Building with ... George Gorecki, Walking Soccer Chicago

This episode features an interview with Larry and Jacob Amon, who are launching a new club in the Maryland-Delaware region. They discuss their personal soccer backgrounds, the challenges of establishing a club in a less populated area with limited existing opportunities, and their strategies for securing funding, finding a venue, and building a strong community presence. The conversation also touches upon the importance of fan engagement and creating a unique and appealing club experience beyond just the games themselves. As ever, thanks to Fanbase for their support

This podcast features an interview with Dan Carl, director of the DKCU Academy and coach of our successful women's soccer team. Carl discusses his coaching philosophy, which emphasizes building team chemistry and a positive environment to reduce pressure, and foster player development and growth. He also describes the academy's structure, its connection to the adult team, and the pathway it provides for young players. The conversation touches upon challenges in transitioning youth players to college and adult levels, Carl's long career in soccer, and his pride in player development. Check out FanBase

AnswerIn this episode of the Build It podcast, host John Hall welcomes Shannon Bohn, the Media and Community Relations Coordinator for Orthodontic Experts. They delve into the organization's mission of community engagement and educational outreach, which has been pivotal in their growth from one clinic to 26 across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana over the past 12 years.Shannon shares insights into how Orthodontic Experts differentiates itself through fun and engaging educational programs aimed at all ages, addressing common misconceptions about oral hygiene and orthodontics. She discusses their unique partnerships with local organizations, including a recent initiative to support a homeless shelter by donating essential health supplies.The conversation also explores the importance of having a clear mission in guiding decision-making and community involvement. Shannon emphasizes the shift in focus from merely increasing brand visibility to fostering meaningful connections within communities. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on how effective outreach can create lasting impacts and enhance community relationships in any organization. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on making a difference through dedicated service and education!

In this episode, hosts Nik Myles and John Hall discuss the past season's performance of their soccer club, DKCU, and share their plans for the upcoming year. They cover topics like the men's and women's team results, the impact of relegation, fan engagement efforts, and the club's growth strategy moving forward. The hosts reflect on DKCU's journey so far and outline their key priorities and approaches for the future.

The podcast discusses building value for long-term success through emotional connections, market research, and branding. Dave, John and Nik decode pricing strategies and fan reactions, optimizing ticket prices for events. Insights on enhancing ticket value perception and strategies for season ticket sales are also explored, along with casual banter and a soccer club startup advertisement. 3 Takeaways •Understanding customer value is crucial for effective pricing strategies. •Enhancing customer experience through unique offerings can improve value perception. •Market research and tailored pricing strategies are essential to meet audience preferences. Deep Dives Valuing the Product and Establishing Pricing Strategy The podcast discussion delves into the importance of accurately assessing the value of a product or service in order to establish an effective pricing strategy. It emphasizes that value perception can be influenced by both tangible and intangible factors, such as the emotional experience offered to customers. By focusing on understanding what customers find valuable and engaging in dialogue with them, businesses can tailor their pricing and offerings to meet consumer preferences. Enhancing Customer Experience and Perceived Value The podcast highlights the significance of enhancing customer experience to increase perceived value, especially in the context of a soccer club. It suggests innovative approaches, like offering exclusive experiences or benefits alongside ticket purchases, to add value for customers. By providing unique and memorable experiences, clubs can differentiate themselves, build stronger relationships with fans, and attract more supporters. Differentiation in Pricing and Adding Experiential Value The discussion underscores the importance of differentiation in pricing strategies to maximize perceived value. By offering tiered pricing structures or special incentives for early purchases, businesses can create a sense of exclusivity and increase appeal. Additionally, incorporating experiential elements, like unique events or collaborations, can further enhance the value proposition for customers. Understanding Market Dynamics and Unique Audience Preferences The podcast emphasizes the need to understand market dynamics and tailor pricing and offerings to specific audience preferences. It highlights the diverse nature of audience segments and how unique demographics may require different pricing approaches. By conducting market research and engaging with customers, organizations can adapt their strategies to align with market needs and enhance overall value perception. Building Sustainable Business Models and Community Engagement The discussion touches on the significance of building sustainable business models while fostering community engagement. It stresses the importance of long-term sustainability, which may involve evaluating pricing structures and revenue sources. By actively engaging with the community, understanding local dynamics, and offering value-driven experiences, businesses can create a lasting impact and establish strong relationships with their audience.

A conversation between John and Andrew Grum. They discuss Andrew's background, his internship experiences with Dekalb County United and the minor league baseball team, Kane County Cougars. We hear about: Andrew's interest in sports, sales, and providing good fan/community experiences Differences between the casual, volunteer-based soccer club structure and the more corporate structure of minor league baseball Ticket sales strategies and offerings for generating fan attendance and engagement Ideas for improving operations and accountability within the volunteer-based soccer club Andrew's career interests and goals for the future John's motivations for starting the soccer club and perspectives on its evolution and impact in the community Overall, it's a wide-ranging conversation about sports, community engagement, internship experiences, and operational considerations for amateur sports organizations.

Sarah Levinger, a Consumer Behavior Strategist, discusses the power of perspective and long-term brand building, the importance of connections and attentional bias, the psychology of marketing and branding, understanding generational differences in marketing, and expanding the market and creating a different experience. She might also be a lunatic, in the most wonderful way. Big shout out to our special guest co-host on this episode, Ashely. Key Takeaways Understanding generational slang helps create relatable content Select specific AI tools with an understanding of capabilities for marketing efficiency Target different customer segments with offers that make trying your product easy

Zach Fisher joined us to talk about Year 2 with AFC Colombia, their merger with Missouri Reign, and the Midwest Premier League's announcement of intention to move toward a tiered structure https://afccomo.com/afc-columbia-and-missouri-reign-announce-merger-to-elevate-soccer-in-mid-missouri/ https://midwestpl.com/2030-plan-the-mwpl-announces-new-league-vision/

Introducing a New Soccer Franchise in Aurora, Illinois The podcast episode features an interview with the founders of Riverlight, a new soccer franchise in Aurora, Illinois. The founders discuss their soccer backgrounds and their goal of bringing a new USL team to the area. They explain that Aurora was chosen as the location due to its large population center and the presence of a strong youth soccer community. The founders express their ambition to be a USL League One team in the future. Challenges and Strategies for Community Engagement The founders discuss the importance of community engagement and building partnerships in Aurora. They explain that success for them means having a positive impact on the community and building a fan base of around 500 people per game. They highlight their focus on being family-friendly, affordable, and providing a high-quality soccer experience for the community. The founders also mention their plans to hold events, collaborate with local businesses, and work with youth soccer clubs to promote their brand. The Workload and Marketing Plans for Riverlight The founders discuss the amount of time they are investing in the club, with each of them dedicating around 40 hours per week to various tasks. They mention that marketing and storytelling are a priority for them, as they aim to create a narrative around the club's development. They emphasize the importance of spreading the workload and working with volunteers and professionals to market the club effectively. The founders express their desire to learn from other clubs and implement successful strategies in their own marketing efforts.

Join Nik & John in conversation with Chicago soccer stalwart and pioneer of walking soccer, George Gorecki. The gents talk through George's time with his club, as part of Chicago's storied National Soccer League, and the merger with the Metropolitan Soccer League, before diving into the exciting world of walking soccer. You'll get the history, the growth, and the possibilities, all in one hour! Find George and his friends here Learn more about walking soccer here and here.