How I Built My Own Teardrop Camper from Scratch
April 30, 2023How I Plan to Start a Basketball Hoop Installation Business in My Local Community
H ey everyone! I’m super excited to share a new project I’m working on—starting a business to install basketball hoops in my local community! I thought this would be a fun side hustle for the summer and maybe even beyond. If you’ve ever wanted to start your own business or just curious about how it's done, stick around. I'll take you through the steps I’m planning to follow to make this happen.
Step 1: Market Research and Analysis
The first thing I did was hop on Google to see what the competition looks like in my area. Turns out, there are only one or two companies that install basketball hoops, and they don’t even list their prices online. That was my cue to jump in and give people a clear option.
My target market? Busy parents in residential neighborhoods. You know, the ones who would love a basketball hoop for the kids but don't have the time, tools, or know-how to install it themselves. This idea came to me while chatting with a local sporting goods store owner who mentioned that he would sell basketball hoops if he had the space to display them. That got me thinking about all the driveways in my neighborhood with hoops—some new, some old, some broken, and some in the middle of being installed. Clearly, there's demand!
Step 2: Suppliers and Pricing
Next, I had to figure out where I’d get the hoops and how I'd price my services. At first, I thought about buying hoops in bulk, but that seemed like a lot of hassle. Besides, my value is in the installation, not the product itself.
My plan: offer 3-5 basic hoop options—good, better, and best—and just charge my clients the same price I pay for the hoops. I'll source them from Walmart, Amazon, or a local sporting goods store. The real value-add is my labor and expertise. I figured I'd need about $65 worth of concrete for each job and a few tools like a shovel, wheelbarrow, and water hose, which I can reuse.
Here's where it got interesting. I calculated that it would take me about 4-5 hours to install a hoop. With materials and time in mind, I decided on a pricing range of $750 to $2,100 for each installation, depending on the hoop and any extras. Since this is a side hustle, I also had to consider my schedule. I work full-time and have a family, so I'd need to set clear boundaries for when I could take on jobs—like Saturdays in the morning or maybe a day off once a week.
„Since this is a side hustle, I also had to consider my schedule. I work full-time and have a family, so I'd need to set clear boundaries for when I could take on jobs—like Saturdays in the morning or maybe a day off once a week.”
Step 3: Marketing and Branding
Now that I had my idea and pricing figured out, it was time to get the word out. There are so many ways to market a business, and I started by brainstorming a few:
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Flyers: Print out a bunch of them and drop them off at local restaurants, schools, gyms, and parks. Simple and low-cost.
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Online Listings: Post on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Nextdoor, and similar platforms. This could reach a lot of people quickly.
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Build a Website: This would give me a more professional presence. I'd focus on SEO to attract people who are Googling how to install a basketball hoop. Ideally, they’d find my website and realize it’s easier to hire me than try to DIY.
Got any other marketing ideas? I'd love to hear them! I'm open to any suggestions that would help me get more leads and clients.
Expansion and Growth
Of course, once I get this business off the ground, I’m thinking about where else it could go. Could I start distributing basketballs and other accessories? What about offering to paint lines on driveways for a more professional court look? The possibilities are endless!
Thanks for following along on my journey. If you've got any tips or suggestions for growing a business, I'd love to hear from you. Here’s to building a community where everyone can enjoy a good game of hoops!
