Ryan Rapaport interviews Ian Butler, a former Bellator fighter, grappler, and founder of Silverback Wrestling Club, discussing his journey from humble beginnings in St. Louis to building a national wrestling brand. Ian shares insights on scaling a business while maintaining core values, securing sponsorships, and creating opportunities for underprivileged kids, as well as his plans for international expansion in 2025.
Follow Ian on Instagram @ianbutlermma https://www.instagram.com/ianbutlermma/
Check out Silverback Wrestling at silverbackwrestling.com
Follow @silverbackwrestling on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/silverbackwrestling/
Takeaways
・ Ian founded Silverback Wrestling Club with just four students and grew it into a national brand.
・ Core values like love for the sport and community drive the club’s success.
・ Sponsorships began with small, local businesses and scaled alongside his career.
・ Silverback aims to make wrestling accessible to underprivileged kids.
・ Plans are in place for international expansion, including a European seminar tour.
・ Ian emphasizes balancing business, coaching, and athletic roles.
・ Building partnerships with smaller gyms can boost visibility and community support.
・ Digital platforms will play a big role in scaling Silverback's reach in the future.
・ Wrestlers transitioning to MMA should start with jiu-jitsu or boxing for a smoother adjustment.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ian Butler and Silverback Wrestling
02:17 Building Silverback from the Ground Up
03:44 Securing Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships
07:09 St. Louis Roots and Expanding Internationally
08:44 Balancing Business Goals with Social Impact
11:16 Transitioning from Athlete to Business Leader
13:08 Leveraging Polaris for Global Reach
15:24 Scaling Through Online Platforms and Virtual Training
16:30 Advice for Wrestlers Transitioning to Combat Sports
19:14 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans for 2025
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