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Pickleball has swept the nation into a frenzy of friendly competition. A course in Charlotte, North Carolina, has taken the game to the next level, combining pickleball practice with first-class hospitality. Founded in 2021, Rally features indoor and outdoor areas for pickles, craft cocktails, haute cuisine and a specialty bar coffee program.
Yelp reviewer Megan B. visited Rally to catch up with an old friend over a pickle gamebut she was equally impressed by the rally halls and court service.
“The villas are immaculate, with beautiful decor, comfy couches, cabanas and stylish merchandise,” says Megan. “The food is also very tasty and well prepared. I came here for the pickles, but I would come if I just wanted to have a bite and a snack and some live entertainment while the others played.”
Surprise people with one unforgettable experience it's what it's all about, according to owners Barrett Worthington and Meg Charity. They say first-time customers like Megan are often blown away by how Rally elevates the pickleball experience, on and off the court. Although visitors may not expect a gourmet meal when they walk in, they definitely remember Rally as more than a pickleball field when they walk out.
“It was so intentional in creating this space that functioned more like a social club or a country club turned on its head,” says Worthington. “We want it to be known (as much) for the food, drink and atmosphere as the pickle itself. .”
Worthington and Charity's careful design choices are responsible for much of what sets the Rally apart from the average gym or park. Even the courts have flair, painted a bright turquoise and pink.
“We were really intentional about designing the space so it didn't feel like a sports venue,” says Worthington. “One of our design inspirations is Hoxtonwhich is a boutique hotel brand. Their lobbies are known to be gathering spaces where you would come and have a drink, meet a friend or work during the day. We knew we wanted the space to feel like that and be a place (where) you can stay and come visit whether you're playing ball or not.”
Rally customers clearly appreciate the intentionality behind every detail – which, in turn, inspires them to share it with their networks. For example, Megan says she was forced take a photo and share it on social media and in its review.
“It's a really beautiful space,” she says. “It's easy to take pictures there. There's something beautiful everywhere you look, whether it's your cocktail, the outdoor fields, the interior design (or) a latte.”
Although aesthetics are important, everything is in the service of Rally's foundation MISSION: helping people socialize and bond in a comfortable and safe space. Charity and Worthington are life partners as well as business partners, and they initially connected over their shared interest in tennis. They founded Rally to provide a similar community base for people suffering from what they call “the loneliness epidemic.”
“We wanted to create that experience for (people in) the 20s to mid-30s demographic, who don't always have easy paths to making friends,” Worthington says. “Sports, in general, are icebreakers and help you form friendships. Pickleball is very good at doing that. So we created Rally because we wanted a place where friendships could naturally blossom for ourselves as much as anyone.”
Rally's mission to foster connections applies to other local businesses as well. Megan says she could feel the owners authenticity in their efforts to work with and uplift local artists. “I'm the kind of person who says, 'I'm going to support these people because they support other local businesses,'” she says.
As a small business, understanding your “why”. it's essential to build on your successes and keep your team motivated in tough times. Charity and Worthington are transparent about the struggles they faced the initiation phase but said the recognition of their mission kept the business moving.
“Not everyone wants to work in a startup environment… (but) the people who are still with us today understand that it's not just about pickles, and it's not just about serving great food and drinks,” he says. Worthington. “We're all here to do something bigger and more meaningful. We want to be a catalyst for connection. We talk a lot about that and what it means to (the staff). I think nowadays, you only stick around in a job if you believe in the mission.”
Co-founders too gather proactive feedback from their team to ensure Rally is delivering on its values for both customers and employees. “We care a lot about internal culture,” says Charity. “We take feedback steps. How can we improve? How can we do better? I'm very involved. I'm there every day. We have an incredible team. They're just living our mission.”
Feedback is key gaining trust of your employees and customers. For owners, engaging with reviews shows customers that they care. “When we ask for feedback, it's not just to check a box,” says Charity. “We desperately want Rally to be the best it can be.
Related: Here's How the PopUp Bagels Founder Turned a Backyard Baking Project into a Viral Sensation
Rally's founders have redefined the pickleball experience using these core principles:
- Explore additional services. Although pickleball is the Rally's primary service, food and beverage offerings bring back customerscreating a vibrant social scene that attracts gamers and non-gamers alike. It also provides business multiple streams of income.
- Let your authenticity shine from floor to ceiling. A unique design vision can set you apart from the competition. Plus, having a photo-worthy location offers free, organic marketing and even might inspire customer feedback.
- Know your “why”. Never forget why you are pursuing this career. Rally around the mission to keep yourself and your team motivated during tough times.
- or feedback loop it is an improvement cycle. Reading and responding to reviews and collecting feedback from your team ensures that your employees and customers feel cared for.
Listen to the episode below to hear live from Worthington, Charity and Megan, and subscribe to After the Review for more from new business owners and reviewers every Thursday. Available at Spotify, Apple Podcasts AND Pandora.
Editorial contributions from Erin Palmero and Emily Moon