If you’re a parent of school-aged kids these days, you’re likely fighting a never-ending battle to get them off their phones and computers and out into the fresh (ish) air. And if they’re into Roblox, you’re probably taking more Ls than Ws.
You may think your kids can’t get anything out of a silly video game, but think again. One 22-year-old woman found a way to marry her love of fashion with the online gaming platform to create a successful business. By selling her original fashion designs for Roblox avatars, Kyasia Watson generates over $100,000 a year.
Not bad for a silly video game, huh?
With over 77 million daily active users, Roblox describes itself as “the ultimate virtual universe.” Gamers flock to the platform to play games they create or those created by others in the community. When they sign up, users get an avatar that can be customized with clothing and hairstyles of their choice.
Watson started playing Roblox at age 8. And although she loved the games, she was frustrated with the clothing options available to her avatar. Since she had already been sketching outfits on paper in her free time, she decided to learn to create her own designs on her computer using Photoshop.
“I was just a bored kid on the computer. And I always loved art and anything creative. I carried a sketchbook with me everywhere, even when my family was going out to dinner, I’d be doodling at the table. Sketching outfits on the computer felt no different,” she said.
Watson designed her first outfit for Roblox in 2013. She only made a small profit at the time, but she loved designing so much, she decided to leave her online nursing program to focus on her fashions. Watson kept grinding, and in just ten years time, she grew her earnings to over $110,000 annually.
Since becoming a full-time freelance designer, Watson has partnered with fashion brands including Gucci and Forever 21 to create designs for the Roblox platform. She plans to learn additional programming skills that will allow her to grow her business.
“I run a pretty profitable business that’s connected with millions of people but I still hear it all the time that ‘Oh, Roblox is a kids’ game,’” she said. “But many of the top-selling artists and developers are adults. It’s a great career for someone who is creative and doesn’t feel fulfilled by the confines of a 9-to-5 job.”