IRONSMASH wasn’t started up like your typical new business. There wasn’t any planning or preparation involved, and there especially wasn’t any organization. The idea to start IRONSMASH came at a sudden and unexpected time. We were literally one month away from our second deployment to Iraq and realized there was a laundry list of tasks to complete before we were to leave the U.S. for 12 months. The first thing was of course the name, IRONSMASH. Now still to this day people come up to us and ask “What the hell is IRONSMASH”. The exact reaction we were hoping to get from curious onlookers. We wanted to choose a name where you couldn’t tell what it was affiliated with without looking into it. Success!!! Afer we decided on the name, the next step was of course making it a legit, legal business capable of doing business. Here is where the problems started to arise.
With only weeks to go until our deployment, we started to realize that we had not one penny to invest in this new journey. So we were forced to spend the first 6 months overseas without one single product to sell just so we could save enough cash to make our move. Now if we thought our problems were over, we had a rude awakening. Who was going to make our gear and draw our designs? This actually turned out to be a bigger pain than either one of us imagined. A whole slew of problems arose. Weather it be the designs, waiting on the products to be made, or just the simple fact that reality came into place and we realized we are running this business and still obligated to perform our daily duties as Soldiers. Being that we are both Non-Commissioned Officers, we weren’t exactly slacking on responsibilities as it was. So with juggling IRONSMASH, The Army and both of us having families back home to attend to as well, the work load almost became to much to handle. But there is one thing that we have taken from our military careers and that is a no quit attitude. Aside from all of the pain and obstacles that came in the early stages of IRONSMASH, we were finally learning the ins and outs of how to run a business.
With that under their belts and the fact that we were starting to have fun, things started running more smoothly. Sponsor offers were coming, products were starting to sell here and there, and (a special thanks to all of you) a little support from some well known fighters in Strikeforce, UFC, and Bellator. The only thing left for us to do is to get out of Iraq, get back to the states and push IRONSMASH personally into every gym, training center and Mixed Martial Arts Leage possible. We are a new company and we know that. There is alot of competition out there, yea we know that. But we are persistent and dedicated to bringing the most aggressive and unique styles possible to the MMA fight scene. But at the same time maintaining that integrity that so many fans and fighters love. Remember the IRONSMASH and know what it took to make it happen.
---------------- --- -- -- -- -- -- -- - -- -- - -- - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - - - - ----------------
 | Andrew was born December 1, 1985 in San Bernardino, Ca. At the age of 3, his mother moved him and his brother and sister halfway across the country to South Texas. After High School was over, he joined the U.S. Army and served two tours to Iraq for a total of 25 months combined. He and his lovely wife jessica and son Donavan currently reside in Tacoma, Wa. “IRONSMASH” |
| Nic “envy” is the co-founder of IRONSMASH. His ambition and love for MMA is what fuels him in the morning. He’s known for being smart when he has to be, other then that you can probably catch him with a big smile and a prank up his sleeve. This New Jersey native is a big fan of anyone who dedicates their life to being the best. He has great respect and love for those who fight and train endless hours in order to have the referee raise there hand at the end of the match. He’s currently serving his second combat tour in Iraq and is married with no kids and resides in WA.. “Close with and Destroy” |  |
