How SLC Padel Is Bringing People Together Through Sport (Ep. 81)
What does it take to introduce an entirely new sport to a community? In this episode of Harnessing Your Wealth, Billy and Shaun Peterson sit down with Pedro Bautista, founder of SLC Padel Club, to discuss the rise of padel and his journey bringing Utah’s first dedicated padel club to life.
Pedro shares how he identified an opportunity in Utah, the key differences between padel and pickleball, and why the sport is exploding in popularity around the world. He also explains how grassroots community-building—from school demonstrations to local partnerships—has helped grow awareness of the sport and create a thriving player community.
Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, emerging sports, or building something from the ground up, this conversation offers valuable insights into spotting opportunities, taking calculated risks, and turning a vision into reality.
Topics Covered:
- What is padel and how does it differ from pickleball?
- Why Utah was the perfect place for SLC Padel Club
- The challenges of launching a new sport in a new market
- Building community through schools, events, and local outreach
- The future of padel in Utah and the United States
Connect with Pedro Bautista and SLC Padel:
About our Guest:
Pedro Bautista is the founder of SLC Padel Club, Utah’s first dedicated indoor padel facility. Originally from Venezuela, Pedro moved to the United States to attend college in Florida before making Utah his home more than five years ago. A trained biomedical engineer, he built his professional career in medical manufacturing while maintaining a passion for fitness and athletics. Although his athletic background includes jiu-jitsu, boxing, CrossFit, running, and swimming, Pedro was introduced to padel through family and frequent visits to Miami and Europe, where the sport has experienced tremendous growth. Recognizing padel’s global popularity and the lack of dedicated facilities in Utah, he saw an opportunity to bring the sport to a new audience. Driven by a vision to create more than just a sports venue, Pedro founded SLC Padel Club as a community hub where people can connect, compete, and build lasting relationships through one of the world’s fastest-growing racket sports.
About Padel:
Often described as a mix of tennis and squash. It is played in an enclosed box made of glass and wire mesh, allowing you to bounce balls off the walls. It uses a solid, stringless paddle with holes and a low-pressure tennis ball, and follows traditional tennis scoring.
Resources & Previous Episodes of Interest:
- Endurance, Grit, and the Science of Impossible Goals with Croix Sather (Ep. 78)
- From Horses To High Fashion: The Journey Of Allison Lambert (EP. 73)
- From Jockey to Top Trainer: Jason Olmstead’s Winning Formula (EP. 70)
- The Thrill of the Race: Insights from Andrew Offerman (Ep. 56)
Connect with Billy Peterson:
- Peterson Wealth Services: Billy Peterson
- LinkedIn: Billy Peterson
- Facebook: Peterson Wealth Services
- Instagram: Peterson Wealth Services
- YouTube: Peterson Wealth Services
- billy@petersonws.com
- 801-475-4002
Connect with Cade Peterson:
Connect with Shaun Peterson:
This presentation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as individualized investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Peterson Wealth. The guest speaker is not affiliated with Peterson Wealth, and Peterson Wealth does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of third-party information. The guest is not paid compensation for their participation; however, he/she may receive a non-cash gift from the firm.
Peterson Wealth is a registered investment advisor with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Any examples or illustrations used in this presentation are hypothetical in nature and for demonstration purposes only. You should consult with your personal financial, tax, or legal advisor before making any investment decisions.
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