Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Ambition drives Loogootee High School junior Clayton Miller in everything he does. That’s why he’s able to play three sports, take AP classes and work a part-time job. On top of all that, Miller just launched his first business – The BirdieBox – a mobile golf simulator.
With the popularity of golf simulators growing, Miller said he wanted to offer the activity in a flexible and affordable format. There are a few golf simulator businesses in the area, but he saw a need for a mobile option that can be transported to parties, fundraisers and corporate events.
“A lot of the golfers, when it turns cold they go to a golf simulator,” he said. “I thought, if I had one here, that would minimize the driving.”
To purchase the equipment for The BirdieBox, Miller fundraised to raise about $1,700, which he used to buy a launch monitor, hitting mat, screen and net enclosure and TV for simulator display.
He created a website where customers can view course options, pricing and set up information and book an event.
The idea of starting a business wasn’t a goal of Miller’s until this school year when he enrolled in Martin County CEO, a program for juniors and seniors at Shoals and Loogootee high schools. The program, based on the national CEO program, teaches students about entrepreneurship and leadership. Site visits to local businesses and work-based projects are key components to the CEO curriculum. By the end of the second semester, CEO students will create a business.
“Typically, it takes students the majority of the year to set up their business, but he knew right out of the gate what he wanted to do,” Martin County CEO facilitator Todd Baker said.
Miller said it was during a visit to The Broken Tee, a brick and mortar golf simulator in Jasper, that led to his interest in a golf simulator business. The owner, Andrew Knies, encouraged Miller and provided guidance.
A golf simulator lets golfers practice their swing in a simulated environment. It uses a digital setup that resembles the actual game, allowing golfers to analyze their swing and improve their game. Thanks to advances in technology, the golf simulator industry has been steadily growing for 20 years. According to Yardstick Golf, a website with tips on starting a simulator business, the golf simulator market size is expected to triple over the next decade.
The BirdieBox’s target audience is local golfers, which Miller knows already through his part-time job at Lakeview Golf Course in Loogootee.
Starting a business at 17 was not without hurdles, but, without a doubt, Martin County CEO gave Miller the foundation and knowledge to pursue The BirdieBox.
“Just the people that we’ve met so far, hearing how they started their business,” he said. “I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback.”
Martin County CEO is in its second year. CEO is a nationally recognized program created by the Midland Institute, based in Effingham, Illinois.