“Building and Scaling an Experiential Adventure and Lifestyle Brand With Chris Lynch”

Chris Lynch

Chris Lynch is the Co-founder and CEO of Everyday California, a La Jolla, California-based ocean adventure and lifestyle brand offering ocean adventures along with eco-friendly gear and apparel. Under Chris’ leadership, Everyday California has grown from a small kayak shop into a multilocation business employing up to 100 people in peak season. The brand’s apparel is sold in nearly 200 stores, including all major California airports, and featured as the top-rated experience on Airbnb in San Diego. Chris, who holds a degree in international economics from San Diego State University, founded the company during the Great Recession after a stint studying acting in Hollywood.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[03:38] Chris Lynch shares how he acquired a rare La Jolla kayak permit
[05:25] Why a finance background doesn’t guarantee an entrepreneurial path
[10:49] How seasonality shapes strategies for adventure and retail businesses
[12:35] The secrets to creating high-quality, best-selling apparel
[15:11] How social media has fueled Everyday California’s explosive growth
[16:41] Chris’ tips for boosting bookings through unconventional travel platforms
[19:09] Why experiential retail locations drive customer loyalty and sales
[22:45] How cash flow and inventory management can make or break brands

In this episode…

Starting a business on the beach might sound like a dream, but what happens when you actually make it work? Imagine turning a pickup truck, a few old wetsuits, and a grandmother’s iPad into a thriving adventure brand that captures the spirit of California. How do you build something that feels authentic, sustainable, and resilient?

For Chris Lynch, the answer came from seeing opportunity where others saw risk. He believes the secret to growth lies in blending passion with practicality. During the Great Recession, Chris took a failing kayak permit and transformed it into a full-fledged ocean adventure and lifestyle brand rooted in community, sustainability, and experience. From refining the fit of board shorts for over a year to scaling from one location to multiple along the coast, he emphasizes doing things the right way — even if it takes longer. His approach proves that staying committed to quality, adaptability, and financial discipline can turn a simple idea into a lasting California icon.

In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith is joined by Chris Lynch, Co-founder and CEO of Everyday California, to discuss how he built and scaled an experiential adventure and lifestyle brand from the ground up. They explore the early days of launching with just a kayak permit, how Everyday California balances seasonality with e-commerce growth, and why quality and storytelling drive the success of their apparel line.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Quotable Moments

“We had an old pickup truck, a bunch of old wetsuits, some old kayaks, and an iPad that my grandma gave me.”
“Hey, who has the opportunity to start a business on the beach in San Diego?”
“We kept making samples and we’d give them to tour guides and we’d give them to instructors and we’d figure out, like, what’s the best way to do it?”
“We don’t want them to just buy a hat or a t-shirt because they learn how to surf with us in La Jolla.”
“Success is just continuing. Just keep going. And I keep telling myself that this is true.”

Action Steps

Embrace small beginnings with resourcefulness: Starting lean forces creativity and adaptability, helping you build a solid foundation before scaling.
Prioritize product quality over speed: Taking time to perfect your offering creates long-term customer loyalty and sets your brand apart.
Diversify revenue streams early: Combining experiences with retail or e-commerce can stabilize income and reduce the impact of seasonality.
Master your financial fundamentals: Understanding cash flow, projections, and margins ensures smart growth and keeps your business sustainable through ups and downs.
Stay persistent through uncertainty: Consistency and resilience are the true drivers of success when challenges arise and motivation dips.

Sponsor for this episode

Spotlight Social Advertising is a results-driven digital marketing agency that helps businesses scale with powerful Facebook and Instagram advertising. Their expert team crafts highly targeted campaigns that attract the right audience, boost engagement, and drive real conversions.

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