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- Know your people. Then build for them.
Know your people. Then build for them.
Startups with soul—and a serious work ethic.
Eric Harrison
May 09, 2025
Billy Annesley and Gene Williams didn’t start companies to chase hype.
They built out of obsession. They built for their people. And they built the hard way.
Neither of them had a playbook.
But both of them had something better: relentless follow-through, and a community they understood better than anyone.
 | After years as a bartender and former college athlete, Billy Annesley realized that no one was building tools for the everyday golfer. So he did it himself: working nights, bootstrapping the platform, and staying insanely close to his users. That’s why he launched Bantee, a golf tech startup built around community, not scorecards. “I didn’t come from tech. But I knew what golfers actually wanted-because I’m one of them.” This one’s for the builders doing it for their people. Read Billy’s full story here! |
Gene Williams is building Athletes Unlimited to give youth athletes a way to find and connect with great coaches- without relying on luck, privilege, or knowing the right person. It’s part mentorship platform, part opportunity engine, and fully grounded in his belief that every athlete deserves a shot. “I’ve made money before. This time, I’m building something that matters to me- and to the athletes who don’t usually get this kind of access.” This one’s for the founders lifting up a generation. More about Gene’s journey here! |  |
If these stories hit a little too close to home, good.
You’re not the only one figuring it out as you go. There’s a whole group of us doing the same—comparing notes, trading wins, and building real businesses without pretending to have it all together.
Some of those people are already in Thrive.
Some aren’t yet.
You’ll know which one you are.
— Eric 👋
 | Thrive is where founders find their people. |