Today we’d like to introduce you to Wesley Hanson.
Hi Wesley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was working full time for a non profit that focused on leadership development and Christian discipleship for NC State students. Our organization had a change in vision which resulted in our entire team having to explore new roles.
To pay the bills – I walked into one of my favorite coffee shops in down town Raleigh, Iris Coffee Lab and asked if they were hiring. Fortunately, they were and offered me a job!
I enjoyed pickleball and content creation casually, but decided with the big life change to just fully dive in and see if I could turn it into something. On the pro pickleball front – I practice and play 5-6x per week and travel 1-2x per month for tournaments. Content wise I plan out, film and edit posts constantly.
I’m still learning but am excited to see where this could potentially go!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been full of ups and downs. It was hard to break into the pro level pickleball scene – people to practice with, partners for tournaments, facilities to play at, etc. on the content side, I really didn’t know what I was doing (still don’t know much but I’m learning). I had to figure out who I am, so that I could be truly authentic with my posts. Also, navigating the “influencer” landscape and figuring out how to actually monetize posts.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently work part time at a coffee shop while I try and pursue pro pickleball and content creation,
I play pickleball professionally, post pickleball sketches and skits on social media, and coach pickleball at PinPoint Indoor Pickleball and Golf. I am most known for the content I post online.
I am proud of how I have grown my social media account, received sponsorships from pickleball brands, and have had real success in high level pickleball.
I think that I’m trailblazing a path in the pickleball niche, it has been done elsewhere, but this is a new market and I’m really leaning into it.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Pickleball wise: drilling/practice is more important than games. Use your time wisely and make the most of it
Content wise: being consistent is so important. Figure out who you are and what people want to see and find the blend between the two that works for you. You can’t just post what you think people want and neglect yourself, but you also have to analyze what works well and what doesn’t and listen to that.
Ask people for advice who are doing what you want to be doing and deeply listen.
Pricing:
- 1:1 pickleball lessons $100
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesdawg_pb
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wesdawg_pb
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@wesdawg_pb
