Business idea · Education
Charity-Based Chess Instruction for Community Engagement
Charity-Based Chess Instruction for Community Engagement: This business organizes charity chess tournaments where proceeds support local organizations, while simultaneously promoting chess skills and community involvement among participants. It was pitched on The Side Hustle Show, hosted by Nick Loper, in the episode "From $17/hr to 6-Figure Side Hustle (Greatest Hits)" (aired March 6, 2025).
At a glance
| Podcast | The Side Hustle Show |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Nick Loper |
| Episode | From $17/hr to 6-Figure Side Hustle (Greatest Hits) |
| Aired | March 6, 2025 |
| Category | Education |
| Real companies on the episode | Elite Chess |
The problem it solves
Many communities lack engaging activities that promote youth development and education through chess. Current offerings often dont leverage community spirit and charity to engage local families, limiting participation and funding for important causes.
How it makes money
Event-based revenue model where participants pay entry fees that go directly to charity, also generating goodwill and attracting sponsorships.
Skills you need
Event planning and management Knowledge of chess and instructional techniques Relationship-building with local charities and schools Marketing and promotion skills to attract participants
The market, and why this works now
The rise of online platforms like Chess.com facilitates easy access to chess resources and instruction, making it viable to host charity chess tournaments. A solid first-revenue move is to promote events through local community boards on Facebook, targeting parents interested in youth activities. However, securing sponsorships may require significant upfront capital to cover initial event costs, creating a cash flow challenge until the first tournaments generate revenue.
Our analysis, written after the episode. Not a quote from the show.
Real companies discussed on this episode
- Elite Chess
Elite Chess, founded by Jeff Deoreo, is a chess instruction business that started as a side hustle. It serves kids and families looking to improve their chess skills through in-person and online classes. Jeff initially began teaching chess at summer camps before realizing he could provide value directly to his local community.
Where this idea came from
Podcast: The Side Hustle Show, hosted by Nick Loper
Episode: From $17/hr to 6-Figure Side Hustle (Greatest Hits)
Aired:
Summarized from the episode transcript. The show does not say which speaker raised each idea, so we credit the show, not a person.