Keyeriah Miles: From Fintech to Empowering Women Golfers

Inception

Keyeriah Miles has always had sports in her blood, a passion that runs deep in her family. Growing up, she was surrounded by athletic pursuits; her brother was involved in golf, track, and football, while her mother, Lashonda, founded an adult softball team called the Lady Majestics in the early 2000s. This familial connection to sports laid the groundwork for Keyeriah’s future endeavors.

Reflecting on their shared history, Lashonda recounted, “We had that team probably for about maybe about six years… but the other funny thing was our colors. My initial colors for that softball team was green, navy blue, and white, which is now the exact same colors for Ladies Who Golf.” This serendipitous connection between past and present highlights the cyclical nature of their family’s sports journey.

Keyeriah, who had been playing golf for four years, found herself at a crossroads in her career. After working as a fintech consultant at Cox Enterprises, she felt a calling to create something meaningful. The idea for Ladies Who Golf was born from her desire to empower women and share her love for the sport.

Ladies Who Golf

The inception of Ladies Who Golf was catalyzed by an unexpected moment during a company meeting in 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. During a discussion about employee well-being, Keyeriah learned that her colleagues had been sealing business deals on the golf course, a socially distanced alternative during lockdowns. Inspired by this revelation, she decided to take up golf herself.

“I started golfing not too long after,” Keyeriah recalled. “I actually ended up meeting this instructor who just wanted to see more women out on the golf course.” As she honed her skills, she began inviting friends to join her, but soon realized that many were either inconsistent or lacked the patience to learn. This prompted her to think bigger: “How can we meet more women, get more women involved, actually see them on the course?” This question led to the creation of Ladies Who Golf.

Launched on September 16, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia, the company began with a modest golf clinic featuring just 12 women. However, thanks to effective social media marketing, the initiative quickly gained traction, expanding to host 200 women monthly.

Growing Community

Keyeriah emphasized the inclusive nature of Ladies Who Golf, stating, “We’re a prestigious golf club for women and for all women, not just women of color, although the majority of us are women of color naturally because our founders are Black.” The organization aims to create a welcoming environment, ensuring that no one feels excluded from the sport.

The pandemic has seen a surge in women taking up golf, whether for business networking or personal enjoyment. However, the intimidation factor and lack of resources have often deterred many from participating. Ladies Who Golf addresses these barriers by providing a supportive space where women, particularly women of color, can learn and grow together. They offer beginner-friendly lessons, access to golf courses, and guidance from PGA-certified instructors.

Membership

The success of Ladies Who Golf can be attributed to its diverse offerings and strategic partnerships. Collaborating with Five Iron Golf, a leading urban golf destination, members enjoy benefits such as simulator access, club storage, and complimentary swing evaluations with instructors. In addition to Five Iron Golf, partnerships with Golf House of Atlanta and Intown Golf Club further enhance the experience for Atlanta members. For those in areas without a Five Iron Golf nearby, Top Golf is also an option.

To foster community and networking, Ladies Who Golf has introduced workspace hours and social events. Members can participate in a Breakfast Club twice a month or enjoy Monday Mimosas at Top Golf. The launch of the LWG Golf Club in March 2024 will include monthly lessons and signature social hours, providing additional opportunities for women to connect and build relationships.

Keyeriah noted, “We first started to realize the demographic of women we were attracting were professional career women. So we created the social hours so that they actually had a chance to network and mix and mingle after the golf lesson instead of just going home.”

Crossing Half A Million In Revenue

In just one year, Ladies Who Golf has made a significant impact, reaching over 3,000 women and establishing 15 chapters across states like Illinois, Florida, Texas, and New York. The organization is now recognized as the largest golf community for women in the United States, achieving over $507,000 in revenue as of its one-year anniversary.

Lashonda attributed their success to Keyeriah’s background and determination: “When you can sell almost anything, you can definitely make a business run. I think with her background and her will to succeed, that made a big difference in what we’ve grown here in this last year.” Keyeriah added, “Everybody loves an experience. That’s one thing that we’ve learned that is very true… if you’re creating or tailoring an experience that people absolutely love, they feel welcome, it’s giving a sense of purpose.”

Giving Back To The Community

Giving back is integral to Ladies Who Golf’s mission. The organization hosts quarterly charitable events to encourage members and their families to contribute to the community. In June 2024, they partnered with Meals On Wheels Atlanta, allowing members to donate and help combat hunger. Additionally, they participated in the Science of Beauty STEM Program Camp at Spelman College, donating proceeds from their Garden Cocktail Soirée to support the initiative.

New Program And First Tournament On The Way

Keyeriah’s journey has opened her eyes to the younger generation’s interest in golf. “After months of focusing on adult women, it never occurred to me the amount of young ladies that were watching us,” she shared. In response, Ladies Who Golf is set to launch a nonprofit program called Girls Who Golf, aimed at engaging youth in Atlanta who aspire to immerse themselves in golf but face financial barriers.

This program will be supported by tournaments, with the first scheduled for spring 2025. Through these initiatives, Keyeriah and her team are not only empowering women but also paving the way for the next generation of female golfers.