Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Kluver
Hi Victoria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Victoria Kluver, and my career journey took an unexpected turn when I decided to leave my secure job in banking. I had been with the company since high school, dedicating 10 years of my life to it. When I put in my notice, I didn’t have another job lined up—just two potential opportunities. I chose the more secure option with better health benefits, though I sometimes wonder if the other path might have been the better choice. That’s something I’ll never know.
I transitioned into the healthcare industry, but it quickly became clear that it wasn’t the right fit for me. During that time, I started a side hustle selling LuLaRoe, a popular clothing brand sold exclusively through direct sellers. The business took off, and I was able to leave my healthcare job entirely. That experience taught me the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and sparked a passion for building something of my own.
As our family grew, I decided to step away from LuLaRoe and focus on being a full-time mom—what I like to call a “Domestic Engineer.” During my downtime, I dabbled in various side hustles, searching for something I could truly commit to.
Basketball, a sport I loved growing up, became a special activity my oldest child and I enjoyed together. When I realized our community lacked a youth basketball league for my son, I talked to my husband about starting one ourselves. That conversation gave birth to Santee Heat, a league we created to bring basketball opportunities to kids in our area.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey of creating Santee Heat was anything but easy. Finding a basketball gym for practices proved to be a significant challenge, and there were moments when I nearly gave up. I considered putting the program on hold, but something inside me pushed me to keep going. I stayed persistent—making phone calls, sending emails, and tapping into my network—and, ultimately, my determination paid off.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Santee Heat is a youth basketball program designed for kids of all skill levels who are eager to learn and enjoy the game of basketball. Our focus is on teaching the fundamentals of the sport in a fun, supportive environment. We bring the players together for group training sessions, followed by friendly scrimmages to help them apply what they’ve learned in a game-like setting.
Currently, we choose not to keep score during scrimmages, emphasizing the joy of playing over external rewards. Our goal is to foster a love for the game and build confidence in every player. What makes me most proud is seeing how many kids are falling in love with basketball and witnessing their excitement and enthusiasm every time they step onto the court.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I learned was to not give up.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santeeheat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561082548318
Image Credits
Photos by 2blessedphotos
