We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zack Fite a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zack, thanks for joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
If I could go back in time, I wish I had started my business sooner and not been afraid to fail. The biggest lessons come from experience, and in any industry especially a new one success comes from being willing to take risks, learn from failures, and keep pushing forward. Every setback is just another step toward growth, and the sooner you start, the sooner you gain the knowledge, skills, and resilience needed to succeed. Waiting only delays the inevitable challenges, and facing them head-on earlier would have meant faster progress, more opportunities, and a stronger foundation for long term success.
We started Las Vegas Inferno January 6th 2020. During this time we have grown to be recognized as the official esports team of Las Vegas. We have our own holiday in the city January 6th is Las Vegas Inferno day! I was living in North Carolina during the early days. Working remotely was difficult when most meetings were local to Vegas. In 2022 I took the risk and believed the business i was building. Many people see their work as an IF this works ill be in X place. In Inferno IF is never and option. Closing our doors has never and will never be an option. Most entrepreneurs are slightly crazy.
Zack, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Esports is about way more than just competition, it’s about building a future where gaming creates real opportunities for players and the community. Growing with Las Vegas Inferno, my goal has always been to grow something bigger than just a team. We’ve been able to bridge traditional sports and gaming, like our partnership with NASCAR for iRacing, and that’s just the beginning.
But what really matters to me is education and outreach. I want parents to see the real potential in esports, not just as a hobby, but as a legitimate career path. There are so many opportunities in this space, whether it’s playing, coaching, content creation, lawyers, accountants, designers, marketing, and many more careers. A big part of what I do is helping people understand that.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the work we’ve done raising money for Starlight Children’s Hospital to build gaming carts for PICU. This cause is deeply personal to me. My baby sister spent over six months in the PICU, and that experience gave me a whole new perspective on what these kids go through every single day.
I saw firsthand that sometimes the best medicine isn’t something a doctor can prescribe. It’s being able to escape reality, even just for a little while. Video games create that escape. They give these kids a chance to be somewhere else, somewhere their minds can run free, away from the stress and pain they’re dealing with. Whether it’s exploring new worlds, going on adventures, or just playing with friends, gaming is the perfect playground to help them take their minds off the challenges they face.
Being able to give these kids a moment of joy, a break from the hospital walls, means everything to me. That’s why I’ll always push to use gaming as a force for good, because I know just how powerful it can be.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
At Las Vegas Inferno we don’t just connect with our fans we make them feel like they’re part of the team It’s not just about updates it’s about making sure our community feels involved appreciated and heard every step of the way
On social media we do more than just post we interact with our fans respond to their comments and create ways for them to be part of the action Whether it’s voting on team decisions joining Q&A sessions or getting a behind the scenes look we make sure they feel like they’re right there with us
And it’s not just online We bring that same energy to real life events Our fans don’t just watch they show up get involved and experience the excitement firsthand From local tournaments and watch parties to meet and greets and charity events we create spaces where they can connect with us and each other
Being part of Inferno isn’t about sitting on the sidelines it’s about being in the fire with us Our fans are the heart of everything we do and we make sure they always feel like they’re right in the center of it all.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Managing a team and keeping morale high starts with knowing how to make the right hires. Every person you bring in has an impact, and it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each hire beyond just their skills. A talented person with a bad attitude can do more harm than good because when toxicity is allowed in the workplace, it spreads fast and drags everyone down.
The key is setting the tone from the top. Build a culture where respect, accountability, and teamwork come first. If negativity and drama are ignored, they’ll grow, and before you know it, they’ll lower productivity and motivation across the board. Address issues head-on, make sure everyone feels valued, and create an environment where people actually want to show up and do their best.
At the same time, morale isn’t just about avoiding toxicity, it is about keeping people motivated. Recognize hard work, celebrate wins, and make sure your team knows they’re appreciated. When people feel like they’re part of something bigger and that their efforts matter, they’ll push themselves and each other to be better. A strong team culture doesn’t just happen, it’s built through leadership, clear expectations, and a commitment to keeping negativity out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lvinferno.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vegasinferno/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VegasInferno
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vegasinferno
- Twitter: https://x.com/VegasInferno
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VegasInferno
- Other: twitch.tv/VegasInferno
Kick.com/VegasInferno