Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Harris.
Hi Brad, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My itch of entrepreneurship started back in Madison, WI where I ran an events platform with ambassadors throughout the world reporting on food, cultural and music festivals.
While small, we became a niche little press outlet with a loyal community of travelers. We received press invites to cover events from Vic Falls Carnival in Zimbabwe, various Holi celebrations in India, Hangout Music Festival in Alabama, Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado (where my co-founder was unaware he was scheduled to be the featured chili judge.. still hasn’t forgiven me), and even the infamous Carnival celebration in Brazil. It was a dream job without the whole job part figured out—I didn’t know a thing about sponsorships. We eventually dropped tools but I was hooked on creating things that haven’t been done before and mobilizing product communities around shared values.
One humiliating experience I’ll never forget was on New Year’s Eve 2013. I was covering some exclusive music show with my very entry level DSLR camera when a group asked me to take a photo of them. Long story short, I couldn’t figure out my flash. One guy trailed off, “well that was embarrassing.” I was later told it was the guys from One Direction, and to be honest it didn’t matter because I reveled in that feeling. I think I was hooked on the process of failure and growth.
While working in a sales role in the western states, eventually I convinced myself to pack my car and drive to San Diego one way. Inspired by stories of traveling westward like Into the Wild and 180° South (technically South, but nonetheless a story of perseverance and adventure), I was excited to expand from sales to gaining general business and startup experience. Hungry to join the San Diego startup community, every founder I could find on AngelList pointed me to the team at Classy.
It was years later, after taking travel sabbatical backpacking northern India, and found myself walking north, step after step, with blind confidence towards Nepal. While on a 36-hour local bus from Varanasi, India to Kathmandu, Nepal, I developed a lung infection which delayed my planned departure on my trek in the Himalayas to the dead of winter. Trekking subzero (down to -40°) weather through chest high powder not seeing anyone for days at a time outside of the occasional herd of yaks (not a creature you want to meet without company) is a memory I think I’ll revisit intimately whenever I need it most. I learned to trust my decision making process while huddling in abandoned huts, battling altitude sickness at 17,000+ ft, mapping out my next steps.
In these past few years I think I’ve taken this same approach to business. I couldn’t find my dream job I had eluded earlier, so I decided to build it. With a few months of financial runway, once again, I summited the Himalayas. But this time it was an expedition into startups, product development, manufacturing and international distribution, ultimately founding the e-commerce outdoor adventure company, Good Wave.
While I dive into the founding story and mission behind Good Wave in my recent interview with Shoutout Socal (https://shoutoutsocal.com/meet-brad-harris-entrepeneur-founder-good-wave), I’m extremely proud to announce our commitment to 1% for the Planet this quarter as we support Urban Surf 4 Kids, a 501c3 nonprofit which provides surf therapy, mentorship and life skill coaching for youth in foster and at-risk communities.
If you’re interested in following along our journey at Good Wave, please visit our website (https://goodwave.co) and follow us on IG @goodwave_co!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When you’re figuring out how to turn a bootstrapped side hustle into full time work, all while building a team and learning to do many things for the first time, I think the biggest challenge is inward. The financial and social risk involved with launching a business living on a shoestring budget in your 30’s is extremely humbling.
While friends and peers are growing on a seemingly clear path, this road is a little less linear and remaining optimistic is nothing short of a learned personality trait. Whether it’s making time for loved ones and friendships, carving out time for surfing, yoga, or extra long walks among giant Sequoias and Redwoods, my mental health is top priority. I’ve made the mistake of neglecting it in the past and learned my lessons.
Imposter syndrome is another challenge to overcome. I’ve made decisions for so many years based on wanting to run a company one day and experience imposter syndrome often, whether it’s running a meeting with our manufacturers or creating processes for departments I haven’t even worked in before, it all comes down to learning when to ask for help and seek guidance. A few good power poses each morning don’t hurt either.
We’ve been impressed with Good Wave, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Founded in San Diego, Good Wave is a mission based product designer and retailer for adventurous families in the US, Australia, Canada and Europe.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Recently, I’ve really dived into water and surf photography throughout north county. It’s a beautiful blend of movement, mindfulness and creativity.
This past winter, after I received an expensive proposal rate for an upcoming in-water photo shoot, I decided to use the same budget to invest into a water housing kit for my camera and teach myself. While my end product is not as professional as a trained surf photographer with years of experience, I’m really grateful I took this up.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@goodwave.co
- Website: https://www.goodwave.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodwave_co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodWave.co
