From the Dugout to D1: Jeff Isom Brings a Coach’s Mindset to Franchise Ownership

For most of his life, Jeff Isom’s world has revolved around baseball. From playing professionally to spending more than two decades managing teams, the game has shaped nearly every chapter of his career. And although he’s still managing today, an unexpected turn six years ago set him on a path he never anticipated: becoming a franchise owner.

Like so many others, Isom saw his plans upended when the COVID pandemic halted the 2020 baseball season. At the time, he was managing the Joliet Slammers and had just bought a building where he offered baseball lessons.

With no season to play, Jeff recognized an opportunity to address something that had long bothered him; Young players in his community often had to travel to Indianapolis for competitive baseball programs because comparable opportunities were limited closer to home.

He thought, why not create something locally?

And with that, Jeff launched On Deck Baseball, a travel baseball organization that attracted nine teams in its first year. Today, the program has grown to approximately 20 teams, giving young athletes more opportunities to develop without leaving their community.

As the organization expanded, though, he noticed another gap. His players needed more than baseball instruction. They needed strength, conditioning, and athletic development. He initially referred families to outside training providers, but the experience sparked an idea: What if he could offer those services himself?

Finding the Right Opportunity

That’s where longtime friend and former teammate, David Omholt of The Entrepreneur Authority, entered the picture. Jeff had initially been exploring baseball-focused franchise opportunities. Omholt saw potential in Isom’s idea but encouraged him to consider something broader. Rather than building another business exclusively for baseball players, why not create a training facility that could serve athletes from every sport, as well as adults seeking to improve their fitness? His solution: D1 Training.

“David said, ‘You could make a bigger mark in your community if you would do the athlete training for all athletes, not just baseball,’” Isom recalled.

The idea resonated.

D1’s emphasis on athletic development, dedication, family, and community closely reflected the values Isom had spent his career instilling in young players.

Jeff’s wife, Lisa, understood that connection. A former Purdue University volleyball player, physical education teacher, and longtime volleyball coach, she shared his passion for helping people develop through athletics.

However, she also recognized that her husband already had plenty on his plate. Initially skeptical about adding another business to his responsibilities, Lisa became increasingly enthusiastic as the couple explored D1’s potential to serve their community.

Together, they decided to move forward.

Building Something That Matters

Only a few months after opening, D1 is still finding its footing in the West Lafayette community. Isom and his general manager closely monitor revenue, memberships, leads, and other performance measures.

But the numbers aren’t the only things that matter to him.

He’s especially encouraged by the response from members, the relationships they’re building, and the people making meaningful progress toward their fitness goals.

For Jeff, those experiences reinforce why he pursued the opportunity in the first place. What began as a desire to help young baseball players develop has become something much broader: an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of athletes, families and adults throughout his community.

The Value of the Right Guidance

Looking back, Jeff credits David Omholt with helping him see possibilities he might otherwise have overlooked.

Franchising was new territory, and Jeff and Lisa wanted to understand exactly what they were getting into. Omholt helped them evaluate the D1 opportunity, understand its financial considerations, and navigate the franchise process.

“I had no idea what to expect with franchising,” Isom said, adding that, “I relied on David heavily through that process.”

The relationship went beyond simply identifying a promising franchise. For Jeff, having someone he trusted to answer questions and provide perspective made an unfamiliar undertaking more manageable.

Today, when colleagues from his baseball network express curiosity about franchise ownership, Isom is quick to point them toward Omholt.

“If you have an interest in franchising, David’s the way to go,” he said. “That’s who you need to start with.”

Jeff and Lisa are now focused on establishing their first D1 location, with the possibility of expanding to additional facilities over the next three to five years.

For someone whose life has always revolved around baseball, the transition to entrepreneurship might seem like a dramatic change. But in many ways, Isom is still doing what he’s always done: bringing people together, helping them improve, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.

Only now, his playing field extends well beyond the ballpark.

The Entrepreneur Authority (TEA) offers no-fee consultations for those interested in exploring franchise opportunities, along with complimentary educational webinars on franchising. To speak with a Franchise Consultant or register for an upcoming webinar, call 866-246-2884 or visit eAuth.com/webinars.