Pro Athlete
Pro Athlete douses firehouse boredom, donating pickleball sets to KC’s 52 fire stations
When Kansas City firefighters finally get a few moments to put down the hoses and shed their gear, said Andrew Dowis, they deserve the sports equipment needed to decompress and blow off some steam.
Just opportunity: How this KC sports company plans to ace PickleCon’s potential
When “the Comic-Con for pickleball” arrives next month in Kansas City, Pro Athlete will have its feet firmly planted and be ready to swing at a wide array of opportunities served by the surging sport’s first major convention in the region. PickleCon debuts Aug. 8-11 in Kansas City, promising top-level competition that brings together pickleball…
Pickleball pickup: Why KC’s top small business is launching JustPaddles amid sports slowdown
Pro Athlete’s secret to success: going against the grain, Andrew Dowis said. “We’re known to do things that aren’t the norm,” said Dowis, who serves as the CEO of Pro Athlete. “I think that’s why we pursued JustPaddles [during the COVID-19 pandemic]. We said, ‘Let’s look at this [pandemic] from another angle. This may be…
KC Hall of Fame: Pro Athlete named Small Business of the Year for decades-long winning strategy
Making stewardship — and “blowing people’s minds” — the strategy for your business isn’t always the easiest approach, especially during trying times, said Andrew Dowis, but it’s the most rewarding. “Push yourself to say yes to that crazy idea that doesn’t make sense for the bottom line but makes sense for the betterment of you…
‘Role models’ for KC: Chamber reveals 10 finalists for Small Business of the Year award
Ten Kansas City companies — including a handful of up-and-coming startups and popular food and beverage hotspots — are vying for the Chamber’s top honor: the coveted Mr. K award. “Today’s the day!” said Joe Reardon, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, announcing the top 10 small business of the…
