Empowering Through Adversity: The Inspirational Journey Behind SRV Golf - john payton
How John Paton Built a Golf Brand With Purpose, Passion and Personal Legacy
At Podcast Studio Glasgow, we love conversations that go beyond the business buzzwords. This one with John Paton, founder of SRV Golf, hit differently. It’s about entrepreneurship, yes, but it’s also about loss, resilience and doing something meaningful with the time you’ve got.
In this episode of From the Podcast Studio Glasgow, John opened up about the roots of his brand, the influence of his mum, and why SRV Golf is about far more than selling golf gear.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:09 John Peyton's Entrepreneurial Journey
02:32 The Birth of SRV Golf
04:02 Mental Health and Personal Struggles
05:47 Golf as a Personal Escape
08:50 Challenges of Running a Golf Brand
19:14 Marketing Strategies and Influencer Collaborations
22:15 Mentorship and Learning the Technical Side
22:59 Early Ventures in Amazon Selling
24:29 Challenges with Amazon's Fulfillment
26:38 Transition to Building a Personal Brand
30:28 Tips for Launching an Online Business
35:27 Personal Story: Inspiration Behind the Brand
42:14 Future Plans and Community Building
Strength, Resilience, Virtue
SRV Golf isn’t just a logo on a cap. It’s a tribute. The name stands for Strength, Resilience, Virtue—qualities John’s mum embodied through her battle with cancer. That fight, and the strength she showed, became the emotional engine behind the brand.
John didn’t come from a retail or product design background. What he had was a drive to build something that mattered, something that gave back. A percentage of every sale goes to cancer and mental health charities—organisations that supported his family when they needed it most.
Breaking the Golf Mould
Golf gear isn’t cheap. John saw a gap in the market for affordable, quality products that didn’t cut corners. SRV Golf was built on the belief that you don’t have to overpay to get something decent, and when you do buy, it should mean something.
This isn’t just another DTC brand with clever packaging. It’s mission-led. Every product sold contributes directly to causes that support real people through real challenges.
The Learning Curve of Entrepreneurship
John spoke honestly about the early days. Managing stock, balancing quality with price, building the online shop—all while figuring things out as he went. It’s the kind of raw, unfiltered insight you rarely hear in startup success stories.
He shared this bit of advice for anyone thinking of starting something,
“Find a product with a purpose. If you believe in it, that belief carries you through the hard days.”
Storytelling That Sticks
Marketing isn’t just about getting attention. For John, it’s about getting the message across. That’s why he believes platforms like podcasts are so powerful—they give space for the why, not just the what.
SRV Golf’s story is layered. It doesn’t fit neatly into a 15-second TikTok. But in the right context, like a podcast, it lands—and people connect with it.
Building More Than a Brand
Looking ahead, John wants SRV Golf to become more than an e-commerce brand. He’s planning real-world golf events and meetups—community-focused days that bring people together under the values SRV was built on.
It’s about giving golfers a reason to connect. Not just through a shared sport, but through shared values. The goal? To create something lasting that keeps his mum’s memory alive while supporting others on their journey.
Final Thoughts
John Paton didn’t just launch a golf brand. He built something rooted in love, grief and a refusal to let that story end quietly. SRV Golf is proof that purpose-led business can make an impact—on the green and beyond.
If you want to support the brand, explore the gear or stay up to date with upcoming events, you’ll find SRV Golf on Instagram @SRVGolf or visit www.srvgolf.com.
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