LIFE WORK

FRIENDS and FAMILY                       
For those who don't already know, Rafael Filippini, CEO of Gearbox Racquetball, released a letter to the racquetball community during the USAR National Doubles Championships, informing of his current (and thankfully winning) fight with cancer. He did so because his recent absence from these types of major events had begun to become noticeable. That he starts out his letter "Friends and family" is in itself an indication of what the significance of his life and his work are all about. (Read the full letter. Friends and family.pdf)

Debuting in 2007, Gearbox has aggressively been engaging in the relatively small world of racquetball. Five major manufacturers had solidly held this market for decades and introducing a new brand was indeed a risk. But it isn't in Filippini's nature to think that he can't do something. It is that nature that has forged a company that has grabbed significant market share in it's short existence.

ROOTS

Rafa first started playing racquetball when he was in the military. His family moved to the United States from Mexico when he was a young boy. Having to learn english, he eventually ended up studying engineering in the states. His experience in the military saw him involved him with composites used in helicopters. You can see where this is going. His passion for racquetball and his competitive nature were sparked by a chance encounter with a player who refused to get on the court with Filippini. Feeling slighted, he took to training religiously. It's unclear whether or not he ever had the opportunity to answer the affront to his pride, but we do know it led to a run in the IRT.

His technical knowledge of composites and a chance conversation while play testing a racquet, led to his transition from player to designer for Eforce. Though his tenure there saw numerous patents, he was compelled to try and impact the sport in other more profound ways.

FAMILY AFFAIR

Rafael had a plan. And as with most great plans, they are never accomplished alone. He enlisted his cousin Rafael Aguilo who had an entrepreneurial history. He saw the vision and felt passion. Together they set Gearbox, the company, on it's path. 

Filippini's goal was to inject new life into the industry. It shows in his approach. Injecting new life means a fresh perspective and new energy. Joel Arredondo, also a close cousin and former professional surfer, was tapped to head player and marketing efforts. Never having played racquetball, Joel was living his life as a professional surfer would, traveling, living the life. It's this mirrored type lifestyle energy in racquetball that Filippini hoped to access. 

It makes tons of sense. If you've ever met Joel, he's all positive all the time. He provides growth opportunities and attention to their young crop of players, road-trips endlessly and spearheads their campaigns, which are very contemporarily stylized and youthful in approach. Have you seen the RV? Seen the videos?

-Image: Chris Grant / Boardfolio.com

ONWARD

Rafael Fillipini has created all he has hoped for in his company and his life. It is a very close knit group of people he's assembled and no doubt there were some anxious and solemn moments for the team. Moments Rafael discourages. As he states in his letter, it is his passion that drives him in his recovery. A recovery that he understates in his letter. But that is his nature and he will only accentuate the positive.

The sport is the better for it.

- - - - -  RESTRUNG MAGAZINE