Hit by a ball, a retired man rewrites his life! 66-year-old uses one idea to earn 110 million last year

A freak accident during a pickleball match has sparked a new career for a 66-year-old retired Canadian man, leading to a booming business in protective eyewear.

Brad Robins was participating in a senior doubles match organized by the Professional Pickleball Association about two years ago when a high-speed ball struck him directly in the eye, causing immediate swelling. While discussing the incident with his partner, Dave Katz, on the way home, Robins realized that despite pickleball's growing popularity, the risk of eye injuries for players of varying skill levels was significant, yet specialized protective gear was scarce.

Leveraging his 40-year career in the Canadian advertising industry, where he worked with major tech companies like Apple and Facebook, and his experience running a sports agency, Robins decided to co-found "Kitchen Blockers." The brand aims to reduce the risk of injury for pickleball players. He collaborated with an engineer experienced in developing sports equipment and military-grade protective eyewear. After approximately a year of testing various impact angles, ball speeds, and materials, they developed protective gear featuring military-grade materials, a lens-free design, and impact deflection technology. This design prevents fogging and glare while offering a wider field of vision.

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Pickleball, although increasingly popular, the risk of eye injury for players of different skill levels is not low, and there are almost no specialized eye protection products on the market.

Since its official launch in March 2025, Kitchen Blockers initially focused on the Canadian pickleball community before testing the market through Facebook ads. The brand has since expanded into the U.S. and other international markets. In just 18 months, Kitchen Blockers has achieved global sales in over 50 countries, generating $3.5 million in revenue last year. The company forecasts a 300% increase in revenue this year and has established partnerships with several organizations.

As the brand experiences rapid growth, investors have expressed interest in collaboration. However, Robins stated that the company is not currently facing funding issues. Instead, he is seeking partners with global distribution networks to promote the importance of eye protection and enhance the safety of pickleball. Robins encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to be genuine, treat others well, and transform their passions into businesses, emphasizing that life's opportunities can arise unexpectedly.

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Life never knows when opportunities will come. As long as you believe in your ideas, you may start an unexpected next chapter in your life.