We had the good fortune of connecting with Aaron Perry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaron, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My journey into endurance sports began with my first marathon during my junior year of high school, igniting a passion that has since grown exponentially. Intrigued by the challenge of pushing my limits further, I discovered ultra marathons, races exceeding the standard 26.2 miles. Embracing this newfound passion, I immersed myself in various endurance disciplines, including ultra-marathons and triathlons.

However, my entrepreneurial spirit predates my involvement in endurance sports. Seeking flexibility and financial independence during my schooling years, I ventured into various side hustles, driven by the desire to carve my own path. Eventually, my affinity for endurance sports intersected with my entrepreneurial drive, leading to the inception of Ultra Lyte Running.

Recognizing my interest in ultra running and entrepreneurship, I identified an opportunity to contribute to the community by providing innovative products tailored to the specific needs of ultra runners. Drawing from my firsthand experience in the sport and my entrepreneurial acumen, I envisioned Ultra Lyte Running as a platform to bridge the gap between athlete requirements and available offerings, thereby adding tangible value to the sport I hold dear.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
One of the greatest advantages of being a small business is the ability to establish personal connections. You have the freedom to listen to your customers, gather insights, and customize your products to meet their needs. Much of my business’s growth can be attributed to a process of trial and error, as well as a commitment to ongoing research and learning.

A significant lesson I’ve learned along the way is the importance of being willing to pivot. Although I initially envisioned my company heading in a certain direction, thorough research and numerous discussions revealed that this direction wasn’t feasible given my current circumstances. This taught me that the original plan isn’t necessarily the only viable path forward.

The journey hasn’t been easy. Even the CEO of Nvidia, a major player in the microchip industry, admits that he underestimated the challenges of building his company. Reflecting on this, I find it remarkable how far I’ve come, despite the difficulties. As I navigate the startup phase, I understand firsthand that the process is demanding, yet incredibly rewarding.

My ultimate goal is to disrupt the ultra running community by offering high-quality gear that genuinely enhances the experience for ultra runners. Rather than creating products solely for brand recognition, our focus is on functionality and performance.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In Kansas, where I am from, BBQ reigns supreme, so when showing my friends around, I’d prioritize visiting the top three BBQ joints: Joe’s, Gates, and Jack Stack. Additionally, we’d explore other dining options like Mr. Gyros, Virgin Olive, and The Russell.

Since my friends and I are coffee enthusiasts, our mornings would likely start with a workout at LifeTime Fitness followed by breakfast and a cup of coffee. Our go-to coffee spots would be McLaine’s, Mildrid’s, and Revocup.

For sightseeing, I’d take them to must-visit locations such as the WW1 Museum, downtown Kansas City, Hot Country Nights, a Sporting KC soccer game, and the various lakes in the area. By incorporating all these places, I aim to give my friends the best experience of Kansas City.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is a man by the name of Nick Bare. I have been following his journey for close to four years. In a nutshell, he started a supplement company while in college and has since grown that business to eight figures in annual revenue. Additionally, he has completed in several professional bodybuilding competitions, ultra marathons, Ironmans, and marathons to name a few. On top of all that, he has conducted his life and business with integrity clearly represented in the way he prioritizes his faith above all else. His journey has been extremely inspiring to me because every once in a while I see glimpses of the things he has accomplished in myself. By no stretch of the imagination am I anywhere close to his level of success, but he has been a huge motivation and part of the reason that I have remained on this path of entrepreneurship and endurance sports.

Website: https://ultralyterunning.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultralyterunning?igsh=MWdqODNiOXg4bWsxbQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-perry-29b90a220?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits
Jonathan Zaharek

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.