Sports Biz Division

Christopher Haas Enterprises, Murrieta, CA

When Chris Haas was 9 years old he was playing basketball with some friends and noticed his teammates were missing easy shots because they didn’t know how to hold the ball. To solve the problem, Chris dipped his hands in poster paint and placed them in the correct positions on the basketball. Their scores went up, and a new product, the Hands-On Basketball, was born.

Today, stores and catalogs across the country carry products from Christopher Haas Enterprises. Along with the basketball, Chris has created the Hands-On Football, Baseball, and other assorted balls and swimming aids. The business has grown large enough to also employ his older brother Brian, who handles the computer duties and Website activity, and younger sister Shannon, who helps with promotional appearances.

Always looking for new opportunities, Chris recently got together with some friends and launched the Temecula Wrestling Association (TWA), a back-yard wrestling organization that is already hawking a “best of” video and a Website (www.twaonline.com). Although Chris says he would like to be a professional wrestler after college, he isn’t relying on that career move for financial security. Christopher Haas Enterprises has already earned enough to pay full college tuition for himself and his brother and sister, and he invests regularly in the stock market.

	YoungBiz 100
1	Chris Haas, 16	Christopher Haas Enterprises, Murrieta, CA When Chris Haas was 9 years old he was playing basketball with some friends and noticed his teammates were missing easy shots because they didn’t know how to hold the ball. To solve the problem, Chris dipped his hands in poster paint and placed them in the correct positions on the basketball. Their scores went up, and a new product, the Hands-On Basketball, was born. Today, stores and catalogs across the country carry products from Christopher Haas Enterprises. Along with the basketball, Chris has created the Hands-On Football, Baseball, and other assorted balls and swimming aids. The business has grown large enough to also employ his older brother Brian, who handles the computer duties and Website activity, and younger sister Shannon, who helps with promotional appearances. Always looking for new opportunities, Chris recently got together with some friends and launched the Temecula Wrestling Association (TWA), a back-yard wrestling organization that is already hawking a “best of” video and a Website (www.twaonline.com). Although Chris says he would like to be a professional wrestler after college, he isn’t relying on that career move for financial security. Christopher Haas Enterprises has already earned enough to pay full college tuition for himself and his brother and sister, and he invests regularly in the stock market.
	YoungBiz 100
2	Jeff Wahl, 17	Dance by Jeff, Apalachin, NY As an artist, teacher, and performer, Jeff Wahl brings to the world his gift for freedom and joy in expression. Jeff has been dancing since he was 9 years old, and entered his first contest at the age of 10. He has won many awards since, including the title of Mr. Dance USA. In 1998, he opened his own training studio, Dance by Jeff, where he teaches students of all ages tap, ballet, and jazz. Jeff participated in an exchange program in 1999, where he went to Russia and taught American-style ballroom dancing. This inspirational entrepreneur also composes music, does choreography for professional dance troupes, and spends several hours each day practicing his own skills.
	YoungBiz 100
3	Desi and Sharlene Metcalf, 17 and 19	GidgetGear, Whittier, CA These two sisters are some of the most fun-loving ‘treps going. Desi and Sharlene Metcalf formed GidgetGear two years ago after numerous compliments on a T-shirt Sharlene designed for Desi’s birthday. That first T-shirt soon became an entire surf wear company with products including board shorts, sarongs, hats, and rash guards. Sales come from home parties hosted by friends, online orders at www.gidgetgear.com, and booths at trade fairs and surfing competitions. Desi and Sharlene speak frequently at community events and conferences, telling ‘treps everywhere that when it comes to growing a business, having fun is an asset.