The Sport That’s Taking the World by Storm

Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the world, recently caught my attention. How could it not? Everyone is talking about Pickleball these days so I decided to give it a try. 

From day one, I knew I liked the fast-paced nature of pickleball. The sport’s unique blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong offers an exciting and engaging experience that keeps players hooked from the start. Playing pickleball not only provides a great workout but also offers opportunities to learn something new and make new friends.

As a newcomer to Pickleball, I quickly realized that finding some cute gear would also be essential to playing this sport. A quick Google search led me to the brand “Tangerine”. Their paddle designs are colorful and vibrant. The first time I used one of their cute racquets on the court, everyone wanted to know where I got it and asked me about the brand. So I decided to reach out to the Tangerine Co-Founder to learn more about my new favorite Pickleball brand. Here is my recent Q&A with the Co-Founder Carly Llewellyn, a mom of two based in DC.

When did you start playing pickleball?

During covid, my husband and I were looking for ways to stay active and also see our friends. We started playing a lot of pickleball and paddle tennis and loved that we could be outside, be social, and get exercise. It became a weekly activity, both for us as a couple, and for me with a group of my friends. 

What made you start Tangerine?

As we played more and more, we started looking for products to purchase and realized that there wasn’t anything on the market we loved. Most of the bags were very utilitarian or designed for tennis rackets. And most of the paddles were black and gray, and focused on performance instead of fun. We first launched our tote back in early 2022 and then came out with a line of pickleball paddles in the fall. 

What makes your Tangerine pickleball products stand out from all the others?

I think what makes us stand out the most is our designs – they are classic, fun, and colorful. When people play pickleball or other racquet sports, they already have many options for attractive and well-made apparel. But they didn’t have options for attractive bags and paddles. We are so excited about the response that we’ve gotten to our products and can’t wait to continue to come out with new designs. 

Why do you think pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport in the USA?

We love pickleball because it is a sport that anyone can play. Regardless of your age, where you live, or your previous athletic abilities, it is a sport that you can quickly learn. I also think that more and more people are looking for social activities that are not entirely centered around food or drinking. Pickleball gives you an opportunity to be social, get outside, and get exercise, all within an hour or two. 

What advice do you give other small businesses and entrepreneurs who are trying to find success right now?

Your business doesn’t need to be focused on your biggest passion, but it should be something that excites and motivates you. In the past, I’ve worked in many different industries, from energy policy to climate change to retail, and it is way easier and more fun to get up and do work every day if you care about what you are doing. 

What’s next for your brand, Tangerine?

Our goal is to create the most fun and beautiful products for pickleball, paddle tennis, and other racket sports. We have a number of exciting partnerships in the works and are thrilled to work with some of our favorite brands to create pickleball products that will delight their customers. We recently partnered with brands such as Boast, Murray’s Toggery, and Sail to Sable. More to come!

Playing pickleball doesn’t mean compromising on style. Special thank you to Carly Llewellyn for sharing her brand story with all of us. Please follow Tangerine on Instagram @tangerinepaddle.

Embarking on my pickleball journey has been an awesome experience so far. If you’re seeking a new activity that promotes fitness, fosters connections, and guarantees a good time, look no further than pickleball—the fastest-growing sport that is sure to win you over. And a reminder for my fellow tennis fans, do not worry YOU CAN PLAY BOTH! It is not an either/or situation, I will be playing BOTH tennis and pickleball going forward. See you on the court!

Thank you for reading this good news,

xoxo Nina