Growth creates pressure.
Pressure finds the weak spot.
I'm Mike Knowles. I run Inside the Lines Advisory - growth strategy for racquet sports. Twenty-five years in marketing, most recently CMO of the RSPA, and a former Division I All-American tennis player. I have built brands, and I have run growth from inside the business. I operate more than I advise. Every engagement starts with a diagnosis: where the pressure is building, and what to fix first.
The free Growth Pressure Review. Fifteen questions, five minutes. I read every response myself, and my honest take comes back within 48 hours.
HOW I PARTNER WITH YOU
START HERE
Growth Pressure Review
Free
15 questions. 5 minutes. I read every response myself and send back my honest take on where your pressure is building and what to fix first. Within 48 hours. No pitch. No automation.
OPTION II
Growth Advisory
Project Based
A focused engagement around a specific business problem. Evaluate a new market. Build a go-to-market plan. Sort out positioning or distribution. We define the scope, do the work, deliver the outcome.
OPTION III
Growth Partnership
Monthly Retainer
I am embedded in your business. Strategy and execution, together. You work on the business. I work in it with you.
CURRENT WORK
Partner and CMO
Created the brand from the ground up - identity and go-to-market strategy - for a turnkey padel company delivering finished courts through a national dealer network backed by an international manufacturer. Q1 2027 launch.
Head of Growth
Head of Growth at Facility Ally, the operator-founded business support platform for sports and entertainment facilities.
Fractional CMO
Leading the expansion of a sports lifestyle brand across golf, tennis, pickleball, and padel.
International Development Partner, US
Connecting 165+ global padel brands to the American market.
Strategic Partner
Growing IAPPF's presence with pickleball and padel facilities worldwide.
Strategic Advisor
Guiding a Spain-based innovator on next-generation tennis and padel ball pressurization technology, built for global distribution.
WHERE GROWTH
BREAKS UNDER PRESSURE
Growth doesn't break from lack of effort. It breaks when the decisions can't keep up.
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Too many initiatives, not enough clarity
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Decisions delayed or constantly revisited
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Execution drifting across teams
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Demand that isn’t converting into results
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Growth outpacing the structure meant to support it
You feel it. The question is whether you're fixing the right thing. Most leaders aren't. They're solving symptoms while the real problem keeps growing.
HOW
THE WORK
HAPPENS
Every engagement follows the same sequence. The situation changes. The discipline doesn't.
1. REVIEW
Understand where breakdown happens
You tell me where it hurts. I find where growth is creating strain and decisions are stalling.
2. ALIGN
Name what's actually wrong — and what moves first
I tell you what's actually wrong and what moves first. Specific to your situation. Sharp enough to act on.
LET'S GET STARTED
If you're building a brand in racquet sports, the fastest way to start is the free Growth Pressure Review - 15 questions, 5 minutes, my personal read back within 48 hours.
Or share a bit about your situation here, and I'll take it from there with a focused, practical next step.
+1 (205) 789-4006
