Jet Berelson

Jet Berelson is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of VampireFreaks, a prominent brand in the alternative and gothic subculture. Here are some key details about his career and accomplishments:

Professional Background

Jet Berelson founded VampireFreaks in December 1999, which started as an online forum and grew to become the largest alternative social network on the web.12 He has over 12 years of experience as an expert full-stack LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) developer.2

VampireFreaks

VampireFreaks began as a social networking site for the goth and industrial music scene. Under Berelson's leadership, it evolved into:

1. A major online gothic clothing store
2. An event organizer for alternative gatherings
3. A brand known for fostering community in the alternative scene

Berelson wrote all the original code for both the social networking site and the online store using various technologies including PHP, MySQL, Laravel, CSS, HTML5, AJAX, and JavaScript.2

Business Growth

The VampireFreaks online store has experienced steady growth since its inception in 2001. It now operates from a 4,000 square foot warehouse in Stroudsburg, PA, managing thousands of products and a team of 5 full-time employees.2

Events and Festivals

Berelson has expanded VampireFreaks' influence beyond the digital realm by organizing events and festivals:

• Dark Side of the Con: North America's largest goth convention/festival
• Dark Force Fest: A new 3-day festival announced in 2022
• Cybertron: A goth/industrial club night in NYC
• The Black Parade: An emo-pop-punk club night in Brooklyn
• Triton Festival: A music festival for goth and industrial bands3

Education and Early Career

Berelson graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (1996-2000).12 His early career included roles as a Software Engineer at West Group and Optical Gaging Products.2

Jet Berelson's leadership has been instrumental in shaping VampireFreaks into a significant brand within the alternative subculture, combining technology, fashion, and community-building.