Question 1

Who is Eric Mayville?

Accepted Answer

I'm a New York-based entrepreneur and co-founder. I built and sold Wondersauce, a digital agency that grew to 130 people across 5 offices and was acquired by Project Worldwide in October 2016. I then co-founded Fairgame, a golf app, with Masters champion Adam Scott and Hodinkee founder Ben Clymer. I also co-founded Spyhold, a premium carry case for nicotine pouches designed for the golf course.

Question 2

How did I get started?

Accepted Answer

I've been building things on the internet since 1996. I co-founded Wondersauce in 2011 with John Sampogna. Within a year, Business Insider named me one of the 30 Most Creative People in Advertising Under 30. I was 25.

Question 3

What boards or advisory roles do you hold?

Accepted Answer

I serve on the Dean's Advisory Council at Ohio University's Scripps College of Communication and on the Advisory Board of the MGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation. I also serve as an advisor to Goodroot, a natural and botanical wellness brand.

Question 4

What was Wondersauce?

Accepted Answer

Wondersauce was a digital agency I co-founded with John Sampogna in 2011 in New York City. We grew it to 130 people across 5 offices and worked with clients including Nike, Google, HBO, L'Oréal, The New York Times, Bombas, The Players' Tribune, and Stella Artois. We made the Inc. 5000 list at #506 in 2016 and sold to Project Worldwide that October.

Question 5

What recognition did Wondersauce receive?

Accepted Answer

In 2012, Business Insider named me one of the 30 Most Creative People in Advertising Under 30. Wondersauce was ranked #506 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America in 2016.

Question 6

What is Fairgame?

Accepted Answer

Fairgame is a golf app I built for the 94% of golfers who play recreationally — not the data-obsessed serious golfer, but the person who plays for the walk, the conversation, and the excuse to be outside. We launched on iOS and Android in August 2022 and have grown to 75,000 golfers.

Question 7

Who co-founded Fairgame?

Accepted Answer

I co-founded Fairgame in April 2021 with Adam Scott (the 2013 Masters champion) and Ben Clymer (founder of Hodinkee).

Question 8

Who has invested in Fairgame?

Accepted Answer

Fairgame is backed by Howard Schultz (former Starbucks CEO), Old Tom Capital, and Undefeated.

Question 9

What milestones has Fairgame reached?

Accepted Answer

We launched in August 2022, reached 75,000 golfers, announced our first brand partnership with Fujikura (the #1 shaft in golf) in 2025, and launched the Fairgame Cup in March 2025 — a season-long competition for Assistant Professionals in partnership with the Metropolitan Section PGA.

Question 10

What is Spyhold?

Accepted Answer

Spyhold is a premium discreet carry case for nicotine pouches and mints that I designed specifically for the golf course. It debuted at the PGA Show in January 2026. Some of the most elite golf clubs in the Northeast were among our first partners, with near-immediate sell-through.

Question 11

Why nicotine pouches?

Accepted Answer

Nicotine pouch use on the golf course is widespread and completely underserved by the market. There was no product built specifically for that moment — discreet, well-designed, and made for the bag. So I built the first one.

Question 12

What's your approach to building companies?

Accepted Answer

The pattern is consistent across all three ventures: elite validation first, then community before commerce, then controlled growth. Wondersauce got recognized by Business Insider before most people knew the name. Fairgame launched with a Masters champion as co-founder. Spyhold's first customers were some of the most prestigious golf clubs in the Northeast. The credibility comes first — always.

Question 13

What do you believe about brand vs. technology?

Accepted Answer

The barrier to building golf tech has collapsed. What used to require millions in hardware R&D can now be shipped in a weekend. The next moat isn't code — it's brand and community. That's why I invested in community for two years before Fairgame's first brand partnership.

Question 14

How can I reach you?

Accepted Answer

LinkedIn is where I write and share my thinking (linkedin.com/in/ericmayville). Instagram (@ericmayville) is where I play golf. You can also follow Fairgame at fairgamegolf.com.