Today we’d like to introduce you to Robyn Swaby and Kiara Slaton.
Robyn and Kiara, please share your story with us.
We are both post-collegiate basketball players who recognized the deficit in platforms for women to play organized basketball post-graduation and welcomed the opportunity to pool resources and talent. Thus a company was born with a vision to create such a place.
In 2017, we began marketing and promotion with our original name “Women’s Basketball Association” when we were approached by the originator of Women’s Professional Basketball in the United States, Lightning Ned Mitchell, and founder of the Women’s Basketball Association (est. 1991). He was the true owner of the name Women’s Basketball Club; this situation caused a name conflict and thus She Hoops Elite was born.
Although our story began with business challenges, we are grateful to have stumbled upon the true story about the history of women’s professional basketball, and we are honored to have a lasting relationship with one of the founders of women’s professional basketball.
Moving forward we then created She Hoops Elite! An organization where every female basketball player feels empowered and has an opportunity to “Stay In The Game!” We currently use our platform to host an annual Summer tournament called So Flo Summer Shootout, weekly Open Gym sessions at Joseph C. Carter Park, and our So Flo Elite Exhibition Team that assists our local colleges in preparation for the season.
Currently, we are actively working to kick off our 2019 Pro-Am League that will give female athletes the opportunity to continue their post-collegiate careers and actively play against some of the most competitive players in the country.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Like any business venture, we have had challenges along the way. As new found business owners we have been met with both legal struggles and also challenges in defining our business structure. Luckily, the founders of She Hoops Elite both hold an MBA and have extensive knowledge in business. We have great mentors and business-minded individuals who have advised us along the way.
We are finding that it is a bit more difficult to recruit female athletes than we thought. However, the support thus far has been amazing as we research new ways to market and promote ourselves to the women’s basketball market. We are quite aware of the big players that are currently dominating the market and we look forward to accepting the challenge of gaining substantial market share.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the She Hoops Elite story. Tell us more about the business.
She Hoops Elite Women’s Basketball Club provides a platform for female basketball players. We are committed to creating opportunities for each player to stay in the game by providing players with expert training and development opportunities. This allows them to play with other women of their own skill and elevated caliber in an organized, fun and competitive setting.
As an elite women’s basketball club, we nurture women to be in sync with their destiny. Whether they are driving right or left, shooting or dribbling; they are in control. The best thing that brings our company together is the various outlets and the opportunities that we provide for women to participate and be productive within their community. Our basketball programs bring women together and empower them to be the best pillars in their own way. She Hoops Elite motivates these women to a level of excellence that is far above the rest.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
The best luck for She Hoops Elite was the crossing of Robyn’s and Kiara’s path. Two women with the same dream, background, and ambition stumble across each other in a gym. The program where they met was having major issues. Due to variables out of either of the ladies control, the organization folded. That is when the two women came together and said “Let’s do this thing . . . Together”! This was the birth of She Hoops Elite.
We have since had continued fortunate, having built a strong and lasting relationship with the City of Fort Lauderdale. She Hoops Elite utilizes their facilities for many events and has also been able to give back to that community in a way that is beneficial for all involved.
Pricing:
- Women’s Open Gym is a free event where women come to network with their peers
- So Flo Elite Summer Tournament is a fee of $500 per team or $50 per player
Contact Info:
- Address: 1007 N Federal Hwy #263 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
- Website: www.shehoopselite.com
- Phone: 954-951-3183
- Email: play@shehoopselite.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shehoopselite/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shehoopselite
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shehoopselite_
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shehoopselite/
Image Credit:
Keith Squire
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