This is How Chris Meade Took Crossnet from a Beachside Hustle to a Global Success

In this week's episode of Turning Pro, we caught up with Chris Meade, the co-founder of Crossnet. Chris took an idea as simple as a four-way volleyball net and, with a $7,000 initial investment, transformed it into a global brand that’s now sold in major retail stores like Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Without any manufacturing background, Chris learned the ropes by hustling on Miami’s beaches, selling nets to tourists, and reinvesting every dollar back into the business.

But this episode is more than just a tale of business success. Chris dives deep into the personal challenges that have shaped his journey, including the emotional impact of losing his father at a young age and how it drove him to succeed. He also talks about his involvement in the Founders Club, a community he created to help other entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes he made, highlighting his dedication to health, wellness, and a well-rounded life.

Find Season 2, Episode 18 of the Turning Pro Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.

10 Key Lessons We Learned from Chris Meade:

1.  Start Small, Think Big: With just $7,000 and no prior experience, Chris and his friends built Crossnet from scratch, showing that even the simplest ideas can evolve into game-changing businesses.

2. Embrace the Hustle: The early days of Crossnet involved long hours on Miami’s beaches, setting up nets, and convincing strangers to try the game. Chris’s ability to sell and reinvest everything he earned is a testament to the power of relentless persistence.

3. Financial Discipline Leads to Freedom: Chris emphasizes the importance of financial discipline  - knowing how to stretch a dollar and live within your means. He talks candidly about his upbringing and how he learned that happiness doesn’t require a big paycheck but comes from balance and fulfillment.

4. Make Fulfillment a Priority: Chris believes that life is about more than business success. He focuses on spending money where it counts - on experiences that bring him joy, such as concerts, traveling with his wife, and sharing meaningful moments with loved ones.

5. Overcome Life’s Challenges: Chris faced the tragic loss of his father at a young age, an experience that shaped his drive and outlook. Rather than letting it define him, he used it as motivation to build something meaningful.

6. Help Others Avoid Your Mistakes: Through the Founders Club, Chris created a space for entrepreneurs to learn from each other’s experiences. The club serves as a resource hub and peer group for those looking to grow their businesses without making costly mistakes.

7. Health and Wellness Are Key to Success: Chris’s message is clear: there’s no point in being successful if your health is falling apart. He’s a big advocate of balancing business goals with a focus on health, wellness, and happiness.

8. Adapt to the Unknown: With no formal background in manufacturing, Chris figured it out on the fly - relying on Chinese suppliers he’d connected with on Alibaba and adjusting his strategies along the way. His story is a reminder that resourcefulness can often outshine expertise.

9. Community Matters: Building a community has been a cornerstone of Chris’s success, both in business and in life. The Founders Club is a place where entrepreneurs can come together, share their experiences, and build each other up, avoiding the isolation that often comes with entrepreneurship.

10. Enjoy the Ride: Despite the success, Chris hasn’t lost sight of what’s important: enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Whether it's spending time with his wife or just hanging out with friends, he makes sure to prioritize happiness along the way.

Chris Meade’s journey is an inspiring reminder that with determination, a solid community, and the right balance between work and life, even the simplest ideas can evolve into something much bigger than you ever imagined.

This season of Turning Pro is brought to you by ShipPlug. They optimize shipping for businesses, saving time and money with data-driven insights.

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