We were lucky to catch up with RICHARD REEVE recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, RICHARD thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

Starting Beach Elite Volleyball Club in 2014 has been one of the most rewarding and demanding things I’ve ever done. Am I happier as a business owner? Yes—but not because it’s easier. It’s because it’s meaningful. There’s a different kind of fulfillment that comes from building something from the ground up, creating opportunities for athletes, creating jobs, giving back and watching kids grow in confidence, skill, and character. That’s something a “regular job” never quite gave me in the same way.

That said, I’d be lying if I said the thought of having a normal, predictable job never crosses my mind.

The last time it really hit me was late at night during club season. It was one of those weeks where everything stacked up at once—practice schedules shifting, parent communication, tournament logistics, gym time conflicts, and a couple of unexpected issues with staffing. I remember sitting at my laptop well past midnight, the gym lights long off, answering emails and trying to solve problems that didn’t exist 24 hours earlier. My phone kept buzzing, my to-do list kept growing, and there wasn’t really an “off switch.”

In that moment, I caught myself thinking, “Man… it would be nice to just sell this”

To have a job where when the day ends, it actually ends. No texts, no last-minute fires, no weight of knowing everything ultimately falls on you.

But almost immediately after that thought, something shifted.

I started thinking about what my “hard day” actually consisted of. It was full of volleyball. Full of athletes who care. Full of families who are invested. Full of building something that didn’t exist before I created it. And I realized—this isn’t stress I resent, it’s stress I chose.

There’s ownership in that. There’s purpose in that.

I also thought about the moments that same week—an athlete getting their first big block, a team starting to click, a parent saying thank you, a kid leaving the gym more confident than when they walked in. Those moments don’t happen by accident. They happen because I built the environment for them.

So no, I don’t really want a “regular job.”

What I want—and what I’m building—is something sustainable, something that impacts people, and something I’m proud of long-term. That late-night moment didn’t make me want out. It actually clarified why I’m in it.

Being a business owner isn’t about avoiding stress. It’s about choosing the kind of challenges that are worth it.

And for me, this is absolutely worth it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

My name is Rick Reeve, and I’m the founder of Beach Elite Volleyball Club. I started the club in 2014 on the shores of Newport Beach, California, with a simple but powerful vision: to create a positive and high-level training environment where athletes of all ages and skill levels could develop, compete, and genuinely fall in love with the game. I wanted a safe place for kids to feel comfortable and thrive and grow in confidence. The club is now in several major cities within the Southwest United States. I also coach overseas in Spain and Turkey!

My background is rooted deeply in volleyball. I’ve spent years coaching at a high level, including at the NCAA Division I level, where I was involved in everything from practice planning and player development to film analysis and game strategy. That experience gave me a clear understanding of what elite training actually looks like—and more importantly, what’s often missing in youth and club volleyball.

I got into this industry because I saw a gap. Too many programs focus only on winning or only on participation. I wanted to build something that bridges both: a program that develops athletes the right way while still competing at a high level. Beach Elite is built on intentional training, strong culture, and real accountability.

What we provide goes beyond just practices and tournaments. We offer structured indoor and beach volleyball training, club teams, clinics, open gyms, and development programs designed to meet athletes where they are and push them forward. Whether it’s a beginner learning fundamentals or an advanced athlete preparing for college, our focus is on long-term growth.

The problems we solve are real. A lot of athletes feel overlooked, underdeveloped, or stuck in programs where they’re not improving. Parents often don’t feel confident that their kids are getting quality coaching or a positive environment. We change that. We prioritize skill development, communication, and a culture where athletes are challenged but also supported. We create an environment where effort matters, improvement is visible, and athletes build confidence through real progress.

Currently we have club programs in:
St. George Utah
Bluffdale Utah
Lehi Utah
Huntington Beach California

What sets Beach Elite apart is the combination of high-level coaching experience and a genuine investment in each athlete. We don’t treat players like numbers. We know them, we track their development, and we hold them to a standard. Our training is intentional, fast-paced, and competitive—but also positive and growth-focused.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the teams or the results—it’s the impact. Seeing athletes gain confidence, earn opportunities, and start believing in themselves is what drives everything we do. We’ve already seen players take big steps forward in a short amount of time, and that’s just the beginning.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and Beach Elite, it’s this: we care deeply about doing things the right way. We’re building something long-term. We’re building athletes, but also people. And we’re creating a culture where hard work, accountability, and passion for the game come together in a way that’s both competitive and meaningful.

