Business: Tama Lacrosse
Address: 1163 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville
Phone/website: 630-416-8262, www.tamalax.com
Owner: Jakob Works, 31, of Batavia
Years in business: 14
What does your business do? “Our business sells anything you need to play the sport of lacrosse. From the gear to what you need on the sideline to coach or on the field of play. Goals. Cones. We want to grow the sport of lacrosse so we sell anything you need to play lacrosse. Uniforms as well,” Works said.
What do you use to play lacrosse? “A stick has a shaft and a head. … What we specialize in is putting on the right pockets. We string the pockets into the stick. That’s what we’re doing behind the counter all the time.”
What sets you apart? “You should come to a specialty store because you want somebody who knows what they are doing. I’ve been stringing sticks since I was 15 years old. I’ve strung probably 10,000-plus sticks. It takes a keen eye and understanding of what you need. It’s tight in the right spots.”
Is every stick and pocket the same? “No. It depends how the player cradles (the ball). How they shoot. What position they are.”
How do you string a pocket? “We use our hands. … A lot of people will do it wrong. We always say if you go to Dick’s Sporting Goods, you can get the same sticks we sell at the same price. They’re just strung improperly. That’s because the factories don’t do it right. They’re strung overseas (by) people (who) have never played lacrosse and just put the string in.”
What’s the key? “Really tight is really important. All your knots should be tight. … It’s important to get the right stick and right pocket for each player. The stick is the most important piece of equipment. That’s where you need it specialized.”
What else do you need? “You need a helmet. You need gloves. You need shoulder pads. Then you need arm protection because you can hit someone as hard as you can as long as you’re making what we call ‘intent at stick.’ … It is a physical sport.”
What about prices? “Youth sticks sell for $70. Adult sticks go all the way up $350 to $400 for the really high-tech carbon fiber shafts, lightweight pockets.”
How big are the goals? “Field lacrosse goal are six by six feet. Indoor, box lacrosse, goals are four by four feet or four feet nine inches.”
What’s the history of lacrosse? “It’s the oldest team sport in North America. It dates back to 1100 AD, played by Native Americans. I love the history. That’s why I have collectible sticks in my office.”
Do you like your job? “I’ve been blessed to have a job that involves something I’m passionate about. And I still play semi-professional box lacrosse. I play for the Chicago Portagers, out of the Salt Creek Sports Center in Palatine.”
Any negatives? “No negatives other than sometimes I overwork myself.”
How fast does the ball move? “The hardest you’ll see somebody shoot is the low 100s. My peak was 115 mph.”
What’s the background? “I became a partner in 2023. It was owned by two guys passionate for the game. Me and my partners, Eric Tanner and Mike Schanz, we bought in because we love the company. Eric runs our store in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mike is in Syracuse, New York.”
Any future plans? “We want to open a fourth store. We’re looking at Austin, Texas, Minneapolis and Seattle.”
When are you busy? “Spring. Starting in late February, early March, those are my 100-hour weeks.”
When are you open? “11 to 7 Monday through Saturday, 11 to 4 on Sunday.”
Is there a lot of competition? “When we first opened, there were over 10 (other lacrosse) stores (in the Chicago area). Six (other) stores when I started here in 2016. … A new one opened up in Glenview. … Uneducated people will go to the big box (stores) until they learn about us.”
What’s with the dog in your store? “Monty is a miniature Aussiedoodle. He’s 5. He’s been in here since he was eight weeks old. Everybody knows him. We call him ‘The Boss.’”
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “Don’t think of the dollar sign above your customer’s head. Think of the customer and how you’d want to be treated. … And do what you love, love what you do.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact him at metschmsfl@yahoo.com.
