How do you kick-start a new brand when you’re up against deep-pocketed competitors? That’s what Jaylen Brown is considering. In September the reigning NBA Finals MVP launched his own apparel brand, 741, with plans to sign other athletes. As he was getting started, Brown met with Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor, a man with extensive experience in marketing—his platform has helped founders raise more than $8 billion to launch products. The meeting was part of a new series called The Playbook, created by Entrepreneur and Sports Illustrated, where we pair entrepreneurial athletes with business leaders to discuss their shared passion for new ventures. Below is an edited excerpt from their full conversation, which you can watch here.
