Within the past few years, various internet sites and videos have been wildly popular. The internet has created many celebrities in the process. Everyday, many people log on and visit these sites religiously. Some of these sites include Myspace, Youtube, and Facebook. Many sites have also gained a cult following with many users.
One site in particular is based out of our own town of Fresno. Mario Garza, an FCC alumni, created the popular website Stuff On My Cat and Robot Plague Designs. In his offices in east Fresno, he manages to juggle both businesses.
Stuff On My Cat allows people to send picture of various objects on their favorite felines. This definitely seems like a very bizarre idea, but the popularity of the site has kept it going. The site receives thousands of hits.
The idea goes as far back as Garza can remember. He was always putting various objects on his cat and got a kick out of it. One day, he found that someone else had done the same thing and posted pictures on a message board. He figured that if someone else found it humorous, there must be others out there who would appreciate it too. He eventually created the site and promoted it on various message boards. “It spread like wildfire” said Garza.
Today, he is selling various types of merchandise including calendars, t-shirts, books, and even cat apparel. The popularity has led to the site being featured in People Magazine, The Daily Show, VH1’s The Best Week Ever, and The New York Times. “Its been all over the place!” said Garza. The site is always kept fresh with new pictures and updates, leaving many adoring fans satisfied. Recently, he began a sister site called Stuff On My Mutt.
Mario Garza also runs Robot Plague Designs, a graphic design company. This company has also been very successful for him. Like Stuff On My Cat, it started out in his bedroom. Eventually, he had to relocate to an office for various reasons. “I was getting so much work and was constantly meeting with clients that I just needed a space to work at” said Garza of the quickly growing company. “Having meetings in your bedroom at your parents house isn’t the most ideal environment to discuss projects.”
His studio is graced with some of his past works including t-shirts and posters. His office is equipped with his work needs, along with a collection of various toys and CD’s. It seems more like a place of relaxation and hanging out than a place of serious business. The back part of his office building use to house a screen printing shop, but he has since discontinued screen printing in order to concentrate on his other tasks.
Garza has done various projects in the past for all types of clients. He just finished up a cover for The University of Arizona Press. He also just designed his first wine label. In the past, he has done some design work for The Used, Hawthorne Heights, New Found Glory, and Taste of Chaos.
Within the year, Garza plans on moving to Portland and running his business there. Garza sees many types of opportunity in store for himself. “With my line of work I’m able to work anywhere I want, so I’m going to take advantage of that” he says of his opportunity in Portland. Once he gets there, he hopes to attend film school.
It’s refreshing to see popular businesses strive in our town. It’s especially nice to see when they get national recognition. Garza’s design company and his website in particular are an example of how interesting success can be. You never quite know how your ideas can take off.
