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Meet Matt Hyder of Recoup in Rino

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Hyder.

Matt, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a fail-a-preneur. My journey started when I was 19, running my first company. It failed miserably, but I fell in love with the process of creating and solving problems. From this point on, I started and failed at three other businesses. I made it further and further with each one, learning one valuable lesson. The only way to fully solve a problem is by living it. Once I started addressing my problems, not others, everything changed.

This new look on entrepreneurship allowed me to create Recoup. After suffering an injury one-day playing basketball, I tried all the typical recovery methods, none of which gave me the relief I was seeking. Instead of trying to find it, I created the solution to my problem. I created an $8 prototype of the Cryosphere. I started hand-making the product, selling enough to get a 3D printer. From here, I started reaching out to professional teams. My first real client was the 49ers. When they purchased the product on the spot, I dropped out of college during my last semester of my senior year. Now thoroughly ingrained with Recoup, I was able to form a fantastic team. Together we grew the business by 426% from 2018 to 2019, while turning a profit.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been far from smooth. About six months into running Recoup, I almost lost the business. We changed manufacturers, and the QC was terrible. The balls were too big, didn’t fit in the handle or roll. I thought it was over. Instead of accepting defeat, my COO Natalie and I put our heads together on how we could sell these defected balls. We decided to sell the balls by themselves, marketing it as a plantar fasciitis recovery product. Not only did we save the business, but we found a brand new market, rapidly growing sales.

Pretty much every holiday season from 2016-2018, we risked every dollar we had to keep things going. Every year we prevailed, growing Recoup to new heights. I am happy those days are over because they were the hardest of times. By putting everything on the line to keep everything going. This all or nothing bet grew Recoup into the name it is today and developed a culture in the business that others do not have.

Last year was the hardest year for me. During our craziest time of the year, my mom passed away. For the first time, my personal life was spilling over to my work life. I was in a dark place after losing my mother. Recoup got me through this time. My mom wasn’t proud of the growth, being on 30 under 30 or any other accomplishments. She was proud her son found his calling and was living his dream. Every day I walked in, I had to tell myself that. I was distracted and beyond stressed. My team rallied around me and got me and Recoup through our crazy growth. I am forever indebted, grateful, and so appreciative of all of them.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Recoup develops innovative hot and cold therapy products, bridging the gap between professional training rooms and at home muscle recovery. I am most proud of the team around me. I could not do this alone, and my team as pushed through some of the hardest times. I am so proud of how each of them has grown in their roles through failure and seeking new answers. We didn’t have mentors, teaching ourselves everything we know today. Our products set us apart. We are all former athletes that create products we wish we had. As we get older, these products to stay healthy and keep moving. We develop with the end customer in mind while pushing innovation.

What were you like growing up?
I was always the weird kid growing up. I was bullied and never having a core group of friends until high school. During this time, I was alone a lot. Instead of sitting around, I made things. I was solving my problems to making skateboard art. In high school, I found my core group of friends. They allowed me to come out of my shell and be the person I wanted to be. I was known as the party kid in high school who didn’t care about school.

The thing is, school was boring to me. I wasn’t able to learn the things I wanted to learn. School was boring, losing my interest. Translating into bad grades and acting like I didn’t care. Looking back, all of these things shaped me into the person I am today. I am still best friends with my friends from high school. When I took control of my education, my success rose. Being bullied taught me not to care what others think, while growing thick skin. They sucked going through them, but happy I did.

Pricing:

  • Crysophere- 39.99
  • Cryosleeve- 89.99

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Recoup Fitness

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