Business Inspirations, Chapter one
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Jerry Colangelo had always dreamed to make it big in sports. He received 66 scholarships offers from all around the country for basketball and received 6 offers from major leagues baseball franchises by the time he was 18.
Still wondering who is he? Hint: He’s a multimillionaire who started something that most people dream about almost everyday. Also he’s the owner of two successful sports franchise. He’s the author of “How you play the game”. Still blank? Read on then.
Jerry Colangelo chose to attend
Things didn’t go according to plan. Wilt Chamberlain left
Due to injuries, he was forced to give up the dream of ever becoming a professional basketball or baseball player.
With his dreams shattered, Jerry turned to the world of business. He went into a tuxedo renting business with an old friend. He poured everything he had into the business. Working long hours, putting back all profits back into the business, all to no avail. His venture failed. At 26 years old, he was broke with no future plans, struggling to support his wife and kids, it was a low point.
That’s when Jerry began to look for answers beyond his own strength. All the while he had been handling everything life throws at him by himself, by his own strength. He recalls, “I was so busy doing my thing, trying to build my business, that I didn’t have a good picture of where I really needed to be in my life.”
Jerry’s wife was attending a small Baptist church and Jerry started going with her. It was through his wife that he began to understand that he couldn’t do it himself. His faith began to change him: his priorities, attitude, relationships.
One day Jerry was cleaning up his wallet when he came across a business card, crumpled and worn given by his father-in-law. He remembered him mentioning to Jerry that he should meet this man. At that time Jerry was only making $50 a game from playing semiprofessional basketball league at night. With nothing to lose Jerry called the number. His name was Dick Klein.
Dick ran a one-person shop and was swamped with work. He then hired Jerry to help in the business that’s when Jerry found out that Dick’s real passion was to start a NBA franchise. Jerry soon discovered he was learning everything about the business side of sports from the ground up. From that one simple call to Dick Klein, Jerry Colangelo capitalized on the privilege and opportunity of birthing the Chicago Bulls, one of the most successful sports franchises in basketball.
From there on the rest is history. He became the General Manager of the
Jerry’s story is not about financial success or winning, it’s a story about significance.
“Over the years, I learned that things happen for a reason. I came to understand that it is God’s plan, not mine. He has given me the a platform to bring together businesses, municipalities, social organizations and charitable organizations to address all the needs of the community. My position gives me an opportunity to have more of an impact. I want to do as much as I can within reasons to make as much impact as I can”
More on Jerry here.(taken from “God is my CEO”)
posted by sam @ 8:32 PM,
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The Author
Samuel Yau
How do you truly know someone? The truth is, you can't. Each person that you come across have a perspective of you that differs from another. So it's entirely up to you on how I am perceived to be
About This Blog
Initially this blog was birthed out of curiosity, on what it would be like to have a blog. To explore the world of entrepreneurship, business, marketing, etc and to jot down my learnings/experience here. As time passes on, the purpose change, the passion change, the person change.