Today we’d like to introduce you to Britton and Jamie Black.
Hi Britton and Jamie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
5 years ago, I was introduced to Pickleball by my parents and became instantly hooked to the sport. I had heard about Pickleball more than a decade earlier, but pinned the sport as a game for old people. I quickly learned that it crossed many generations and could be played by Old and young people even together at a very competitive level. In the summer and Spring, I began playing as much as I could outside, and even helped convince my Parents to put a court in their backyard. In the winter we would play inside church buildings which wasn’t ideal, because the indoor ball and the hard wood floor played much differently than the outdoor play that most preferred. My wife Jamie didn’t understand my newfound addiction until she started playing herself and like me became obsessed as well. I grew up in a home where my Dad was always building businesses, and instilled in me the desire to build my own business. For the past 17+ years, I have owned and managed a Security company with my Brother and another partner. We have had a lot of success in the security space and it has granted us flexibility with time and means to pursue other investments and projects.
In late 2020, I was running a few errands with my Dad Curtis when the conversation turned to Pickleball. We often would talk about business and ideas that were running through our heads. We started brainstorming the possibility of opening an Indoor Pickleball facility. Within minutes we were on the phone with a Real Estate agent that was representing a new build in the Woods Cross/ North Salt Lake area. Without hesitation and much of a plan, we secured the spot which is now our 1st location (3 Courts) of THE KITCHEN – INDOOR PICKLEBALL COURTS. Since then we have opened our 2nd location (June 2022) in Kaysville with (5) Courts. It has been an incredibly fun journey building and running this business with my wife Jamie, my Dad Curtis and my Mom Cindy. The Utah Pickleball community has rallied around us and has given us so much love and support. Because of this business and the amazing sport of Pickleball, we have hundreds of new friends. The loving community aspect of Pickleball is by far the best thing about what we are doing. As the sport grows we hope to continue to offer premium facilities where our supporters can play all year round!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Because we really jumped into the business quickly, we have learned a lot. What works and what doesn’t when it comes to many aspects of the Pickleball business. With lessons learned from our first facility, we were able to improve the process and many aspects of our 2nd facility. We do all we can to listen to the people who love Pickleball and play in our facilities. We are always tweaking how we conduct Leagues, clinics and tournaments to better the experience for our members.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Kitchen – Indoor Pickleball Courts. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and Utah is leading the charge. We at The Kitchen offer the most Premium facilities where you can avoid the Hot Summers and Cold, wet winters and play all year long. Being great Pickleball players ourselves, we take pride in focusing on all the small details that make our facilities the best! If you live close to one of our facilities, come say hi, and see what all the Pickleball fuss is about. We are a family-owned business that takes pride in Utah, America, and the desire to help build the community through Pickleball. We offer a few different membership options, including a “Free” Option. We offer great Leagues, clinics and tournaments, and we are home to the Annual BEST OF UTAH Pickleball Tournament – Presented by 7UP. Also, if you are looking for a great place to host your next Birthday party, family or company event, The Kitchen is the place!!!
How do you think about luck?
Luck has definitely played a role in the success of our business and many aspects of my life….but luck without preparation and action doesn’t help. We as a family and ownership of The Kitchen believe wholeheartedly in a Heavenly Father who loves us and puts great things in our paths. The Kitchen, Pickleball and the amazing people we get to see and meet in our business are all HUGE blessings that have aspects of luck, timing, action and the generous loving hands of God!
Pricing:
- Free Members – $24/ hr (book 5 days in advance)
- Gold Members $65/year – $22/ hr (book 10 days in advance)
- Platinum Members $100/ year – $20/ hr (book 15 days in advance)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thekitchenpb.com
- Instagram: @thekitchenpb
- Facebook: @thekitchenpb
