A Decade at Honeywell. Then a Shy Kid Ran Across the Court — and He Never Looked Back.

Saurabh spent ten years in corporate leadership. Senior product manager at Optus. Line of business lead for Honeywell across Australia and New Zealand. Impressive roles. Real results.

But the whole time, something was missing.

He always knew that if he ever built something of his own, it had to involve sport. That wasn’t negotiable. When he and his partner Angel found Little Boomers Basketball, that missing piece clicked into place.

Today they co-lead multiple territories across North Sydney, Concord, Belmore, and beyond.

The Before

Saurabh grew up in sport. It gave him the things he still leans on today — discipline, resilience, how to work with a team.

Corporate life used those skills well. But the further he climbed, the further he drifted from what actually mattered to him.

He wasn’t looking to escape a bad situation. He was looking to build a better one.

The Discovery

Little Boomers Basketball made sense immediately.

It wasn’t just a basketball program. It was building confidence in young kids at the most foundational level. That’s exactly the kind of impact Saurabh had been looking for.

He also saw a clear, proven system behind it. For someone considering leaving a senior corporate role, that structure matters enormously. If you’re weighing up whether to franchise or go it alone, this post is worth a read: Franchise vs Starting From Scratch (Most People Get This Wrong)

The Turning Point

This is the part that sticks.

Saurabh watched a shy five-year-old transform over the course of a term. Week one, barely able to dribble. A few weeks later, a completely different kid.

“It’s reframed how I define success. A shy 5-year-old in the beginning. Now, in a couple of weeks time, that kid is now able to do a clean two-point shoot and running straight to me and doing a high five and a big smile on the kid’s face. That shift is profound. That shift is super powerful. And that is what I love and that is how I define success.”

For a former Honeywell exec used to quarterly targets and product roadmaps, that’s a significant thing to say. And he means every word of it.

How Saurabh and Angel Run It Together

They split the work by strength. Deliberately.

Saurabh handles the strategic and operational side. Venues, coaching standards, territory direction. Angel runs the full customer journey — marketing, social media, website, community events.

She describes being involved from the very first touchpoint. From the moment a parent stumbles across an Instagram post, all the way through to the end of term when their child collects a certificate and a medal.

“There’s this sense of achievement and pride in their child — as well as happiness and excitement in the parents.”

That end-to-end ownership is something she genuinely loves. And the franchise system made it far less overwhelming than it might sound.

“He has a playbook on literally everything that I could imagine which makes it very easy. That’s helped me save probably hours and hours of time.”

What They Know Now

Saurabh’s focus this year is what he calls depth over speed.

Not adding venues for the sake of numbers. Not rushing growth before the foundations are solid. Getting every part of the operation genuinely right — the coaching, the family experience, the team.

He’s clear that the families they serve aren’t enrolment figures. They’re real people who trusted him with their kids’ Saturday mornings.

That mindset is what builds a business that lasts. If you’re curious about what the time commitment actually looks like, this is worth reading: Can You Run a Franchise Part-Time? The Real Time Commitment Explained.

Common Mistakes People Make

“Thinking You Need a Basketball Background”

Saurabh’s entire career was in corporate strategy. The coaches handle the coaching. You handle the business.

“Assuming One Person Can Do It All”

Saurabh and Angel each own their lane. That’s the reason it works.

“Chasing Enrolment Numbers Over Family Experience”

Retention comes from doing the job well — not from hitting a sign-up target.

“Growing Too Fast, Too Soon”

The most sustainable operators get their first territory right before they think about expanding.

“Skipping the Existing Playbook”

Everything is already documented. Use it.

“Underestimating the Marketing Role”

Angel manages the full customer journey from first scroll to final medal. That’s not a side task — it’s what fills the court every week.

“Not Speaking to Existing Franchisees First”

Talking to real operators in the network before signing is one of the most valuable things you can do.

Key Takeaways

• Corporate skills translate directly. Operations, strategy, team management — all of it applies.
• Couples who divide roles clearly build more sustainable businesses.
• This business gives you a reason to care that goes beyond the job description.
• The system is already built. Your job is to use it well, not reinvent it.
• Sustainable growth beats fast growth every time.
• The mission — kids, confidence, community — keeps franchisees going through the hard stretches.
• You don’t need prior business ownership experience. You need the right values and a willingness to do the work.

FAQ: Common Questions People Ask

1. Do we need a basketball background to run this?

No. Saurabh came from product strategy and corporate management.

The coaches are recruited and trained using the franchise system. What you need is good business instincts and genuine care for the families you serve.

2. Can a couple realistically run this together?

Yes — if you divide the roles properly. Saurabh owns strategy and operations. Angel owns marketing and the customer experience. That clarity is what lets them manage multiple territories without running each other into the ground.

3. What if we’ve never run a business before?

The system is designed for first-timers. There’s a playbook for everything. You’re not figuring it out alone — you’re following a process that’s already been proven across the network.

4. How long before it feels manageable?

The first term is the steepest learning curve. By the second, most franchisees find their rhythm. Saurabh and Angel’s focus on depth over speed means they’re not adding pressure they can’t absorb.

5. What does a typical week actually look like?

Saurabh is across venues, coaches, and operational planning. Angel is managing ads, the website, community events, and family communications. It’s real work — but it’s work you own.

Keen to Learn More?

Start with the Little Boomers Basketball franchise page — it covers the model, the investment, and what support looks like from day one.

Emile also publishes regular content on his YouTube channel, including conversations with franchisees across the network.

It’s a good way to get a feel for the culture before taking any formal steps.

If Saurabh and Angel’s story sounds familiar — if you’ve spent years building something for someone else and you’re ready to explore what building something for your own family could look like — book a free Discovery Call with Emile.

No pitch. No pressure. Just an honest conversation to see if this fits your life.