Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Gorski.
Hi Martha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I answered a Craig’s list ad to be a Playball sports coach. I needed a job that would enable me to work the same hours while my kids were in school. I was hired and started working as a preschool sports coach in the mornings 9-12. It was the perfect job for a mom with kids at school! Playball is a franchise and I saw how successful my owner was and I eventually decided to buy my own franchise. (Time4playball.com) I was 40 when I made the move from lunch lady to franchise owner. I worked very hard physically coaching kids sports skills. I loved working with kids and the staff at the schools. At the time 2006, myself and Little Dancing’s Stars were the only programs that were at the preschools for parents to choose from in Jacksonville. We were both extremely successful and had hundreds of students in our programs. I eventually bought all the Playball franchises in Jacksonville and be came the only Playball provider in Jacksonville. I worked as a coach for 10 years. Then made the jump to hire coaches and begin my new phase of managing. My son Jack had just graduated college and he decided he would try it for a while. Jack built our elementary program to a level I couldn’t have done. He is now my invaluable partner and we now have a generational buisness. We have been blessed with phenomenal staff that I consider family 20 years later, Time4playball is now one of the largest and most successful Playball franchises in the entire USA. We are coaching up to 800 kids a week across Jacksonville.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has been filled with challenges. When something had to be addressed or improved, I obviously had to figure it out. From computer issues, building websites, marketing and hiring. In the beginning to get paid, I collected checks from children that their parents gave them to give to me. It wasn’t a great plan. Building a website and moving to only accepting online payments was a huge jump for me! I had to just figure it out and I did.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Time 4 playball?
My franchise, Time 4 Playball, is a franchise of Playball which is in 30 different countries.
We coach the foundational skills of 5 different sports as well as gross motor skills to preschool children. All coaching is backed by an age specific curriculum developed by physical and occupational therapists as well as sports professionals. When children leave the preschool program they are better equipped to decide what sport they would like to focus on in the elementary stages. Kids think they are just having fun but they are developing physical social, academic skills!
We also work in elementary schools after school. We teach 1 sport every 6 weeks. 4 weeks of sport skills and 2 scrimmages of that sport. The children will experience 7 different sports during a school year. This program gives young kids the experience of 7 different game environments. Some kids are great at one sport but not as successful at another. Playball creates an environment of teamwork and of graceful winning and loosing!
We also offer very fun summer camps!
We are known for being professional to school staff. We are also known for working with children of all abilities. Mostly we are known for having great coaches who the children love! They are knowledgeable, patient, friendly and very importantly, fun! I am determined to put wonderful people as coaches for the children that the parents have shared with us.
I am also very proud of the fact we have maintained working relationship at some of our schools for 20 years.
Our franchise is set apart because from the start I was determined to do things the correct way in every area. We do what we say we will do. I believe Playball has been a blessing from God to our family. I will always require whomever works for me to respect my company and hold to my standards of just do what is right and don’t cut corners.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I would say you have to take risks. I have taken risks that didn’t work out and taken risks that were very successful. Growing the business and accepting opportunities before having the staff I need is a huge risk. We just have to work until the right person is found and you have what you need. If you don’t take risks your business will become stale.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Time4playball.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/time4playball
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/time4playball
