$114K+ in 90 Days. A Welcome Flow Built for Gearbox Sports
We just generated $114K+ in 90 days for a similar brand using this exact playbook. Below is the custom version we wrote for Gearbox Sports.
We'll Build This Flow In Your ESP. Free.
Our expert designers and tech team will design this entire 8-email flow, build it into your ESP, and split test it against your current welcome sequence.
The 8 emails we wrote for Gearbox Sports
Click any email to expand the full copy. Subject line, preview text, hero, every module. Production-ready and built to drop into your ESP.
1
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INBOX MODULE
Subject Line: Your $10 welcome credit is ready
Preview Text: Try the paddles trusted by pros and weekend warriors alike
HERO MODULE
Hero Approach: Direct
H1: Welcome to Gearbox
Subhead: Here's $10 off your first order
Cta Button: Shop Paddles
MODULE 2: TRANSITION COPY
You just joined a brand founded by a professional athlete who spent 25 years perfecting composite technology before launching his first paddle. Use code GEARBOX10 at checkout.
MODULE 3: PRIMARY PAYLOAD MODULE
Type: PRODUCT-ONLY
H2: Start with these
GBX by Gearbox Pickleball Paddle The new generation design that traditional players keep coming back to
CX11 SSTCORE Collection Elongated or quad shape, control or power variant, built with patented tech that lasts
CP7 Elongated 13mm Your durable entry point at $89.99
GX2 Series Performance paddles for players moving past beginner stage
Pro Ultimate Competition-grade equipment when you're ready to play seriously
Movement Glove Premium materials that hold up to heavy court time
2
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I spent 25 years working in the composites industry before I ever launched a paddle company.
I was a professional racquetball player. I knew what worked on the court and what fell apart after a few weeks of real play. The problem was that nobody in the equipment industry seemed to care about the second part.
So in 2007, I started Gearbox in California with one goal: create technology-based sporting equipment that actually lasts. We built it from the ground up using a grassroots model. Athletes testing products. Real feedback driving improvements. No shortcuts.
We started in racquetball, then expanded into pickleball, paddleball, and squash. Same quality standards across all of them. Almost 15 years later, people still tell me their Gearbox paddles outlast everything else they've tried.
Your welcome code GEARBOX10 gets you $10 off and expires in 14 days. If you want to test before you buy, our demo program lets you try up to 4 paddles for 7 days for just $20 shipping.
– Rafael
Founder, Gearbox Sports
3
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INBOX MODULE
Subject Line: What makes Gearbox different
Preview Text: Founded by a pro athlete with 25 years in composites
HERO MODULE
Hero Approach: Question
H1: Not all paddles are built the same
Subhead: Here's what sets us apart
Cta Button: See the Tech
MODULE 2: TRANSITION COPY
Most paddle companies optimize for initial feel. We optimize for durability and consistent performance over thousands of games.
MODULE 3: PRIMARY PAYLOAD MODULE
Type: INFOGRAPHIC + PRODUCT EMBED
H2: Six reasons players switch to Gearbox
Infographic: Checklist
- Founded by Rafael Filippini, a pro racquetball player with 25+ years in the composites industry
- Patented technologies including SSTCORE and CoreAir that you can't get anywhere else
- Try Before You Buy program lets you test up to 4 paddles for 7 days for only $20 shipping
- Almost 15 years of reputation for paddles that don't delaminate or lose pop after a few months
- Multi-sport expertise means we know how to build equipment for racquetball, pickleball, paddleball, and squash
- Customer service consistently rated as one of the best in the industry
Products Shown
- CX11 SSTCORE Collection. Patented core technology in elongated or quad shape
- GBX by Gearbox Paddle. The design traditional players keep praising in reviews
- GX2 Series. Intermediate to advanced performance without the premium price
4
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INBOX MODULE
Subject Line: Your $10 credit expires soon
Preview Text: Code GEARBOX10 works for 9 more days
HERO MODULE
Hero Approach: Direct
H1: Still thinking it over
Subhead: Your welcome offer is waiting
Cta Button: Use Code Now
MODULE 2: TRANSITION COPY
You claimed GEARBOX10 when you signed up. It's good for $10 off your first order and expires in 9 days.
MODULE 3: PRIMARY PAYLOAD MODULE
Type: PRODUCT-ONLY
H2: Most popular right now
GBX by Gearbox Pickleball Paddle Well-received by traditional players who care about consistent feel
CX11 SSTCORE Elongated Control. 7.8oz, patented core, built for players who want precision over power
CP7 Elongated 13mm Durable composite at $89.99, your entry point without sacrificing quality
Pro Ultimate Paddles Competition-level performance when recreational play isn't cutting it anymore
Vision Eyewear Fits narrow faces, antifog, scratch-resistant, pickleball approved
Movement Glove Premium materials that survive heavy rotation on the court
5
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INBOX MODULE
Subject Line: Gearbox vs everyone else
Preview Text: Here's what you're actually comparing
HERO MODULE
Hero Approach: Question
H1: How do we stack up
Subhead: Side by side breakdown
Cta Button: See Paddles
MODULE 2: TRANSITION COPY
You're not just choosing a paddle. You're choosing who designed it, how they test it, and whether they'll stand behind it when something goes wrong.
