Today’s episode is a bit different for many reasons. I’m joined by Chris Gronkowski, former NFL player, Founder & CEO of our first sponsor, Ice Shaker, and the participant of one of ABC’s Shark Tank most viewed episodes, where he landed a deal for $150k for a 15% stake with Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez.

Our conversation revolves around three major topics: Chris’s experiences as an NFL player, the decision to start his business and how it exploded after Shark Tank, and how his gamer past helped him open the gates of the industry to Ice Shaker. 

We delve into the details of what it takes to become an NFL player, the pros and cons from a financial standpoint, the risks, and the devastating effects on players’ mental and physical health. Chris shared details of his experience at ABC’s Shark Tank and learned lessons as an entrepreneur. Chris also talked about his past as a Halo and Counter Striker player and how he realized his product was a perfect fit for gamers. 

This episode is sponsored by Ice Shaker! Grab your own custom DLC Drop Ice Shaker at: https://www.IceShaker.com/DLCDrop

And make sure you use the code DLCDrop to save 20% off ALL Ice Shaker Products

Resources:

Visit Ice Shaker website: https://www.iceshaker.com/

Or follow them on their socials.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iceshakerbottle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iceshakerbottle

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaL_vSjJLMe5C5sX-GRCh1w

Pinterest: https://ar.pinterest.com/ChrisGronkowskiCEOIceShaker/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iceshaker/

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-gronkowski-053374124/

or follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chrisgronkowski

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/chris-gronkowski

or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisgronkowski/

Full Episode Breakdown:

3:36 – Chris talks about the idea behind creating Ice Shaker.

8:51 – John and Chris talk about how providing excellent customer service can determine a company’s success. 

12:03 – Chris talks about his pre-Ice Shaker life: his experiences as an NFL player and the pros and cons of playing at that level.

15:48 – Chris talks about the uncertainty that surrounds the life of NFL players regarding their finances and career opportunities. 

19:47 – John and Chris talk about how hard it is to be an NFL player and how quickly and unexpectedly a promising career can end. 

25:45 – Chris talks about how often NFL players are approached by investors proposing all kinds of deals.

31:02 – Relationships are huge in business. John and Chris talk about how essential meeting people face to face to close deals has become after the pandemic. 

35:02 – Chris talks about his experience at Shark Tank. 

40:06 – Chris explains why he decided to land a deal with Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez and avoided including another investor. 

43:41 – Chris shares tips and advice for those thinking on participating in Shark Tank or just interested in approaching investors for their projects. 

46:51 – Chris talks about realizing Ice Shaker made total sense for gamers. 

53:07 – John and Chris discuss the importance of word of mouth in an industry as skeptical as the gaming industry. 

56:48 – Chris talks about the future of Ice Shaker and the plans for his company in 2022.