Community Highlights: Meet Chris Narveson of Turf Carolinas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Narveson.

Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My background is that I played professional baseball for 18 years for the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Miami Marlins. In 2000 I was committed to going play baseball at Wake Forest University. Still, I was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2nd round and decided to pursue my baseball career immediately. While playing professional baseball, I returned and got my degree online as I knew baseball would not last a lifetime. I was grateful for the ability to play as long as I did. The average baseball player is lucky to play into their 30s, so when I retired at 36.

Toward the end of my baseball career, I decided I needed to start preparing for life after baseball. My wife Kelli and I bought into a fitness franchise called Orangetheory Fitness. We ran 3 of those for about 6 years, the fastest-growing fitness franchise in the country, and we were able to dip our toes into a business that helped teach us what it took to run successfully. My wife and I have 2 kids, a 6-year-old boy(Noah) and a 3-year-old girl (Emma), so the next business opportunity was going to be something I likely started on my own as she helped with the family logistics. We sold the Orangetheory Fitness studios in 2021, and shortly after, I started looking into what was next. I had a few close friends who were in the synthetic turf industry and were selling/installing athletic fields up and down the east coast. I was always in their ear about the industry and its evolution and growth. Eventually, as I started to look into my next adventure, I asked them if I was crazy for wanting to jump into the turf industry as a sales consultant and distributor. They both said I would be great at it, and my baseball background already opened the door for projects within the baseball industry.

So I met my friend Andy Horsey here in Charlotte and talked to him about what I was thinking. He immediately said I think you’re on to something and that he would love to partner with me in getting the company started. So we jumped in with both feet and now have a synthetic turf company based in Charlotte but servicing all of the Carolinas.

We recently sold turf to the South Wake Sports Academy in Fuquay Varina, and to see the smiling faces of the young kids running and playing a game that I grew up loving was the confirmation we needed to know we found something we love. We also have another facility putting in turf in the Raleigh area that is run by current Major League pitcher Shawn Armstrong whom I played with in my last years of baseball. It gives us satisfaction to help others who have visions of opening their own baseball business and provide them with a great product that will last them for years.

Many of our relationships as a distributor are with installers, so we have projects ranging from just a small patch needed at a townhome to large multi-family units with a recreational area for pets or kids to run and play around on. We provide turf for many residential projects that want a low-maintenance option or even the backyard putting green to help sharpen the golf skills away from a course. The beauty of what we do is that we love going to work every day and helping others enjoy the benefits of turf.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We quickly realized we weren’t accountants, so we needed someone to help us figure out what to do. It has been a more challenging road than starting a business from scratch. Especially when it’s just a couple of guys running it, you need a support team around you to make it work. We also had a production issue cutting the turf with only two guys. When you have close to 1000 lb of turf, trying to roll it out to cut it can be quite cumbersome and amusing at the same time.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Turf Carolinas?
Turf Carolinas partnered up with AstroTurf and Challenger to have their turf stocked to sell. We Specialize in synthetic turf distribution, and our sales consultants are for those looking to install turf. We reach throughout the Carolinas, and although we are a new business, we look to capture the hearts of consumers through our customer service and always being responsive. Something that sets us apart from others is that I have first-hand knowledge of the benefits of turf and how we handle any issues with customers. We also are in the business of serving our customers. If they need the turf delivered, we can get it to them quickly and efficiently.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My dad (Bruce) was always a huge mentor in my life as he worked in the heavy machinery field his whole life for Catapeiller, Volvo, and JCB. It is challenging to start a business, and having someone to bounce your problems or pain points off is a great way to get a new perspective on solving a problem.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.turfcarolinas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turfcarolinas/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turf-carolina/