thesesociety_0md1v7

Sep

2021

August 2021

Hello SES Community!

Hope all is well and I hope all of you are finding time to come up for air! We would love to start getting people together, as well as continue making amazing introductions. Please be on the lookout for invitations to upcoming meet-ups. Also, we will have our next Zoom call in the coming weeks with a great guest speaker. Invitation coming soon. Lastly, please let James or myself know if there is anything else we can do to help you expand your business. We are happy to make strategic introductions or share information with the group regarding things you are working on.

All the best!

-Kofi Nartey and
The Sports and Entertainment Society Team

The Olympic Champions of Giving

The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics just ended, and the United States was hugely successful. After 17 days of competition, the United States finished with the most medals won overall and the most gold medals in the Olympic Games. With 39 Olympic gold medals, the U.S. barely edged out China, which won 38. The United States won an additional 104 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The team took home 37 gold medals, 36 silver medals, and 31 bronze medals, making them the fourth best ranked team at the Paralympics.

Sep

2021

The Olympic Champions of Giving

By: Dr. Mimi Nartey, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Nartey Sports Foundation | NarteySportsFoundation.com

While there was so much inspiration to draw from the performances on the fields, tracks, and courts, there is another side to these athletes that makes them truer champions that we may realize. So many of the Olympians and Paralympians are giving back in ways that will transform their talent into a legacy. Here are a few notable profiles:

Perry Baker | Rugby

World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018, Baker reverted to rugby after a brief football career. Not only is Barker a standout athlete, but he is also an upstanding community citizen who has participated in charity work with the Special Olympics. He is dedicated to giving back to his community and has spent his time reading to local children and even refereeing youth basketball games.

Simone Biles | Gymnastics

Biles is arguably the greatest gymnast of all time. She had not been defeated in the all-around since 2013. Most of the recent sports media coverage about Biles focused on her abrupt decision to leave the competition while grieving the death of her aunt. Despite dealing with that loss, she took home a silver and bronze medal. Off the mat, Biles has been a champion for others over the past several years. In 2017, she personally volunteered in the aftermath of the devastation left by Hurricane Harvey. She recently drafted an op-ed on the importance of creating opportunities for foster youth, reflecting on her own experience as a foster child. She announced a scholarship to support foster youth attending an online college, University of the People. Biles also continues to leverage her platform to drive change around social justice issues related to gender inequality, racism and abuse. Since announcing that she had been the victim of sexual abuse, she has worked to create safe spaces and support for other victims. In a 2020 Vogue interview she said, “I think of it as an honor to speak for the less fortunate and for the voiceless.”

Katie Ledecky | Swimming

A powerhouse in the pool, Katie Ledecky won her first gold at the age of 15 in 2012 and won four more in 2016. She won two gold medals and two silver medals in Tokyo. Ledecky tirelessly contributes to charitable work as well. She is involved with Catholic Charities, Shepherd’s Table, Bikes for the World, and the Wounded Warriors Project at Walter Reed Bethesda Naval Medical Center.

Megan Rapinoe | Soccer

Rapinoe, at 35, is one of the most veteran members of the U.S. national team. She won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the 2019 World Cup. Over the past several years, she has become a major social justice advocate and philanthropist. She pledges part of her salary to Common Goal, which supports soccer-centered charities around the world. She works with the ACLU, has partnered with the Seattle-area Boys and Girls Clubs and is an ambassador for Athlete Ally, which opposes homophobia in sports. In 2013, she was awarded the board of directors Award by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.

Scout Bassett | Paralympic Track and Field

Bassett is a two-time world championship medalist in the 100 meters and the long jump. Abandoned in China as a baby after losing her leg and suffering severe burns, she was adopted by a couple in Michigan and brought to the United States in 1995. In a recent interview with InStyle Magazine, she said, “I’m a woman, I have a disability, I’m an immigrant, I’m Asian. I cross so many of these intersectionalities and to be sort of a face, or a voice, is a responsibility that I don’t take lightly.” She is an ambassador for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and she is now featured in Whistle Sports’ “No Days Off” docuseries.

Sources Cited

Aug

2021

July 2021

This year is flying by!

The NBA championships have finished, the Olympics are in full swing and movies are back in theaters. Per our conversations, many of us are experiencing a strong momentum shift back into activities. Let's lean into that momentum collectively. For our next Zoom call, we will brainstorm on strategies to build and maintain momentum in our collective fields. Please be on the lookout for a Zoom invitation. Lastly, we are going to schedule a few area meet-ups in the next 30-60 days. If you are interested in hosting at your location, please let us know. We will also select a couple of neutral options for convenience.

