The Story of a Brand The Founders Club - The Power is in the Community
I’m thrilled to have Chris Meade back on the show. You might remember Chris as the co-founder of CROSSNET, the four-way volleyball game that has taken backyards and beaches by storm. But today, he’s here to talk about his exciting new venture, The Founders Club, a community designed to support entrepreneurs in navigating the ups and downs of building a business—and life.
In this episode, Chris shares his journey from bootstrapping CROSSNET to seeing it become a staple in major retailers like Target and Costco. Along the way, he opens up about the lessons learned, mistakes made, and how those experiences inspired him to create a space where founders can connect, grow, and thrive.
Whether it’s about overcoming loneliness, avoiding costly mistakes, or balancing business and life, Chris’s insights are invaluable for anyone on the entrepreneurial path.
🔑 Key Moments in This Episode:
* The Origin of CROSSNET: How Chris and his friends invented a four-way volleyball net and turned it into a national sensation, now played in over 15,000 schools and countless backyards.
* Lessons from the Trenches: Chris discusses the challenges he faced as an entrepreneur, from inventory mishaps to navigating a potential business exit, and how those moments shaped his vision for The Founders Club.
* The Power of Community: Why entrepreneurship can be isolating and how The Founders Club fosters meaningful connections through local chapters, events, and mastermind groups.
* Addressing the Whole Entrepreneur: The club’s focus on more than just business growth, covering topics like financial literacy, personal well-being, and maintaining strong relationships.
* Practical Advice for Founders: Chris offers actionable tips, like how to invest wisely post-exit, the importance of planning ahead, and why understanding your “why” is key to success.
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this inspiring conversation as we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey, the value of community, and the importance of balancing ambition with personal well-being. Chris’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, connection, and never giving up on your dreams.
For more on The Founders Club, visit: https://www.foundersclubofficial.com/
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Today’s Sponsors:
Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/
Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.
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SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Try it risk-free with an extended 14-day trial, exclusively for The Story of a Brand Podcast listeners. Start today! Visit the link above.