Episode Eleven: Creating A Pickleball Product & Brand from the Ground Up - Cypher Pickleball
The Business of Pickleball - Pickleball Brief
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| podcast@pickleballbrief.com | Season: 1 Episode: 11 |
ShowNotes for Episode: The Business of Pickleball with Guest Garrett Cypher.
Title: "Stepping Up the Game with Cypher Pickleball Shoes - Insights from Founder Garrett Cypher."
Welcome to another episode of "The Business of Pickleball podcast!
Robert, David Feldman, and guest Garrett Cypher. discuss Cypher Pickleball, a pickleball shoe company founded by Garrett during COVID. He launched the KEY211 shoe successfully after overcoming many challenges. Online marketing is crucial to reach their tech-savvy demographic. They prioritize product perfection before expanding distribution. Retail diversification is key for success,. The brand values authentic promotion over influencer marketing. Plans for new eyewear are in the works. Garrett looks forward to continued growth and success in the industry.
Visit Cypher Pickleball | Men's & Women's Pickleball Shoes for more information.
Join hosts Robert Allen and David Feldman as they delve into a conversation filled with entrepreneurial spirit, innovation in sportswear, and the rise of pickleball.
This week's special guest is none other than Garrett Cypher., founder of Cypher Pickleball – a brand making waves in the world of pickleball footwear.
Key Points Discussed:
- Introduction to Garrett and his journey into starting Cypher Pickleball during COVID-19.
- Inspiration behind creating durable pickleball shoes after personal experiences with inadequate footwear.
- The challenges faced by new brands like trademarking issues and finding product-market fit.
- An inside look at how social media marketing has been pivotal for reaching an older demographic that's increasingly becoming tech-savvy.
- The potential shift in ambassador programs influenced by TikTok Shop’s frictionless platform for influencers.
- Strategies on achieving ideal product-market fit before scaling up, including gathering customer feedback on their first batch release.
- Importance of having a solid foundation based on quality products prior to expansion efforts such as retail partnerships or wholesale distribution.
- Insights into partnering with experienced industrial design consultants through platforms like Upwork to ensure top-notch product development.
Noteworthy Quotes:
- “Older players are shopping online…as long as you have transparent returns, reviews that hit right, free shipping – they're receptive.” - Garrett
- “TikTok is changing the ambassador game…it allows anyone to sign up, sell products directly without any back-and-forth communication.” - Garrett
- “Before we scale…we want our shoe foundation secure; we’re relentlessly pursuing ideal product market fit." -Garrett
Join us as we explore how an internet-first approach coupled with targeted advertising can revolutionize go-to-market strategies for sports startups like Cypher.
Stay tuned until the end where our hosts discuss future plans for retail environments within private clubs and franchises—a must-hear segment for those looking to diversify revenue streams beyond just court fees!
Don't forget to subscribe and leave your thoughts about today's insights from the front lines of pickleball business innovation!
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Episode Chapters
ShowNotes for Episode: The Business of Pickleball with Guest Garrett Cypher.
Title: "Stepping Up the Game with Cypher Pickleball Shoes - Insights from Founder Garrett Cypher."
Welcome to another episode of "The Business of Pickleball podcast!
Robert, David Feldman, and guest Garrett Cypher. discuss Cypher Pickleball, a pickleball shoe company founded by Garrett during COVID. He launched the KEY211 shoe successfully after overcoming many challenges. Online marketing is crucial to reach their tech-savvy demographic. They prioritize product perfection before expanding distribution. Retail diversification is key for success,. The brand values authentic promotion over influencer marketing. Plans for new eyewear are in the works. Garrett looks forward to continued growth and success in the industry.
Visit Cypher Pickleball | Men's & Women's Pickleball Shoes for more information.
Join hosts Robert Allen and David Feldman as they delve into a conversation filled with entrepreneurial spirit, innovation in sportswear, and the rise of pickleball.
This week's special guest is none other than Garrett Cypher., founder of Cypher Pickleball – a brand making waves in the world of pickleball footwear.
Key Points Discussed:
- Introduction to Garrett and his journey into starting Cypher Pickleball during COVID-19.
- Inspiration behind creating durable pickleball shoes after personal experiences with inadequate footwear.
- The challenges faced by new brands like trademarking issues and finding product-market fit.
- An inside look at how social media marketing has been pivotal for reaching an older demographic that's increasingly becoming tech-savvy.
- The potential shift in ambassador programs influenced by TikTok Shop’s frictionless platform for influencers.
- Strategies on achieving ideal product-market fit before scaling up, including gathering customer feedback on their first batch release.
- Importance of having a solid foundation based on quality products prior to expansion efforts such as retail partnerships or wholesale distribution.
- Insights into partnering with experienced industrial design consultants through platforms like Upwork to ensure top-notch product development.
Noteworthy Quotes:
- “Older players are shopping online…as long as you have transparent returns, reviews that hit right, free shipping – they're receptive.” - Garrett
- “TikTok is changing the ambassador game…it allows anyone to sign up, sell products directly without any back-and-forth communication.” - Garrett
- “Before we scale…we want our shoe foundation secure; we’re relentlessly pursuing ideal product market fit." -Garrett
Join us as we explore how an internet-first approach coupled with targeted advertising can revolutionize go-to-market strategies for sports startups like Cypher.
Stay tuned until the end where our hosts discuss future plans for retail environments within private clubs and franchises—a must-hear segment for those looking to diversify revenue streams beyond just court fees!
Don't forget to subscribe and leave your thoughts about today's insights from the front lines of pickleball business innovation!
Cypher Pickleball was born out of necessity during COVID when Garrett noticed that standard tennis shoes couldn't withstand the harsh court surfaces while playing pickleball several times a week. He saw an opportunity to create durable footwear tailored to avid players' needs.
After two years of development, including crowdfunding and navigating manufacturing challenges, Garrett launched its first product: the KEY211 pickleball shoe. They've shipped around 800 pairs with positive feedback so far.
We discuss how online marketing has been key in reaching their target demographic—older adults who are increasingly tech-savvy—and how social media platforms like Facebook have helped them gain traction without relying on traditional retail channels or ambassador programs just yet.
Garrett emphasizes focusing on perfecting their product before scaling up distribution but is open to eventually partnering with stores in pickleball hotspots like Florida and California for increased brand visibility.
As we wrap up, Garrett reflects on listening carefully to customer feedback—like creating specific women's shoe molds based on return data—to ensure they're building a solid foundation before expanding further into different sales channels or new products.
David, any thoughts on the importance of diversifying income through retail and improving in-store displays?
Garrett stresses the significance of protecting the brand's integrity by ensuring products are well-displayed in retail spaces to provide customers with ample options for testing different brands.
Influencer marketing is acknowledged but authenticity remains a priority for Cypher Pickleball's promotional strategies.
Garrett mentions the upcoming launch of eyewear for pickleball players alongside their shoes, all under the Cypher Pickleball brand.
Small stores play a crucial role in providing direct feedback for product improvement beyond what online ads can offer.
The philosophy behind the "KEY211" shoe name symbolizes how the right gear can unlock potential in pickleball, a game won with 11 points. Attention to detail is highlighted as essential in building a lasting business rather than just chasing short-term trends.
For inquiries, visit www.cypherpickleball.com or reach out through Instagram.
Exciting developments are happening for Cypher Pickleball, and the team looks forward to seeing where they'll be in the next few years, even joking about potential physical changes due to the journey's intensity.
Appreciation is expressed for the opportunity to be part of the industry, with anticipation for future progress updates and episodes. The conversation concludes with mutual gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead in the pickleball business.
