Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David Ensignia Jr., David Ensignia Sr and Jacit Gonzalez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
David Jr., David Sr., and Jacit, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Our team’s purpose has evolved naturally over time. It all began with my dad and then with me. Then when Jacit came on board, it just clicked. We got this balance and broader perspective that let us expand our vision and build the successful academy we have today. With Jacit around, I could focus more on my love for tennis and coaching, while my dad and Jacit handled the other important business stuff. We play to each other’s strengths and weaknesses, making us a well-rounded team that works super efficiently.
Sure, working with family can be tricky, but I can’t stress enough how key it is to have clear roles and open communication. Each family member knows their purpose and have the freedom to make decisions in their area. When it comes to big decisions, we talk it over, share opinions, and aim to find the best way forward, even if it means switching sides or having disagreements. This way, we keep the business’s best interests at heart, balancing family dynamics with professional teamwork.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
The David Ensignia Tennis Academy and DETA Pickleball Club have been a family-run business for almost 40 years. At the academy, it’s all about developing players and people to be the best they can be on and off the court.
At the David Ensignia Tennis Academy, tennis transcends being merely a sport; it embodies a way of life that strengthens our family bond. Growing up surrounded by the sport, each of us has woven our passion for tennis into the fabric of our daily lives. It teaches discipline, resilience, and the importance of teamwork—values we uphold not just on the court but in our relationships with one another. Every lesson taught, every match played, and every child developed reflects our commitment to fostering not only skilled athletes but also well-rounded individuals. Our love for tennis fuels our mission to create a nurturing environment where players can thrive, maximizing their potential while instilling a sense of community and shared purpose that resonates throughout our family and the academy.
Two years ago we opened the DETA Pickleball Club, bringing an exciting new chapter to our family business. We’re not just diving into a trending sport; we’re all about giving our community a friendly and inclusive spot to play.
Pickleball’s really won people over, attracting players of all ages and skill levels. Our club’s become the go-to place for social hangouts, local events, and some healthy competition. It’s where folks can meet up, make friends, and improve their skills in a supportive setting. By spreading the love for pickleball, we’re not just investing in the sport, but also in the well-being of our community.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The skills I bring to the team include passion, charisma, organization, business vision, development, and establishing institutional relationships. My clients often tell me that my passion for coaching is evident in my teaching style; I give 100% and strive to make every client feel valued and capable. Prioritizing their happiness, I ensure they leave feeling physically challenged and inspired to continue learning.
My dad is like a treasure chest of wisdom, always ready with insights when I’m coming up short. He’s super straightforward, especially when dealing with coaches, and has an unmatched eye for detail. Being an excellent communicator, he easily connects with everyone. Even with all his experience, he’s still a lifelong learner, always growing and acting as both my mentor and best friend. Whenever I’m facing challenges, he’s the first person I turn to for advice and guidance.
Interestingly, at our academy, people tend to approach my dad more openly than they do with me. It creates this cool balance between us. When he drops by the tennis school and notices something’s off, he lets me know right away. It can be both helpful and a bit challenging, but it keeps things balanced in a business that deals with a lot of clients. At the end of the day, our goal is to deliver top-notch service.
When it comes to advice for those starting out, whether as a tennis coach or a lawyer, I was chatting with a friend about this recently. The main takeaway? Be passionate about what you do!
Jacit brings a lot to programming with his experience and straightforward communication style. I’m comfortable addressing the team, focusing on details, and offering guidance and support. My approachable nature and the respect I command help create a dynamic and cohesive team environment that balances passion and directness.
Overall, no matter your strengths, you have to be passionate about what you do. You have to love this job because it’s a service you’re selling and if you do it with passion, I feel like the client can see that and the success we have can come from that, you know, giving a good service, putting yourself 100% and with everything, because at the end of the day you can play good tennis, but if you’re not charismatic in person, at the end of the day they’re going to leave you because at the end of the day what they want is, they want to feel like the best, you know, and we have the power to do that, you know, and that’s why we try to teach the coaches to be the way we want them to be, you know, and I think that’s why we’re successful, we’re starting to be successful, you know, because I don’t feel like there’s an end to this, you know, every day we can do it better and better, and also learn from the mistakes you make, you know, because nobody’s perfect, and if you’re humble and you recognize when you make a mistake, try to fix it and move on from there, you know.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
For strategies, it’s important to focus on your goal and mission.
We are sellers of illusion and desire. People play tennis for various reasons: because their friends or family play, they want to join a school team, they want to stay active, or ultimately, because they aspire to be tennis players.
As coaches or directors of a tennis program, it’s crucial to be honest and value each person’s reasons for playing. It’s not about money or creating champions, but fulfilling the need for physical activity and promoting a healthy lifestyle away from negative influences.
Honesty is key when offering services at our academy; it builds trust and appreciation. Many people feel deceived by insincere services, but professionalism is essential. Professionalism encompasses everything, from management to service quality. Without support from others,success would be challenging. Each of us brings a strength and we leverage that to ensure success.
Adding to the complexity of business management is working within a family. It’s all about finding the right balance between being professional and managing personal relationships. It’s important to keep family life and business life separate, so things don’t get awkward. Speaking from experience, as the business grew, work disagreements started spilling over into personal relationships, and it wasn’t fun having days of silence even when working side by side.
On the bright side, working with family means you’ve got trust on your side. You can trust family members more than others since they share your values and vision. This trust is crucial when choosing a business partner because a family member brings shared passion and goals to the table.
For us, the business isn’t just about legacy; it’s about creating future opportunities for the next generation, ensuring economic security, and supporting educational goals. So, even if you’re working with your family every day, try to keep family and business matters apart.
Contact Info:
- Website: davidensigniatennis.com, detapickleballclub.com, detafriends.org, detatournaments.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detapickleballclub and https://www.instagram.com/detapickleballclub
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidensigniatennis and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562611730505
- Linkedin: DavidEnsigniaTennisAcademy and DETAPickleballClub
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidensigniatennisacademy99 and https://www.youtube.com/@DETAClub
Image Credits
David Ensignia Tennis Academy
The names are in the title of photos. The photos are owned and provided by the tennis academy.
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