We recently connected with Josiah Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Josiah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
I actually had a unique education experience being homeschooled. My focus was 100% on education and I did not join a team or have some of the resources available to kids now. I was in college at the age of 14 so, the basketball players became some of my closest friends and mentors. One of my mentors; Quinton Wood took me under his wing. He was one of the star players and from him I learned the mechanics of the game.
Quinton later went on to start his own travel basketball program, Wood Elite, and hired me as a coach in 2019. I realized that not only did I love teaching kids the game of basketball but that the need for one on one training to excel in the game is tantamount to developing them into better athletes. Consequently I learned how much of the on the court lessons can translate into life lessons off the court.
In late 2019 had a parent reach out to me to ask if I was available to train their child. I showed up that week in their driveway. By the end of the season my one student had grown to about half a dozen kids and continued to grow from there.
When the pandemic hit in 2020 I saw the effect it had on many kids who were no longer active and playing their team sports. I started to formulate a plan for how I could start my own training business with a combination of the principles I learned from Quinton Wood and my own experience as a student and player.
But Spring of ’21 I had come up with the name, concept and logo for All Things Basketball and had my first successful camp event that same year.
Josiah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In 2021 I went to work for the CORE community school. CORE’s focus is to work with children who haven’t been successful in a typical middle/high school for various reasons. This experience introduced me to working with kids with certain challenges that I wasn’t experiencing in my previous training job.
I am so thankful for this experience because I have learned how to tailor my coaching to make sure each student is getting the best training possible and meeting their needs.
I have the ability to meet every student where they are at; connect and motivate them to make sure they are growing and most importantly having fun.
Before starting the training process I want to understand what the child and parent hope to get from the sport and how I can best help them achieve their goals.
As a single father myself I know how important it can be for kids to feel like they are part of something….learning and achieving. My daughter is almost three and I hope to be able to get a ball in her hands soon. Nothing makes me happier than having my daughter grow up watching me do what I love and make a living at the same time. I hope we can soon share the passion we both have for the game and that I can soon coach her if she will allow it!
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
The relationships that I have built and maintained have been pivotal in my success. Over the years I have met hundreds of people connected to the basketball community. I make an effort to make a positive impact on anyone I meet.
I’m proud to say that most of my clients have been referred to me and that most of my students have grown with me and continue to return; attend my camps and refer their friends.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The basketball family in the greater Canton-Woodstock area is a close knit community. Word of mouth, has been my biggest source of new clients. I usually get refereed to another student at least once a month.
Contact Info: