Shownotes
In this episode, James Blasco speaks with Mike Brown, the founder of Hoop Culture, a basketball brand that’s taking the world by storm. From his early days as a high school and college basketball player to launching a global brand, Mike shares his incredible journey of perseverance, growth, and entrepreneurship. He opens up about how Hoop Culture started from humble beginnings with just a few t-shirts and how it evolved into a top basketball apparel company. Mike also discusses the importance of mental toughness, the challenges of building a brand, and how he continues to connect with his audience. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just a fan of basketball, this episode offers valuable insights into brand-building, resilience, and staying true to your mission.
Key Timestamps:
- (00:00) Introduction to Charge Forward Coaching and Mike Brown’s journey
- (01:00) Mike’s early basketball career, from high school to college and the lessons learned
- (03:00) The origins of Hoop Culture: From helping athletes connect to creating a basketball brand
- (05:30) How Mike pivoted from Hoop Connection to Hoop Culture
- (07:30) Challenges in the early years and learning to monetize the brand
- (09:00) Expanding the brand through social media and online sales
- (12:00) How Mike maintains authenticity while growing the brand
- (14:00) The importance of staying connected with the youth market and the growing influence of Hoop Culture
- (16:00) Working with NBA athletes and expanding product lines into uniforms
- (18:00) Building mental toughness in business: How basketball principles apply to entrepreneurship
- (21:00) Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: Sacrifices and the grind behind success
- (23:30) Mike’s vision for the future of Hoop Culture and how he plans to keep growing globally
Key Takeaways:
- Mental toughness in entrepreneurship is about persistence and overcoming challenges, much like in basketball. Mike emphasizes resilience and confidence as essential to pushing through adversity.
- Building a global brand requires both passion and patience. The journey may start slow, but consistency and commitment to your craft lead to long-term success.
- Authenticity is key to connecting with your audience. Mike continues to stay grounded by remembering where Hoop Culture began and how it resonated with the grassroots community.
- Entrepreneurship is a grind. Sacrifices are inevitable, and the path to success is often longer than expected, but the payoff is worth it when you stay committed.
Bio:
Mike Brown is the founder of Hoop Culture, a global basketball apparel brand that has become a cultural movement within the basketball community. Starting his journey as a high school and college basketball player, Mike transitioned his passion for the game into a successful business, creating a brand that resonates with athletes and basketball fans worldwide. Known for its inspirational designs and deep connection to basketball culture, Hoop Culture has collaborated with NBA athletes and expanded into team uniforms, solidifying its place in the world of sports fashion. Mike’s story is one of perseverance, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to his vision.
James Blasco, Charge Forward Coaching, sports coaching, mental mindset, Mental Toughness, Growth Mindset, Athletes, basketball apparel, Hoop Culture, entrepreneurship, basketball brand, youth basketball, NBA athletes, brand growth, family business, resilience, sports fashion
Transcripts
James Blasco: So let's get started. Mike, welcome to the show.
Mike Brown: Yeah, it's an honor. I appreciate it.
ou are now, you started as a [: ousand points in high school,:Mike Brown: Yeah, I mean it's a blessing to be able to play the game that I love so much. I fell in love with it at a young age.
as one of those things where [: And honestly, like I didn't [: like, a pivotal point in my [: nd for you to do that is, is [: ateful for the game because. [: to college and end up with a [: into it. And so I wanted to [: as so long ago now to create [: the business at that point. [: sports specific brand. And I [: God and there's so many more [: emember traveling around. To [: where people knew the brand [: ng magical happens, and they [: Hoop Connection and the Hoop [: t year that I really started [: I going to do now? You know, [: now, how to like continue to [: think timing has a lot to do [: wn: And so it became kind of [: keep the brand now as close? [: d how do you keep that going [: t We still attend events. We [: k the ability to continue to [: to where we are now. And we [: Mike Brown: [: h school, maybe younger, and [:James Blasco: They starting to kind of see the brand is the brand resonating with them as well.
ving kids and they see us at [: influencers and things like [: you know those items and so [: mo to be able to continue to [: Mike Brown: Where I get [: of maybe a little bit older [:James Blasco: How does that feel?
caught up in, you know, who [: Orlando Magic, I mean, it's [: Mike Brown: To [: everything you have in your [:Mike Brown: Yeah. It's one of those things that it's challenging, right? Selling into other countries because of the shipping.
and where your products are [: Blasco: So I know that this [: u're there now. I think your [: where being an entrepreneur [: d when you have that support [: rent drive You're looking at [: but also to know how hard it [: Mike Brown: I remember [: t support around me to help, [:James Blasco: Yeah, that that's really profound and special. There's a book by Don Perry's a sports psychologist and the book is called sports psychology.
James Blasco: And in [: ou make a promise, you stick [: ht be the most important, is [:James Blasco: Does that fit? Does that make sense to you?
ame attributes that you have [: to learn is is being able to [: helps people on the, on the [: e same way, and I think that [: nfidence being the last one, [: eally good, something really [:James Blasco: Let's not get distracted by this because we still have a long way to go. You know, has that happened to you in this process?
ink it's one of those things [: through the process, you're [: f those things where. You're [: Mike Brown: I was like, [: d of successes you have, but [: do you, what do you see hoop [: re. It's one of those sports [: rown: Um, we're just kind of [: na have our products in, you [:James Blasco: Yeah, I don't think anybody needs to be a rocket scientist to, to kind of see what you're seeing.
Mike Brown: Yeah,
e would you give to somebody [: dy in those shoes right now? [: o truly sacrifice for a long [: ant because the sacrifice is [: process, I mean, it's a real [: Mike Brown: Where [:James Blasco: Yeah, absolutely. And you know, Mike, uh, you have you have a great story Uh, I've been able to kind of watch it from afar for many years, and you're an inspiration to me.
hers. Just listening to, uh, [: nt to add before we wrap up? [:Mike Brown: Yeah, I appreciate the opportunity to share my story. Um, there's not a lot of chances that I get at this moment to do so, so I'm very grateful for you and, and for always being a good friend.
social media, on Instagram, [:Mike Brown: Like, I always love to, you know, give our feedback, the do's and don'ts. So, you know, I would love to welcome any questions, anything that I can help. Someone else it'd be my pleasure. So always feel free to hit me up anytime.
James Blasco: Yeah, for [:James Blasco: Mike. Thanks again Don't forget to visit charge forward coaching. com everybody out there. Have a great day and keep charging forward