Julie Sebastian’s passion for softball has been nearly life-long, at least since she started playing the game at age 6.

As the starting pitcher for Elizabethtown College from 2008-2012, Julie led the team to playoffs and winning records.

Even after graduation, she worked with tournament, travel and high school softball programs throughout the region. She also offered private and group softball training as well as fitness instruction.

Julie knew she wanted to pass her passion onto other girls and young women. So, with the encouragement of her parents she contacted SCORE to start her business, Julie Sebastian’s Softball and Fitness Instruction.

Her company was recognized as one of six winners of SCORE Chester and Delaware County’s Small Business Achievement Award at a recent ninth annual awards luncheon.

Julie benefited from the free counseling and mentoring services offered by SCORE, a non-profit that uses business volunteers to help local entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofits.

Julie, who grew up in Broomall, had access to a pitching lane in Drexel Hill, so she began giving private pitching lessons. As word spread, she grew a sizable clientele from Delaware County. When she looked for a permanent facility to rent  her business, it was natural to locate in Newtown Square Shopping Center.

Julie attended the SCORE, How to Start and Operate a Small Business seminar and used SCORE’s template to create her business plan. She also worked with SCORE counselors Frank Millheim and John Leggete.

Julie’s grandfather also took advantage of SCORE’s free services to start his business and went on to become a SCORE mentor.

Julie Sebastian’s Softball & Fitness Instruction opened in February 2018 with the goal of teaching softball to young girls and molding them into professional athletes. The indoor facility is 75 feet long by 25 feet wide and has two pitching lanes and batting lanes with a pitching machine.

Her various teaching aids include a phone app video capability.

Her students range in age from 8 to 17 years old. In addition to teaching she is also involved with tournament teams.

In business for less than six months, Julie has over 40 clients and is operating in the black.

Going forward, Julie plans to meet with her mentors to consider how to grow her business. She is the only instructor, and may consider formalizing her training method and training additional instructors.

Find out more about Julie Sebastian’s business here.

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