🔊CEOInterviews

Scott Baxter on fundraising

From SE01 E049 The Price of Equity: Lessons from Early Investment | Scott Baxter · · Legacy Unscripted! Podcast

“Raise the minimal amount you need to prove to somebody that your valuation is what you think it is.”

Scott Baxter
President, Chief Executive Officer & Chair of the Board, KONTOOR BRANDS INC
Controversial Policy Impact fundraisingstartup valuationcapital raising

On , Scott Baxter, President, Chief Executive Officer & Chair of the Board at KONTOOR BRANDS INC, spoke about fundraising during SE01 E049 The Price of Equity: Lessons from Early Investment | Scott Baxter on Legacy Unscripted! Podcast.

SE01 E049 The Price of Equity: Lessons from Early Investment | Scott Baxter
Watch on YouTube
SE01 E049 The Price of Equity: Lessons from Early Investment | Scott Baxter
Legacy Unscripted! Podcast
Watch on YouTube
In this episode of Legacy Unscripted, entrepreneur Scott Baxter, founder and CEO of PlayYourCourt, shares the hard-earned lessons from his early fundraising journey and what every founder should know before giving up equity. Scott reflects on raising his first $250,000 and giving away 38% ownership, all while learning the ropes of startup investment and valuation. He explains how raising only the minimal amount needed to validate your idea can protect your stake, attract smarter investors, and strengthen your long-term business strategy. From his transition as a tennis coach turned entrepreneur to building PlayYourCourt into a recognized platform for connecting tennis players, Scott’s story is a candid look at the highs and lows of early-stage entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a first-time founder, an investor, or simply curious about how to navigate the fundraising landscape, this conversation delivers clear, actionable insights. 🔥 Key Takeaways: Why raising too much too soon can cost you control How to prove your valuation before scaling investment Common startup fundraising mistakes and how to avoid them Why proof of concept is key to investor confidence 💬 Memorable Quotes: “I gave up 38%.” “I didn’t know how to raise money.” “Raise the minimal amount you need to prove your valuation.” 🎧 Chapters: 00:00 From Tennis Pro to Entrepreneur: The Journey Begins 01:06 Funding Challenges and Lessons Learned ✨ Keywords: fundraising, investment, entrepreneurship, business strategy, valuation, startup mistakes #Fundraising #Entrepreneurship #StartupLessons #InvestmentStrategy #BusinessValuation #StartupMistakes #PlayYourCourt #LegacyUnscripted I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Russ and the Legacy, Unscripted! podcast team Connect with Russ on LinkedIn:  / business-coach-florida   Visit the Progenyc website here: http://www.progenycc.com/ Get in touch with Russ: [email protected] Listen to Legacy, Unscripted! on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BtM5In... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7a6... #LegacyUnscripted #RussProgeny #LeadershipPodcast #LegacyBuilding #PersonalLegacy #LifePurpose #AuthenticLeadership #ImpactfulLiving #ValuesDriven #LegacyMakers #EntrepreneurJourney #FamilyBusinessLegacy #PurposeDrivenLife #TrueNorthLeadership #StorytellingForImpact #RealConversations #GenerationalImpact #IntentionalLiving #LeadWithPurpose Legacy, Unscripted! hosted by Russ is a no-filter conversation about the legacies we’re building every day - whether we realize it or not. This podcast dives into how entrepreneurs, leaders, and everyday difference-makers live intentionally, overcome obstacles, and shape their impact on others. With raw stories, honest reflections, and practical insights, Legacy, Unscripted! invites you to reflect on your values, your purpose, and the mark you’re leaving on the world.
Scott Baxter

About Scott Baxter

President, Chief Executive Officer & Chair of the Board · KONTOOR BRANDS INC

Scott Baxter, president, CEO, and chair of Kontoor Brands, has been active in media appearances discussing the company's performance and strategy. In August 2025, he led the company's second-quarter earnings call, where Kontoor raised its revenue outlook and reiterated its full-year earnings outlook at the midpoint, citing better-than-expected first-half results and improving visibility. Baxter also highlighted the company's acquisition of Helly Hansen, a global outdoor and workwear brand, for roughly $900 million, describing it as a "really nice fit" that provides a growth opportunity. He stated that Kontoor had been patient in looking for deals and moved quickly on this transaction. In various interviews, Baxter has discussed Kontoor's market position, noting that the company has been taking market share from competitors, including Levi's, and that its women's business, which represents about 20% of global revenue, grew 10% in a recent quarter. He has attributed the company's success to its design teams, data and insight capabilities, and a strategy of "winning with the winners" by focusing on strong retail partners like Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Baxter has also commented on the state of the American consumer, stating they are in "fairly good shape" and expressing optimism about 2025. On a personal note, in a podcast appearance, Baxter reflected on an early fundraising mistake where he gave up 38% equity for a $250,000 investment, advising founders to "raise the minimal amount you need to prove to somebody that your valuation is what you think it is."

Profile compiled from Scott Baxter's verified public interviews and appearances. See all quotes & transcripts →

More from Scott Baxter KONTOOR BRANDS INC (KTB) Full Transcript Explore All Executives