of the top 3 players on the planet. After he was successful
in his paintball career, he then wanted to move on to
another part of paintball, the business industry.
The transition from professional paintball player to
business owner was a difficult one to say the least. They are
like two different worlds, the professional paintball world
and the industry world. On one hand his sponsors were
paying for his airfare, his gear, his hotels, etc. And here he
was developing his own brand, when his sponsors were
pushing their brand. It was always a conflict of interest.
Not only that, but the industry is very territorial. “They’re
like surfers, if you take their turf they will try to knock you
down and beat you up.” Said Pep. You first have to be
accepted as a paintball player, and then you have to be
accepted as part of the industry as well. The way he did
that is he produced products that are competitive with
the industry.
So how did Top Rank Innovations LLC begin? It all started
with an idea, a dream, and a passion. After that he started
by branding his name. He started marketing and pushing
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his brand in early 2001. The day he decided to do this was
the day that he realized he had the ability to produce great
products for the players. That is his passion. Pep doesn’t
look at the industry people as competition. “I look at them
as part of our movement. We are trying to get this sport to
grow, and the only way we are going to do that is to join
together and build a positive energy in the industry.”
We asked Pep what he thought about the World Paintball
Organization. “They mold the game and create the rules.
I respect them.” Pep thinks that it is important to have all
of these leagues doing shows all over the world. “At the
end of the day, it is about growing the sport.” Said Pep.
Although he respects the rules, some rules make it hard
for him as a business owner. One rule he is not H