What started as an idea among friends has turned into a thriving business for former NFL quarterback Kurt Benkert. Teaming up with his friend Blakely, who has deep ties in the manufacturing industry, Benkert has introduced the innovative “Water Football” to the market.
The Birth of a New Product
When Benkert needed specialized materials such as silicone tack grips and textured laces, he reached out to Blakely in Florida. “The factory he had already worked with on silicone was actually a ball factory,” Benkert explained. “It was like, ‘If you design this thing, we can make the machines that make it come to life.'” With this collaboration, the Water Football was born.
A Unique Offering
The Water Football, which retails for an affordable $30, is just one of the seven different footballs offered by The Dime Lab. Among other products, they also sell the “Scout,” a pink ball named after Benkert’s 5-year-old daughter. These products cater to a wide range of users, from casual backyard players to official flag football leagues.
“At first, we marketed the ball as, basically, a premium ‘backyard’ football,” said Blakely. “We weren’t necessarily going for the hardcore football people through that language.” However, the product’s popularity has grown, leading to frequent requests from flag football leagues for bulk orders.
Marketing and Media Presence
Benkert’s significant social media following—boasting 1.6 million followers—has been instrumental in the rapid growth of The Dime Lab. When he’s not analyzing game films, working with EA Sports Madden, or engaging in humorous stunts like attempting to draw Colonel Sanders offsides outside a KFC, he’s busy promoting his business ventures.
The company has even garnered attention from “Shark Tank.” Still, Benkert chose not to pursue it further, stating that the company isn’t “looking for funding.”
Expanding Beyond Footballs
Besides footballs, The Dime Lab sells Benkert’s book, “Think Like a Quarterback,” which aims to simplify the game’s complexities. Blakely, despite his limited football knowledge, helped make the book accessible to a general audience. “I’m sure I asked a lot of really dumb questions during that process,” Blakely admitted, “but that’s kind of necessary when trying to distill something in a simple way.”
With over 10,000 copies sold, the book has been well-received. Benkert, who holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s in education, continues to leverage his football expertise and business acumen to expand his ventures.
“I’m using my hobbies to make money,” Benkert said with a laugh, highlighting the seamless blend of passion and profession in his entrepreneurial journey.
Read More Here
