The Pickle: Volume 32

Do yourself a favor. Whatever you do don’t look outside!!!

And if you just looked outside as a result of reading that:
1. You’re so predictable
2. Flash floor or not, WE STILL PICKLE Cause it’s pickle pickle pickling time.

Oh baby oh baby let’s brine it up.

You always know what’s up.

Blah blah blah, 7:30-9:30, free bagels + coffee and the best community in the world.

Amazing weather (or at least not a flash floor), unbeatable vibes and the best way to start your Friday morning. Cya bright and early tomorrow.

Now time for what you really came for.

👀 Opportunity

This may come as a surprise, but, John and I do have lives outside of hosting pickleball. (GASPS)

And unfortunately (or fortunately) we will both be gone for all of August and most of September.
**but mark your calendars cause something epic happening September 5th

IF anyone in the community would like to host in our absence, I would be more than happy to provide you with the wagon and the resources you need to keep the pickle momentum going!

If this is interesting, come find me on the court or shoot me a text 5038807397

WE WILL MISS YOU

It’s only temporary I swear!!

👀👀 Opportunity x2

We’re hosting the first ever Startup Pickleball Tournament in NYC

Are you a founder who thinks your startup has what it takes to take the whole city down?

Think your company has what it takes to be the pickle champion of the world??

We’ll see about that. But in the meantime, you should probably sign up here.

Here’s what up:

October 4th is going to be next level epic.

Not a founder? NOMINATE YOUR FOUNDER! SLACK HIM RIGHT NOW!

Worst case - You lose and you get a free commercial out of it Best case - You win, get eternal bragging rights and you still get a free commercial out of it
**We’re going to have a rocking content team there

🥒 Pickle fun fact of the week

The Heinz Pickle Pin: A 19th-Century Marketing Power Move

What was it:

A tiny green pin in the shape of a pickle, usually made from celluloid or plastic, emblazoned with the word “Heinz”. These were handed out for free at events, and they became wildly popular.

Who started it:

Henry J. Heinz, founder of the H.J. Heinz Company (yup, same ketchup empire), in the 1890s.

Where it debuted:

The 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago — a world fair visited by over 27 million people.

🧠 The Genius Behind It

• Heinz didn’t get a prime booth location. He was stuck in a remote corner of the fair.

• So, he bribed visitors with free pickle pins to get them to come all the way out to his exhibit.

• The result? Stampedes. He gave out over 1 million pickle pins during the fair.

• It’s often cited as one of the earliest examples of branded merch as viral marketing.

🔄 It Didn’t Stop There

• After the World’s Fair, Heinz kept producing the pins and handing them out at other events, fairs, and even grocery stores.

• They eventually became collectibles. Some people have entire jars full of them.

📈 Why It Worked

• It was weird, memorable, and free—all the things great promos should be.

• Wearing it became a mini status symbol: “Look at me, I’ve been to the Heinz booth.”

• It was simple but tactile, and it turned Heinz into a household name, not just for pickles but ketchup, baked beans, and more.

🧂 Bonus Trivia

• Heinz gave out more than 100 million pickle pins over the years.

• You can still get one today at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.

• Vintage versions (from pre-1920s) are now valued by collectors, especially the earliest celluloid ones with hand lettering.

In short: the Heinz pickle pin is proof that even in the 1800s, people loved free stuff—and that if your swag is weird enough, people will literally walk a mile through a World's Fair just to get it.

NYC Tech Pickleball update

Theme of the week:

Please please please no humidity. Please please please no humidity.
**especially true after a flash flood but we will have water on deck just in case

That’s all for this week. Brine you tomorrow for the last time in a while 🥹
**I’m not crying, you’re crying

And who could forget the pictures??

Look at all those amazing smiling faces.

Thanks as always to everyone who comes out and makes it special

Pickle lifestyle. Pickle dream. Pickle community.

Ps, know anyone who might be interesting in partnering with Tech Pickleball?? Hit us up! We want to find more creative ways to expand and grow this community through awesome partners 🙂

Email us at [email protected] or [email protected]

OR even better text me 5038807397