Meet one of our founders
Christopher Hamze.
Co-owner of Izzi's Gym · Founder of teelaunch
Christopher Hamze is an entrepreneur in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, co-owner of Izzi's Gym, and founder of teelaunch. His work spans ecommerce, print-on-demand, and collectibles.
Izzi's Gym · Sioux Falls
A family business. A place to belong.
Christopher, also known as Chris Hamze, co-founded Izzi's Gym with his brother Nicholas (“Nick”) Hamze. The store opened in 2025 and brings together trading cards, collectibles, model kits, games, and a place to spend time with other people who enjoy them.
The name honors Nick's dog Izzi, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. After losing Izzi and later their father, the brothers built the store as a way to carry that sense of love and connection forward.
Today, Christopher is a co-owner of Izzi's Gym. Visitors can browse the shop, join a club, work on a model, or sit down for a game. The community is part of the reason the store exists.
Earlier work · ecommerce
Building teelaunch.
Before his current work at Izzi's Gym, Christopher founded teelaunch, a print-on-demand business that helped online sellers offer custom products. His work there included building the business around ecommerce and Shopify.
In his 2019 interview with The Story of a Brand, he discussed the company's early challenges, its move into Shopify, and the experience of helping other entrepreneurs get started.
His work at teelaunch is a previous chapter in his career. His current role is at Izzi's Gym; his personal website covers his broader work and interests.
Read and listen
In the news & in conversation.
Dakota News Now ·
Izzi’s Gym finds its strongest ‘power up’ in community
Christopher discusses the support shared by Izzi’s Gym customers and staff during difficult times.
The Story of a Brand ·
TeeLaunch — Bringing Your Ideas to Life
An interview with Christopher about founding teelaunch, its move into Shopify print-on-demand, and helping other entrepreneurs build businesses.
Pigeon605 ·
Inside Izzi’s Gym, collectibles drive growing spirit of community
Jodi Schwan visits the store and talks with Christopher Hamze and customers about collecting, clubs, and community.
KELOLAND ·
Sioux Falls hobby shop recovering after burglary
Sydney Hoier reports on recovery after a break-in and the family story behind Izzi’s Gym.
Background and official profiles.
Christopher is an entrepreneur and attorney, a University of South Dakota alumnus with a Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration, and a member of the Forbes Business Development Council. His interests include entrepreneurship, ecommerce, print on demand, Shopify, trading cards, collectibles, and AI-assisted software development.
University of South Dakota · Degree record · Chris on X · Store biography
- Inside Izzi’s Gym, collectibles drive growing spirit of community
- Sioux Falls hobby shop recovering after burglary
- Izzi’s Gym finds its strongest power up in community
- Izzi’s Con brings gaming, collectibles, and family fun to Sioux Falls
- Don’t Miss Sioux Falls’ First-Ever Izzi’s Con This Saturday
- TeeLaunch: Christopher Hamze
- 3 Fundamentals for Creating Print on Demand Success
- teelaunch: Bringing Your Ideas to Life