This isn’t just a volleyball club. It’s a standard.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

One of the most defining parts of my journey building Beach Elite hasn’t just been growth—it’s been navigating adversity, especially from within.

At least four different times since starting the club, I’ve had members of my own staff attempt to recruit our players and coaches to break off and start their own programs. In some cases, this was happening quietly during the season, behind the scenes, while they were still actively coaching within Beach Elite. That’s not just a business challenge—that’s a trust challenge.

There have also been moments where individuals approached me about “partnering,” but something didn’t sit right. I’ve learned to trust that instinct. Every time I’ve felt hesitation, it’s been for a reason. In this space, alignment matters more than opportunity. Not every growth opportunity is the right one, and not every partnership is built on the kind of integrity you need to sustain something long-term.

I could write a book with all the other times competitors tried to put me out of business with caniving tactics that simply go against the whole purpose of youth sports and what we are trying to correct. This organization is for the kids to have fun and grow and the coaches to improve. This isn’t about me and never will be. I always use the word “WE” when referring to the business. But then those that know me will say “Rick, you’re the only owner. Who is WE? ” I will respond with saying it’s a group effort from coaches, staff and players and parents. And if the situation doesn’t even involve them, then the WE is my Heavenly Father who has my back, loves and supports me.

Those experiences forced me to get very clear on how I want to build this organization.

What makes Beach Elite unique is that we’ve expanded into multiple locations while still maintaining a single-owner structure. That’s extremely rare in the club volleyball world, where most organizations branch out through partnerships or shared ownership. I’ve intentionally chosen a different path. Not because it’s easier—it’s not—but because it allows me to protect the culture, the standards, and the long-term vision of the club without compromise.

That said, I’m not doing this alone.

I have an incredible Board of Directors who bring perspective, accountability, and support at a high level. They play a key role in helping guide the organization forward. But when it comes to ownership, decision-making, and ultimately responsibility, that sits with me.

And I take that seriously.

Going through those internal challenges didn’t make me step back—it made me sharper. It reinforced the importance of culture, communication, and surrounding the program with people who are truly aligned, not just temporarily involved.

At the end of the day, anyone can start a club. But building something sustainable, something principled, and something that can withstand pressure from both outside and inside—that’s different.

That’s what I’m committed to building with Beach Elite.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The single best source of new clients for Beach Elite has been word of mouth—specifically from our athletes and their families.

In a space like club volleyball, reputation travels fast. When athletes are improving, when they feel confident, when parents see real development and a positive environment, they talk. They share their experiences with other families, teammates, and friends, and that kind of referral carries far more weight than any ad or promotion ever could.

What’s been especially powerful is that our growth hasn’t just come from casual recommendations—it’s come from people actively seeking us out because they’ve heard that we do things differently. They’ve heard that our training is more intentional, that we hold athletes accountable, and that we genuinely care about development, not just filling rosters.

Social media has also played a strong supporting role. Platforms like Instagram help us showcase our training environment, highlight athlete progress, and give people a real look at what we’re about. But even there, the most impactful content tends to be organic—real moments, real athletes, real improvement.

Another key driver has been visibility through our events—clinics, open gyms, and tryouts. Those are often the first touchpoints for new families, and they give us a chance to demonstrate our coaching style and culture in a very direct way. When athletes experience the energy and structure firsthand, it tends to convert naturally.

At the core of it, though, everything ties back to experience. If the product on the court is strong—if athletes are getting better and enjoying the process—growth takes care of itself.

That’s been our approach from day one, and it’s proven to be the most reliable and sustainable way to build.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beach-elite.com
• Instagram: beach_elite_Vball_utah
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-reeve-73a47015
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@beachelitevolleyballclub2559
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/beach-elite-volleyball-club-huntington-beach?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)