Chasing Independence: From Podiums to Prosperity

Chances are you have bought plenty of private labeled products in the past and didn’t even know it. The seamless integration of a brand and a product created is not by chance. Private label clothing production gives retailers and individuals the opportunity to create their own brand without having to design a product from scratch. It offers the ability to grow as a business and allows for control over the look and style of the product; however it is not without risk. By fully understanding the terms, processes, pitfalls, and benefits you can better decide whether private labeling is right for you. Today I caught up with Shane Levi Gould of Fuel Clothing at his headquarters in Hilton Head, SC. Shane breaks down what private labeling means to him and how he has been able to implement it into his growing list of customers, or as he likes to call them, partners. ⛽⛽⛽ Follow FUEL CLOTHING⛽⛽⛽

Everyone has seen the video of some kook kiteboarder getting dragged up and down the beach or even worse thrown into a hotel. Well, my experience was no different when I got tossed into a parked car. I think in the beginning we had no choice but to take a licking as the equipment was constantly trying to keep up with the proposed dangers. Enter the sport now and you will come across all sorts of new technologies that have opened the doors in terms of safety. Increasing the exposure and joy of being on the water. Cabrinha kites are leading this charge and have been behind any major kite innovation. To further grow the sport Cabrinha recently crowned their new leader and owner, Jon Modica. Jon brings years of experience not only as a team rider but also as an intelligent entrepreneur. In this episode, we break down Jon’s tech companies, how he sold them, and what it took to buy Cabrinha Kiteboarding. I also give you a quick recap of what I learned during my 26 days on the road during COVID. Visit CABRINHA Follow JON MODICA LinkedIn JON MODICA

Chase Fisher is living the action sports CEO dream! And it is not even close to being over. Chase went from slinging sunglasses between surf lessons on the beach in Santa Barbara to starting one of the most disruptive brands in sunglasses. Founded in 2012, Blenders produces a wide range of men’s and women’s sunglasses as well as snow goggles. Driven by a company-wide motto of “life in forward motion”, its products are predicated upon a bold aesthetic that emphasizes progressive color-ways aimed at an active lifestyle demographic. Chase has surrounded himself with a talented team of spunky and spirited designers, photographers, and communicators to help drive his vision of growth. Chase’s active lifestyle and drive have not only landed him some of the best products in the market, but a hefty buy-in by one of the industry's largest players. Chase’s energy and outlook on business is a refreshing listen for anyone looking to grow their e-commerce brand. Stay tuned as we drop in with Chase and hear his epic story of living life in forward motion!* Correction: In opening credits, $19 Million should be $90 Million. Follow Chase FisherVisit Blenders ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖Follow Chase SellmeyerVisit Kanga Marketing OnlineWIN $15,000 For Your Small Business Subscribe on iTunesSubscribe Chasing Indepence YouTubeFollow Chasing Independence Facebook

Are you an action sports fanatic with an insatiable lust for badassery?! Well, then you better hit that play button right now and listen to this episode featuring pro freestyle skier and entrepreneur David Lesh! David’s story is one for the ages. From his time as a child growing up in India to pro skiing career, David has been consistent with one thing… he does whatever the hell he wants! Notably one of the more controversial pros in the skiing industry, David’s 'do what it takes' attitude has not only helped him grow a multi-million dollar brand but given him access to some pretty epic opportunities. David breaks down the hard lessons he learned as a budding entrepreneur and the reality of what it takes to succeed. Don’t skip this one, as the stories are raw yet painfully real. Strap in and shut up for this larger than life interview with David Lesh.Follow David InstagramVisit Virtika Outerwear-------------------------------------------------------Follow Chase Sellmeyer InstagramVisit Kanga Marketing Online WIN $15,000 For Your Small Business Subscribe on iTunesSubscribe Chasing Indepence YouTube Follow Chasing Independence Facebook

Running an online business is hard. Media buying and getting in front of customers sometimes feels impossible. Scott breaks down his experience in working with some of today's top online brands and how they are reaching customers in this pandemic. Check out this quick Minisode with media buying expert Scott Kramer. Follow Scott KramerLinkedIn Scott KramerVisit Common Thread Collective Visit Kanga Marketing Online WIN $15,000 For Your Small Business https://www.kangamarketing.com/covid19Subscribe on iTunesSubscribe Chasing Indepence YouTube Follow Chasing Independence Facebook Follow Kanga Marketing Follow Chase Sellmeyer

Drop everything and check out this special episode of Chasing Independence with pro wakeskater Matt Manzari! Matt's ability to take his experiences and help others makes this episode one of our most inspirational yet. At a young age, Matt went pro in wakeskating, giving him the opportunity to travel the world, compete and learn the ins and outs of the industry's business. He was truly living the pro action sports athletes dream. Matt breaks down how his outlook on life changed and the near-death tragedies he endured before being able to return to his calling. A man who not only has a passion to serve but Matt says the dearest things to him in life are his faith, family and friends. I hope you all enjoy this rockstar episode with Matt Manzari! Visit Beyond The BurnFollow Matt Manzari Matt's Book Recommendations: 1. How to Win Friends & Influence People 2. Love Does: Discover A Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World3. Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People ______________________________________Episode Sponsors: Go-Cord: Wear Your Phone. The smartphone case that helps you juggle more and worry less. Use code "GoChase" for 20% Off the online store.GLOBHE: Crowddroning by Globhe is helping people and the plant through drones. Sign up to fly with Globe as a pilot and make money through their gig economy platform. ______________________________________Visit Kanga Marketing Online Kanga In This Together Giveaway WIN $15,000 For Your Small Business Subscribe Chasing Indepence YouTube Follow Chasing Independence Facebook Follow Kanga Marketing Follow Chase Sellmeyer

