Ignite Startups: How TeamOut is Transforming Corporate Retreats with Thomas Mazimann
Episode 106 of the Ignite Podcast
In today’s business landscape, it’s not unusual to encounter founders with diverse backgrounds. Few, however, can say they’ve transitioned from the adrenaline-pumping world of whitewater kayaking to the equally fast-paced realm of startups. Thomas Mazimann, the co-founder and CEO of TeamOut, exemplifies this unique path. His journey, which spans from navigating Class 5 rapids to scaling a YC-backed startup to $1 million in revenue in just six months, is a testament to resilience, creativity, and thinking outside the box. This post takes a deeper look at Thomas’ story, as shared on the Ignite Podcast hosted by Brian Bell, to highlight key lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
From Professional Athlete to Entrepreneur
Thomas grew up in France, where he discovered his passion for whitewater kayaking at a young age. While most of his peers chose conventional sports, Thomas was drawn to the independence and adventure of the sport. His rebellious spirit, which disliked authority and conformity, led him down a different path—one that would see him compete in world championships and become a three-time French champion. Kayaking, for Thomas, was not just a sport; it was a passion that allowed him to explore the world, face danger, and develop resilience.
However, life had other plans for Thomas. After moving to the U.S., he transitioned from sports to the business world. His first step into entrepreneurship was serendipitous—a college friend connected him with a marketing role at Red Bull. This experience sparked Thomas' love for business, as it combined excitement with creativity. From distributing energy drinks at events to organizing major student activities, Thomas saw how business could be fun and engaging, much like sports. This set the foundation for his eventual career as an entrepreneur.
The Birth of TeamOut
Fast forward to 2021, when Thomas and his co-founder Vincent, a fellow professional athlete, had a deep conversation about the future of work. Both believed strongly that remote work was not a passing trend, but rather a seismic shift in how businesses would operate going forward. The pandemic had accelerated the adoption of remote work, and they realized that companies would need a new way to bring their teams together. Enter TeamOut, a platform designed to help companies organize off-sites and retreats in a world where remote work would be the norm.
Their initial idea for TeamOut was to provide a marketplace where companies could find unique venues for corporate retreats. Drawing on his event-planning experience from Red Bull and later roles, Thomas envisioned a seamless platform that would handle all the logistics for team-building retreats. Incredibly, within just seven days of conceiving the idea, they built a website, created a minimal viable product (MVP), and even secured their first two customers. Though their first application to Y Combinator (YC) was rejected, they reapplied six months later with more traction and were accepted into the prestigious Winter 2022 batch.
Scaling to $1M in Six Months
For many startups, scaling to $1 million in revenue is a multi-year endeavor. For TeamOut, it took just six months. Thomas credits their rapid success to two key factors: product-market fit and timing. Companies, especially those in the tech and startup world, were rapidly adopting remote work and needed a way to foster connection among distributed teams. Off-sites and retreats became a natural solution, and TeamOut was perfectly positioned to meet that demand. Their marketplace model—where companies could book venues and TeamOut would take a cut—proved highly effective.
However, the startup road is never smooth. After their initial success, the market shifted dramatically, and TeamOut's revenue plummeted to nearly zero. This sudden downturn forced Thomas and his team to pivot their business model. Instead of charging companies directly, they shifted the cost burden to the venue vendors, making it easier for companies to book retreats without worrying about additional fees. This pivot allowed TeamOut to regain its momentum and rebuild its revenue streams.
Lessons in Entrepreneurship
Thomas' entrepreneurial journey offers several valuable lessons for aspiring founders and business leaders:
1. Embrace Your Passion: Whether it’s kayaking or business, following your passion can lead you to unexpected and fulfilling paths. For Thomas, the skills and resilience he developed as a professional athlete transferred directly to his ability to lead and grow a startup.
2. Adaptability is Key: The rapid changes in the market, especially during the pandemic, required TeamOut to pivot quickly. Being able to adapt and change course when necessary is crucial for survival in the startup world.
3. Lean on Your Network: Thomas’ early business opportunities, from Red Bull to YC, came from leveraging his network. Building relationships and surrounding yourself with the right people can open doors and provide valuable advice when needed.
4. Timing and Product-Market Fit Matter: Success often comes down to being in the right place at the right time with the right product. TeamOut found itself in the perfect position to capitalize on the growing need for off-sites in a remote-first world.
5. Think Long-Term: Thomas sees off-sites as the future of company culture. As remote work becomes more entrenched, companies will need creative ways to bring employees together, and TeamOut aims to be at the forefront of that shift. His vision is that off-sites could eventually be as integral to companies as office spaces once were.
The Future of Remote Work and Off-Sites
As companies continue to navigate the evolving landscape of remote work, Thomas believes that off-sites will play a central role in maintaining culture, fostering collaboration, and strengthening team bonds. In fact, he envisions a future where off-sites become a defining feature of company culture, much like fancy office perks were a decade ago in Silicon Valley. The success of companies like TeamOut shows that businesses are increasingly investing in creating memorable, shared experiences outside of the traditional office environment.
In an era where flexibility and choice are paramount for attracting top talent, off-sites could become the new battleground for companies looking to differentiate themselves. And TeamOut, with its streamlined platform and tailored approach to event planning, is well-positioned to help companies navigate this transition.
Chapters:
· Introduction to Thomas Mazimann & TeamOut (00:01 – 00:32)
· Thomas' Background: From France to Professional Kayaking (00:33 – 03:07)
· Transition from Kayaking to Business: Red Bull and College Life (03:08 – 11:37)
· First Job in Silicon Valley and the Voxit Story (11:38 – 17:54)
· Founding TeamOut: The Birth of a Remote Work Solution (17:55 – 22:33)
· YC Journey and Scaling to $1M in Six Months (22:34 – 29:28)
· Facing Market Challenges and Pivoting the Business (29:29 – 33:22)
· The Future of Remote Work and Corporate Off-Sites (33:23 – 41:49)
· The Power of Shared Experiences in Team Building (41:50 – 44:34)
· Rapid-Fire Questions: Kayaking, YC Lessons, and Growth Strategies (44:35 – 51:34)
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