Just opportunity: How this KC sports company plans to ace PickleCon’s potential
July 16, 2024 | Taylor Wilmore
When “the Comic-Con for pickleball” arrives next month in Kansas City, Pro Athlete will have its feet firmly planted and be ready to swing at a wide array of opportunities served by the surging sport’s first major convention in the region.
PickleCon debuts Aug. 8-11 in Kansas City, promising top-level competition that brings together pickleball enthusiasts for matches, skill-building activities, and 100-plus vendors showcasing the latest gear, apparel, and accessories.
JustPaddles — a brand within the Kansas City-based Pro Athlete family — is planning “the biggest pickleball party ever” for the convention’s opening night; an opportunity to thank vendors and celebrate the growing pickleball community.
Taylor Hill, Pro Athlete
“With the sport’s explosive growth, both nationally and here in Kansas City, it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with enthusiasts and showcase what JustPaddles has to offer,” said Taylor Hill, chief of staff at Pro Athlete in North Kansas City.
Click here for more PickleCon event details.
From the archives: ‘Picklecon’ coming to KC in 2024 with $3.9M-projected economic impact
Pro Athlete is a nearly 40-year-old sporting goods seller. Starting as a retail store in 1987, it now features complementary eCommerce brands: JustBats baseball bats and softball bats), JustGloves (baseball gloves and softball gloves, and JustPaddles (pickleball paddles).
“We had a lot of employees who loved pickleball and played all the time,” said Hill, describing the origins of JustPaddles. “It was a no-brainer to get involved, and now, with PickleCon happening right here in Kansas City, we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”
ICYMI: Why KC’s top small business is launching JustPaddles amid sports slowdown
Kyle Goodburn, fulfillment center lead and head of receiving at Pro Athlete, plays pickle ball at Chicken N Pickle in North Kansas City; photo courtesy of Pro Athlete
JustPaddles plans to showcase a varied selection of pickleball paddles and brands at PickleCon. Attendees will have the chance to see, test, and purchase the latest in pickleball gear.
“You’re going to talk to somebody who is obsessed about pickleball,” Hill said. “We call them our paddle experts.”
Along with responsive customer service, Hill also believes Pro Athlete has a specific Kansas City advantage: the ability to ship items quickly within the U.S., with shipping times usually taking only a couple days.
Andrew Dowis, Pro Athlete, left, receives the KC Chamber’s Legacy Award in June at the Small Business Celebration; photo by Startland News
Work hard, play hard
Honored with Greater Kansas City Chamber’s Legacy Award in June — and a past Small Business of the Year winner — Pro Athlete’s core values and culture prioritize employees’ mental health and well-being, Hill said, noting that focus has been instrumental in the company’s success.
“The owners believe in treating people with respect and giving them as many opportunities as they can, which results in perks and benefits that contribute to a positive work environment,” she said.
Consistently recognized as one of the top workplaces in Kansas City, Pro Athlete’s facility includes such amenities as a batting cage, swimming pool, chef, and basketball court.
The company’s current focus for the JustPaddles brand: continue growing the sport and getting more players involved.
“Our main goal is to keep getting people who are interested in the sport access to paddles and new equipment,” said Hill. “We want to make sure we are creating a site and platform for vendors to showcase the awesome products they’ve made and keep growing the sport as much as we can.”
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Cotton candy calling: Why a South KC sweets shop’s signature treat is still hand-spun with an air of nostalgia
Each ding of the oven generates more buzz for this whimsy-frosted bake shop and creamery in South Kansas City. But it’s the soft, sticky sweet treat that fills small tubs and lines the store’s shelves — (hand) spinning the entrepreneurial dreams of its owner into a sugar-rush of a reality. “I really hit the jackpot,”…
He wanted a dress shoe as comfortable as bare feet; How Joey Ahearn is reimagining wingtips to boots one step at a time
A newly unboxed, Kansas City-laced premium shoe company offers a single promise: to make often-uncomfortable men’s dress shoes healthy to wear — without stomping out fashion. “I grew up wearing Converse and Vans and socks and lacing really tight every day,” recalled Joey Ahearn, a physical therapy assistant, as well as founder and CEO of Free…
Moss-backed design studio nurtures nature indoors with sustainable pieces ‘neither living nor dead’
Green statement pieces across Kansas City’s Midtown and Crossroads neighborhoods — from Westside Flats to the spas at The Laya Center and the herb dispensary at Fresh Karma — boast just a snapshot of the story behind the mossy growth of The Fat Plant Society. The eye-catching biophilic designs — which have the appearance of a…
A test of Fit Truk’s core strength: People assume it’s a franchise, mobile gym owner says
One of Hailee Bland Walsh’s biggest affirmations came in the form of a question: Is Fit Truk a franchise? “As someone who has built businesses from the ground up, that is very validating and a huge compliment,” said Bland Walsh, co-founder of the fully-equipped outdoor gym truck, as well as the owner of City Gym…