Thanks,

-Kofi Nartey and The Sports and Entertainment Society Team

A luxury stay in the Maldives: the most exclusive getaway on the planet!

How do you utilize different strengths and weaknesses between different employees/teammates?

We spend a great amount of time educating ourselves, and each other on different personality traits. Our team completes DISC profiles, so we can better understand and communicate with one another. In addition, we spend much time and resources on our clients personality traits and communication methods. Over time and experience, we have learned that it’s best to have a team with different strengths or competencies, as no one individual can be great at every aspect of a transaction, and every person prefers to communicate differently. Many customers will gravitate towards one team member or another subconsciously because their personalities match.

Jul

2021

A luxury stay in the Maldives: the most exclusive getaway on the planet!

As we all know, the current COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the trends and popular experiences in the luxury traveling niche around the globe. Exotic and remote destinations are incredibly sought-after, as they provide people with an opportunity to disconnect from their routine and escape crowds to find refuge in a world-class luxury setting. The Maldives is home to some of the world’s most amazing luxury hotels and resorts. This destination has always been one of the most popular and highly regarded in the world of luxury travel, but the current situation makes it a perfect haven for people looking for a luxury retreat.

Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are essentially a group of islands blessed with some of the most beautiful flora and fauna on the planet. Visiting the Maldives is a life-long dream for many people, and it is not surprising to see that this destination often ranks high as one of the most sought-after holiday trips ever, with or without the pandemic! The Maldives provides a one-of-a-kind luxury experience, also on account of the fact that very few destinations can provide such a high level of privacy and relaxation. In fact, the setting provides a laid-back lifestyle, with some of the most breathtaking beaches and seaside scenery on the planet. The many secluded beaches and holiday resorts provide so much luxury and privacy for attendees, making them perfect for people who re-ally want to enjoy their trip away from large crowds and chaos. Some re-sorts and beaches are actually only available via seaplane or speedboat! In addition to that, some of the wealthiest visitors also have the opportunity to rent a private atoll, all to themselves. Renting a secluded piece of heaven might be the ultimate luxury experience of a lifetime, especially if you consider that beautiful amenities such as overwater villas and private spas are quite commonplace at such a high level.

In addition to the high level of luxury that you can expect from a stay in the Maldives, you’ll also be able to enjoy some one-of-a-kind experiences. For instance, if you enjoy being in and around water, it goes without say-ing that this is the perfect place for you. You can practice all sorts of water sports, and many luxury resorts actually enable guests to rent some high-end equipment, including water skis and sea-doos, only to mention a few. This is particularly awesome because it means that you won’t have to bring your gear with you if you don’t want to. In addition to that, you’ll also be able to enjoy some incredible experiences that are only possible in a handful of destinations in the world. For example, you can actually swim with sharks and marvel at the beauty of so much marine flora and fauna, including the Coral Reef ecosystem, which is precious and one-of-a-kind.

Some of the most discerning tourists also tend to hire some staff for their holidays, including sailors or pilots on retainers, as well as personal chefs, so that they can enjoy world-class meals without the need to leave their private slice of heaven!

Speaking of food, Maldivian cuisine is quite one-of-a-kind, as it feels like a cultural crossroads of so many influences. From the colorful, fresh, and zesty touch of the Pacific ocean down to the complex and endearing fla-vor of Indian cuisine influences, there is so much going on here. Among other specialties, don’t miss out on Gulha, the country’s beloved national dish, which essentially is a deep-fried pastry featuring smoked fish (often tuna) as well as onion and sweet coconut flakes.

May

2021

April 2021

Hello SES!

Thanks to everyone who joined our amazing call with the CEO of the LA Dodgers Foundation, Nichol Whiteman! She was phenomenal and we are excited to welcome her as a member of the Sports and Entertainment Society. We also had a very informative call on the emerging world of NFTs (Non-fungible Tokens). Thanks to those who shared their expertise in this field. We will have more of these curated conversations on topics that our members are interested in. Also, our referral network has been active. Please share your successful referral stories with myself or James. Lastly, we are starting to plan for in-person meet-ups and ultimately our Super Bowl activation. We would love your input and ideas. Looking forward to our next call.

-Kofi Nartey and The Sports and Entertainment Society Team

Coming from Metro Detroit, without any ties to the entertainment and sports industry, some think I broke into representing music clients by simply moving to Los Angeles. However, landing those Grammy winning clients was not that simple. It involved a lot of work behind the scenes. As many in the entertainment and sports industry will tell you, persistence is a characteristic that many of us professionals in SES possess. I guess this Member Contribution is not about me, my firm, my work, or my clients, but instead is a way of paying it forward to anyone that is interested in breaking into the entertainment and sports industry. The key to success is to be persistent in the following three areas.

