How Identity Has Influenced An Owner And CEO's Career At Bar And Restaurant Patrol

My whole childhood and life revolved around athletics and sports. I think it's the same for many young people. For some, like me, it was everything. All I wanted to do was play basketball.

When my career was coming to an end, I panicked, wondering what I would do next. But then I found leagues to play in. As an athlete, you have a big advantage using the hard work and discipline you develop. This is especially true for high-level athletes in high school or college.

There's so much you can learn regarding discipline, hard work, and structure, which many kids who don't play sports miss out on. This had a significant impact, and I had a strong drive to be good.

Beyond that, I cherished the camaraderie with the people I was with all the time. You often seek that connection later in life. My friend and I, who played at Chico together, discussed this. He's now the head coach there.

We talked about how great it was to play basketball, in front of fans, and for wins with a good team. But the best part, we agreed, was one of us passing to the other for a layup, then turning to point at each other. That look in the eye conveyed our connection after scoring.

Being in the locker room, that camaraderie and togetherness was more than anything else, and it's what we missed most. I think all of that, coupled with the discipline and structure you learn, along with that closeness and camaraderie with people, helps later in business.

My biggest focus now is how I can help my audience and make that connection with people. So, overall, being an athlete can give you an advantage in your business life if you leverage it.