When their sports career comes to a close, former athletes must look for the next goal. A number of sportsmen choose to dive into the business world. For those that brave the transition, many find that the championship habits and mindsets learned on the sports field translate powerfully to the workplace.
Learn from the inspiring careers of three former professional athletes who have become leaders in Frederick's business community below:
Ariel Mercado
From the Volleyball Court
Ariel was born and raised on the island of Puerto Rico. He played professional volleyball for 16 years. He attended Rutgers University on a Division 1 scholarship, played overseas in different countries and was also chosen to represent his country as a member of the Puerto Rico National Volleyball Team.
To Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual
His business career began when he and his family moved to Maryland in 2013. He started as an insurance agent and through the years studied, learned and worked his way to his current leadership position at Northwestern Mutual.
What led you to transition from your sports career to your current career?
After 16 years of being a professional athlete, I was ready to retire from my volleyball career. Simultaneously, my wife and I had planned to move to the states for better opportunities for ourselves and our children. I was lucky enough to have a connection in Maryland and an opportunity for a job in business presented itself and I went for it. The rest is history.
What similarities do you see between sports and business?
In order to be successful, both require you to be a disciplined person with a great work ethic and a positive attitude. You need to have structure, self-motivation, resilience and coachability. The mindset of a successful athlete is very similar to that of a successful businessperson in their ability to persevere through challenges and failures. People who have these characteristics typically succeed in sports and business because both are atmosphere’s where performance is expected and required.
What Skill that you learned on the sports field is proving most helpful to you as a business leader?
On the sports field I learned so many skills and lessons that really molded me into the person I am today.
I don’t think just one lesson or skill has proven most helpful but of the top skills I would say are: keeping a positive attitude and a goal-oriented mindset. Only when you believe you can achieve something will you be able to do just that. I learned that maintaining vivid goals and visualizations of what you want to achieve and then consistently putting in the necessary work has resulted in success.
This not only applies to me, but it is also something I work hard to share with my team. As in sports, the concept of team is so important, and your attitude, success and failures affect everyone on that team.
What advice do you have for young athletes and/or new business leaders?
My advice to athletes is for them to enjoy their time as an athlete because it will never come back. Be willing to always learn and grow, embrace the ideas and wisdom of others and never stop working on and improving your craft. Also, if ever an athlete is considering a different career many of the foundations learned in sports translate to a successful career in business.
Rich Daughtridge
From the Soccer Field
Rich attended the Virginia Military Institute — ultimately earning a degree in Business and Economics in 1998. While attending VMI, he played soccer and became the All-Time Scoring Leader and now a member of the VMI Sports Hall of Fame. After college, Rich played professional soccer for 7 years: 2 years outdoor in Virginia Beach, VA and Charlotte, NC and 5 years indoor for the Baltimore Blast.
to CEO/President of HighRock & Warehouse cinemas
Today, Rich is the President and CEO of Warehouse Cinemas, and Founder and CEO of HighRock. He lives in Hagerstown, Maryland with his wife Susan and three children.
What led you to transition from your sports career to your current career?
I describe myself as a former 'average' professional soccer player -- translation, I didn't make much money playing soccer, so I eventually needed to earn more money! I started a web design business back in 2000. I grew it part-time while playing soccer for a number of years, but when we had our second child, the demands of family, business and playing soccer + traveling were too much. I ended up transitioning full-time to running the business, HighRock, in 2005.
similarities between sports and business
As an entrepreneur, I think you need a level of grit, tenacity, confidence and a never-give-up mentality like in sports. I always say "I want the ball in the last 5 minutes of the game when the score is tied.” Leadership and teamwork are also fundamentally critical to a successful business.
Skill learned on the sports field THAT is proving most helpful As a Business Leader
I had a veteran teammate on the Baltimore Blast tell me to better channel my intensity, so I learned a 'controlled intensity' that I took to the business world. I aim to work really hard every day, while thinking strategically, creatively and analytically to execute big, risky visions.
Advice for the young athletes and/or new business leaders
Wake up before everyone else, even on the weekends. Put in the time. Work harder than most, but find a healthy work-life integration to ensure other aspects of your life, namely family and friends, are nurtured. I married my high school sweetheart, and we've been married for almost 25 years and have 3 kids. Healthy relationships are more important than money or a successful business.
Steve Custis
From the basketball court
Steve started playing basketball at the age of 5. He attended Frederick High School where he was a 4-year varsity standout — breaking records, and named twice as ‘Player Of The Year.’ He continued his basketball career on a scholarship to Fairmont State University. Following his successful collegiate career, he went on to play at the professional level for 5 years internationally — 1 year in Austria, 2 years in South America, and 2 years in Italy. During his professional career he won 3 championships, League MVP Awards, and several scoring titles.
To Co-Founder at Zone24
Even while he was playing, Steve knew he wanted to give back to the youth in his community through his talents in basketball. He joined forces with a business partner, Art Claybon, and developed a Basketball Training Facility in Frederick known as Zone24.
What led you to transition from your sports career to your current career?
The transition wasn’t hard, but it also wasn’t easy. I knew this was what I wanted to do once I finished playing at a competitive level. The vision came to life while I was playing professionally and we put the pieces together early. Playing professionally overseas there are 9-10 month seasons, which meant you got 1 or 2 months at home. That was the time I would be at the facility training players and helping them develop their skills and doing a lot of behind the scenes work. Once those 2 months were up, I would head back overseas, while my partner kept the business going. But I missed it so much,I knew it was time to focus on the business and make that transition to grow the business where we wanted it.
similarities between sports and business
Not many differences in my opinion for the type of business that we have. Sports are competitive and so is business. In sports, the goal is to be the best so you work towards that goal everyday. And that’s the same in business. Being disciplined and having a positive mindset is important throughout the journey.
Skill learned on the sports field THAT is proving most helpful As a Business Leader
Routine, Routine, Routine! I developed a routine as an athlete that I use to this day. Also, give it 110% everyday even when you don’t feel like it. There are a lot of ups and downs in business just like it was during my playing career. So I attack everyday with a purpose just like I would when I was playing and continue to develop and grow everyday. Taking my competitive spirit on the court and applying to the business has helped tremendously.
Advice for the young athletes and/or new business leaders
Don’t Give Up! Anything is possible if you put in the work and put your mind to it. Set goals for yourself daily, weekly, monthly, yearly whatever works best for you and go after it! Continue to educate yourself within your business and understand that everything isn’t all peaches and cream, but keep going!
Considering transitioning to a new phase of life by starting a business? Contact the Department of Economic Development for resources and assistance at business@cityoffrederickmd.gov.