The Sports Bubble

company profile

The Sports Bubble originally opened in 1993 as the Fargo Golf Dome. After operating exclusively as a golf driving range for three years, the business became The Sports Bubble in 1996 and expanded to become a more diverse facility that features sports leagues, mini golf, and a bar and restaurant. The Sports Bubble continues to expand with other activities and offerings while keeping golf as its primary focus. Matt Johnson, owner and operator, joined The Sports Bubble in 1996 and bought the business in 2004. He is also the head coach of the women’s golf team at North Dakota State University.

situation

Since purchasing The Sports Bubble, Johnson has steadily made improvements and upgrades, ultimately to drive more business. While he’s been able to show that business is indeed increasing, his former bank didn’t totally understand or appreciate the seasonality of the company.

“We have four to five months of high volume, and then vice versa, low volume,” says Johnson. “Our cash flow and necessary credit lines can fluctuate severely.”

Johnson was frustrated that his banker didn’t fully comprehend the fluctuations. “It just wasn’t resonating with my banker,” he says. “I didn’t have that personal connection or a relationship with my bank.”

Enter serendipity: Johnson golfed in the same charity golf tournament as Andrew Hanson, a relationship manager with Alerus Financial. The two already knew each other since Hanson had been customer of The Sports Bubble for years. Hanson asked Johnson how business was going and the rest, as they say, is history.

“It was just really great timing,” says Johnson.

solution

Johnson switched banks and started working with Alerus and Hanson in late 2010. While he says working with his previous local bank was good, he didn’t have a relationship with his banker.

“Andrew truly wants to know what’s going on with the business,” says Johnson. “I didn’t really have that before with my previous bank.”

Johnson notes that he appreciates the easy access of reaching Hanson as well as the fact that he only has one person to contact for all his business banking needs. Additionally, the available credit line from Alerus is something that enables his seasonal – and fluctuating – business to run more smoothly.

Johnson says that he has ongoing ideas as well as “big plans” for The Sports Bubble. With Alerus on his side, he’ll certainly hit a hole in one.

The Sports Bubble is located in Fargo, ND. Visit the The Sports Bubble website.