Business

Zachary Sheaffer and Zamage: The Small Store That Became Successful

Published

6 years ago

July 1, 2020

To become successful, a business needs to know how to sign deals that will benefit them. Having a good marketing strategy and network can guarantee the success of your company. This means that even if you start small, your business can continue to grow and expand because you have made the right financial decisions. It is extremely important to do your research and work towards connecting with your target audience.

Zachary Sheaffer, an experienced businessman and fashion expert, was able to grow his clothing line and business Zamage, from a small store to a world-renowned brand. He knew how to reach his audience, offer trending products, and make deals with already established brands to get his name out there. It was this what got him the success he now has and allowed his company to ship products worldwide.

When he was 20 years old, Sheaffer opened his store in a 500 square feet location. There he sold T-shirts, cell phone accessories, and other trending products. It was where the dreams of success started becoming a reality as more and more people shopped Zamage. After a year, he was able to sign a deal that would make his company grow even more with New Era Cap Co. It was then when they started selling MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL hats. This made Zamage known to a larger audience who was now interested in their products.

Four years after its launch, Zamage was ready for expansion and moved into a 5000 square foot location. To attract more customers, Sheaffer made the smart choice to sell merchandise from well-known and respected brands such as Rocawear, Miskeen, Enyce, Akademiks, Timberland, and Converse. This allowed the clothing line to succeed even during the recession and survive to expand beyond the limits of an in-person shopping store. They would venture into the world of online shopping.

After the success, the founder decided it was time to open an online store that offered to ship their products worldwide. It was a complete hit and it led them to outgrow the 5000 square feet. Sheaffer had to get a warehouse in order to keep their products in storage and keep everything in one place to be shipped later on. But even through these expansions, Zamage has been able to continue offering great quality products and shipping with no delay to its customers.

Zamage is the perfect example of a small business that knew how to grow and succeed. Zachary Sheaffer understood the business and was able to make decisions which were beneficial for his brand. He made good deals, offered quality products, and knew exactly how to expand his business. Because of his strategic thinking, Zamage has become a consumers’ favorite store to shop for the newest trends in fashion clothes and accessories for men. A small retail store became a successful brand that manufactures and ships its products all over the world. Just 500 square feet that were able to become a clothing empire.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

2 days ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.