Exploring Life & Business with Ivan Malagon of Soccer Up

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivan Malagon.

Hi Ivan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Four years ago, I decided to build my own business with the sport I have loved since I was a kid. I grew up playing soccer in Bogota, Colombia and found I had a passion not only for playing the sport but for training and sharing my knowledge with kids of all ages.

I received degrees in sports management and physical education. I created Soccer up for individual and small group training. Soccer is a growing sport in Greenville, SC over the last few years, which made it perfect for me. I started by training a 5-year-old in the back yard of his house twice a week in the afternoons while also working in the mornings doing construction and landscaping jobs.

Through recommendations and word of mouth, my business grew, and after a year I was already training 10 kids from the age of 5 to 15. In the second year, I was doing the training full time including Saturdays. Now, I have been grateful to train over 60 kids, and am currently holding Summer soccer camps.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The main obstacle at first was the language. I came to the US at 25 without knowing English.

I was terrified at first because I didn’t feel confident enough with my English to lead the sessions and communicate with the parents. But I knew once I pass it through it would be totally different and it was.

The relationships I have built not just with the kids but with their parents as well have been one of the most rewarding things during this process of growth.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Soccer Up?
Soccer up focused on individual and group training that helps kids of all ages in their process to improve not just targeted skills like dribbling, passing, shooting, or general conditioning but also how they see and interpret the game as a whole.

Where they will be able to make decisions on the pitch that can change an entire match. It is really important to build relationships with them and their families.

Teach them to work hard but never lose their love for the sport because that is the beauty of Soccer.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
It’s hard to pick one of many good memories I have related to soccer growing up, but the time I played in the Bogota stadium at the age of 14 with my club is one of the top ones for sure.

It was before an official professional game and we had the chance to stay in the locker room and met the pro players.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @soccerup.10
• Facebook: @soccerup10