How Letting Go Led to Greater Success

From Basement Startup to Strategic Exit: The Varsity Highlights Story

Seven years ago today, a significant chapter in our entrepreneurial journey closed as we signed the papers to sell Varsity Highlights. It's a story I haven't shared much, but it's one filled with lessons about growth, focus, and the tough decisions that come with building a business.

It all began in 2009, in my buddy Trevor's basement. We noticed a glaring problem: talented Varsity House athletes were consistently getting overlooked in recruitment. We decided to do something about it. Trevor, with his editing skills, started creating awesome highlight films. We expanded to on-site filming and launched a website to maximize exposure for these recruits.

What started as a passion project quickly gained momentum. We generated millions of views and became a paid YouTube partner before we even fully grasped the significance of that achievement. Our work didn't go unnoticed; we were nominated by Bleacher Report for "Highlight Film of the Year" and received invitations to prestigious events like the Under Armour All-American Game, hosted by Deion Sanders, and the Junior Rank All-American Game. We even collaborated with the UFC, featuring on their main website twice.

This incredible journey, from a humble basement to a bustling back office in the gym on 184 Central, was a testament to dedication and innovation.

What most people don't realize is the internal struggle that accompanied this success. I remember being on a trip with my wife, feeling incredibly stretched thin. Our gym business was growing, Varsity Highlights demanded non-stop scheduling, and "The Business of Strength" (BOS) was just beginning to take shape. The stress was mounting, and I knew I was in a tough position as an owner, trying to do too much.

It was on that trip that I made a crucial decision: something had to give. After getting home, we communicated to our team that the highlights business deserved more focused attention than we could currently provide. Within three months, we successfully sold Varsity Highlights.

This wasn't an easy decision. Brian, Trevor, and I were childhood friends who had built this company together in a true startup environment. The emotional attachment was strong, but the strategic necessity was stronger. We stayed on for six months to ensure a smooth transition, then moved forward.

The sale of Varsity Highlights created invaluable space and provided capital. We immediately invested in a coach and intensely focused on our primary business: operating world-class gym businesses. The results were almost immediate; things began to take off.

We transitioned from helping athletes get noticed to empowering coaches to become successful gym owners through The Business of Strength. This clarity and renewed focus allowed us to channel all our energy into what we do best.

If you're a gym owner with that itch to:

• Do more with your gym
• Get focused on what truly moves the needle
• Stop feeling stretched thin
• Finally get the support and accountability you know you need

There's no time like the present to make a strategic shift. What are you waiting for? Take action and propel your business forward.

• Dan Goodman

P.S. For those curious, here's the video that helped put us on the map with Bleacher Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoCw5gkmwxQ