The entertainment sector is evolving rapidly, engaging and enthralling viewers in new and captivating ways. Speaking of which, games have always been a popular choice for people to unwind and have fun. It is also one of the entertainment verticals with the most technological influence. With immersive technologies gaining traction, people are becoming more invested in a new-age of gaming. From this standpoint, the only question that comes to mind is, “Why shouldn’t people be able to teleport wherever they want?” While that might happen in some time in the future, VR (virtual reality) is actually taking the gaming industry many steps ahead, revolutionizing how we perceive and experience entertainment.
Although virtual reality has existed for decades, there has been an apparent increment of its implementation in recent years. VR technology is not only revolutionizing how people watch movies and enjoy theatre experiences, but it is worth mentioning that it is also improving the gaming space by providing the player with 360° vision, ambient sound, and immersive realism. Given how incredible this innovation is, it makes sense that more and more entrepreneurs are setting precedents in this field. One such innovative individual is Robert M. Bruski, CEO of Ctrl V Inc. A serial entrepreneur with many ventures under his belt, Robert launched Ctrl V in 2016, envisioning the first and largest virtual reality arcade in the world. With time, Ctrl V has become a stamp of approval for memorable VR gaming experiences.
Business Talk recently had the privilege of getting in touch with Robert to know more about how Ctrl V is setting new benchmarks in redefining gaming experiences.
Robert has been in the entrepreneurial space for years, where he had the privilege of partnering with innovative leaders. Ctrl V is a landmark of their enduring spirit to revolutionize location-based entertainment. Knowing VR has immense potential to revolutionize entertainment, they intended to not just break into this industry but also redefine the way people view gaming. With this in mind, Robert and the founding team was able to assemble like-minded people that helped with vendor partnerships, market study, and creating a franchise business model.
All the effort and hard work paid off, when Ctrl V started drawing attention. In a short span, it managed to carve out a niche, providing excellent service standards, hygienic equipment, and the right consumer demography. With a value-driven business model, it has grown into major developed countries like the USA and Canada. To ensure that content providers are fairly compensated, it has also implemented anti-piracy measures. All things considered, Ctrl V has demonstrated unequivocally that, with the proper purpose and fundamental principles in mind, the VR arcade industry is a viable option for location-based entertainment.
Ctrl V is the world’s first virtual reality arcade venue. It is a brick-and-mortar facility where people could engage in virtual reality activities such as gaming, education, corporate gatherings, romantic dates, and more. Customers can indulge in top-notch VR experiences without breaking the bank, all while being assured of a safe and secure environment. The team on board is passionate about interactive technologies and feels everyone should have access to virtual reality. They are enthusiastic about providing excellent customer service and have a great sense of humor, ensuring every user experiences virtual reality in an engaging and thrilling setting.
Ctrl V also provides entrepreneurs with business opportunities to open their own facility using the franchising model. It provides a B2B model with a patented internal operational software suite that, when compared to competitors, lowers labor expenses by 75% without sacrificing client satisfaction. Its autonomous vendor relationships ultimately have 80% or more impact on gross profit margin. The venues have a 40% return customer rate thanks to a savvy space and marketing approach. On the other hand, its B2C model offers the lowest costing VR experiences, along with the best customer support. In this setting, Ctrl V gives clients the freedom to direct their own experiences with the least amount of staff intervention.
In summary, Ctrl V strives to provide gamers with unforgettable memories without compromising on the quality of content. All games go through a rigorous screening process and are licensed ethically. Moreover, it offers a diverse range of experiences that can be customized to meet the needs of any player.
While the VR entertainment space has seen many disruptions over the years, the transformations aren’t driven by disruptors. Robert explains that a stereotypical disruptor may come up with an idea that can drive changes. But the actual disruptors are the consumers. After all, an idea is only as good as the demand for it. In the VR space, too many companies are trying to innovate and disrupt without any regard for what the consumer wants, needs, or will use. Instead of following suit, he and his team at Ctrl V are committed to providing something that challenges people to go beyond their comfort zones, all the while keeping the needs of the client first.
They have a strong R&D division that helps to innovate their franchise model. They also leverage the technological R&D of VR hardware and software manufacturer to have an edge on the technical front. The team makes strategic moves focused around economic growth to provide support and profitability for the franchise owners and people that have invested in their vision. The value-driven approach has allowed them to provide an unparallel experience to entrepreneurs looking to be a part of their network. Because of this, the expansion has been predominantly organic. Given how challenging the franchising business is, these efforts give an insurmountable edge over peers.
