Get a “no thanks” in Shark tank – Twice! – I could take some people to think they needed a new idea. But Joe Burke is not one of those people. He persisted with an idea of toy for children he developed at his kitchen table, and today, Ollyball has sold more than 3 million units and has won multiple awards, including Toy of the Year.
Ollyball is an inflatable ball designed for the “interior game at full speed and complete strength.” It weighs less than an ounce, so children throw it without phrases to touch or break anything in the house.
On May 28 at 2 PM ET, Joe joined Entrepreneur for an online workshop to take a look behind the way the Ollyball turned into the inner play ball of all time and the strategies that he used to do without large investors or striking ads.
This event is free for Entrepeneur+ subscribers. Register here to reserve your place and have the opportunity to ask your own questions to Joe live.
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Before the conversation, we talked to Joe to get some ideas about his product and his business trip.
What inspired you to create Ollyball?
My 9 -year -old daughter was crying in the kitchen after breaking things at home with a volleyball. He knew that if we could invent a ball so that parents let their children play at home, we would sell millions of them. It became an obsession through 100 prototypes, two patents of US public services and a toy prize of the year before we always go to the mass market.
How did you try it?
I made tons of prototypes with different materials and sizes. It would take children to the children’s club in fitness 24 hours a day and make them bring prototypes with them. I would see to see if the children were interested or not. When I brought an early version of the Krunchcor construction ball now patented on Saturday, the children went crazy and the manager had to take away the ball, all fought about it. I knew we were close to the answer.
Any other great moment that highlights you about the first days?
When the hosts of CBS Morning Show They began to drill with live Ollyballs on national television. At that time, they were children in a patio of recreation. Another key moment was an Instagram post of 2019 or a boy named Martin Vodicka and his father in Austria playing Ollyball together at home. I realized that a ball can change the world.
What has been your biggest challenge and how did you turn to overcome it?
Covid and rates. He treated them the same: go with the head and full head to the crisis and find an unfair competitive advantage. Our pivot was to make a reckless jump of faith. The other great challenge was financial: invest $ 150K in savings, grow in profits and defend predators. The key pivot there was trusting two boys and with the non -profit/charitable service, a CPA and a patent lawyer.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking for funds?
When you want capital, you won it. When you don’t need capital, everyone will sacrifice it, don’t take it. My best advice is to avoid delivering equity and rejoice in learning each dimension within your business and brand. Put busy building your brick Empire by bloody brick.
How do you suggest preparation for a launch?
Anticipate a room full of holes as questions from a hole. Research and has a real answer for each question of a hole. This forces reality.
What does the word “entrepreneur” mean for you?
“Survivor.” The movies The redemption of Shawshank and There will be blood It illustrates both the apex and the Entrepreneur dungeon.
What is something that many applicants for business owners believe they need not to really?
Money. I started my first company at a card table and a metal chair at the end of a corridor I changed for work.
What is a book that is always booming?
There are four:
- The velvet rabbit By Margery Williams. The best book on authenticity in business.
- Henry IV By William Shakespeare. Specifically, Act i sc. II., Which are related to the understanding of your guest/client.
- Delgado Start By Eric Ries. I am living it.
- Blink By Malcolm Gladwell. The best book on authentic marketing.
- Anatomy of yes By Joseph G. Burke. That is the book I wrote in 46 hours on a train. It was published by the company of Matthew Kelly and the prologue was written by the founder of Domino’s Pizza.
Is there an appointment or individual that uses as a personal motivation?
Yes, I have three of them:
- “The champions are made in lonely hours.” A good friend, Kevin Karro, author or Red rubber ball rulesI gave me this pearl of wisdom.
- “A team is a group of people who trust each other.” It is an inevitable truth.
- “Put God in the center of everything you do.”
Get a “no thanks” in Shark tank – Twice! – I could take some people to think they needed a new idea. But Joe Burke is not one of those people. He persisted with an idea of toy for children he developed at his kitchen table, and today, Ollyball has sold more than 3 million units and has won multiple awards, including Toy of the Year.
Ollyball is an inflatable ball designed for the “interior game at full speed and complete strength.” It weighs less than an ounce, so children throw it without phrases to touch or break anything in the house.
On May 28 at 2 PM ET, Joe joined Entrepreneur for an online workshop to take a look behind the way the Ollyball turned into the inner play ball of all time and the strategies that he used to do without large investors or striking ads.
