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