"The brothers had no college degrees, no outside investors, and no guarantee that pickleball, which was widely seen as a niche sport for seniors at the time, would ever catch on. But they were hooked on the game, played on what resembles a miniature tennis court with a paddle roughly 16 inches long and a perforated plastic ball. The unique thing about pickleball, invented on Bainbridge Island in 1965 by three dads looking to entertain their families, is its low barrier to entry."
"It paid off in a big way. The family-run company, which Tom joined after a career in the Marines, is a leading pickleball brand known for its premium paddles, which have been the hero product since day 1. The brothers expect to generate at least $100 million in revenue in 2026 and have expanded to more than 200 employees."
Mike and Rob Barnes founded Selkirk Sport in 2014 at ages 19 and 22 without college degrees, outside investors, or guarantees that pickleball would grow beyond a perceived senior niche. The brothers embraced pickleball's low barrier to entry and focused on premium paddles as the hero product. They began entrepreneurial ventures as homeschooled youths, launched an earlier airsoft business in 2009, and later brought in younger brother Tom after his Marine service. The company has expanded to more than 200 employees, projects at least $100 million in revenue in 2026, and the founders resist a 'best practices' mentality and outsourcing.
Read at Business Insider
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