Stacey Berman talks with Butterfly about how she turned her passion for tennis into a profession.

as told by Bradi Nathan

“What are your interests?” “What do you like to do?” These were the questions asked of me some ten years ago at a job interview. Having gone from college straight to corporate left no time to explore anything other than work. As such, I answered, “I like to spend time with family and friends… I like to exercise, kind of.”
It wasn’t until I had children that I learned how much I enjoyed writing (used as a form of therapy when they were babies). I also realized that I loved creating. Hence, the decoupage business I started on children’s accessories or the necklaces I beaded and sold.

My point is that sometimes we don’t sit idle long enough to know what we truly enjoy. The break from corporate that parenthood offers is a time to learn what we are passionate about. What are our hobbies?
A dear friend of mine played tennis competitively in high school. College and corporate came and went. Some twenty years passed before Stacey Berman picked up a racquet to play competitively again. With her children in school full time and some big doubles tournament wins, Stacey is now offering private tennis lessons for kids. In an exclusive interview with Butterfly, Stacey shares her story of turning a passion in to a part-time profession.

BN: What did you do before you had children?
SB: I worked in Human Resources as an HR Manager with a specialty in benefits administration. I loved my job, and it was there that I learned that I liked working with people. I found it especially fulfilling to help others.
Did you have to overcome anything in order to believe you could teach tennis to kids?
Not too much- I have been playing tennis my whole life. I have played competitively since high school and throughout my adult life. I have taken countless lessons and have watched my two kids, ages eight and five take lessons of their own. I knew I had the skill set to accomplish what I wanted; it was just really setting the wheels in motion to get it started.

BN: How supportive were your family and friends in helping you make the leap from playing to teaching?
SB: Very supportive. It was actually the suggestion of a friend of mine to turn my passion into a part-time job. Tennis lessons can be very expensive at a private tennis club, since there are typically court or club fees. Every time she saw me in my tennis attire, she asked me if I would be interested in teaching her children at a local town court.

BN: What did you do in order to attract your first client?
SB: I began talking about the idea of teaching tennis with friends and moms. Once well received by others, I placed an ad in a local paper. From there I picked up my first two clients and was able to build a bit just from word of mouth.

BN: At what point did you realize that you wanted to do more than being a mom/wife?
SB: This past summer when both my kids were in camp all day, I realized I had so much free time on my hands and wanted to use that time more effectively. It was then when I realized there was enough time to do mom/wife "stuff," and something productive for myself as well.

BN: How does it feel now that you are contributing to the household income?
SB: I feel good about it. There are certain months when I spend a lot of money playing tennis, and now I am able to pay for it on my own without feeling guilty or excessive.

BN: Is there something special you do with your money?
SB: I put it into an envelope and when I see something, or want to do something with it- it'll be there. A little bit of accumulating cash under the mattress can turn into an extra family vacation or a piece of furniture.

BN: When do you schedule your lessons?
SB: When the kids are finished with school and my kids are tied up at other activities- such as Hebrew school, soccer practice, or play dates. I have recently been asked by some of my adult friends if I'd teach them as well - and that I would absolutely do during the day when my kids are in school.

BN: What do you get, emotionally, from teaching tennis? How does it make you feel about yourself?
SB: It gives my self-esteem a boost and gives me an extra little lift in the day. I like to see the kids happy by introducing them and teaching them a sport that can stay with them for most of their lives. It can be a great individual sport where kids can learn, excel, and develop self-esteem and confidence. As I help foster that in these kids, I feel extremely satisfied. I also feel good about myself because I set a goal, and have attained it - using my free time more effectively and more productively. Even if I spend one hour of the day on the court I am making some extra money for my household, I am teaching the very sport that I love.

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