RECS 2.0
10/17/2024
As we launch our blog, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who, 2.5+ years since opening, have helped make RECS the special place that it has become. For some of you, it's your "3rd place", and if you're retired, it may be your "2nd place." In talking to a member recently (hi Karen!), I told her that this is what I envisioned back when I was scribbling on the back of cocktail napkins and dry-erase boards in the proverbial home garage, and she made me laugh out loud with her reaction: "What are you talking about Kevin - this is my FIRST place - I only go home to sleep!"
Creating a place where people feel welcome and comfortable truly takes a community and a lot of intention. We've been picky in our hiring because we want our staff to not just be ambassadors of our brand and culture, but to help inform both. We ask that they be warm and hospitable, while also holding the line on our policies and procedures out of fairness to everyone. I hear all the time from members how great our staff is. While we're not perfect, we will always listen and try to understand what our members want us to know. Along those lines, we will be surveying our members in the coming weeks so we can understand what's working, what's not, and how to best serve you.
Speaking of staff, we're growing, and as an employer, it is very important to me to provide opportunities to advance and grow to staff members who are keen on having more than just a job. We've been able to create an excellent leadership team both at the club and at the advisory level, and we recently held a two-day retreat to hone our future plans.
Finding talented, hard-working, and values-driven people to join our team is mission-critical for RECS. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about joining our team, now is a great time to let us know -- click here to fill out this form.
Confession Time: Creating a start-up pickleball club coming out of the pandemic has never been easy, but it has always been fulfilling. I'm more determined than ever to continue building something -- with the critical help of our team and those who believe in our mission and values -- that lasts. When you start a brick-and-mortar business that only makes money when it's open (unlike, say, software), it is inherently a challenge. If you don't deliver value to your customers, they won't stick around. We are always working on our business model to deliver a valuable experience while making sure that we're building an exciting future to enrich the lives of those along for the ride -- whether employees, members, or financial backers. It is with the deepest sincerity that I extend my gratitude and thanks to everyone who has made RECS a part of your life.
And now, no doubt, this post will stir as many questions as it answers:
- When and where are you opening your next location?
- Are you capping memberships?
- Will you ever let KJ (aka "DJ Special K") host a 70's disco night?
As soon as we have official answers to these questions, we'll be sure to share with all of you. In the meantime, rest assured that we're working hard behind the scenes to bring more opportunities to the region for people to Recreate, Exercise, Compete, and Socialize and, along the way, become Inspiring Good Sports!
In Recreation,
Kevin Richards, RECS Owner & Co-Founder
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