Inspiring Conversations with Lawrence Gordon of Sport Mode One

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lawrence Gordon. 

Hi Lawrence, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
We started with 24 boys’ basketball players in the spring of 2022, intending to be a bridge-builder using basketball to connect communities regardless of socio-economic background to teach the next generation that we are better together. We aim to blend our teams with kids from West & South Charlotte, to practice, connect, and build with one another, getting kids to meet people they usually would not meet. In addition, we wear the Love Bolt logo on our uniform to show the Charlotte community that we are a program that prioritizes community, race, sports, and education. 

At the end of the ’22 spring season, parents wanted more and asked us if we could create more teams with the same quality experience. So, we started recruiting more coaches as we started attracting more families. So, in 3 months, we went from 24 boys at the end of Q2 to 160 boys entering Q4. Plus, we launch a girls’ club to provide the same opportunity and now have 40+ girls who train and play with us. So, totaling over 200 boys and girls, we serve. 

The success and growth of our grassroots program are because of amazing parents, players, coaches, and partners like Love Bolt. Charlotte is last in economic mobility, and we strongly feel that using basketball to create social capital will help the next generation improve those statistics. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My initial business plan was to organize a hybrid division one college basketball event in Charlotte that would bring both men’s and women’s college basketball games to one arena to show solidarity in the sport. I would use my years of sports experience to connect with coaches and my recent connections with the Charlotte Sports Foundation to secure the Spectrum Arena. During 2021 I spent most of my time traveling to colleges and meeting with coaches as I tried to coordinate matchups. Meanwhile, I had to secure a corporate sponsor for the games. Everything looked promising as I received my first team commitments and corporate sponsor interest. 

By April 2022, my momentum had slowed, the team commitments I received backed out, and my team prospects and sponsor pipeline had gone to zero. My board, consisting of a few members of the executive team at Thirty Capital, told me I would have until the end of May to develop a new plan to show why they should continue the journey with me, or it was over. 

In April of 2022, I pivoted my business plan, took a hobby I was doing at the time: coaching local kids, and focused on building more basketball teams year-round. As a result, we went from 24 boys at the end of Q2 to 200+ boys and girls entering Q4. Plus, we have done two profitable enrichment camps during Q3, and a profitable high school tournament, with another scheduled for December 20-22, which will net a profit. 

I have repeat customers, and we have momentum in an area I would have never thought existed until faced with the pressure of putting my initial vision and business plan on hold. Sport Mode One was initially a sports event group prioritizing events only, and now we have become a company specializing in grassroots basketball, camps, and events. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the Founder of Sport Mode One, a sports events group that organizes basketball events and creates basketball and football experiences for youth. I run a grassroots program for boys and girls ages 5-14 called Charlotte Skill Factory, which serves over 160 kids seasonally through teams, enrichment camps, and after-school programs. We aim to be a bridge-builder using basketball and football to connect communities regardless of socio-economic background to teach the next generation that we are better together. We have kids who attend public and private schools here in Charlotte practicing, connecting, and building with one another, sharing resources and life perspectives meeting other kids they usually would not meet. 

We have two signature high school events, the George Lynch Invitational and The Charlotte Classic. This year at the George Lynch Invitational, we gave out $5,000 in scholarships to five graduating seniors. 

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Communication is important because it lets us stay connected with our parents and players. We aim to create common ground in all our work with our players, and ensuring they understand our expectations is vital to our success. 

We write everything in pencil. Meaning we pivot and are agile in our thinking and execution. We want to ensure we are open to all ideas and allow the best to win. 

The people who show up every practice and help lead our boys on the court are why we are one of the fastest-growing youth basketball programs in Charlotte. It always starts with the people, and we believe we have the best coaches in the city impacting our youth. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sportmodeone.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportmodeone/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/845107776585583/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sport-mode-one/