Kids, Online Content, and Dude Perfect

 Kids, Online Content, and Dude Perfect 

    I am incredibly protective of what my kids have access to on their phones and TV. I tend to assume that anything they're watching isn't something they should be watching...but I'm working on that. One YouTube subscription I can fully endorse is Dude Perfect, though. And thankfully, the kids enjoy it as well. 

     Dude Perfect is a sports and entertainment brand created by five college friends—Tyler Toney, Coby Cotton, Cory Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, and Cody Jones— who turned backyard basketball trick shots into one of the most successful family-friendly media companies in the world. Since posting their first YouTube video in 2009, they have grown into a global brand with hundreds of millions of fans across multiple platforms, live tours, television projects, books, merchandise, and partnerships with major sports organizations. Their success has always been built on more than incredible trick shots; it has been rooted in trust, clean humor, and a commitment to entertaining entire families together. What may be even more impressive than their business success, is the fact that all five founders have remained close friends and business partners for more than 17 years. In the entrepreneurial world, partnerships often dissolve because of disagreements over money, leadership, or vision, making the longevity of Dude Perfect extraordinarily rare. Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has often emphasized that, “Business is a sport. It’s the most competitive sport in the world", highlighting just how difficult it is to build and sustain a successful company over time. Dude Perfect has done something few businesses ever accomplish; they have not only built an entertainment empire but have preserved genuine friendships while navigating nearly two decades of growth, pressure, and success—a feat that is arguably as remarkable as any trick shot they have ever made. 

    Last Friday, the Dude Perfect Tour was at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, and we attended. It was a great time--what a job they have! They get to basically play sports all day long, and not just traditional sports, but in fact, one of the games they played on Friday night was GoKart Soccer, and I am so tempted to buy a GoKart now. Or maybe two. 

    But the best part of the night, was the end of the night. After their show ended, they invited anyone who was interested to stick around for a short devotional and worship service. You see, these 'Dudes' are Christians and they give God the credit for all the success they've found. As I said earlier, it is almost impossible for friends to stick together in business. It's even more rare for FIVE of them to stick together. Then to still be together, after 17 years, takes incredible humility and an understanding of a higher purpose and higher power. And that's what we have in a faith in God. That last part of the show, pictured here, was powerful. It was a testimonial, and then a singing of "10,000 Reasons", and I felt such strong emotions and gratitude for the ability to share that moment with my kids. I hope it stuck with them as well. This group of guys have a traveling show that can sell out the Fiserv Forum, but they remain rooted in gratitude, humility, and the understanding that all they have, is on loan from their Savior above.