Pro Tips and Tee Shots: How One Man Built a Golf Empire
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Ever wondered what it takes to transform a simple idea sketched on a napkin into a multimillion-dollar business? Noah Horstman, founder and CEO of Golf Garage, takes us on his remarkable journey from golf-obsessed kid to visionary entrepreneur who built Southern Oregon's premier indoor golf facility.
Noah's story begins at Bear Creek Golf Course, where as a 12-year-old he worked in exchange for free golf time, eventually falling in love with the game after connecting with the ball on his ninth hole ever. His path through competitive college golf to becoming a PGA Professional laid the groundwork for understanding both the technical and business sides of the sport. After winning teaching awards and gaining experience at facilities across the country, Noah identified a crucial gap in the market – a comprehensive indoor golf training facility that could serve as both a skill development center and community hub.
What makes this conversation truly valuable for aspiring entrepreneurs is Noah's candid discussion of the obstacles he faced. After 40 potential financiers rejected his concept, a chance reconnection with a high school golf teammate led to securing the $4.8 million needed to break ground. When construction costs ballooned by an additional million dollars, Noah had to quickly pivot his business model to generate immediate revenue. Through it all, he maintained his core vision while adapting to market realities.
The Golf Garage success story highlights several crucial entrepreneurial lessons: the importance of building a supportive community around your vision, knowing when to ignore naysayers while listening to constructive feedback, and balancing business ambitions with family life. Noah's philosophy of putting family first while creating opportunities for them within the business offers a refreshing perspective on work-life integration.
Ready to pursue your own entrepreneurial dreams? Listen now to gain actionable insights from someone who risked everything on a vision and is now planning nationwide franchising opportunities. What would you risk to build something extraordinary?
Chapters
1. Pro Tips and Tee Shots: How One Man Built a Golf Empire (00:00:00)
2. Introductions and Catching Up (00:00:18)
3. Noah's Early Golf Journey (00:02:19)
4. Path to Becoming a PGA Professional (00:05:14)
5. From West Coast Golf Academy to Golf Garage (00:10:35)
6. Overcoming Naysayers and Building a Vision (00:18:00)
7. Securing Financing for a Dream (00:24:24)
8. Family, Business, and Work-Life Balance (00:31:38)
9. Future Plans and Franchising Opportunities (00:38:22)
10. Building a Community Around Golf (00:45:44)
9 episodes