Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Gubrud.
Hi Ryan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been passionate about fishing for as long as I can remember. Like many anglers, I spent years on the water experimenting with different techniques and tackle, always looking for ways to catch more fish. That passion eventually grew into the idea of creating my own products and building a brand that reflected what I believed anglers deserved—quality baits that are designed to catch fish and built with attention to detail.
I officially launched Freedom Baitz in 2019 while continuing my full-time career in business development and sales. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to work in a variety of industries, leading sales teams, developing customer relationships, and helping businesses grow. Those experiences taught me the importance of listening to customers, building trust, and never stopping the pursuit of improvement—lessons that have been just as valuable in growing Freedom Baitz.
Building a small business hasn’t always been easy. Like most entrepreneurs, there have been plenty of long nights, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. But every new retail partner, every customer who shares a successful day on the water, and every opportunity to introduce someone to our products makes the journey worthwhile.
Today, Freedom Baitz continues to grow one relationship at a time. My goal has never been to be the biggest company in the fishing industry—it’s to build a brand that anglers trust because they know the products are developed by someone who genuinely loves fishing and is committed to making them better every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s true for most small business owners. Building a company while working full-time meant a lot of early mornings, late nights, and weekends dedicated to growing the business. There were times when it felt like there simply weren’t enough hours in the day.
One of the biggest challenges has been building brand awareness in a very competitive fishing industry. There are a lot of great companies out there, so earning the trust of anglers and retailers takes time. We’ve never tried to grow by taking shortcuts. Instead, we’ve focused on producing quality products, listening to customer feedback, and letting our reputation grow one relationship at a time.
Like any entrepreneur, I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’ve always viewed them as opportunities to learn. Every challenge has helped me improve our products, strengthen the business, and become a better business owner.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey. The challenges have made every milestone more meaningful, and they’ve reinforced that success is built through persistence, consistency, and a genuine passion for what you do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Freedom Baitz is a veteran-owned fishing tackle company based in Minnesota that designs and manufactures premium soft plastic fishing baits for anglers across the country. We started with a simple goal: create innovative, high-quality products that anglers can trust because they’ve been designed and tested by someone who shares their passion for fishing.
What sets us apart is our commitment to product development. Every bait we release has been extensively tested on the water before it ever reaches a customer’s tackle box. We spend countless hours refining colors, actions, and designs while listening to feedback from anglers of all skill levels. If a bait doesn’t meet our standards, it doesn’t make it into our lineup.
I’m also incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built with our customers, retail partners, and the fishing community. We believe great customer service is just as important as great products. We treat every customer with honesty, respect, and appreciation because without them, there is no Freedom Baitz.
As a Navy veteran and small business owner, I’ve carried the same values of hard work, integrity, and commitment into building this company. Those values influence every decision we make, from developing new products to supporting our customers after the sale.
What I’m most proud of is that Freedom Baitz has grown through trust, word of mouth, and genuine relationships. Our customers come back because they have confidence in our products and know we’ll always stand behind what we sell.
At the end of the day, we’re more than a fishing bait company—we’re anglers creating products for other anglers. Our goal is to help people create more memorable days on the water while continuing to build a brand that’s known for quality, innovation, and authenticity.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I spent a lot of my time outdoors with my dad. He introduced me to fishing at a young age and taught me to appreciate nature, respect the outdoors, and enjoy the simple moments that come with being on the water. Some of my best childhood memories are those days spent fishing together. They sparked a passion that has stayed with me throughout my life.
His influence also led me to become an Eagle Scout, where I learned leadership, responsibility, perseverance, and the importance of giving back to others. Looking back, those experiences taught me lessons that have shaped both my personal life and my career.
I’ve always been curious and enjoyed learning. Whether it was figuring out why something worked, improving a process, or taking on a new challenge, I’ve always wanted to keep growing. That mindset eventually led me to join the U.S. Navy, built a career in sales and business development, and ultimately inspired me to start Freedom Baitz.
Today, my dad is no longer able to fish with my brother and me because of health challenges, but every time we’re on the water, we’re reminded of the lessons he taught us. In many ways, Freedom Baitz is an extension of those early days—sharing a passion for fishing, respecting the outdoors, and helping other anglers create lasting memories of their own.
When I look back on my childhood, I realize it wasn’t just about learning how to fish. It was about learning patience, perseverance, respect, and the value of spending time with the people who matter most. Those are values I still try to live by every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://freedombaitz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedombaitzusa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreedomBaitzLLC
