Kelsey Peterson loved the sport of pickleball, but wasn’t a fan of the paddles.

“I had all these color-coordinating outfits and there wasn’t anything on the market that reflected the same idea,” Peterson said. “I just wanted a simple pink paddle— something bright and colorful that reflected my style.”

She decided to do something about it, starting the company Boca Co. Pickleball, where she designs Florida-themed paddles geared toward female players.

“Most of the paddles on the market were these black, masculine designs,” she said. “I definitely wanted to add some tropical hues and incorporate those into the paddles.”

An Orlando native who moved to Naples four years ago, Peterson wanted a quick and catchy name for her company, one that also screamed Florida.

“I really wanted to come up with something that resembled where I’m from but also kind of a short and joyful name,” she said. “When you think of Boca (Raton), you think of the pink buildings, the colorful city, and that’s what I was going for.”

She began her start-up company in November, selling her paddles online for $85. The 27-year-old invested more than $5,000 attained through a career in real estate to launch her entrepreneurial dream. She’s in charge of all the designs, and the paddles themselves are created in China at a large manufacturer for another pickleball company.

These paddles aren’t just aesthetically pleasing—they offer high performance, as well. The paddle face is made of carbon fiber, while the core consists of polypropylene honeycomb to provide outstanding impact distribution. The non-slip comfort grip offers optimal hold performance and increased shock absorption.

According to the website pickleballunion. com, which provides trending news and industry tips on the sport, pickleball paddles with a carbon fiber face are some of the most durable on the market. The weight-to-strength ratio is also outstanding, giving a player the most power available in a lightweight or midweight paddle.

“The response has been great so far,” Peterson said. “Not just ‘Oh, it’s cute,’ but it’s a high-performance working paddle. I’ve even had some guys try out the paddle and they told me they’re better than ones they’ve bought for over $200. The carbon fiber texture makes a huge difference.”

Alicia Sardelli and her husband Jim moved to Florida from Michigan last year, taking up the sport when her mother-in-law urged them to try it out.

“She gave us some paddles and balls at what I’m going to guess were at a lower price point,” Sardelli said. “They were great for starter, ‘Hey, I just moved to Florida,’ paddles, but they didn’t offer the same level of performance.”

Last November, she was playing pickleball in her Estero development Verdana Village when Peterson caught her eye.

“I see this woman playing with a bright pink paddle, and I’d never seen one of those before,” Sardelli said. “Of the paddles I’ve seen, nothing had cute patterns, nothing had pink.”

A few weeks later, Peterson showed up with a full bag of paddles, and that’s when Sardelli found out about Boca Co. Pickleball and decided to buy one for herself.

“I mean for me, her paddles are so fun, and they’re girly,” she said. “Pickleball is a new sport for me. My personality, what I’m about, is you go buy all these cute outfits— and the only piece of equipment you need for the sport (besides the ball), everything seemed pretty masculine. Her paddles were fun, and it actually helped me with going out and meeting new people. They’re quite the conversation starter.”

Peterson has four paddles available, all with vibrant colors. Two specific highlights include a paddle called the Pink Flamingo with designs of the tropical bird throughout the paddle face and the Give It Your Best Shot, which has a neon green handle and a light blue background featuring shot glasses with limes.

“I like to think of my patterns as bright and playful,” she said. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm for them, particularly from women, because it reflects their personality and style. They look stunning but more importantly, they deliver a top-notch performance.”

Sardelli can certainly attest to that, saying she noticed a difference in her play immediately after using her Boca Co. paddle.

“This one hit stronger and more precisely than my original ‘I just moved to Florida’ paddle,” she joked. “But it was still a reflection of who I am. I’m athletic but I’m also girly. I want my paddle to be cute. I want it to be fun.”

The customer reviews on Peterson’s website are oozing with compliments.

“Boca Co. paddles are more than just pretty faces,” wrote Stella Wood of Fort Myers. “They’re also powerhouse performers. Crafted from high-quality carbon fiber, these paddles offer a winning combination of strength, durability and responsiveness. The textured surface provides an exceptional grip, ensuring that your shots are precise and controlled, even during intense rallies.”

Stephanie Lawrence of Chesterton, Indiana, also gave a glowing review.

“As an avid pickleball player who values both performance and style, I was thrilled to discover the vibrant world of Boca Co. Pickleball paddles. From the moment I laid eyes on these paddles, I knew they were something special,” Chesterton wrote. “First and foremost, let’s talk about aesthetics. The moment you step onto the court with a Boca Co. paddle in hand, you’ll be turning heads.”

Peterson, whose biggest supplier online is Amazon, said most of her sales so far have come from Florida and California. She hopes as the weather heats up in the northern states, so will her overall sales.

“I’ve kind of been advertising on my own (through social media and her website) and relying on word of mouth,” she said. “I’m confident things will really take off soon, and I plan on getting more designs out there.”

For more information or to shop for a paddle, visit bocacopickleball.com.

This story was published in The Naples Press on May 31.