My marketing firm, MASSolutions, celebrated its 12th anniversary this month. Yes, I made the leap full time with my own marketing firm on Tax Day 2004.
Leaving the security of a corporate gig has been exciting, humbling, gratifying, stressful, fun, crazy, amazing, nerve-wracking and rewarding.
The obvious differences in work life are more freedom and less security. But the seemingly small changes had nearly as big of an impact. The phrase I thought of the most during the early years was, “You mean I have to do that?”
I didn’t realize how spoiled I was by all the support I had from team members in those larger companies. Yet, it all seems to have worked out. I’m finally a fit for the company culture. Or, at least I better be.
As I celebrate my company’s 12th anniversary, I’m highlighting lessons learned from famous athletes who wore No. 12:
■ Joe Namath
Broadway Joe believed in himself and exuded confidence. As a result, others believed in him and bought into the quarterback’s leadership style as the New York Jets pulled off one of the NFL’s biggest upsets in Super Bowl III. You need a lot of confidence when starting a business, and I wish, like Namath, I had had even more of it.
■ Pat Riley
The original sharp-dressed coach, who even had a shirt collar named after him, wore No. 12 as a player for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team he later coached to four NBA championships. I’ll still throw on a “Pat Riley” from time to time in honor of a great messaging guy who understood that telling stories to communicate goals is part of leadership.
■ Vlade Divac
Hey, I’m a basketball guy and part Serbian, but Divac might have made the list anyway because of his passionate selling approach. He really believed he was fouled all those times when he worked the paint during 16 NBA seasons with the Lakers, Hornets and Kings. Like Divac, you have to believe in what you’re selling, because you’ll meet a lot of resistance when you start your new business.
■ Kenny Stabler
Stabler was a maverick who was willing to do anything to win, but still had fun doing so. When you run your own company, you have to take chances, create your own way of doing things and still make sure everyone is having a good time. The Snake always did during his Hall of Fame career playing quarterback for the Oakland Raiders.
■ Terry Bradshaw
I’ve worked for people who thought loyalty was the most important thing. Others put all their stock in talent. You don’t have to choose. Be loyal to those who have changed your life, but also value talent and creating new relationships.
Steelers Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw makes me think of both talent and loyalty because he reminds me of my childhood. My dad yelling “Blockhead!” at the TV when Bradshaw did something dumb; my brother Mike and I waving Terrible Towels when No. 12 came back to win yet another Super Bowl.
My business grew because of the people who are loyal to me: clients, team members, family, friends. It also grew because of a willingness to take chances on people I didn’t really know who showed potential.
If you’re thinking of making the entrepreneurial leap, I can tell you it’s been the most rewarding 12 years of my career. If you get into the game and take what I learned from these No. 12s, you won’t regret it.
