7 Sporting Goods Store Success Stories [2024]
Experts estimate that consumer preference for the latest techniques in sports equipment and fitness gadgets will increase rapidly over the coming years. If you intend to start a sporting good and equipment store, research the market and identify target customers. You can focus on sporting equipment or include sports clothing in your business. You need to make sure you offer a wide range of sports products and ensure the pricing is fair.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a sporting goods store:
1. INFINITE DISCS ($12M/year)
Alan Barker, the founder of Infinite Discs, started the business as a side project after playing disc golf in 2012. It began as a hobby to test new disc golf products, but quickly grew into the largest direct-to-consumer disc golf retailer in the world. Barker capitalized on the growing popularity of disc golf and created the most user-friendly website with informative content, a wide range of inventory, and unique disc artwork. The business now generates $12 million annually and employs over 50 people.
How much they make: $12M/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 30
Infinite Discs is the largest direct-to-consumer disc golf retailer in the world, generating $12m annually by starting as a side project and adapting to become the most user-friendly website with unique disc artwork, as well as creating their own products and expanding to wholesale, all while dealing with the challenges of managing growth.
2. Comfy Cup LLC ($300K/year)
At just 8 years old, Kyler was frustrated by the uncomfortable athletic cup his baseball coach required him to wear. Instead of complaining, his parents challenged him to come up with a solution, and thus the idea for the Comfy Cup was born. Now, at 12 years old, Kyler's invention has grown into a successful business venture, with the Comfy Cup grossing over $100,000 in revenue last year and being sold in all 50 states, Canada, and Australia.
How much they make: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
Current team size: 2
A 12-year-old invented The Comfy Cup, a more comfortable athletic cup for boys, which has grown into a successful business venture grossing over $100k in revenue last year, available on Amazon, The Grommet, and in local sporting goods stores.
So... can you actually make money with a sporting goods store?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Boxraw ($7.92M/year)
How much they make: $7.92M/year
Current team size: 31
Boxing lifestyle brand Boxraw brings in $660k/month with 31+ employees, fueled by their passion and partnerships rather than paid endorsements.
So... can you actually make money with a sporting goods store?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
4. Grip Spritz ($240K/year)
taken over the years. Our customer base grew exponentially, with athletes and teams from all over the country using Grip Spritz to enhance their performance on the court. We now have a solid presence in the basketball community and continue to innovate and expand our product line. The future looks bright as we aim to establish Grip Spritz as the go-to solution for athletes seeking optimal grip on dusty courts.
How much they make: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
Current team size: 3
Grip Spritz, a traction product for basketball and volleyball shoes, was founded by a golfer, lawyer, and recent graduate-turned-tour-manager, and after years of hard work and grassroots marketing, the company has seen explosive growth, quadrupling its success in 2022 by expanding into Amazon and sports magazines and partnering with nationwide basketball camps.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
