Introducing GAME7: A Tampa-Based Grooming Brand Built on Resilience

Tampa entrepreneur Chris Pagliarulo, a former college athlete and cancer survivor, has officially launched GAME7, a premium men’s grooming brand headquartered in Tampa that is redefining modern men’s care through performance, purpose, and clean formulation.

Diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in June 2021 at just 29 years old, Chris faced what he describes as his personal “Game 7” moment. Over nine months, he underwent six rounds of Brentuximab-AVD chemotherapy and 12 rounds of radiation, completing treatment in March 2022. What began as a life-altering diagnosis ultimately became the catalyst for a new mission.

“Game 7 represents the defining moments in life — the ones that demand your absolute best,” said Chris, Founder of GAME7. “Cancer redefined that for me. It wasn’t just about performance anymore. It was about resilience, strength, and showing up with purpose — even when everything feels uncertain.”

Founded in December 2025, GAME7 embodies that mindset. The Tampa-based company crafts elevated grooming essentials for the driven gentleman; products designed to perform without compromise. The line includes haircare, styling, beard, and shave solutions formulated without sulfates, parabens, silicones, or phenoxyethanol. Each product is engineered to deliver professional-grade results while supporting daily confidence and routine excellence.

Chris comes from a legacy deeply rooted in the professional haircare industry as the son of Rocky and Bethany Pagliarulo, founders of the globally recognized brand Not Your Mother’s, giving him firsthand insight into building innovative, category-defining products while carving out a purpose-driven path of his own.

The men’s grooming industry continues to experience significant growth, with increasing demand for premium, clean, and performance-driven products. GAME7 positions itself within the attainable luxury space — bridging the gap between mass-market grooming and ultra-premium brands by combining refined formulation with meaningful impact.

That impact is deeply personal.

GAME7 has aligned with Blood Cancer United (BCU), a national organization dedicated to supporting blood cancer patients and advancing research. Chris was first introduced to the blood cancer community through fundraising initiatives and has remained actively involved, including participating in endurance events on behalf of the cause and serving in leadership roles supporting advocacy efforts.

Through GAME7, Chris is working to formalize a multi-year partnership with BCU, ensuring that a portion of proceeds and brand initiatives support blood cancer patients and families nationwide.

“Launching GAME7 in Tampa is incredibly meaningful,” Chris added. “This city supported me through treatment, through recovery, and now through entrepreneurship. Building a brand here, and giving back through it, brings everything full circle.”

Headquartered in Tampa, GAME7 operates as a direct-to-consumer brand with national distribution via game7men.com. The company is currently expanding retail partnerships, athlete collaborations, and community activations throughout Florida.

As Tampa continues to grow as a hub for entrepreneurship and emerging consumer brands, GAME7 represents a new generation of founder-led companies rooted in resilience, performance, and purpose.