical courses, which typically consist of around 16 lessons. Additionally, we provide complementary online courses, combining both elements. This design allows students to learn in the live courses while also benefiting from additional learning resources from the online courses.
Let me share my thoughts on my online endeavors. Have you heard of a book called “1,000 True Fans”? It discusses a concept in online businesses known as “1,000 true fans.” Some might think that to be successful on YouTube or other online platforms, you need millions or hundreds of thousands of fans. However, the concept proposed by the author of this book is that if you have 1,000 genuine fans, you can sustain your livelihood. I have noticed during the NFT craze that many projects generated astounding revenue, further affirming my desire to engage in an online business based on the foundation of “1,000 true fans.”
How far has the business related to relationships developed？
Currently, the market for relationship teaching resources mainly focuses on teaching pickup techniques, which has a significant demand in Taiwan. However, there are very few coaches who truly understand how to teach effectively, and most are merely capitalizing on this market to make money. On the other hand, the market for relationship topics is quite extensive. Especially in the NFT community, many STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) guys particularly welcome the presence of women as it can change the overall atmosphere. Therefore, targeting this market, I plan to delve into a more specific area that emphasizes self-improvement topics. This group has garnered attention internationally, where discussions revolve not only around techniques for guys to pursue girls but also delve into interactions between men and women and other knowledge related to relationships.
However, some content may touch on politically sensitive issues. There are many yellow warning labels on YouTube nowadays, and inappropriate remarks on Instagram can lead to being banned. Cancel culture is particularly prevalent in the United States. Therefore, some individuals abroad who discuss these topics have considered building a brand that can be found on the blockchain even if they are banned from YouTube, especially in the transition from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0 era. They utilize NFTs as a medium to sustain their brand. This is actually a cool blockchain application.
Did you start pursuing this type of business because of the book “1,000 True Fans”？
I became interested in this type of business around 2019. At that time, there were buzzwords on social media like “digital nomad,” referring to the ability to carry a computer and work from anywhere without being restricted by time and space — an alternative lifestyle of sorts. I was intrigued by this way of life, so I started exploring various methods of online marketing.
Later on, I unexpectedly began managing topics and content, experimenting with different approaches. I had left my job in the magic industry at the time and worked for a company for a while. After quitting, I decided to try this lifestyle on my own and have been continuing ever since. I am still in a constant process of learning and growth.
How did you first enter the cryptocurrency and NFT markets？
I first came across the PlusToken scam project in 2018 or 2019, introduced to me by a friend. At that time, I had no knowledge of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum and only saw them as investment schemes, hoping to earn interest by putting in some money. However, just two days after my investment, PlusToken collapsed, leaving me disappointed and confused about cryptocurrencies.
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It wasn’t until the DeFi Summer of 2020 that I started seeing many people in the community discussing cryptocurrencies, around the time when Dogecoin had a massive surge. I began paying attention to cryptocurrencies again and realized their existence. After that, I invested a bit in meme coins like Baby Doge Coin. It was only later that I started getting involved in the NFT space.
How did you learn about E-DAMER, and what made you want to buy it？
I learned about E-DAMER through FRDY, the founder of the streetwear brand “CHRONIC.” I heard about the project on his wife’s podcast. During the podcast, Tommy mentioned his relationship with RTFKT. After hearing about it, I became extremely interested in the project and quickly started researching related information and looking into Tommy’s past content. Overall, I felt very excited and amazed by E-DAMER, so even though the market conditions were not favorable at the time, I decided to purchase two E-DAMER NFTs in March, despite their slightly higher price.
When did you become a Five Elements holder？
I can’t remember who said it, but when someone asked Tommy if there were any special benefits after collecting all five elements, he answered yes. This statement piqued my interest, so I decided to collect the Five Elements NFTs. Later on, I acquired a pair of Air Jordan 1, which made me very happy. I wasn’t particularly into collecting shoes before, but I became interested in them.
I once heard a statement that resonated with me. It mentioned how many people love sneakers but never actively buy or collect them. Since “The Remade” itself loves making shoes and understands the trends, purchasing their products or using their products can save a lot of time and trouble in terms of taste and appreciation.
Dabao:
We share a common idea about E-DAMER’s business model, which is to transform it into a concept similar to a small-scale incubator. For example, we initially started with making shoes, so the RNFTs could be exchanged for shoes. But we are also considering the possibility of applying RNFTs to other items to cover the things around us. Therefore, we are gradually shifting our business model in that direction.
E-DAMER is like a group, and when you want to collaborate with different companies, you need to sign partnership agreements or work with companies within the same group to make it happen. Our current goal is to bring everyone together through E-DAMER. For example, you might only be able to connect with certain individuals, but in our community, you have the opportunity to collaborate with people from various fields. This allows you to expand your business and meet talented individuals from different domains.
If you had the opportunity to design sneakers, what would your design be？
That’s a bit of a challenging question. It reminds me of the movie “AIR.” Since I’m not a designer, I don’t know how to design sneakers. However, seeing Peter Moore, the designer of the Air Jordan 1, in the movie gave me a sense of casualness and inspiration. If I were to design a pair of sneakers or any other product, I would combine it with my story, making the designed product unique.
Although I can’t specifically describe the colors or appearance of the design, perhaps I could incorporate some magic elements since I am a magician. For example, it would be cool if the shoelaces could automatically tie themselves. I could wear The Remade’s shoes, show them off outside, and with a gentle shake of my foot, the shoelaces would magically tie themselves. That would be really cool.
How do you feel after wearing REVO？
To be honest, when REVO was first delivered to my girlfriend’s house, her aunt opened the package and wondered why I bought something that looked like a papaya. Haha. At first, I also thought it looked a bit strange, but once I put them on, they were really comfortable.
It reminded me of a quote from the movie “AIR,” where they mentioned, “I’m going to call this new Michael Jordan line Air Jordan. Then he looks up, indicating a good feeling about the name, and says he’ll get used to it.”
I feel that way about REVO. It may feel a bit strange at first, but as you wear them for some time, you gradually get used to them and start to think they’re cool. Interestingly, people around you also get accustomed to them. I find this whole thing quite fascinating.
Have you ever pursued a particular shoe and bought it？
I used to really like the Air Max 1, especially the feeling of the cushioning. Most people around me preferred the Jordan series, especially during college. But I inexplicably fell in love with the Air Max 1. I’m not referring to the Air Max 90 because the cushioning in the 90s is thicker, while the Air Max 1 has a small cushioning unit at the back that can’t fully reveal itself.
If you were to buy a pair of sneakers today, would you prioritize the brand, design, or materials？
This reminds me of a scene from the movie “AIR” where Peter Moore, when designing the shoes, had to consider functionality, aesthetics, or a combination of both. He raised many questions and ultimately decided to focus on aesthetics first. My logic is somewhat similar. I believe that the appearance should look good first, and sometimes you haven’t worn many shoes, so you don’t know if a particular pair is worth buying based on other factors.
I don’t know if anyone feels the same, but wearing custom sneakers like THE REMADE somewhat adds value to your identity because they are personalized and unique. You feel that these sneakers represent a special identity when you wear them, and I think that’s a great value. If more people could get to know this brand, that would be even more impressive.
After watching the movie “AIR” or reading the book “1000 True Fans,” did it inspire you in any way？
The movie “AIR” has been a great source of inspiration for me, leaving a profound impact after watching it. It gave me a sense that if Tommy feels strongly about a movie, he wouldn’t easily give up. He doesn’t strike me as someone who gives up easily. In the movie, Jordan didn’t like Nike and wanted to sign with Converse and Adidas instead. They offered him a substantial amount of money, but the budget was limited. His agent kept blocking it, but he went directly to his parents. Although it was later revealed that this incident might have been fictional, the portrayal in the movie was beautiful and showcased relentless effort.
I translated this spirit into my own career. Initially, with a small audience and limited viewers, our target audience was not like those businesses seeking high traffic. So, we focused on providing value to our fans. In the early stages, when we worked hard to share this value, sometimes it felt like the effort wouldn’t pay off, and the scenarios in the book depicted negativity. But if you persist and genuinely put your heart into it, magical things can happen, and sometimes there are sudden turning points. It’s strange, and words can’t fully describe it. So, never give up easily.
Dabao:
In fact, we’ve always wanted to establish a secondary market for THE REMADE because we noticed some people reselling the shoes they redeemed on Shopee at prices of three thousand, five thousand, six thousand, and so on. However, the cost of making a pair of shoes is not merely that. These resellers may not be aware of our costs; they simply sell them. For Tommy, he thought if people don’t know, then so be it. He would seek out those who understand the value of the brand. For those who don’t recognize the value, we can change the collaboration model and create a secondary market, where sneaker enthusiasts can see this market and understand the brand’s value, craftsmanship, and design. If they are willing to purchase at that price, when such a market forms, everyone will realize the value of this brand or NFT.
Do you have any suggestions or ideas that can help improve our project？
I don’t know if any of you have heard of a person named Alex Hormozi. He used to run a gym but later shifted to teaching people how to operate gyms, earning a lot of money. Initially, he didn’t use social media, but he realized the importance of influence and started sharing all his business knowledge for free. His goal was simple; he operated a company similar to a trading firm and sought out entrepreneurs. If their revenue exceeded one million dollars, he was willing to collaborate and help them achieve 10 times or even higher growth. He was willing to impart all the secrets of business and find those precise individuals to collaborate with.
This example tells us that having community influence is crucial, and it is also true for THE REMADE. I believe THE REMADE already has a loyal fan base, and you can leverage these avenues, such as collaborating with other brands, to increase your brand’s fan base and showcase your value. Additionally, you can utilize more targeted social media promotion, such as short films, IG Reels, TikTok videos, and Facebook, to convey THE REMADE’s story to a wider audience.
