Changing the Face of Pickleball with Brad Robins

Description

What if the business idea that found you was better than any you could have planned?

In this episode, Brad Robins, serial entrepreneur, sports marketing veteran, and co-founder of Kitchen Blockers, shares the story of how a pickleball to the face on a drive back from Cincinnati sparked one of the most unexpected entrepreneurial adventures of his life. At 66, Brad had planned to retire. Instead he built the world's largest eye safety protection company for pickleball, now selling in 45 countries, in just 14 months.

Brad's career has taken him from the Apple Computer launch team to bringing Facebook to Canada, to advising Olympic athletes and philanthropists on personal branding. But the story that shaped all of it starts with a father who was pushed into the wrong life, and a son who watched closely and went the opposite direction.

[00:05:00] What He's Working On Now

Co-founder of Kitchen Blockers, the world's largest eye safety protection company for pickleball
Sells in 45 countries; became category leader in just 14 months
Official lensless eyewear partner of USA Pickleball, the national governing body

[00:06:00] How Kitchen Blockers Was Born

Got hit in the eye at a tournament and realized almost nobody was protecting their vision on court
Named the product after the kitchen line, where most eye injuries happen
Called a military engineering relative who had designed helmets and eyewear; had prototypes in motion within weeks

[00:09:20] Early Proof and Global Growth

Ran a small test campaign in Canada; generated strong return on advertising spend
Expanded to the US market and scaled rapidly
Sold close to 50,000 pairs of HeadSnap with no reported eye injuries from ball impact

[00:10:00] The Brand Mission: Changing the Face of Pickleball

Brand positioning: change the face of pickleball
Mantra: love the product or not, please put something on your eyes
Applauds competitors who also promote eye safety; the goal is category awareness, not just market share
Serving players from 8 to 80; no narrow demographic, no restrictions

[00:12:20] Why the Sport Is More Dangerous Than People Think

Most injuries are not from hard drives but from deflections and ricochets off a partner's paddle
Coordination levels vary wildly on the same court because anyone can play with anyone
Targeting ophthalmologists and youth programs to change safety habits from the ground up

[00:16:00] What Inspires Him: A Completely Open Runway

Was part of the Apple Computer launch team and helped bring Facebook to Canada
First product in his career where nobody can argue against the premise
For the first time, he executes his own creative vision without needing anyone's approval

[00:20:20] The Vision Going Forward

Seeking the right global partner to scale impact and reach more players faster
Wants to make pickleball eyewear a form of artistic expression
Believes eye protection should eventually be mandated the way it was in squash

[00:25:40] Why Pickleball Is Unlike Any Other Sport

Anybody can play with anybody across all ages and fitness levels
Pulls up to any community court and plays with total strangers
Describes it as speed dating where everyone leaves happy
The joy of pickleball is in the connection, not the outcome

[00:28:40] The Relationship That Changed Everything: His Father

His father was pushed by the family to become a lawyer; his uncle, a Supreme Court judge, ordered it
Brad's father was deeply unhappy in law; his real joy was building things and sailing
Brad went the opposite direction; built a life around engaged passion and creative expression

[00:32:40] The Intern Who Landed His First Client

Volunteered at an advertising agency and did every task no one else wanted
On his lunch hour, pitched a prospective client independently and came back with a new account
Has lived by that principle ever since: create your own path, don't wait for permission

[00:37:00] Kill Them with Kindness

Lives by two rules: never take a backward step and kill them with kindness
Has been actively focused on showing appreciation to people for 12 years
Three strangers at Costco said he was the only person who had smiled at them all day
There is not a person on earth who gets too much appreciation