100 Malaysians, 100 Milestones – LSA100 spotlights content creator and entrepreneur Venice Min, who recently launched Pickleball Factory, a vibrant lifestyle hub that offers more than just a chance to engage in the trendy, fast-growing sport.
Pickleball has been all the rage in Malaysia lately, and to nobody’s surprise — this fast-growing sport is often considered a more ‘digestible’ version of tennis or badminton; in other words, pretty much anyone can play it. You’d see people as young as five or six years old on the courts, and even older folk pushing 90. It isn’t too physically strenuous (at least not as much as most sports), which means the fun of it is amped up to the max. This is perhaps what prompted content creator and entrepreneur Venice Min to take on the venture of launching Pickleball Factory this year.
Pickleball Factory isn’t just your average pickleball court. It’s a one-stop shop for an active and energising time. Nestled in the heart of Subang Jaya, the lifestyle hub that is Pickleball Factory also includes Kaiizzo — an attached Western fusion restaurant — and SUN:DAY Pilates for the wellness enthusiasts.
“I think it’s been great,” Venice tells me with a grin, when I ask about how it’s been. Pickleball Factory took all of three months to bring to conception. “I really love the challenge. I mean, it’s challenging all the time, but I’ve definitely learned not to give up so easily. And to enhance my problem-solving skills, I would say. And definitely having a great team is very, very important.”
Venice has been immersed in the social media world for about ten years now, and she has also dabbled in businesses before. This isn’t her first rodeo, but it is perhaps one of her biggest ventures yet. And with new businesses popping up in the realm of social media, Venice uses her ingrained skills to move her forward with her own business.
“I think every business is different in their own way when it comes down to it,” she muses. “And there’s still a lot to learn from it even though, you know, you’ve been on social media. There’s so much change, especially with the technology moving so fast.” Regardless of how fast-paced the scene is, Pickleball Factory has been met with great feedback from new and long-time pickleball players — a testament to the skill and dedication of Venice and her team.
Congratulations on the launch of Pickleball Factory and Kaiizzo! It must have been quite a busy and eventful year for you. What were some highlight moments of the year so far?
I think for me, this year is a year of new challenges and growth. Highlights… definitely starting a new business, and I would say, getting to spend more time with my family as well. So, this year has been about family and business.
Tell us a bit more about Pickleball Factory and Kaiizzo. What do you hope it might achieve with the customers?
So, Pickleball Factory is a dynamic lifestyle hub for pickleball and wellness enthusiasts of all ages. We offer a vibrant and comfortable space where people can come together to enjoy high quality pickleball court facilities while engaging in a friendly community. So, we focus a lot on the quality. And then as for Kaiizzo, it’s a cafe and restaurant where the vibe is as dynamic as the game next door. So that’s our concept. Right next to the pickleball courts, we serve a vibrant mix of Western fusion cuisine. We offer all-day dining, so there’s a day and night concept such as brunch, pastries, cakes, coffee, all-day dining. So, our tagline is “brews by day, booze by night”. Whether or not you’re here for a casual lunch, late night drink or something even in between, you know, come for the food, stay for the fun.
We’re basically focusing it as a lifestyle hub so people can come in, you know, to enjoy, just pickleball. There’s also other spaces, like, SUN:DAY Pilates and all that. We just want to create a very comfortable space for our customers as well.
How has it been for you to navigate the business, and what were some of the highlights that you learned in 2024 as an entrepreneur?
I think it’s been great. I really love the challenge. I mean, it’s challenging all the time, but I’ve definitely learned not to give up so easily. And enhance my problem-solving skills, I would say. And definitely having a great team is very, very important.
Your growth and influence has been pretty reliant on the Internet. How do you feel about ‘growing with the Internet’ through your business?
Yeah, I think I’ve been doing this for about 10 years. And there’s still a lot to learn from it even though, you know, you’ve been on social media. There’s so much change, especially with the technology moving so fast. Everything is so fast-paced. We went from Facebook, Instagram, and now there’s TikTok?! Definitely, there’s a lot for me to learn as well. I’m still learning, yeah.
And how do you keep up with trends and everything? Would you say that is something that you already do, because you work with social media?
Definitely. Social media and even media itself is a very, very important tool for business — especially with our current generation. Like I said, I’m still learning and there’s still a long way to go for me in this entrepreneurial journey. And of course, I have to keep looking around for various opportunities and ways to improve myself. That’s also very important. I think it’s crucial that we are all still learning. Definitely together with my team too. We keep exploring and every day, we learn, work on researches, and keep ourselves updated.
So what’s next for you in 2025, professionally and personally?
I think, professionally, to keep learning and growing. You know, hoping to reach greater heights. And just keep growing. As you grow older, I think all you want is just to be happy. Go with the flow and enjoy life. I enjoy every single moment of my life, especially with my family, my friends, and cherishing those small little moments. Like, having a good meal together. Even staying at home and just relaxing together feels correct.
