Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawna Strouse.
Hi Dawna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is about building something I believed in, even when life didn’t make it easy.
I’m a single mother with a background in business development, cybersecurity, AI, and strategic partnerships. I’ve spent much of my career helping other companies grow, but around my 50th birthday, I had an idea that became deeply personal to me: bringing people together through one shared interest and passion for the fastest growing sport in America- Pickleball!
I saw an opportunity to help people find more than someone to play with. They could find friendship, community, or even love through a shared interest.
That vision became Dink Date!, a pickleball social lifestyle, and community platform! (Application)
I invested my own money and spent about 11 months bringing the idea to life. In November 2025, we launched on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Seeing something that started as an idea become an application people could actually use was an incredible moment. Not to mention creating a new catagory that nobody else has ever heard of before to compliment this specific sport & space.
The journey has included financial pressure, rejection, sleepless nights, and balancing motherhood with building a business. Losing my job added another challenge, but I kept moving forward because I believed in what I was creating.
Today, I’m growing Dink Date! through community relationships, partnerships, and events. We’ve also introduced “Paddles for a Purpose” to help put old and unused paddles into the hands of people who want to discover this wonderful sport!
I’m still building, learning, and figuring things out along the way. But I’m proud that I took the chance. If I ever write a book about this chapter of my life, I’d call it “She Built It Anyway.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I started Dink Date! with my own money, a vision, and the determination to bring it to life. Having experience helping other businesses grow was valuable, but building my own meant carrying the financial risk and making difficult decisions with limited resources.
One of the biggest struggles has been balancing being a single mother, earning a living, and building a company. Losing my job while pursuing this dream added financial pressure. There have been sleepless nights and moments when I’ve wondered how I would keep everything moving.
I’ve also faced rejection, especially when seeking funding and opening doors for the business. It can be hard when you see the potential so clearly, but others need more time or evidence before they believe in it. I’ve had to learn to listen to feedback, adjust where needed, and keep going without taking every “no” personally.
My faith has helped me through that uncertainty. So have the people who show up, support the events, and tell me they believe in what I’m building. Those moments remind me why I started.
I’m still navigating challenges, but I’ve learned that persistence also means being willing to ask for help, change your approach, and take the next manageable step.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the founder of Dink Date !, a community-centered pickleball experience designed to bring people together through sport, connection, and fun. I specialize in creating welcoming events where players can meet new people, build relationships, and enjoy a social atmosphere both on and off the court..
Dink Date! is known for making pickleball more approachable and inclusive, especially for people who may be new to the sport or looking for a meaningful way to connect with others. Our events combine organized play with opportunities to socialize, making them about more than just competition. They’re about creating community.
What I’m most proud of is building Dink Date\! from the ground up with my own resources, vision, and determination\. I’ve drawn on my experience helping other businesses grow, but creating my own company has required me to take on the financial risk, make difficult decisions, and keep moving forward even when the path was uncertain.
What sets Dink Date! apart is the intention behind every event. We focus on creating an environment where people feel welcomed, encouraged, and comfortable showing up as they are\. My goal is to make pickleball a gateway to genuine connection, whether that means meeting a new friend, finding a playing partner, or simply enjoying a positive experience. I’m also proud of the resilience it has taken to build this business while balancing motherhood, earning a living, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. . My faith, the support of our community, and the people who continue to believe in the vision have all helped me stay committed to growing Dink Date! into something meaningful and lasting!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as creating something that genuinely improves people’s lives. For Dink Date!, that means building a welcoming community where people can enjoy pickleball, meet new friends, form meaningful connections, and feel comfortable showing up as they are.
Success is not measured only by revenue or growth, although those are important for sustaining the business. It is also reflected in the moments when someone tells me they felt included, made a new friend, found a playing partner, or gained the confidence to try something new.
I also define success as staying true to the purpose behind Dink Date! while continuing to grow. Building this company from the ground up while balancing motherhood, earning a living, and navigating uncertainty has required resilience and faith. Every step forward is meaningful because it represents progress toward creating something lasting.
Ultimately, success is knowing that Dink Date! is bringing people together and creating experiences that extend beyond the court. If people leave feeling more connected, encouraged, and excited to return, then I know we are succeeding.
Pricing:
- $7.99 per month ( subscription based model)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dink-dateai.com
- Instagram: @dink.date
- Facebook: Dink Date!
- LinkedIn: Dink Date LLC
