The Mody Company has been operating and selling speed pitching booths since 1992. When I began there was no plan. Taking a compact and portable system (which I made out of wood) was uncharted. Big, bulky carnival systems were just that, carnival systems. I wanted to set up in a mall so I brought my wood cage and "jugs" gun to a mall sports card show and made $300. The next month I did it again and made $750. Pretty cool! Today, the wood cage is metal, the shows are numerous, and THERE IS PLAN!!!

The first consideration is what are your expectations for a business venture.

1. Can you do your venture on weekdays or only weekends
2. Is this a supplemental or sole income source.

These 2 questions I feel are far more important than the typical investment concerns or array of questions to determine your aptitude for starting a business opportunity. Prices for a system start at under $1,500 and it makes money so easily that the investment shouldn't be a factor. The only real aptitude needed is your ability to explain your business to the coordinators of events you wish to attend.

Determining if the speed pitching booth can make more than supplemental income is the real factor. A Mody Company Speed Pitching Booth will bring in money for as many weekends as you wish to work. There are also situations where the booth can keep operational during weekdays but the real measure is your weekend events. If you need a full time income and the risk of no steady paycheck concerns you, the purchase of a speed pitching booth will only enhance the income you make from your "paycheck" job. The truth is it will take plenty of effort to make a decent full time income with this. It is also true that it will take very little effort to make an excellent supplemental income with this.

FINDING EVENTS:

Your proximity to metropolitan areas will be somewhat of a factor in the success of your speed pitching booth but some of my best events are in small communities with strong annual turnouts. My town of Sherburne, NY has a population of maybe 1,500 but we have an annual pageant of bands where I make $500 in one day from set up in the highschool parking lot. Most communities have youth soccer and baseball leagues and you can usually expect good support from them. Most metro areas will have an abundance of sports card shows, youth sporting tournaments and festivals to keep you busy all year long. So, what kinds of events should you be looking for?

Malls County Fairs State Fairs Carnivals Festivals Mall Sports Card Shows Convention Center Events Flea Markets Air & Car Shows Baseball Games

Softball Tournaments Soccer Tournament Sports Bars Fundraising Events Sports Fitness Exhibits Corporate or Private Parties Parking Lots Community Centers College & Highschool Events Anyplace where people go

And where can you find these events?

Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar Visitors Bureau Events Calendar Local or City Village Offices Community Organizations Local Newspaper Editors Book Store Festival Guides

Schools & Colleges Fundraising Groups Sports League Offices Parks & Recreation Depts. From Other Vendors Yellow Pages (for carnivals look under midway rides)

Most Chamber of Commerce's or Visitors Bureau's are great at sending out information promptly. Beckett's and Soccer America cover a large number of events in each state so from these sources you are on your way to getting an idea of where to start and how much travel is involved. The absolute best way to find events is being visible. Obviously, you will need to have your pitching booth in operation to do this but at many events some promoter or coordinator will see the booth and want you to attend their event. It happened my very first show and still continues even at events I've been frequenting for years.

 

START UP EXPENSES:

These are minimal and actually are more yearly or ongoing expenses than start-up expenses. You obviously do not need office space and office equipment so be sure to calculate all the nickel & dime items to best estimate your initial out of pocket expenses.

baseballs & soccer balls signage for pricing. dry erase board & markers for listing speeds some type of display rack extensions cords a modest tool kit prizes dolly cart bungee chords & wire ties lights (for night events)

Business related items include: initial phone & postage to contact events. business cards answering machine fundraising outlines

Your business or office expenses can be kept minimal to begin but business cards are an important item. From there you could expand to stationary & letterhead, brochures, etc. Investing in your business could mean a computer with which I personally can't imagine being without or a fax machine & separate phone line.

Your ongoing expenses will include travel, food and possibly lodging. I enjoy staying in motels, I just hate paying from my profits to do it. I personally will drive home after all events if I don't have to be back the next day. If the event is multiple days, usually any event more than 2 hours away will constitute my getting a hotel or more importantly, looking up friends & relatives which has saved me thousands.

 

WHAT NEXT?:

From here I could begin to talk about pricing and booking the events but fortunately for my aching typing hand, I've covered all this stuff in my newsletters which I've happened to have reprinted (in text only) on this web site. All the back issues are readable from this site.

If you haven't done so, go to the Costs page and check out the different systems & components then the Help page will discuss further my role in helping you make money.

Again, I want to down play the role of the purchase price of the system in your decision making process. If you can find the events and the time to run the booth, you will make money, generally from $200 to $1,000 an event. This is a business that will make you money right away. Maybe not the riches you dream but it will easily keep you afloat while you pursue the gold of a more involved business venture. Imagine having Monday through Friday to pursue your long term business interests or simply watch soaps all day. Then head out to all kinds of great weekend events with a sports related activity that makes you money and brings great enjoyment to the participants and event coordinators. Who knows, maybe you'll have 10 booths in operation each weekend and become the tycoon of speed pitching booths, I hope so.

PLANNING

COSTS

HELP

FUNDRAISING