Evan Kuterbach Is Finding Purpose Through Play: How He Built Canyon Pickleball

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In this episode of "The Behind the Scene Stories of Busy Professionals," host Rob Pene interviews Evan Kuterbach, co-founder of Canyon Pickleball. The conversation explores Evan's journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, centered around his passion for pickleball and the outdoors.

Evan shares how he discovered pickleball during a difficult period after moving from Colorado to Florida and becoming a new parent. The sport helped him overcome depression by combining his lifelong love of outdoor activity with a welcoming community. What started as a personal interest evolved into a business opportunity when he met his future co-founder through a marketing mastermind group.

Despite having no manufacturing experience, Evan and his co-founder launched Canyon Pickleball in July 2023. The brand distinguishes itself through its National Parks-inspired designs and commitment to sustainability, including eco-friendly packaging and donations to the National Parks. While the business is still young, it has reached operational sustainability within eight months.

Key insights from the episode include:

• The importance of finding the right business partner based on aligned interests rather than pre-existing friendship
• How childhood creativity and willingness to fail can translate into entrepreneurial success
• The value of being vulnerable and sharing ideas to find like-minded collaborators
• The benefits of starting small and learning through trial and error

Looking ahead, Canyon Pickleball aims to expand beyond paddles into a broader outdoor lifestyle brand, with plans for new products including athletic wear and accessories. Evan also maintains a newsletter called "The Honest Hustle" where he shares insights about building purposeful businesses.

The episode concludes with both host and guest emphasizing the importance of community and content creation in encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their ideas.