Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Castle.
Hi Dan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
In 2007 I was competing in a martial arts exhibition and injured my back. Then my back went out in a Soul Cycle cycling class. Eventually, the back pain was so severe and disruptive to my life that I started seeing PTs, and acupuncturists, and getting steroid injections. Painkillers dehydrated my spinal fluid and made me feel worse when they wore off. I needed a solution because I was wasting money and it started to affect my work running the Martha Stewart brand.
My wife introduced me to Pilates and I was hooked. It worked and I highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it and has the time. Unfortunately, we were having our third child and my time was very limited so Pilates wasn’t sustainable for me. I met with doctors and physios and studied clinical trials that were happening around the world and discovered a clinical trial in Germany in 2020 that proved stretching was more effective than brisk walking in lowering blood pressure amongst other advantages.
I decided to create “Pilates in a Bottle” so I could stretch on my own time and apply the pressure that I needed to each problem area. I left New York City and we started a new life in Atlanta where I met the Atlanta Braves chiropractor Dr. Sadri. I showed Dr. Sadri my invention as well as Dr. Bronson Walters of Neurokinetic (Andrew Jones PT and trainer) and they both started creating unique stretches and routines with it for their athletes and everyday patients.
Chris Martin, our pitcher at the time for Atlanta posted about how it helped him stay injury-free and increase his velocity the season they won the World Series and sales took off. Today we have 50k customers using CastleFlexx and we have an average review of 4.9 stars with a less than 2% return rate (the average return rate is 20% for health devices).
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The most challenging aspect for anyone launching a new business is bringing in new customers. For our brand we had added challenges because we literally changed a category that was known for cheap ineffective straps and bands and replaced it with a device that pulls your toes back into dorsiflexion the way a stretch therapist would while also allowing you to remain in neutral spine using a comfortable to grip weighted mobility bar, we call it The FlexxBar. Our devices are all patented so we dont have to rush to market and make the typical over-spend mistakes other brands sometimes make. Eventually injured athletes come to us for advice on how to address a chronic issue like plantar fasciitis or sciatica or shoulder impingement and once they try CastleFlexx its game over- they tell their teammates and word spreads. Thats what happened with Ronald Acuna Jr. and Braves pitcher Chris Martin. Having famous athletes who swear by your product helps marketing a lot so focus on the product and make sure you’re only selling something that actually works because these days people will read the reviews and decide based on those.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Today I’m an inventor of health devices that address the root cause of chronic pain issues Americans face daily. I’m known for taking over the Martha Stewart brand in 2015 after her stint in jail and revitalizing her business and brand awareness.
I’ve created new business partnerships for celebrities and designers that have helped them expand beyond the categories they are known for. The success I’ve had in corporate allowed me to take a risk and leave the publicly traded companies I ran to do what I truly love doing, helping people.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Atlanta is one of the only cities I’m aware of where you can experience the big city life and at the same time come home to a Bear or Coyote in the front yard. When we moved here we were told we had to plant 3 trees for every tree we removed and it showed me that this city really cares about Mother Nature.
We decided to plant 6 trees for each one we took down and our home looks like it’s in a rain forest now which is in stark contrast to the NYC life we lived for two decades. Georgia is the best State in the country, only a few compare to it but we enjoy the different seasons, and that’s something we want our kids to experience.
Pricing:
- $19.99 – Temperature Therapy Packs
- $159- Youth CastleFlexx
- $179- Sport CastleFlexx
- $239- Luxury CastleFlexx
- $299- Heat Pro Edition
Contact Info:
- Website: https://castleflexx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castleflexx/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CastleFlexx/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@castleflexx
