Pickleball Innovators

Pickleball Innovators

Podcast by Pickleball Innovators

  1. 3d ago

    Turning Franchising into a Growth Engine with Dill Dinkers' Will Richards

    As the pickleball franchise landscape matures, one question keeps coming up: what separates operators built to last from those chasing the next gold rush? For Will Richards, the founder of Dill Dinkers, the answer comes down to discipline — knowing which leases to walk away from, which independents to bring into the fold and how to build a network that gives members a reason to stay loyal wherever they travel. With nearly 40 locations signed and more on the way, Dill Dinkers has grown from a single Mid-Atlantic concept into a national franchise linking clubs together so members can play anywhere in the country. Richards believes the next few years will bring real consolidation to the industry, and that the operators who survive it will be the ones who understood their real estate, their data and their player experience from day one. In this episode, Will shares: -Why nearly 40 leases signed still isn't enough to slow down expansion plans -How the Dill Dinkers membership model is turning independent players into a competitive advantage -Why he believes industry consolidation is coming — and what separates the clubs that will survive it -The real estate philosophy behind a "defensible lease," and why bigger isn't always better -How Dill Dinkers is helping struggling independent clubs convert to the franchise model -An inside look at Certified Pickleball Player, the AI-driven rating system reshaping how clubs program for their members Whether you're evaluating your next lease, thinking about franchising, or trying to figure out where the industry is headed next, this episode offers a candid, on-the-ground perspective on what it really takes to scale a pickleball business. 🎙️ Guest: Will Richards, Founder, Dill Dinkers

    Turning Franchising into a Growth Engine with Dill Dinkers' Will Richards

  2. Jun 24

    The Play-and-Stay Model: Inside Pickle Athletics with Founder Kady Pooler

    As pickleball clubs continue to evolve, many operators are asking the same question: How do you create a facility people don't just play at, but genuinely want to be a part of? For Kady Pooler, founder of Pickle Athletics in Oakland, California, the answer lies in what she calls the "play-and-stay" model. A former professional tennis player turned first-time pickleball club owner, Pooler has built Pickle Athletics around the idea that today's operators aren't simply providing courts — they're creating a pickleball club community. From coffee and wine bars to fitness amenities, social events and intentional programming, every detail is designed to bring people together and keep them coming back. In this episode, Kady shares: -The unexpected journey that led her from professional tennis to pickleball entrepreneurship -Why she believes community and real-life connection are some of the biggest opportunities in the industry today -How Pickle Athletics transformed a former car dealership into a thriving social hub -The philosophy behind the "play-and-stay" model and creating a true third place -Why programming and great coaching are essential to member engagement and retention -What she's learned as a first-time club owner navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship Whether you're opening your first facility, refining your member experience or exploring new ways to foster connection, this episode offers practical insights on building a pickleball club community that extends far beyond the courts. 🎙️ Guest: Kady Pooler, Founder and Owner, Pickle Athletics To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: https://linkly.link/2kMH3

    The Play-and-Stay Model: Inside Pickle Athletics with Founder Kady Pooler

  3. May 12

    Pickleball Insurance Trends and the Hidden Risks Club Owners Miss

    As pickleball clubs continue to expand across the country, many operators are focused on growth, court utilization and member acquisition. But according to Cameron Linder, one of the biggest risks operators face may actually be hidden in the fine print of their insurance policies. As the CEO of Pickleball Insurance Program (PIP), Cameron has a front-row seat to the claims, coverage gaps and operational mistakes facilities are making as the industry matures. In this episode, Cameron shares: -Common insurance exclusions pickleball club operators are still overlooking -The real risks facilities face as competition and participation grow -Why proper documentation and video retention matter when injuries happen -How operators should think about insurance as a long-term business partnership -The value of intimate networking events like the Pickleball Innovators Summit -Why relationship-driven events create better conversations than large trade shows -His outlook on the future of the pickleball club industry and where it’s headed next -Why pickleball has the potential to strengthen community connection in a post-COVID world Whether you’re opening your first facility or scaling multiple locations, this episode offers valuable perspective on protecting your business while building for long-term success. 🎙️ Guest: Cameron Linder, CEO, Pickleball Insurance Program (PIP) To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

    Pickleball Insurance Trends and the Hidden Risks Club Owners Miss

  4. May 5

    Inside Canada’s Pickleball Market Through the Lens of IPOP

    While many pickleball operators are focused on fast expansion and filling warehouse space, Chris White took a different approach in Canada. He built IPOP as a partnership-driven model — one that works alongside nonprofits, municipalities and local communities to solve one of the sport’s biggest challenges: access to courts. The result? A pickleball concept that’s less about real estate arbitrage and more about infrastructure, inclusivity and long-term growth. From public-private partnerships to health-focused programming and culturally inclusive leagues, IPOP is an example of what a pickleball facility can be in an underserved market. In this episode, Chris shares: -Why IPOP was built as a for-profit working with nonprofits — not against them -How public-private partnerships are unlocking new facility opportunities -The reality of operating in a high-cost, low-supply market like Canada -Why programming — not just courts — is the key to long-term success -How inclusive, community-based initiatives are driving retention and growth -The opportunity to position pickleball as a health and wellness solution -His concerns around saturation — and why “if you build it, they will come” doesn’t work Whether you’re an operator, investor or pickleball entrepreneur, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to grow sustainably — especially in markets where the traditional playbook doesn’t apply. 🎙️ Guest: Chris White, Founder & CEO, IPOP To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

