Building a Billion-Dollar eSports Empire – With Tryke Gutierrez

Video games are no longer just a hobby. Today, they have evolved into a global phenomenon that merges technology, culture, and commerce. Yet despite the explosive rise of eSports and gaming in general, many still view the industry as a niche. It’s a temporary trend rather than a fixture of modern life. At the heart of this discussion lies a powerful question: what does it take to build a sustainable business in such a fast-paced, ever-evolving space? How do you turn a passion for gaming into a career or enterprise that stands the test of time?

In this episode of The Best Business Podcast, host Daryl Urbanski sits down with Tryke Gutierrez, CEO of Tier One Entertainment and co-owner of Blacklist International. With over a decade of experience in Philippine eSports, Tryke is one of Southeast Asia’s most innovative business leaders in the gaming and influencer landscape. From his early days in computer cafés to securing multi-million VC investments and building a global talent agency, Tryke dives deep into the complex intersection of gaming, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He offers rich insight into what it takes to lead this industry forward.

Gaming and eSports are no longer just pastimes. Discover how to see gaming not only as entertainment but also as a real business and investment platform. Learn what it takes to grow within this space, spot opportunities, and build for long-term impact. This conversation gives you practical insights to turn vision into value.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode: 

1. Explore the entrepreneurial journey behind building Southeast Asia’s biggest gaming talent agency.
2. Understand how AI, Web3, and creative destruction are reshaping the future of eSports.
3. Gain practical insights on communication, leadership, and long-term career strategy in fast-paced industries.

Resources 

• Tier One Entertainment: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X (Twitter)  
• Tryke Gutierrez: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedIn
• “Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty” by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson   
• "The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World" by David Deutsch
• Best Business Podcast with Daryl Urbanski - Where you can find more insightful interviews like this one. 

Episode Highlights 

Laying the Foundation: Gaming as a Real Career Path

• Gaming has shifted from being dismissed as a pastime to becoming a powerful global industry worth billions.
• Once seen as a distraction, it is now recognized as a legitimate career path with opportunities for players, creators, and entrepreneurs.
• Guest Tryke Gutierrez, CEO and co founder of Tier One Entertainment and co owner of Blacklist International, brings a decade of experience leading this transformation.
• His journey shows how personal passion and business strategy can merge to shape the future of gaming as both a profession and an industry in Southeast Asia and beyond..

Rewriting the Narrative: Addressing Perceptions of Gaming

• Gaming has long carried a stigma, often dismissed as unproductive or a waste of time.
• These outdated views created barriers for gamers who wanted to turn their passion into something sustainable.
• Tryke Gutierrez explains how he built Tier One Entertainment to create a professional ecosystem for gamers, from talent management to events.

Parallel Universes: How Gaming Mirrors Music and Sports Industries

• Like music and sports, gaming thrives on fandom, shared moments, and emotional experiences rather than physical products.
• The challenge lies in how quickly game titles change, unlike timeless sports or music catalogs.
• Tryke Gutierrez highlights this tension, comparing the volatility of eSports to the more stable models of other industries.
• His insights show how adaptability is key for building long-term businesses in an environment where entire game ecosystems can log off overnight.

Betting on What's Next: AI, Web3, and Venture Capital in Gaming

• New technologies like AI and Web3 are reshaping how games are built, played, and monetized.
• These tools accelerate innovation, creating both opportunities and risks for the industry’s future.
• Tryke Gutierrez explains how venture capital is fueling these advancements, giving startups the resources to experiment.
• His perspective connects the promise of AI and Web3 with the need for bold investment in gaming’s next frontier, where entire teams and studios are learning to adapt.

Lessons from the Edge: From Computer Cafés to Authority in eSports

• Many entrepreneurs start small, learning the basics of business through hands-on experience.
• In gaming, this path often begins in grassroots spaces like local cafés and small tournaments.
• Tryke Gutierrez shares how his journey, from computer cafés to global talent management, built the foundation for his career.

Why Communication is Your Greatest Asset

• Success in business depends not only on strategy but also on the ability to communicate ideas clearly.
• Strong communication unites people around a shared vision and prevents teams from working in silos.
• Tryke Gutierrez emphasizes that listening, simplicity, and clarity are what make leaders effective.
• His experience shows why communication remains one of the most important skills for building lasting organizations in gaming, entertainment, and business.

Becoming Indispensable: Habits of Top Performers in Gaming and Life

• The most successful individuals are often defined by their ability to follow through.
• While good ideas are common, consistent execution is rare and highly valuable.
• Tryke Gutierrez stresses that execution, paired with collaboration, is what separates dreamers from achievers.
• His guidance highlights how top performers in gaming, and life, stay indispensable by building strong habits of action.

The Significance of Focus and Time Management

• Time is one of the most limited resources entrepreneurs have, making focus essential.
• Without clear priorities, energy is wasted across too many directions with little result.
• Tryke Gutierrez shares how his career advanced by doubling down on gaming rather than chasing unrelated trends.

Building the Music Label of Gaming: The Vision Behind Tier One Entertainment

• Gaming needed a structure similar to music labels to give talent stability, growth, and income security.
• A professionalized system provides pathways for gamers, from influencers to eSports athletes.
• Tryke Gutierrez established Tier One Entertainment to fill this gap, expanding services from talent management to eSports teams, gaming houses, and Web3 projects.
• His leadership demonstrates how professional structures can turn gaming into a scalable business, just as music labels did when they were first formed.

Practical Career Advice for Aspiring Gaming Entrepreneurs

• Building a career in gaming requires more than passion — it demands a foundation of skills and experiences.
• Each opportunity, whether small or large, adds to the knowledge needed for long-term success.
• Tryke Gutierrez advises stacking experiences in areas like branding, events, and media to build a unique skillset.
• His advice helps future entrepreneurs understand that growth comes when you create value, not just chase quick wins.

The Evolution is Global: Gaming as a Way of Life

• Gaming is no longer a side hobby but a lifestyle industry that continues to expand worldwide.
• Like music and film, its influence is becoming embedded in culture, identity, and even income opportunities.
• Tryke Gutierrez points to both history’s successes and failures — from record labels to Kodak — to stress the need for reinvention.
• His outlook reinforces that while gaming may evolve, its role in people’s lives will only deepen, from Blacklist International in Asia to markets as far as Mexico.