How I Built This with Guy Raz
Advice Line with Chris Ruder of Spikeball
Nov 21, 2024
Chris Ruder, the Founder and CEO of Spikeball, joins forces with Jimmy Davidson, the visionary behind Freedom in Motion, and Nigel Lewis from Station Surf Shop. They tackle the challenges of finding passionate managers, expanding niche fitness brands, and reviving struggling businesses. Chris reveals strategic insights about his core customers that reshaped Spikeball. The trio emphasizes resilience and community support in entrepreneurship, inspiring listeners to innovate and build strong connections as they navigate their journeys.
48:54
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Quick takeaways
- Chris Ruder highlights the importance of engaging directly with early customers to discover unexpected market opportunities and build community loyalty.
- The podcast discusses the significance of innovation and product diversification, showcasing how Spikeball's new paddles cater to evolving customer interests and enhance user engagement.
Deep dives
Building a Community-Focused Brand
Spikeball was successfully established by identifying and honing in on niche markets, such as physical education teachers and youth groups, instead of relying solely on traditional sports markets. The founder, Chris Reuter, made a point to directly engage with early customers, asking for feedback on how they discovered Spikeball. This strategy allowed him to pivot the brand's focus toward communities that resonated well with the product, effectively turning unexpected groups into enthusiastic advocates. By fostering relationships with these customer bases, Spikeball evolved from a simple game to a community-centric brand that thrives on shared experiences.
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