My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Shift from pools to multi-sport backyard courts
Timeframe: 2-3 year trend cycle, currently in early adoption phase
What's Changing
Homeowners are choosing sport courts over pools for backyard entertainment, driven by versatility and lower maintenance
Driving Forces
Pool costs doubled from $75k to $150k post-COVID
Multi-generational activity appeal (kids through grandparents)
Lower maintenance than pools
Pickle ball popularity explosion
Year-round usability in most climates
Winners
- Sport court installation companies
- Equipment suppliers for multi-sport surfaces
- Contractors with concrete and fencing skills
Losers
- Traditional pool installation companies
- Pool maintenance service providers
- Single-sport court installers
How to Position Yourself
Emphasize versatility over specialization
Market as family bonding investment
Highlight lower ongoing costs vs pools
Focus on Instagram-worthy visual appeal
Early Signals to Watch
Example Implementation
“Market sport courts as 'the new pools' targeting homes that would have gotten pools 5 years ago, emphasizing multi-sport capability and lower total cost of ownership”
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