How Play Henry is Changing the Game in Pickleball
From a College Passion to a Growing Brand: The Story of Play Henry
Hi Founders!
This week on The Founders Society Podcast, we sit down with Ellie Jamison, co-founder of Play Henry—the pickleball brand bringing style, strategy, and innovation to the game. What began as a grassroots effort to find paddles that performed as well as they looked has quickly grown into a thriving business, complete with collegiate partnerships, corporate gifting, and an expansion into new sports.
Their journey is a testament to the competitive spirit of entrepreneurship, fueled by community and a deep love for the game. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to launch a brand in a crowded market, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.
The Play Henry Origin Story
Ellie and Grace met at UVA’s business school and instantly bonded over their shared love of sports—and the coincidence that both of their brothers are named Henry. When they became obsessed with pickleball but couldn’t find paddles that matched their style, they decided to create their own.
With Ellie’s expertise in business development and Grace’s background in design and operations, they made the perfect team. Crediting their brothers for igniting their competitive spirits growing up, it felt only natural to name their brand in their honor—thus, Play Henry was born.
Turning a Passion into a Product
In their quest to create the perfect pickleball paddle, Ellie and Grace turned to the experts—gathering insights from UVA’s pickleball team and professional players alike. They carefully considered player experiences, preferences, and design recommendations, refining every detail to balance performance and style.
After multiple prototype iterations with manufacturers overseas, they meticulously fine-tuned the materials, weight, and feel to get everything just right. A summer of intensive testing led to the creation of their ideal paddle—but their next challenge was just beginning: getting it onto the courts.
Grassroots Marketing: Selling Out Before Launch
As their first order went into production, Ellie and Grace took a hands-on approach to marketing their newly launched brand.
From setting up booths around campus to reaching out to local stores and tapping into their extensive alumni network, they worked tirelessly to generate buzz. Ellie humorously reflects on just how grassroots their efforts were, emphasizing the importance of getting your name out there in the early stages of a business—even before everything is perfectly fine-tuned.
Their hustle paid off—before even officially launching, they sold out their first 100 paddles.
Strategic Growth & Big-Picture Decisions
As Play Henry grew, Ellie and Grace made some key strategic decisions that would shape the future of their brand.
Their first big break came when they became a collegiate licensee with the University of Virginia. But to their surprise, this partnership came with its own set of challenges—navigating requirements for insurance, royalties, and branding.
Realizing the effort required to replicate this model across other schools, they decided to pivot. Instead of pursuing additional collegiate licensing, they set their sights on corporate gifting—offering custom paddles tailored for brands and events. This move proved to be a game-changer, quickly becoming the bread and butter of their business and putting Play Henry paddles in the hands of pickleball enthusiasts across the nation.
Lessons from Play Henry’s Journey
Start small, but start strong: You don’t need to have every detail perfected from day one—what matters most is taking that first step. Ellie and Grace launched Play Henry with a simple idea and a commitment to testing, iterating, and refining as they went.
Leverage your community: Building a business isn’t a solo sport. The support of UVA’s pickleball club and their alumni network played a crucial role in helping Play Henry gain traction. Whether it was product feedback, early sales, or word-of-mouth marketing, their community helped them scale faster than they could have on their own.
Be willing to pivot: Adaptability is key in any startup journey. When Ellie and Grace realized the complexities of expanding collegiate licensing—navigating insurance, royalties, and branding restrictions—they made a strategic shift by pivoting to corporate gifting, a move that propelled Play Henry into an even larger market.
Shop Play Henry & Our Favorite Picks
The episode wrapped up with some of the ladies’ favorite current obsessions:
Hayley swears by the Drybar Round Brush, the ultimate tool for achieving a salon-quality blowout at home—perfect for busy gals on the go.
Ellie gave a nod to 10x is Easier Than 2x, a book that’s become a staple recommendation on the podcast, along with a shoutout to fellow Darden alum-founded Brandefy, a company bringing a Quince-inspired approach to beauty and skincare—offering luxury formulas at an accessible price point. Like this best seller!
Meg is all about hydrating mocktails these days, mixing one-third coconut water, two-thirds San Pellegrino, a squeeze of lime juice, and a pinch of salt for a refreshing, mineral-packed sip.
Want to get your hands on a Play Henry paddle or find inspiration for your own creative venture? Check out our curated picks on ShopMyShelf.
Find us online:
The Founders Society on Instagram: @founderssociety
Play Henry on Instagram: @shopplayhenry
Thanks for being part of The Founders Society! We hope this episode inspires you to take the next step in your own business journey.
Warmly,
Meg & Hayley