By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
It’s the second to last day at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and a mom-and-pop business that makes money from helping hoops fans paint and sew new sneakers is wrapping up its first go-around as a vendor at the annual professional basketball gathering.
Ruben Barraza, owner of Major Waves Lab in the Fashion Show Mall, said his pop-up operation sold about 20 sneaker deals a day at the NBA event that showcases the league’s young players. All 30 NBA teams play in the summer league.
Major Wavez Lab opened a 2,000-square-foot space at Fashion Show about three months ago after having two stores in Los Angeles.
It was through word-of-mouth that Barraza heard about the vendor opportunity at the NBA Summer League.
From a business marketing standpoint, he thought it was a good fit.
“It ties in really well with basketball sneakers,” Barraza said.
It costs $120 to come to Major Wavez Lab with a design concept to create your own sneaker at its summer league setup off the Thomas & Mack Center main concourse. Staffers work on sewing, artwork, painting and material.
Barraza said one creative customer designed a sunset with palm trees on the side of a sneaker, while others will come with a Steph Curry concept.
The business seemed like it was a good logistical fit for Thomas & Mack Center because Major Wavez Lab does pop-up biz operations at festivals and corporate events.
Sunday is the final day of the July 7-17 NBA Summer League.
Saturday’s attendance was 11,320.