Chris Ruder, the founder of Spikeball, shares his unlikely journey from a non-sporty entrepreneur to the driving force behind a global phenomenon. He discusses the initial doubts and struggles in reviving a forgotten game, turning down a Shark Tank deal to maintain its competitive spirit. The conversation includes insights on building community partnerships, engaging with PE teachers, and the significance of grassroots marketing. Ruder also emphasizes Spikeball's aspirations for Olympic recognition, showcasing the blend of passion and perseverance in transforming a childhood dream into a thriving brand.
Spikeball's unique and engaging nature made it popular among different groups of people, including those with varying athletic abilities.
Chris Ruder's vision for Spikeball as a legitimate sport clashed with the licensing-focused direction proposed by Damon John on Shark Tank.
Spikeball faced financial challenges during its transition to selling to retailers, but with perseverance, it became a thriving brand enjoyed by diverse communities.
Deep dives
The Revival of Spikeball
Spikeball, a game that had nearly been forgotten, was brought back to life by Chris Ruder and his friends. The game, which combines elements of volleyball and four square, gained popularity among PE teachers, Ultimate Frisbee players, and Christian youth groups. Spikeball's unique and engaging nature made it popular among different groups of people, including those with varying athletic abilities. The game's success grew steadily, reaching $1 million in revenue around 2013. The opportunity to partner with Dick's Sporting Goods further accelerated its growth. Despite the challenges of transitioning from an e-commerce business to a wholesale one, Spikeball continued to thrive, gaining recognition even among unexpected communities like the Amish and Mennonites.
The Shark Tank Experience
Chris Ruder appeared on Shark Tank, securing an offer of $500,000 from Damon John for 20% of the company. However, the deal fell through during negotiations after the show. The main point of contention was the direction of the partnership, with Damon John focused on licensing opportunities rather than promoting Spikeball as a legitimate sport. Chris, being invested in the game's growth as a sport, felt that the proposed direction did not align with his vision.
Challenges and Growth
Chris faced financial challenges as the business transitioned to selling to retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods, with longer cash cycles impacting the company's cash flow. To navigate this, Chris secured a line of credit and sought advice from entrepreneurial groups. Despite the challenges, Spikeball continued to grow, gaining popularity in high-profile locations like Harvard Yard and Central Park. The company's revenue reached $1 million in 2013, and its success attracted attention from major retailers. Through perseverance, Spikeball became a thriving brand enjoyed by diverse communities and a growing fan base.
Starting a Side Project
The podcast episode discusses how the speaker, Chris Ruder, started a side project called Spikeball while working a day job. Despite initial doubts about its potential, he embarked on manufacturing and selling Spikeball sets through their website, spikeball.com.
Building the Brand and Sport of Round Net
The podcast explores how Spikeball grew as a brand and the sport of Round Net gained popularity. Chris highlights their grassroots marketing approach, personal customer interactions, and the decision to position Spikeball as a company that makes equipment for the sport of Round Net. He also discusses future plans, including the goal of Round Net becoming a recognized Olympic sport and the acquisition of Fuengo, a software platform for running tournaments.
When Chris Ruder set out to revive a ball-and-net game from his childhood, he was pretty sure he would fail. He wasn’t really into sports and had never run a business. But after 15 years, Spikeball has grown into a thriving brand with a global following. Spikeball is a two-on-two game where players hit a rubber ball onto a circular net. Invented in 1989, it never took off. But in 2003, when childhood friends dusted off a duct-taped set, Chris began daydreaming about bringing it back to life. For a few years, it was just a crazy idea, until Chris dug deeper and discovered it was never patented. Chris ran the business by himself for six years and discovered Spikeball was taking off with PE teachers and Christian youth groups. When he was offered a deal on Shark Tank, he turned it down because he didn’t want Spikeball to be marketed as a toy, and instead focused on growing it as a competitive sport. Now, the game is popular around the world and its international governing body has Olympic ambitions.
This episode was produced by Chris Maccini, with music by Ramtin Arablouei.
Edited by Neva Grant, with research help from Chris Maccini.
