Bremen Student and Alum Launch Custom Order Business

It was the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic, October 2020, when Bremen High School student Amir Gause and his brother, Bremen High School graduate Armoni Gause, decided that they wanted to spruce up their home theater with some new decor.

The two created various custom backlit posters and realized they could probably sell the items. Hence, shortly after, they launched their business called Viral Customz. A fitting name considering they make a wide variety of custom items from posters to shoeboxes to speakers to custom game controllers.

"It's really whatever you want us to make," said Amir. "If you can imagine it, we can probably make it."

The Viral Cutomz website has a variety of products displayed on it that shoppers can browse. There's also a Facebook page and an Instagram page (@viralcustomz) for interested customers to check out.

Product prices range from $20.00 for a t-shirt to $750 for a decked-out shoebox that's most likely a dream for a sneaker collector.

The Viral Cutomz website states, "Our mission is to provide our customers with their product in a timely fashion, provide exceptional customer service, along with the absolute best quality for any custom item they have purchased."

District 228 Alternative Education Teacher Amir Ross is an example of a satisfied Viral Cutomz customer. He learned about the business as a coach of the Bremen High School basketball team. As an athlete on the team, Amir Gause brought one of his speakers to practice. When Coach Ross saw the speaker, he asked where the student go it. Learning of the business, he then asked if Gause could build him a custom Chicago Bears-themed speaker with a screen built into it.

Gause says this was the first time he had been asked to make a speaker with a screen in it, but that he was up to the challenge. Eventually, the speaker, photographed here, was built and now is often proudly displayed in Coach Ross' classroom.

While only in high school and already a co-creator of a business, Amir said he would still like to attend college where he would love to play basketball. He is also considering a major in business or entrepreneurship. Surprisingly, the Bremen senior is not currently taking any business courses at the school. Instead, it seems most of his learned skills stem from family.

"My mom works in events and makes custom cups, designs, and silverware," he said.
"My dad has always liked building and worked on cars with his dad when he was a kid."

Creativity clearly runs in the family.

And, although Viral Customz is still a relatively new business, the Gause brothers have a lot to look forward to. They've been participating in local pop-up shops and also receive frequent advice from another brother duo - The Downing Brothers.

"I consider them a mentor," said Amir.

The Downing Brothers are most famous for their TV show "Double Down" on HGTV, and currently, star in “Backyard Bar Wars” on truTV. Both shows focus on real estate and building.

For more information about Viral Customz, check out the Viral Customz website at www.viralcustomz.com or contact Amir Gause or Armoni Gause at viralcustomz@gmail.com.