Brad Harris – Founder of Good Wave, Building a Family-Friendly Outdoor Brand
Brad Harris is the founder and driving force behind Good Wave, a mission-driven outdoor brand dedicated to making water and outdoor sports more accessible and family-friendly. With a background in tech, marketing, and startups, Brad turned his passion for adventure into a company that caters to families who want to enjoy the outdoors without the intimidating edge often seen in extreme sports brands. His journey from solo founder to growing an international presence in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Europe is packed with lessons for entrepreneurs.
Key Takeaways:
- Purpose as a North Star: Brad emphasizes that his company was built around a clear mission—creating family-friendly, approachable water sports products.
- The Solo Founder Challenge: He shares why launching a business alone is tough and why having a co-founder can make the highs and lows more manageable.
- Pandemic Pivot: Good Wave overcame severe supply chain disruptions by shifting from dropshipping to a warehouse-based model.
- Customer-Led Product Design: The upcoming “Fruities” surfboard line was created with direct input from hundreds of parents and kids.
- Start Small and Scale Smart: Brad stresses testing a minimal viable product and hiring experts for specialized roles like digital marketing to accelerate growth.
Catch the full story of Brad Harris and his inspiring journey building Good Wave on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLqFFsTNh2s
Memorable Quote:
You’re going to be the number one believer in your product or business—if you’re not, you should drop tools now because no one else will be that for you.