Building a Bridge to Olympic Glory: Dan Johnston’s Ripletic Story
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Welcome to this edition of the BizStack Entrepreneur Spotlight series, where we dive into the world of individuals who’ve taken the bold step of turning their passion into a thriving online business.
Today, we’re exploring the journey of Dan Johnston, a fervent CrossFitter, rower, and one of the innovative minds behind Ripletic, a platform dedicated to bolstering the careers of elite athletes through technology and digital marketing.
About Dan Johnston
Growing up with a deep-rooted love for sports and a knack for digital marketing, Dan Johnston embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between elite athleticism and financial sustainability. In the wake of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he co-founded Ripletic, an intuitive training app that not only offers elite athletes a platform to monetize their skills but also provides fitness enthusiasts with access to Olympian training regimens.
Ripletic has quickly become a beacon of hope and opportunity, hosting 6 Olympian Training Programs with plans to expand further as the Paris 2024 Olympics approach.
A Week in the Life of Dan
Managing a fast-growing startup, training rigorously, and maintaining personal well-being sounds like a Herculean task, yet Dan manages his schedule with a blend of discipline and pragmatism:
- Days start at 8 am and wrap up by 6 pm, focusing on content creation, app development, and athlete management.
- Evenings from 6 to 8 pm are dedicated to training, followed by either more work or well-deserved rest.
- Weekends include a day off on Saturday and work from 2 to 8 pm on Sunday.
Tools of the Trade
Running an online platform that caters to both elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts requires a seamless blend of technology and creativity. Dan relies on a suite of tools that bolster Ripletic’s operational efficiency and outreach:
- Zaap – An advanced alternative to Linktree. You can see Ripletic’s Zaap page here.
- Flutter & Firebase – For app coding and storage, respectively.
- Rowy – Manages the app’s exercise data.
- Opus clips & CapCut – For video editing and creating engaging content.
- Canva – A staple for any digital marketing toolkit.
Growth Strategies
Among the myriad techniques to grow an online business, Dan emphasizes two strategies that have been particularly effective for Ripletic:
- Irresistible Offers: A compelling offer is crucial for turning cold outreach into warm engagements. Ripletic boasts a conversion rate of 15-20% among athletes, a testament to its value proposition.
- Robust Social Media Presence: Balancing both paid and organic social media strategies is key to maintaining visibility and engagement with the community.
Challenges & Achievements
Every entrepreneurial journey comes with its own set of challenges. For Dan, maneuvering through the complexities of the App Store has been a considerable hurdle, albeit one that has not deterred Ripletic’s momentum. Rather, it honed the focus on leveraging existing capabilities to the fullest.
On the flip side, Ripletic’s growing traction among elite athletes, particularly leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympics, stands out as a significant achievement. The opportunity to work closely with athletes from the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra is a highlight Dan cherishes deeply.
Words of Wisdom
For those on the fence about embarking on their entrepreneurial journey, Dan offers simple yet profound advice:
Start now. You’ll be surprised how much progress you can make in 1 year, even if you’re working on it casually/part-time.
Dan Johnston
Get to Know Dan Beyond Ripletic
Dan’s eclectic mix of interests, hacks for managing a hectic life, and personal favorites offer a glimpse into the person behind Ripletic:
- Productivity Hack: ChatGPT for streamlining operations.
- Favorite App: Ripletic, for obvious reasons.
- Inspiring Read: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight.
- Movie Pick: The Dark Knight.
- And a penchant for yogurt, always found in his fridge.
How You Can Support Ripletic and Australian Athletes
If you’re inspired by Dan’s journey and Ripletic’s mission, consider supporting Australian athletes on their path to the Paris 2024 Olympics by purchasing a training program. Every bit of support fuels their dreams and the continuing innovation at Ripletic. Learn more and join the community here.
Engaging with entrepreneurs like Dan underscores the incredible potential of disciplined passion, innovative thinking, and digital technology. Ripletic’s journey from concept to impacting the lives of athletes worldwide serves as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs in the sport and fitness industry and beyond.
Stay tuned for more insightful stories from our BizStack Entrepreneur Spotlight series, where we dive into the minds and lives of those turning their dreams into digital success stories.
I’m founder of BizStack at Cagri Sarigoz LLC and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs.
With over 14 years in tech, marketing, and AI, including my role as Head of SEO at CitizenShipper and co-founder of TaleBot at Intale AI, I’m dedicated to sharing genuine, useful product insights and tips.
At BizStack, I aim to cut through the digital noise to provide clear, actionable advice.
And more than all else, I’m a father to a (always) little girl and a husband.
Contact me at [email protected] for assistance.
