Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Entwistle
Hi Kat, 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 backstory with our readers?
My husband Joey and I have always kicked around the idea of owning our own business but we could never really land on the right opportunity. At the end of 2023, I left my corporate healthcare IT career to go full time with Original Strength Institute (OSI) as their general manager and nutrition coach. In 2024, OSI moved from their home of 10 years across the street into a space almost five times the size of the original location. As we toured the future facility, we were blown away by all the possibilities the new location could offer. I jokingly mentioned to Joey that there was enough space for a Pickleball court. He smiled and laughed, probably thinking I was losing my mind. The next thing you know we were in the midst of making our dream of opening a business a reality. With Pickleball becoming one of the fastest growing sports, there was a unique opportunity to bring a dedicated indoor court to downtown Fuquay Varina. We partnered with OSI and their amazing community to demo the space. We took down walls, put new ones up. We installed a plexiglass wall to allow spectators to watch the action, then we capped it off with a professional-grade court floor and net. The space looked great, but something was missing. So, we partnered up with local artist, Rachel Cornett (@findher_inflipflops) who painted our amazing mural that is on the back wall of our court. All the work took about four months and we were able to officially open at the end of August 2024. Our goal of creating a welcoming and inviting space for all skill levels has been a success so far and the responses we are getting from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. We have had the opportunity to meet some really awesome people on this journey and look forward to what 2025 brings.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The reality of being a small business owner definitely doesn’t always match the dream. For us, keeping an open mind and staying positive was crucial. While it’s exciting, our journey had had it’s setbacks like shipping and installation delays, struggles in finding the right software package, learning how to build a website from the ground up, and hoping people will actually come play at the court. The beauty of it all is looking at the frustrations and setbacks as opportunities do better and to learn. It has been a whirlwind but we’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a nutrition and health coach at OSI. I am also the general manager of OSI’s Fuquay Varina location. My focus is to help people establish sustainable habits that empower them to make better nutrition decisions more of the time while also feeling strong and confident in their bodies. I am an avid reader and collector of house plants with over 100 throughout their home.
Joey is a Director of Finance at Metlife in Cary. When he isn’t at the office or on the pickleball court, he spends his time working out at OSI, playing on a recreational hockey team, and catching up on the latest Marvel movies with our two children.
We are proud of so many things we’ve accomplished over the years, but certainly one of the hardest and most satisfying achievements is building Home Court Pickleball.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Deep down, we are really homebodies that enjoy being together as family, whether that’s watching a movie, playing a board game or and eating ice cream (and who doesn’t love ice cream?)
Pricing:
- One hour court rentals $25
- Two hour court rentals $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.homecourtnc.com
- Instagram: @homecourtnc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561033146091
- Other: Our Home Court Pickleball Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/homecourtcommunity
