In a recent episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by Simona Moore, CEO of PB Pro. Simona’s professional journey started with being an accomplished tennis player and becoming an experienced brand development and eCommerce expert. PB Pro is a leading professional pickleball brand. Simona’s story is nothing short of inspiring and a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and the power of passion in driving success across diverse fields. Simona also touches on the importance of using consumer feedback to drive innovation and overcoming the challenges of competing with big-box retail in a competitive category.
Table of Contents
A tennis prodigy
Transitioning to corporate life
The birth of PB Pro
How feedback can drive innovation
A strategic shift: From wholesale to direct-to-consumer
Innovation and expansion
Insights from the Professional Pickleball Players Tour
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
The power of diverse perspectives
A competitive edge
Conclusion
A tennis prodigy
Simona’s journey began on the tennis courts of Slovakia, where she spent her early years honing her skills and competing at a high level. Her father played a pivotal role in her development, instilling discipline and a focus on nutrition and training from a young age. Simona’s dedication paid off as she achieved significant accomplishments in her junior career. However, after five years of intense competition, she decided to transition from professional sports to the corporate world.
Transitioning to corporate life
Initially, Simona considered a career in professional sports management. However, life had different plans for her. She joined Lowe’s brand management group, where she discovered a passion for marketing and brand development. This unexpected turn of events set the stage for her future endeavors. At Lowe’s, Simona honed her skills in sourcing and design, preparing her for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
The birth of PB Pro
Simona’s corporate experience and her sports background equipped her with a unique skill set that she brought to PB Pro. During the pandemic, the popularity of pickleball surged, and Simona seized the opportunity to launch PB Pro. Her vision was clear: to develop high-quality pickleball paddles with a focus on feel and playability. The brand soon expanded to include men’s and women’s apparel, catering to the growing community of pickleball enthusiasts.
How feedback can drive innovation
Simona shares how she searched for suppliers experienced in making pickleball paddles on Alibaba. She asked about materials, thickness, and roughness, receiving valuable feedback. This helped her understand the current market offerings. She discussed the need for softer paddles with suppliers for a better play feel. It was a collaborative process, combining supplier search and their feedback. Over the years, working with Alibaba has been an excellent experience for her.
A strategic shift: From wholesale to direct-to-consumer
In its early days, PB Pro focused on wholesale, selling to clubs and retailers. However, recognizing the potential for growth in the direct-to-consumer market, Simona and her team shifted their strategy. They invested in search engine optimization (SEO) to drive traffic to their website, emphasizing the importance of creating high-quality content that provides valuable information to customers. This strategic pivot increased their reach and allowed them to connect more directly with their customer base.
Innovation and expansion
Innovation is at the heart of PB Pro’s business strategy. Simona is committed to continued product development, ensuring that PB Pro remains at the forefront of the pickleball industry. The brand’s goals include expanding its direct-to-consumer channel and partnering with companies in the racket sports industry to increase distribution. Simona envisions pickleball becoming an Olympic sport in the future, and PB Pro is poised to play a significant role in this evolution.
Insights from the Professional Pickleball Players Tour
The podcast conversation also delved into the success and growth of the Professional Pickleball Players Tour (PPA). Simona highlighted how the tour attracts talent from the tennis world, with marquee players like Pablo Tellez helping to sell products through sponsorships. The discussion underscored the importance of finding the right fit for strategic partnerships and the timing of distribution channels.
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
When asked for advice for first-time entrepreneurs, Simona emphasized the importance of self-belief and taking risks. She encouraged aspiring business owners to avoid regrets by starting and learning from the journey. Additionally, she highlighted the value of finding a mentor or business coach who can provide objective feedback and guidance. Simona shared her experience with a former boss who continues to offer valuable perspectives.
The power of diverse perspectives
Simona’s approach to business is informed by a network of individuals who offer diverse viewpoints. She values advice from people outside her industry, as they often provide fresh perspectives. Despite having a small team, Simona relies on this network to navigate challenges and identify opportunities. She expressed interest in joining women-owned business communities to connect with other women entrepreneurs and gain further insights.
A competitive edge
Simona credits her competitive edge, developed as a former professional athlete, for driving her success in the business world. Her passion for learning and personal development fuels her growth as both a business person and an individual. She finds fulfillment in the intersection of different industries and perspectives, which she believes can spark innovation.
Conclusion
Simona Moore’s journey from a professional tennis player to the CEO of PB Pro is a powerful example of how passion, adaptability, and a willingness to take risks can lead to remarkable success. Her story provides valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlights the dynamic nature of the sports and business worlds. As PB Pro continues to innovate and expand, Simona’s vision and leadership will undoubtedly shape the future of pickleball and inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
You can listen to the full episode below:
