Swingers and Wagwell
The Entrepreneurs
Episode Insights
See all- Swingers, a mini-golf brand co-founded by Matt Grech-Smith, started as a small venture by two club promoters and expanded into an international business by blending mini-golf with exceptional hospitality services.
- Cultural sensitivity is key when expanding internationally; Swingers adapted their branding to meet local cultural norms, such as modifying their name in Dubai and the Southern US to better resonate with different audiences.
- The entrepreneurial journey of Swingers demonstrates the importance of timing, luck, and the ability to seize opportunities, which was vital in its progression from a pop-up concept to a global brand.
- The concept of blending activities like mini-golf with premium hospitality experiences has proved successful in engaging customers and fostering loyalty, particularly after the uncertainties faced by businesses in 2020.
- The humanization trend of pets drives pet owners to seek high-end, natural products for their animals, leading to the rise of brands like Wagwell, which focus on tailored pet wellness.
- Wagwell differentiates itself in the competitive pet care market by prioritizing product innovation, quality, and sustainability, offering items like a plant-based omega oil alternative for dogs.
- Experiential culture in pet care, similar to the approach of Swingers in mini-golf, is on the rise with establishments like Dog Ppl in Los Angeles creating exclusive, members-only spaces for dogs and their owners.
- Pet owners are significantly investing in their pets' well-being, with U.S. spending on pet care surpassing $137 billion in 2022, indicating a booming industry for premium, high-quality pet products and services.
- Wagwell emphasizes creating a trusted wellness brand for pets by offering clean, safe, and natural ingredients, tapping into the growing demand among pet parents for products that mirror the standards they seek for their own health.
- The success stories of Swingers and Wagwell exemplify the value of having a personal passion for one's project, as it fuels the drive to innovate and deliver high-quality products and experiences in both the hospitality and pet care industries.