Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Smith
Hi Gregory, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started the business 2017. I was the number one basketball company for Long Beach parks and recreation until Covid hit. When Covid came, they shut down all of my basketball programs and I lost all of my classes and all of my teams. I decided to take a chance and I found a church in signal Hill and I rented out their parking lot behind the church and built a basketball court there. I took a chance and quit my job as an athletic director and started B Ballers Hoops training. It was a hit and within two years I outgrew that location and the Alpert Jewish community center gave me a chance to bring all of my programs to their location and it was a hit! Now I have the number one basketball program in Long Beach and have close to 25 teams under my brand thanks to The JCC giving me a chance. I was just featured on KTLA news and just completed a summer camp featuring former NBA Lakers Michael Cooper!
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?
When I first started, I ran out of money trying to build the outdoor facility. I did not even have enough to buy a court.. Then I saw someone selling an outdoor court and I reached out to him. I told him my situation and he gave me the court for free. Then when I ran out of room and outgrew my outdoor facility, I took a chance and went into the Jewish community center and I met with the CFO Kevin Griser at the right time told him what I was doing and he gave me a shot. I’ve always taken chances and continue to keep moving forward even when Covid hit and shut down the business. I always believe that I can keep going And get to the top. I’ve had situations where I’ve had business deals fall through and I kept going and everything worked out. I have always continued to move forward and this was the first year where I was able to give away close to $4000 in scholarships for kids to attend camps. I teach my kids to keep going. Keep swinging. Never give up. Always continue to knock on doors because all it takes is one yes!
We’ve been impressed with B Ballers Hoops School , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We specialize in teaching kids the fundamentals of basketball. We strive to help kids who are beginners get better and develop self-confidence. We are known in the Community for providing kids with the opportunity to play on teams and learn the fundamentals of the game. We are a small black owned business that’s in a very competitive field, but we have created our niche which is catering to kids that are developmental and above Rec players. We also offer kids an opportunity to meet former NBA players and get the best training and not being overly prized to wear. Parents cannot afford to get their kids training. we strive to help our kids get to the next level and that can be making their middle school team or high school team. We have a great track record in the city of Long Beach and we are affordable.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in South Los Angeles and my father was a preacher for 60 years in South LA. I have seen a lot and survived growing up in the roughest part of LA. I’ve always had big dreams and visions and I survived and graduated from high school made it to college, and then I decided to be a musician and tour the world. I grew up in the city when hip-hop first started and became a musician, I was the drummer for the hip-hop group NWA! I was also the studio drummer for the founder of the group whose name is EazyE.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bballershoops.com
- Instagram: @bballershoops
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/bballershoopschool/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/bballers-hoops-school-long-beach?osq=bballers+hoop+school
