A pickleball brand dedicated to strengthening your relationship with the sport on and off the court through authentic connection, shared passion, valuable industry insights, and continuous progress.
MELO OUT MONDAY
Subscribe to the MELO OUT MONDAY Newsletter for weekly pickleball tips, stories, updates, and exclusive industry insights—brought to you by founder Carmelo Carbone.
“With me, I'm 100% in or I'm not going to pursue it. This is my journey through pickleball.”
— Founder, Carmelo Carbone
My Story
My name is Carmelo Carbone, and I'm graduating from Babson College — the #1 entrepreneurship school in the country. Over the last four years, I've worked on multiple ventures across different industries. I've explored ideas, launched businesses, and navigated the highs and lows of what it means to actually build something real. But nothing has impacted me — or reshaped my path — like pickleball.
The Spark: My First Steps into Pickleball
In April of 2023, I co-founded Pikel, a pickleball apparel company that sold gear direct-to-consumer and through clubs.
Coaching: Learning by Teaching
That summer, I started teaching beginners — people who were nervous, hesitant, unsure of themselves — and I found so much meaning in helping them feel seen and supported.
Creating The Babson Pickleball
When I returned to school in the fall, I launched the Babson Pickleball Club. What began as casual OpenPlays turned into something much more meaningful.
Brand Strategy and Storytelling at Picklin
During that same school year, I took on a Brand Manager role at Picklin, a company focused on at-home pickleball training products.
Park Avenue Tennis – Building My First Full Program
In the summer of 2024, I saw an opportunity close to home in Long Island — two outdoor pickleball courts that weren't being used.
Longfellow Club – A New Chapter of Growth
At the start of 2025, I joined the Longfellow Club, a high-end tennis and fitness facility that was expanding into pickleball.
What's Next: PickleBOS
This fall, I'll be stepping into my biggest role yet — the Director of Pickleball for PickleBOS, two brand new pickleball facilities opening in Boston.
Why I Created
MELO was born from everything I've seen — and everything I believe in.
I've coached hundreds of players, built grassroots communities, and watched this sport evolve in real-time. The one thing that never changes is how personal this game is. People don't come back for the perfect drill. They come back for how it makes them feel.
MELO is a brand built on authentic connection, shared progress, and the belief that pickleball is more than just a sport — it's a journey we take together.
That's where the MELO OUT Philosophy comes from. It's how I've approached every clinic, every program, every conversation. It means showing up with energy, with patience, with passion. It means being present — both for your own growth and for those around you.
This Isn't a Coaching Brand.
It's a Community in Motion.
I'm still learning. Still growing. Still figuring things out as I go. And that's exactly why I created this platform.
Through MELO, I'll be sharing the real behind-the-scenes of what it takes to build something in this industry — the highs, the lows, the breakthroughs, and the lessons.
If you're passionate about pickleball, curious about the business behind it, want to progress your game or just want to follow someone who's building something real — this is your invitation to come along.
Thanks for being here. We're just getting started.
— Carmelo
What Our Players Say
“My friends and I knew nothing about pickleball and we were lucky to find Carmelo! He was an amazing instructor right from the start! He was encouraging and I truly looked forward to the lesson every week! We all learned so much in an environment that was not intimidating!”
- Larisa Daly
“We had a great time learning Pickleball with Carmelo Carbone. He did a great job of explaining all of the basics of pickleball. He taught us the rules, the paddle positions, the scoring, and strategies on trying to win.”
- Sharon Schaefer
“Learning how to play pickleball from Carmelo this summer was truly a positive experience. He was patient, knowledgeable, and a great teacher. I am new to pickleball and Carmelo patiently demonstrated techniques and explained the rules.”
- Maria Montes
“Carmelo is an excellent coach. He is very patient and calm as well as extremely knowledgeable. I enjoyed my lessons with him and would highly recommend him to my peers.”
- Kathleen Napolitano
“I've participated in numerous lessons and clinics over the years, and I can confidently say that Carmelo's instruction is top-tier. His deep knowledge of Pickleball sets him apart as an exceptional coach.”
- Michele Aulenti
“My friends and I knew nothing about pickleball and we were lucky to find Carmelo! He was an amazing instructor right from the start! He was encouraging and I truly looked forward to the lesson every week! We all learned so much in an environment that was not intimidating!”
- Larisa Daly
“We had a great time learning Pickleball with Carmelo Carbone. He did a great job of explaining all of the basics of pickleball. He taught us the rules, the paddle positions, the scoring, and strategies on trying to win.”
- Sharon Schaefer
“Learning how to play pickleball from Carmelo this summer was truly a positive experience. He was patient, knowledgeable, and a great teacher. I am new to pickleball and Carmelo patiently demonstrated techniques and explained the rules.”
- Maria Montes
“Carmelo is an excellent coach. He is very patient and calm as well as extremely knowledgeable. I enjoyed my lessons with him and would highly recommend him to my peers.”
- Kathleen Napolitano
“I've participated in numerous lessons and clinics over the years, and I can confidently say that Carmelo's instruction is top-tier. His deep knowledge of Pickleball sets him apart as an exceptional coach.”
- Michele Aulenti