“Identify your problems, but give your power and energy to solutions.”
Humans are problem-solvers by nature, but visionaries must anticipate possible issues and devise a plan of action before they materialize. Robert, who has years of expertise in the business world, believes that the most effective approach for remaining resilient is to analyze and prepare for potential economic crises. If the problem isn’t financial, it’s better to maintain your composure and concentrate on finding a solution. With his systematic approach, Ctrl V has managed to weather many turbulences and storms without experiencing any uninvited pullbacks. He says, “If you don’t give up and work harder than anyone else, anything is possible.”
His squad shares his innate will to grow and bounce back. As Robert puts it, they’re all “A-Players” who contribute to Ctrl V’s expansion and share its basic principles. The team’s natural capacity to encourage creativity makes it possible for the business to grow faster, even when it’s recovering from struggles.
Though Ctrl V is not your usual disruptor, it shares some characteristics with an innovative brand. Since inception, Ctrl V has ensured a constant flow of knowledge, which feeds ideas that are essential to advancing innovation. Robert claims that their culture is the root of this. “People stay productive on their own when they are brought into what the business is doing, and things are kept exciting to them,” he says. It guarantees that everything is achievable, albeit with minor adjustments. This says a lot about Robert, who has been the driving force behind the company and its culture and ensures that the business stays purposeful.
Although he is a leader with a strong interest in immersive technologies, he also values people and endorses the fact that a cohesive team is the cornerstone of success in business. He maintains his team’s focus on the company’s goal while they incorporate the tools required to meet it. He takes a similar stance when dealing with franchisee partners, enabling them to take ownership of their company and uphold transparency. And although they are the ones who will decide how prosperous they become; Ctrl V will support them every step of the way. Robert claims, “They are not alone in this, and that is what breeds empowerment and security.”
Robert’s view on life and leadership itself is distinct, matching his inventiveness as a leader. According to him, leaders with a deep understanding of people are the most successful. This is the most crucial element in being an exceptional leader. Influence drives leadership, but authority drives management. You cannot exert influence if you lack interpersonal understanding. Every leader must keep learning about people and developing their empathy.
He draws inspiration and guidance from Jesus Christ, which instils sensitivity in all he does. “He is the greatest leader in the world who has helped countless people be better and continues to do so,” he said. “He loves everyone without conditions, and his words are full with insightful lessons.” In addition, he has a niece and nephew who bring happiness and genuine affection into his life. Their presence in his life has made him more aware of the beauty in the world and the value of keeping a broader viewpoint.
In eight years, going through many highs and lows, Ctrl V has earned a significant reputation in the VR space. When it began, people weren’t aware of immersive technologies and thought it was a fad. But Ctrl V proved them wrong by capturing the imagination of many and entered the franchise business. Since then, it has been all about pushing boundaries and reaching new heights. Ctrl V has expanded to three countries with over 20 locations in a short span of 3 years. Their exceptional work in redefining VR experiences has been widely recognized by leading magazines such as Reader’s Choice, Entrepreneur Magazine, and The Franchise Universe. Their remarkable achievements have been featured in various categories, paving the way for others to follow their lead.
While they appreciate the recognition that comes with receiving these laurels, their true satisfaction comes from empowering others to achieve success. Robert and his team are passionate about helping entrepreneurs and virtual reality enthusiasts turn their business dreams into reality.
With eight years of noteworthy accomplishments under its belt, Ctrl V is now expanding its reach across North America by offering franchising opportunities. It has a proven track record of enhancing VR content experiences and assisting entrepreneurs in finding profitable opportunities. “This will spell success for everyone,” Robert says, concluding, “Our pipeline is big with constant interest, and we are regularly vetting them to make sure we find the right people and can put them in the right seats.”
Your “tomorrow” is someone else’s “today”. Don’t spend time worrying, planning, forecasting, and wasting time. Do not over-index to avoid danger. Just get to work and get things done. Action equals growth and the longer you wait the longer you will build someone else’s dream instead of yours. – Robert M. Bruski
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Business Talk is a digital business magazine that caters to CEOs, Entrepreneurs, VC, and Corporates. While working with entrepreneurs and business executives, we focus not only on their achievements. Our mission is to shed light on business entities, including their innovations, technological benchmarks, USPs, and milestones/accolades.
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