82 - Junior Reed’s Journey to Success: Road to Open & Beach Volleyball Insights

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we welcome back Junior Re from Road to Open. Junior shares exciting updates on his brand, recounting his first official merchandise drop and the creative marketing strategies he's employing, such as SMS lists, giveaways, and partnerships with tournament directors. He also discusses his content creation journey, from gaining followers on social media to planning long-form YouTube videos. The conversation dives deep into the world of beach volleyball, covering the importance of mental balance, technical skills, and the lessons Junior has learned from his competitive experiences. Tune in for a mix of business insights, personal growth stories, and athletic expertise!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:27 Junior's Recent Activities and Social Media Growth 01:10 Road to Open: Initial Drop and Marketing Strategies 04:21 Sales Class Anecdotes and Lessons 06:29 Challenges in Finding Volleyball Partners 09:27 Road to Open: New Products and Future Plans 11:13 Micro Grant Application and Business Model 17:34 Marketing Strategies and Social Media Presence 19:06 Personal Branding and Future Goals 20:11 Podcast Class and Academic Plans 21:19 Exploring the Podcast Class 22:19 Winning the A Tournament 24:14 YouTube Content Creation 28:19 Balancing Fun and Seriousness in Volleyball 41:44 Practicing Volleyball Techniques 43:49 Upcoming Tournaments and Future Plans 44:22 Conclusion and Farewell