Billy Brush
Billy Brush
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Billy Brush: California Is a Brand. It Tells the World You’re Serious About Business and if You Can Survive You Get Solid Street Cred

Billy Brush of DarkHorse. .

Tell us about yourself?

I have an amazing supporting wife named Heather and beautiful family and I am blessed to have an incredible team of animals disrupting youth sports.

What do you think is the single biggest misconception people have when it comes to startups?

The product changes the world. I believe it’s people who change the world. If you look at all of these incredible products out there I find there’s always an incredible person who brought it to life. That’s the difference not the product.

What lessons has being an entrepreneur taught you?

Everything you can possibly imagine about business, leadership, time management, life. If you want to be successful you have to fiercely focus in every way possible and follow your heart and intuition no matter what.

If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Don’t try to build the perfect solution from day 1. Start micro small. Even email and ask the user for what they want. Don’t guess. Build from there.

A lot of entrepreneurs find it difficult to balance their work and personal lives. How have you found that?

It’s impossible. You will have to give up a chunk of your life and be OK with that. I have a large family and have to make a conscious decision eveyday to tell myself there will be more time in the future.

Give us a bit of an insight into the influences behind the company?

There’s no way to scout players around the world at the youth level & youth coaches are not given tools to successfully get to know their players better.

What do you think is your magic sauce? What sets you apart from the competitors?

Our passion for the player. No one has built a tool for them and we are willing to fight for that.

How have you found sales so far? Do you have any lessons you could pass on to other founders in the same market as you just starting out?

So far, don’t be afraid to get in front of people. And come from a place where you are asking how you can help them. Don’t try to convince try to help.

What do you consider are the main strengths of operating your business in California over other states in the US?

California is a brand. It tells the world you’re serious about business and if you can survive you get solid street cred.

What (if any) are the weaknesses of operating your business within California?

CAPITAL! It’s very expensive during a time when cash is oxygen.

We are currently suffering through a cost of living crisis. With California already being one of the most expensive states to live in, how has this impacted your business?

It’s a massive issue. So you have to get creative in how you spend and find resources. But it teaches you to be incredibly resourceful and solve problems.

It is no secret that California is the birthplace of innovation. But that also makes it incredibly competitive. How have you found the competitive environment of California?

Sports tech is interesting. Sports tech is still quite new here. I have found it challenging to pitch investors who have very little expertise in the area.

Have you considered moving your company to another state? If so, which state and why?

Yes and no. I think there’s a time for everything but I believe there’s a certain charm to the valley which is unique to any other place in the world.

Where do you see your business in the next 5 years?

In the hands of 1 million youth athletes globally. When Pep Guardiola picks up his phone and shows a staff member a player across the country from DarkHorse, will know we changed the world.

And finally, if people want to get involved and learn more about your business, how should they do that?

Text me: 6504764002 they can also find me at Coupa Cafe in Palo Alto, Stanford GSB, or on the pitch in mountain view testing our wearble tech.

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