MODULE 3: PRIMARY PAYLOAD MODULE
Type: INFOGRAPHIC + PRODUCT EMBED
H2: What you get with Gearbox
Infographic: Comparison Chart
| Dimension | Gearbox Sports | Typical Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Founder Background | Pro athlete with 25+ years in composites | Generic sports equipment company |
| Product Testing | Try Before You Buy (4 paddles, 7 days, $20) | Buy blind or limited demos |
| Technology | Patented SSTCORE and CoreAir tech | Standard construction |
| Durability Track Record | 15+ years of reputation for lasting quality | Inconsistent across product lines |
| Sport Coverage | Expertise in pickleball, racquetball, paddleball, squash | Single-sport focus |
| Customer Service | Consistently rated as one of the best | Standard support |
Products Shown
- CX11 SSTCORE Collection. The patented tech difference you'll feel after the first game
- GBX by Gearbox Paddle. Traditional players trust this design for a reason
6
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INBOX MODULE
Subject Line: 1,847 players can't all be wrong
Preview Text: Real reviews from real court time
HERO MODULE
Hero Approach: Direct
H1: Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
Subhead: From players who've tested everything
Cta Button: Read Reviews
MODULE 2: TRANSITION COPY
96% of customers rate us 4 or 5 stars. Here's what they're saying after weeks of court time.
MODULE 3: PRIMARY PAYLOAD MODULE
Type: INFOGRAPHIC + PRODUCT EMBED
H2: Why players switch and stay
Infographic: Numbered List
- "Gearbox has one of thee best customer service support systems in the Pickleball Paddle business. 100% confidence in knowing that Gearbox's customer satisfaction is their mission.". Michael M.
- "Demo program was a great way to checkout multiple paddles on the court and detailed descriptions for each". Donald K.
•
7
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INBOX MODULE
Subject Line: Last call for GEARBOX10
Preview Text: Your $10 credit expires in 2 days
HERO MODULE
Hero Approach: Direct
H1: This is it
Subhead: Code expires in 48 hours
Cta Button: Claim $10 Off
MODULE 2: TRANSITION COPY
Your GEARBOX10 code expires in 2 days. After that, the welcome offer is gone.
MODULE 3: PRIMARY PAYLOAD MODULE
Type: PRODUCT-ONLY
H2: Use it before you lose it
GBX by Gearbox Pickleball Paddle The paddle traditional players trust for consistent performance
CX11 SSTCORE Elongated Control. 7.8oz, patented core, precision over power
CP7 Elongated 13mm Durable entry point at $89.99
GX2 Series Intermediate to advanced performance paddles
Pro Ultimate Competition-grade when recreational isn't enough
Movement Glove Premium build quality for serious court time
8
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I noticed you haven't used your welcome code yet.
No pressure at all. Maybe the timing wasn't right, or you're still comparing options, or you decided to stick with what you've got. All good.
But I wanted to reach out personally because your GEARBOX10 code expires today. If there's something holding you back or you have questions about our paddles, hit reply. I read these.
If you've been meaning to try our demo program, that's still available. Test up to 4 paddles for 7 days for $20 shipping. See how our patented tech feels compared to what you're playing with now.
Your $10 welcome credit works today only. After midnight, it's gone for good.
– Rafael
Founder, Gearbox Sports
Ready to see this live in your ESP?
Let's get your free welcome flow set up →Where most DTC brands leak revenue on email
These are the patterns we see across almost every $100K-$500K/month store before we start working together:
- ✕Most DTC welcome flows cut off after 2-3 emails, right when new subscribers are at peak intent and open rates are highest.
- ✕Relying on discount codes as the primary incentive trains your list to wait for deals instead of buying on brand desire.
- ✕The founder story and origin of the brand gets buried on the about page and never shows up in email, losing the biggest differentiator a small brand has.
- ✕Zero segmentation between first-time buyers and repeat customers, so everyone gets the same generic promo blasts.
- ✕Abandoned cart flows stop at one email. Industry benchmark recovers 2-3× more revenue with a 3-touch sequence layered with real objection handling.
Four pillars. No fluff.
Trust Transfer
Plain text founder emails convert your existing audience trust into buyer confidence in a way designed emails never can.
Layered Objection Removal
Each email removes one specific purchase barrier, so by the final send the only thing left between them and a purchase is inertia.
Controlled Urgency Curve
Discount pressure starts casual and escalates to real scarcity, without training subscribers to wait for the next deal.
Soft Landing
The final email is a personal check-in, not a hard sell. Non-buyers leave the sequence warm for future campaigns instead of unsubscribed.
Real numbers from a real 8-email welcome sequence
Social proof
Nick Yates
Thanks for checking this out. This document will help you build a retention engine that keeps customers buying without burning through margin on discounts.
What I do
- Build email retention systems that generate consistent revenue for ecommerce brands doing $100K-$500K monthly
- Embed myself into your brand voice so every email sounds unmistakably like you
- Create promotional strategies that protect margin while keeping your list engaged year-round
- Design the 30-Day Email Engine, a complete retention foundation with a $25K revenue guarantee
My approach is different. I don't touch generic templates or cookie-cutter campaigns. This is boutique, voice-driven email marketing where I become an extension of your brand for 18+ months on average. No junior copywriters. No bloated agency bureaucracy. Just strategic retention work that CEOs actually care about.
I've helped brands like Ancestral Supplements generate $7.6M in attributed email revenue by focusing on loyalty and LTV, not just broadcast blasts.
Let's get your free welcome flow set up
Pick a time below. In less than 30 minutes we'll get everything we need to get this split test set up in your ESP in less than two weeks.