Meet Saul Portillo

We had the good fortune of connecting with Saul Portillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Saul, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
WINRAVEN LLC was formed into a legal entity in 2018, but I have been using Winraven as a DBA since 2009. I graduated college that same year, and as you may remember, that was in the midst of the housing crisis. While at the time, I did not understand the complexity of the situation, I realized that as a person fresh out of collage with no real work experience, entering the workforce, I was not going to be considered a potential candidate in the scarcity of jobs that were available. I needed a way to supplement my minimum wage job.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Like i mentioned before, I started my business in order to supplement my main source of income. I started making websites for cheap, to whoever I could find. But it wasn’t easy, the biggest hurdle with customers is that they do not know what they want, or how to communicate what they need. Most of my clients would ask for their website to “pop”, or be “edgy”. ” It wasn’t until years later that I landed my first job in tech. My side business changed for the first time. I was able to pursue the hobby of costume making, known as cosplay, and very soon learned how to monetize it. I created and sold costumes, props and templates. I began giving panels at conventions and a few classes on costume making. This lead me to make very interesting connections and allowed me to build and sell a prop to Disney; make appearances for Microsoft’s Xbox release events; and make a costume for a Rooster Teeth Productions. I was also part of the filming process as one of the characters in the show.
In the process of making cosplay more efficiently , I came up with a product line of cosplay components. One of which, is a strip of dragon scales. Theses gained some traction online and has been requested by several theaters across the country. While I stopped selling costumes and props, I have been selling the components ever since.

When the 2020 pandemic hit, I was fortunate enough to keep my main job. I was also able to pick up another hobby, woodworking. Once again, I learned to monetize it, and began selling my artwork at several conventions, including the biggest one in DFW; Fan Expo Dallas. During this time, I came up with a design for a wood and resin handmade bookmark. I was able to get a provisional patent on the design, and have added them as another product line to sell.

WINRAVEN has always been a side business for me. The services or products I have offered under the name may have changed over the years, but I keep a part of them going. I will still make websites for people who reach out to me, I still sell the cosplay components, and I will keep the bookmark product line going. While it started for me to supplement my income, now,15 years later, I am fortunately more financially secured. It provides a way for me to extend my creativeness and to fund future creative endeavors.

However, I am shifting once again. I am leaving behind the woodwork to focus on a new vision. I am working on a costume making competition web series. wish me luck. Let’s see what comes out of this!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: – go to the Pero museum and the aquarium
– eat at Mexicali restaurant

Day 2:
– visit the botanical gardens and visit the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
– drop by the peak inn for a burger and a beer in the evening

Day 3:
– visit the Dallas Zoo
– dinner at the bishop arts district

Day 4:
-Tour the AT&T stadium and visit the stock yards in Fort Worth
– find a place nearby Sundance square to eat

Day 5:
– see the farmers market and visit Deep Ellum later in the evening
– have some pizza at serious pizza

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First of all, my family, of course. Even though, they did not understand many of my interests. With out their support and encouragement, I would have not made it very far. But most importantly my wife, having to deal with me turning the garage into a workshop. Having to put up with the loud machines while she is watching tv, or trying to enjoy some down time. And, even though she absolutely hates the feeling of wood, she would power through helping me pack orders and get ready for conventions.

Website: www.winravencreations.com 

Image Credits
Scott Fisher Joe Uribe Adam Grumbo Greywolf photography Theme Shoots