I spent 12 years, or about 30% of my life, building Catch Co. What started in my garage as a subscription fishing tackle company (Mystery Tackle Box) grew into something beyond anything I could have imagined: $300 million in lifetime sales, well over 10 million boxes sold, and one of the fastest-growing and most well known brands in fishing over the past decade. However, all things must end and this past week marked my last week as the CEO of Catch Co following the sale of our assets to a third party. While this was not the ending I imagined, I am looking forward to thinking about my future and what comes next.
Beautifully written piece. I remember those (very funny) ads. Your positioning was brilliant - making fun of the "know-it-alls." Thanks for sharing and keep writing! : )
Great read. I especially feel your struggles with letting great people go and trying to be present for friends and family (while your mind strays to the millions of to-do's you can't escape). These are the parts of leadership that just don't get talked about enough. Thanks for sharing the journey.
This is an INCREDIBLE testimony, and way more candid than any other self-examination of a business than I've ever seen. Kudos to you, Ross, for writing this, and for your success in business. I look forward to hearing more about what's next.
P.S. I was the first guy in the fishing industry use Facebook for paid advertising, albeit not running ads, with Z-Man in 2010. Would love to connect and talk shop sometime.
Your mark on the fishing industry will forever be remembered. Many people like myself got started with our love for fishing using MTB. It may be a sad ending but hopefully you get some joy knowing you made thousands upon thousands of people happy and find love for this amazing hobby.
Wow. Impressive journey and thanks for sharing! I remember the early days of MTB. Always the perfect unique gift for any fisherman…it put a big smile on my uncles face the first time I gifted him a MTB
Beautifully written piece. I remember those (very funny) ads. Your positioning was brilliant - making fun of the "know-it-alls." Thanks for sharing and keep writing! : )
Dylan, thank you so much. Really appreciate you reading and sharing your positive thoughts!
Great read. I especially feel your struggles with letting great people go and trying to be present for friends and family (while your mind strays to the millions of to-do's you can't escape). These are the parts of leadership that just don't get talked about enough. Thanks for sharing the journey.
What a wild and well-written read. Incredible what you accomplished, and looking forward to the next thing!
This is an INCREDIBLE testimony, and way more candid than any other self-examination of a business than I've ever seen. Kudos to you, Ross, for writing this, and for your success in business. I look forward to hearing more about what's next.
P.S. I was the first guy in the fishing industry use Facebook for paid advertising, albeit not running ads, with Z-Man in 2010. Would love to connect and talk shop sometime.
Your mark on the fishing industry will forever be remembered. Many people like myself got started with our love for fishing using MTB. It may be a sad ending but hopefully you get some joy knowing you made thousands upon thousands of people happy and find love for this amazing hobby.
Thank you forever!
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words, it really means a lot.
Ross, thank you for your honesty!
Thanks Ross. Catch Co got me back into fishing. It strengthened relationships with family and friends. Your work made my life better.
Wow. Impressive journey and thanks for sharing! I remember the early days of MTB. Always the perfect unique gift for any fisherman…it put a big smile on my uncles face the first time I gifted him a MTB
Incredibly transparent and generosity your experience and learnings. Thank you for sharing!