Ponte Vedra News Line: Get to Know Laura Gainor
By Tiffany Merlo Phelps - Ponte Vedra News Line
A day at the office begins a little differently in Laura Gainor’s world. More than likely, you would find Gainor on the Nocatee pickleball courts right after she drops her children off at school. That’s because as president and CEO of Pickleball in the Sun, the world’s first pickleball marketing agency and a trademarked name, Gainor blocks off 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. every morning to play pickleball in her Nocatee community before heading inside to work on events and stories. The routine embodies the very essence of how she sees her job: embracing and bringing the community together wherever she goes. “One of the most powerful words associated with pickleball is ‘community.’ It’s incredible how this sport brings people together. Pickleball is truly accessible — regardless of age or athletic ability, anyone can step onto the court and have a blast,” said Gainor. In October 2019, Gainor launched Vossberg Gainor, a consulting agency with a specific niche in pickleball marketing and soon gained a client in USA Pickleball. Once she and her family moved to Nocatee from Chicago in August 2020, Gainor found herself in the perfect setting to play daily, making new friends because of the sport and playing in local and national tournaments. That “pickleball lifestyle” gave Gainor an idea to create a brand to capture the energy and lifestyle surrounding the sport. “And so, ‘Pickleball in the Sun’ was born,” said Gainor, 42. Looking forward, Gainor said it is an exciting time to be in the industry with the sport continuing to explode. “Even internationally, countries are looking to the U.S. for guidance. It is an incredible time to be involved.”
Q: How does your brand create memorable pickleball experiences?
A: We create events where guests can play, learn and connect with others. We use engaging instructors who make the game a blast. Combine that with exciting entertainment options and carefully select venues with enough courts for ample play time. Ultimately, it’s about crafting an experience where guests leave with new skills, new friends and a smile on their face.
Q: How did you end up in Nocatee?
A: It was purely on a whim. My sister moved her and her family to Nocatee to take a position as chief nursing officer at Mayo Clinic. My parents decided to move from our hometown in Minnesota to retire in St. Johns County as well. We came to visit and after seeing the Nocatee lifestyle and being close to family, we put our house on the market in Chicago and moved to Florida two months later.
Q: Does everyone in your family play pickleball?
A: My husband Brian plays once a week with his guy friends. I got uninvited after my pickleball partner and I beat them too badly. We’ve had amazing experiences thanks to pickleball, from playing on cruises and at unique resorts to attending pro and celebrity events. As an entrepreneur, I
love involving the whole family. My daughter, Clara, 13, lends her artistic talents to marketing, while my son Garrett, 11, even competes. We’re incredibly grateful for everything pickleball has brought us.
Q: Explain your connection to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund.
A: My connection to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation began at one of my very first pickleball tournaments in St. Augustine. They were the tournament’s beneficiary, and I was immediately drawn to their mission of providing comprehensive support — financial, emotional, and practical — to families facing childhood cancer. This cause is deeply personal to me and my whole family, as we’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible strength of our dear friends and neighbors as they navigate their child’s cancer journey. The Jay Fund not only helps parents focus on their child’s care, but also provides crucial emotional support to siblings, ensuring no one feels alone in the fight. Seeing the impact this organization has on families inspires me to use my platform to help them tackle the unimaginable.
Q: What was your favorite pickleball trip?
A: So far it has been our family vacation this past summer road tripping with the dogs to camp in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and playing pickleball at Luray RV Resort and Endless Caverns Resort.
