Podcast

#15: Start Before You’re Ready: How Evan Kuterbach Built a Thriving Pickleball Brand

Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but Evan Kuterbach believes that the best way to get started is to take action, even before you feel completely ready. As the co-founder of Canyon Pickleball, Evan has faced the highs and lows of building a brand and scaling a business. In this episode of Brilliant Ideas, he shares the lessons he’s learned along the way. His motto? “Start before you’re ready and then figure it out.” That mindset has helped him push through challenges and gain the confidence needed to keep growing.

Time Management

One of the biggest struggles entrepreneurs face is managing time wisely. Evan explains how tracking his time with Toggl has helped him understand where his energy is going each day, essential for scaling a business effectively. By doing this, he’s been able to focus on the tasks that matter most and cut out distractions. He encourages everyone to take a closer look at how they spend their time because small changes can lead to big improvements in productivity.

Outsourcing Tasks

When it comes to growing a business, outsourcing can be a game-changer. Evan follows a simple three-step approach to decide what to outsource. First, he focuses on his strengths—the tasks he enjoys and is naturally good at. Then, he takes time to learn skills that are important for his business in the long run. Finally, he delegates the rest, crucial for efficiently scaling a business. Letting go of certain tasks has freed up more time for him to focus on the bigger picture and move his business forward.

Tools For Scaling a Business

Evan also talks about the tools that help him run his business smoothly. From Shopify for e-commerce to Klaviyo for email marketing, he has carefully built a tech stack that keeps things running efficiently. He uses CapCut for video editing, Canva for design work, and Notion for keeping track of projects. One of his favorite discoveries has been Zapier, a tool that automates small tasks and saves him time. He stresses the importance of finding the right tools but warns against spending too much money on unnecessary software.

As Canyon Pickleball grew, managing an increasing number of orders became a challenge. Evan had to find ways to scale operations without getting overwhelmed. By embracing automation and outsourcing, he was able to handle the growth without sacrificing quality. Scaling a business is a demanding task, but with the right systems in place, businesses can grow in a way that feels sustainable.

If you’re looking for inspiration to start or grow your business, this episode is for you. Evan’s journey is proof that taking action, managing time wisely, and using the right tools can make all the difference when scaling a business.

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