Connecticut Small Business Development Center

Stingers Indoor Golf is an innovative indoor golf simulator facility in New Britain, Connecticut, that is revolutionizing how the game is enjoyed. Their state-of-the-art virtual golf systems offer perfect conditions every day of the year.
This small business was born out of a deep passion for the game and a desire to create a career centered around this sport. The founder, Frank Sgammato, driven by a commitment to golf and a dream of becoming his boss, envisioned a place where golfers of all skill levels could play year-round, regardless of the weather or time of day.

As a first-time entrepreneur, Frank sought assistance from CTSBDC for everything. "This was my first time doing anything like this," he says. The comprehensive support and counseling provided by CTSBDC were crucial in overcoming the various challenges faced in starting the business. "Having someone experienced to talk to helped me get through all the various challenges."

Significant Achievements and Impact

Stingers Indoor Golf is preparing to expand its involvement in the community. Although the business hasn’t hired additional staff yet, there are plans to collaborate with Pulaski Middle School. The proposed after-school program would give students an introduction to golf at Stingers under the guidance of supervisors.

Denise helped Frank refine his business plan and financial projections, which led to securing a $200,000 SBA 7(a) loan from the Community Investment Corporation (CIC), along with a $45,000 equity infusion from Frank himself.

In addition to guiding the loan process, Denise assisted with developing a solid marketing strategy, focusing on Google, Facebook, and email marketing. Now, Frank is collaborating with her to further expand outreach efforts, specifically targeting corporate parties, team-building events, and memberships.

As a result of these efforts, Stingers Indoor Golf saw a notable sales increase of $265,000 by the end of 2023. It’s important to note that this comparison is between 2023 and just two months in 2022, as the business opened in November 2022.

Key Lessons Learned 

Since working with CTSBDC, Frank has learned a critical lesson: the importance of setting everything up properly even before opening. "The guidance from CTSBDC Business Advisor Denise Whitford was crucial," he explains. "She helped me with obtaining permits, building out the facility, and selecting the best POS system." Frank also anticipates another important lesson as he prepares to hire additional help, ideally before the end of the year.

A Recommendation to Fellow Entrrepreneurs

The founder's experience working with Denise Whitford from CTSBDC has been overwhelmingly positive. "Denise is great to work with. She has lots of great ideas and is well connected," he says. The support from Denise led to an increase in revenues during and immediately after their collaboration.

When asked what advice he would give to other small business owners considering working with the SBDC, Frank is unequivocal. "It's a no-brainer, even if you've already started up a successful business before. Only good things can come from it."