In the Spotlight: Brad Luttrell

Morning, friends! Logan here. We have a return founder on the pod today - and boy does he have some learnings to share. Brad Luttrell most recently joined us on episode 198 to share about GoWild back in June of 2022. Since then, he’s shut down that company, taken inventory of all the learnings along the way, and started his new company - Prologue. This episode is about as candid as they come for sharing about the realities of what happens when a startup doesn’t work out. And more importantly, how to pick yourself up and give it another shot.

In this conversation, Brad opens up about the emotional weight of winding things down, the reflection that followed, and the clarity that emerged on the other side. We talk about what it means to build something for the right reasons, and how storytelling became the throughline for what he’s building now with Prologue.

If you're a founder who's ever questioned your path or a creative trying to find your voice - this one's for you.

What We Discussed:

GoWild’s rise and fall
Brad shares how GoWild gained early traction, built a strong brand in the outdoor space, and raised multiple rounds of funding. But even with growth and community, the economics didn’t support the vision long term.

Shutting down a startup - without shame
Rather than sugarcoating it, Brad walks through the emotional and strategic reality of winding down a company. He talks about multiple 8-figure offers falling through, facing investors and team members, and the personal identity hit that came with it.

What he’s building with Prologue
Prologue is a brand storytelling studio designed to help companies clarify and communicate their message. Brad talks about the common struggles brands face in connecting with their audience, and how Prologue is working with founders and creatives to turn raw experiences into compelling narratives that resonate.

Kentucky roots
From early traction at a Louisville startup conference to building a loyal community of outdoorsmen, Brad’s story is deeply Kentucky-rooted. He also shares why he’s staying in the state to build what’s next.

We hope you enjoy this episode! If you have any thoughts after listening, feel free to shoot me a message at [email protected]

Have a great week, friends!

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