    Inside Canada’s Pickleball Market Through the Lens of IPOP

  5. Apr 22

    Why Pickle on Penn Skipped the Warehouse and Built a Country Club Instead

    When everyone else was converting grocery stores and warehouses into pickleball facilities, Kelly Bodner went a different direction. She built Indiana's first ground-up, purpose-built indoor pickleball club from dirt — and modeled it after a country club. The result? Pickle on Penn in Carmel, Indiana: eight cushioned courts, locker rooms stocked with the essentials, a boutique pro shop, and a restaurant and bar overlooking the courts. Members pay an initiation fee and monthly dues in exchange for free court time, free open play, and high-end amenities. In this episode, Kelly shares: -Why she chose a membership model over pay-to-play -What the country club approach gets right about retention and community -How she broke up cliques and built real friendships among members -The truth about adding a restaurant to your pickleball club -What she'd do differently — and why she'd do it all again Whether you're an operator, investor or pickleball entrepreneur, this episode is packed with honest, hard-won insight from someone who built something genuinely different in a crowded market. 🎙️ Guest: Kelly Bodner, Owner, Pickle on Penn | Carmel, Indiana To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe 🎾 Topics: Club membership models, country club pickleball, facility design, community building, restaurant strategy

    Why Pickle on Penn Skipped the Warehouse and Built a Country Club Instead

  6. Apr 8

    How Boston Pickle Club Turned Tournaments Into a Growth Engine

    In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Michael Wilmot — Chief Growth Officer at Boston Pickle Club — breaks down how BPC built the New England Tournament Series into a six-event, year-long competitive circuit that's growing 25 to 30 percent with every leg. Wilmot shares why they walked away from paid marketing in favor of a grassroots approach built on player influencers and early registration momentum, how DUPR has become one of their most powerful recruiting tools for developing players, and why the off-court experience is just as important as anything happening on the courts. He also gets into what surprised them most about repeat participation — and why that turned out to be an opportunity rather than a problem. For operators who want to turn tournaments into more than a one-time event — and build something players keep coming back for — this one is worth your time. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

    How Boston Pickle Club Turned Tournaments Into a Growth Engine

  7. Mar 24

    Goat Yoga, Mahjong and More: Wolverine Pickleball Goes Beyond Courts to Create a True Community Hub

    In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Christy Howden — owner of Wolverine Pickleball Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan — shares how she built one of the most community-driven facilities in the country, one intentional decision at a time. From beach tennis and bocce to mahjong and goat yoga, Wolverine Pickleball has become something far bigger than a place to play. Howden opens up about what she learned from her first warehouse location that she couldn't have learned anywhere else, why community building has to be cultivated rather than hoped for, and the uncomfortable conversations every operator needs to be willing to have about programming quality. She also shares what genuinely surprised her most about running a pickleball club — and it has nothing to do with courts. For operators who want to build something people actually show up for — and keep showing up for — this one is for you. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

    Goat Yoga, Mahjong and More: Wolverine Pickleball Goes Beyond Courts to Create a True Community Hub

  8. Mar 18

    Work ON Your Business, Not In It: What to Expect at the 2026 Pickleball Innovators Summit

    Curious about the 2026 Pickleball Innovators Summit and what all it entails? In this Discovery Session webinar, Editor-in-Chief Rachel Chonko sits down with Mitch Dunn, founder of The Pickle Lodge and returning attendee, and Andrew Herrera, Director of Specification Sales at LSI Industries and returning sponsor, to pull back the curtain on what the Summit actually looks and feels like from the inside. They cover the intimate, working-session format that sets it apart from traditional industry events, the peer-to-peer round tables where operators share the nitty-gritty of what’s actually working (and what isn’t), and the intentional networking design that ensures you leave knowing nearly everyone in the room. You’ll also get a preview of this year’s round table topics — court utilization, programming and revenue, member retention, leadership and culture, and youth and beginner growth — plus a look at the special Q&A session with an EVP at The Bay Club Company. The 2026 Summit takes place October 12–14 at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona. Spots are limited to 45 operators. If you’re an owner, founder, GM, or multi-location operator wondering whether this event deserves a spot on your calendar, this is the place to start. To learn more or register, email rachel@peakemedia.com or visit peakemediaevents.com/pbisummit. To inquire about sponsoring, email rico@peakemedia.com.

    Work ON Your Business, Not In It: What to Expect at the 2026 Pickleball Innovators Summit
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About

Podcast by Pickleball Innovators

Information

  • Creator
    Pickleball Innovators
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Pickleball Innovators