Bringing some ALOHA to yah straight from Hawaii for this episode of Chasing Independence! I catch up with professional windsurfer Graham Ezzy from his home in Maui, Hawaii. Graham talks about his childhood of growing up in one of the most epic windsurf spots on the planet. He also drops some knowledge on the lessons he learned as a young grom on the beaches of Maui. Graham is still competing at a pro-level and ranked #1 in the US. A passion for writing, learning, and personal development opened up doors around the world as well as landed Graham at one of the nation’s top ivy league schools. Graham breaks down how he took on not only education but his ability to thrive in extreme elements. Strap in and hook up for this episode as we blast off with Graham Ezzy!Follow Graham Ezzy on Instagram Visit EZZY SAILSVisit Sailor's Almanac by Graham Ezzy Follow Chasing Independence on Facebook"I ride waves for a living. Which means the tides of my life turn on the motion of the sea. Most months, home is a suitcase and a board bag. The rules of this life are simple: embrace risk in motion. Waves are nothing more than organized chaos; and in man vs sea, the sea will win every time. Survival is flowing rather than fighting.One of the few constants of my travels is a notebook and a pen to record moments of humor, fear, irony, beauty, lessons learned, lessons failed, and whatever else might blow down a windy beach. Or to write poems, stories, essays, plays, aphorisms, letters, and outlines for films.Experiences are my currency, and this site offers a sampling of my collection-- a kind of abbreviated ship's log of my life." Amor fati ~ Graham EzzyLearn About Our Future Episodes HERE

Today I venture to Dade City, FL to catch up with Shane Levi Gould, founder of Fuel Clothing. Shane, a regular road warrior, is passing through as he stops off at a number of motocross and action sports events in Florida. While a pro snowboarder traveling the world at 21yrs old, Shane realized he had to do “something” to make some money. With a $1,200 investment and knowledge of the action sports realm Fuel was born. Fuel’s foundation was built on supporting the Skate, Snow, Surf, Moto, Music and Racing lifestyle since their 1992 inception. Fuel’s production began with a couple of tees, hats, and stickers. Now they supply some of the largest brands around the world with private label products and manufacturing. Shane created the most recognizable sock line in action sports and continues to stay loyal to his customers' identity. In this episode, we talk about Shane’s journey and passion for what he has been doing day-in and day-out for 28 years. I explore his methods of marketing and what he feels has worked best for Fuel in this distracted marketplace. We also touch on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its effects on his business and how he plans to navigate the international uncertainty. Follow Chasing Independence on FacebookVisit FUEL CLOTHING Follow on Instagram0:00 Opening2:50 Show Start3:30 Coronavirus Cancelled Red Bull Event5:50 Pro Snowboarder to Entrepreneur9:45 First Time Seeing a Snowboard11:20 Start of Action Sports. Life of a Pro13:00 Determined to Figure It Out14:40 Extra Hustle. Fuel Was Born17:25 That Push. Initiative to Succeed19:28 If You Are Out of Sight You Are Out of Mind20:00 Connecting the Dots22:00 Was This My Gift to the World?23:50 No Slow Mornings25:30 To Dumb to Quit27:30 It Takes Time30:30 Setting Trends or Follow?32:20 Who We Are, What it Means34:40 The Beginning of the Sock Empire37:48 BREAK38:28 Growing a Unique Category of Products44:53 Creating Profits With Long Term Customers in Mind46:15 You Gotta Learn “No”48:20 Biggest Little Company in America49:10 What’s Your Fuel51:00 Licensing the Fuel Name53:00 Fuel TV and Nike Lawsuits55:00 CEO Struggle56:50 Transition to Online Selling58:10 Advertising vs Face to Face1:03:30 How Brands and Sponsorship Have Changed Marketing1:07:40 Athlete vs CEO1:10:35 Coronavirus & How We Respond 1:13:37 Closing

Today I sit down with Geno Yauchler, a lifelong waterskiing pro and with a notable laundry list of amazing records and stunts under his belt. Geno’s outlook on life and methods of success are not much different than others you may have heard before. However, the way he tells his story and can relate to almost anyone on and off the water makes this conversation a golden listen. I have had the pleasure of both skiing and working with Geno over the years. His character and personality are two of his strongest traits along with his unquenchable thirst to learn. This episode is not only inspiring but filled with small take-home tips for finding success in your life and business. Chain of Records: Behind The Ropeshttp://bit.ly/2I8ehqJGeno Yauchler: Instgram @GenoYauchler http://bit.ly/3chMwKc0:00 Opening 2:35 Show Start3:00 Location: Lake Lulu. Winter Haven, FL 3:50 Home of water skiing5:00 Geno’s roots10:20 Going Pro11:19 First time seeing an Air Chair14:15 Progression 18:00 World Champion of Something20:20 Goal Setting at a young age25:30 Planning as an athlete26:10 Do you have a destination? 28:20 WTF30:00 Starting my first business32:00 Hitting my goals list36:00 Mindset and positive projection37:15 The wake-up call41:00 Chain of Records - A dream