Episode 4 Michael Rufail, Founder, Envy Gaming
Texas EDC: Gone to Texas Podcast Show Notes & Social Posts
Episode #4 Michael Rufail, Founder & Chief Gaming Officer, Envy Gaming
If you don’t know much about esports yet, you will soon. But first know that since 2017, the Dallas-Fort Worth...
Apple Podcasts 
Castro 
RSS Feed Episode #4 Michael Rufail, Founder & Chief Gaming Officer, Envy Gaming
If you don’t know much about esports yet, you will soon. But first know that since 2017, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has been home to Envy Gaming, one of the world’s most valuable professional gaming organizations. The company made headlines last year for bringing on music megastar and fellow Texans native Post Malone as a co-owner. Founded by Texan Michael Rufail in 2007, Envy Gaming is a sports entertainment company that operates teams in multiple leagues and is best known for its highly successful Dallas Empire team in the Call of Duty league and Dallas Fuel in the Overwatch League.
In this episode, learn about how Rufail grew up as a son of Egyptian immigrants in Lufkin, moved away as a young adult, and then felt the call back home in 2017 when he ultimately relocated his company here from Charlotte, North Carolina. You’ll also learn more about how esports compares to other professional sports organizations, the company’s plans for 2021 and onward, and of course, how the stars aligned to attract Malone to the fold.
“He’s just an interesting DFW guy. An awesome guy. Just really, really, really nice and cares about this metroplex, which is really cool,” Rufail says of Malone. “He’s worked really hard to get where he is and I felt like he embodied a little bit of just not only DFW spirit but also the mentality that we like to take on in every aspect, which is just ‘Work really hard for what you get’.”
Rufail explores that Texas spirit further, breaking it down into the many factors that led him and his company home, including savings from a favorable tax structure, a safe environment for raising a family, an overall lower cost of living, and how all of that translates into happier residents who are able to reinvest that money and energy into one another.
“It’s just a great place to be able to thrive. It’s a place where you have opportunity to really thrive,” Rufail says. “ … People are just a little bit more capable here to do the things that matter in life, in my opinion. So I find it just a little bit more pleasant to live here. Obviously, the economic incentives are great, because you can grow a business and apply more of your earnings to the things that matter -- your family.”
Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode the Melissa Industrial & Economic Development Corporation in Melissa, Texas.
D1Experts: https://D1Experts.com
Texas ED Connection: https://TexasEDConnection.com
Episode Sponsor: Https://TexasEDConnection.com/sponsor
Envy Gaming: https://envy.gg/
Super Dave Quinn, CEcD: https://DaveQuinn247.com
About the Gone to Texas Podcast
Gone to Texas is the official podcast of the Texas Economic Development Connection, hosted by "Super" Dave Quinn, CEcD.
We share real stories from business owners, CEOs, economic developers, and community leaders about relocating, expanding, and growing a business in Texas.
If you are researching where to expand your company in Texas, our conversations can help you understand the people, places, and business conditions behind successful Texas growth decisions.
What You'll Discover
Gone to Texas explores topics including Texas business expansion and relocation, economic development, manufacturing, workforce, infrastructure, available business sites, community development, incentives, quality of life, and the real-world decisions companies make when choosing where to grow.
Explore more:
Browse all Gone to Texas episodes
Search available Texas business properties
Thinking About Expanding or Relocating Your Business to Texas?
The Texas Economic Development Connection helps established businesses explore Texas communities and connect directly with the local economic development professionals who can help them evaluate locations, properties, workforce, and growth opportunities.
No runaround. No guessing.
Message. Match. Move.
Start exploring your Texas expansion.
Follow Gone to Texas
Follow Gone to Texas on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and hear more real stories from the people building, expanding, and growing businesses across Texas.
Gone to Texas | Texas Business Expansion, Relocation & Economic Development
If you would like to learn which region in Texas is right for expanding or relocating your business, click here to take our complimentary assessment or connect with us today for more information.