Conversations with Maggie Zheng

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Zheng.

Hi Maggie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to LA about a year ago and started playing pickleball as a way to meet new people outside of my tech bubble. I quickly fell in love with the sport — not just because it was fun and accessible, but because it brought together such a diverse, welcoming mix of people. What started as a hobby turned into something bigger when I realized there was a massive gap in the apparel space. Players were showing up in whatever they could find — mostly tennis clothes or basic activewear — and there was nothing that really captured the culture, energy, and style of modern pickleball.

I started Court & Crew to change that. I flew to China to tour factories and learn about manufacturing, began designing pieces that felt elevated and functional, and started hosting events to build community around the brand. Our first few meetups sold out in minutes and turned into a waitlisted series with over 1,000 people in our Discord. We’ve since partnered with Major League Pickleball, The Ritz Carlton, Equinox, Barrys, and other brands to create playful, fashion-forward experiences around the sport.

I recently left my full-time job to focus on Court & Crew and grow it into a lifestyle brand rooted in movement, joy, and connection. It’s been a wild ride, but everything we’re doing now is rooted in that original feeling I had when I first picked up a paddle: this is about more than just the game.

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?
Definitely not a smooth road — but the challenges have made the journey that much more rewarding. On the community side, it’s been tough finding facilities large enough to host our events as we’ve grown. We’ve had to coordinate with vendors, manage unpredictable weather (including almost being rained out), and once even tabled in freezing temperatures just to show up for our people. We work hard to keep the vibe fun, welcoming, and accessible, which takes real effort behind the scenes.

On the apparel side, the learning curve has been steep. Activewear is super technical — it’s not like designing oversized tees. The fits have to be precise, and every seam, pocket, and fabric decision impacts how it performs on the court. Getting the right size breakdowns and producing in the right quantities has been a challenge, especially as a new brand without tons of historical data. There was one week where our shipping system glitched and we couldn’t generate any labels — all while having a huge volume of orders that needed to go out. We’ve had to rush production on collections, fix bugs when our site crashed during a drop, and navigate all the messy moments that come with being a small team building something from the ground up.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My path has definitely been nontraditional. I was on track for medical school — I took the MCAT, shadowed doctors, and spent years preparing for a career in healthcare. But after graduation, I pivoted into the startup world and spent several years working in tech across growth, operations, and venture. It gave me the tools to build and scale something — but I always knew I wanted to create something more personal, more joyful, and more human.

That’s what led me to start Court & Crew, a pickleball sportswear and lifestyle brand focused on building community through movement. What started with 30 people on a court has grown into sold-out events, a thriving digital community, and a profitable apparel brand rooted in intention and joy. We’re known for our vibrant, elevated activewear — but more than that, we’re known for creating spaces where people genuinely connect. People have found their best friends (and even life partners!) through our events. We’ve seen parents and kids, coworkers, and solo players all come together on the courts. It’s become a place to gather outside of work and home — to be active, meet new people, and feel like you belong.

What sets us apart is how deeply we care about both the product and the people. We obsess over the technical details of our apparel — getting the fit, fabric, and function just right — while also cultivating a community that’s warm, inclusive, and a little bit quirky. I’m proud of what we’ve built, and even prouder of what it’s come to mean for the people who’ve found connection and confidence through Court & Crew.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
When I first started Court & Crew, I didn’t have brand sponsors or a polished setup. I bought four temporary nets and hosted our first meetup at a public park, simply because I wanted to give fellow pickleballers a place to play and connect. That bias toward action — launching scrappy, learning quickly, and iterating in real time — has shaped everything we’ve done since.

I also really believe in doing things, at least initially, that don’t scale. Our events take a ton of time and effort, and I’m usually the last one to leave, making sure everyone feels seen and welcomed. I rarely even get to play at my own events because I’m too busy hosting, talking to attendees, and making sure the vibe is right. But that hands-on involvement is what’s made our community so strong — and it’s given me a deep understanding of our customers. I know what they love, what they’re looking for, and what makes them come back — because I’m there with them, listening and learning every step of the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecourtandcrew.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtandcrewpickleball/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562232542922
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/court-crew
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maggizine/featured

Image Credits
Photographers: Waylan Choi