What are the greatest challenges to good communication?

I think there are 3 key challenges to good communication.

1. Being consistent with communication. It’s very easy to do when something is urgent, but more difficult when the sky isn’t falling.

2. Even before COVID, I feel I rely too much on technology, like texts and emails, to communicate.

3. Listening. A critical component of good communication is being able to not only hear, but listen to your team and client.

What are the greatest challenges to good communication?

Every year I update my business plan to include my two biggest goals along with 2 to 3 strategies/activities to achieve those goals throughout the year. I would have to say developing consistent processes in my firm have brought about our biggest successes.

Sticking to my calendar is key in order to maintain a balance between work and home life. I am an avid promoter of time blocking and in fact I account for every 15 minutes of my day so that we can be as efficient as possible. I also make sure that our team has a weekly meeting so that we can make sure communication and customer service are always top of mind. Through the use of consistent processes, time blocking and open communication we continue to bring success to the firm.

May

2021

3 Great Resources for Networking in Sports Philanthropy

By: Dr. Mimi Nartey, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Nartey Sports Foundation | NarteySportsFoundation.com

Athlete marketing has become a billion-dollar enterprise. The wealth and global influence athletes garner are being leveraged in the philanthropy space, and the sports philanthropy field is taking off. There are many opportunities to get involved in the social and environmental justice movements that are being spear-headed by major sports leagues, teams, and athletes. Building out your knowledge and network in this space can set you apart with your athlete clientele.

Here are three great resources for sports and entertainment professionals who are looking to cross-over or include philanthropy in their resumes and networking spheres:

Professional Networking Sites: Sports Philanthropy Network

Professional networking is obviously so important in getting new information and sourcing new business. This is especially true the sports philanthropy space, which is a sector that is difficult to access. While standard networking sites are a solid resource, sites specifically dedicated to professional networking in the sports philanthropy sector are even more useful because of the specific focus. Sports Philanthropy Network is a professional networking platform targeting individuals interested in accessing a community of people engaged in bolstering the social and financial influence of athletes and sports teams for the common good.

Sports Philanthropy Platforms: The Sport of Philanthropy

There are a few great sports blogs and platforms that showcase stories and advice from athletes from around the world. The Sport of Philanthropy is a blog created by the social enterprise Champions for Philanthropy to highlight the charitable work of professional athletes, teams, and major sports leagues around the world. The goal of this platform is to showcase best practices in sports philanthropy and celebrate inspiring philanthropic efforts in professional sports that aren’t widely known.

Continuing Education: Sports Philanthropy Certificate Programs

If you are really committed in expanding your knowledge and skill set, you can pursue continuing education through a sports philanthropy certificate program. George Washington School of Business offers a unique Sports Philanthropy Executive Certificate Program in partnership with the GW Sports management MBA program (ranked 3^rd in the country for sports business programs by Sports Business International Magazine). The GW program emphasizes corporate social responsibility and how non-profits can use sports for social good. Another option is to obtain certification through the Sports and Entertainment Impact Collective, which is a program designed to bring together athletes, entertainers and philanthropy leaders in a collaborative instructional setting. Students and faculty come from major organizations including Nike, the WNBA, Under Armour, UNICEF, the Detroit Lions, and Gatorade, among others.

There are plenty of amazing resources for this emergent field. Whether you or your clients are interested in making sports philanthropy a primary focus or looking to simply find some positive affiliations, these are some great starting points for making a positive impact.

Sources Cited.

Apr

2021

Member Contribution: Persistence is key to breaking into any industry

By Eric J Proos | The Law Office of Eric J. Proos, P.C.

Coming from Metro Detroit, without any ties to the entertainment and sports industry, some think I broke into representing music clients by simply moving to Los Angeles. However, landing those Grammy winning clients was not that simple. It involved a lot of work behind the scenes. As many in the entertainment and sports industry will tell you, persistence is a characteristic that many of us professionals in SES possess. I guess this Member Contribution is not about me, my firm, my work, or my clients, but instead is a way of paying it forward to anyone that is interested in breaking into the entertainment and sports industry^[^1]. The key to success is to be persistent in the following three areas.

Networking

No matter the industry, never turn down the opportunity to network with professionals, experts, or people interested in entertainment and sports. When I moved to LA, I talked to everyone I was introduced to, no matter who it was, the day, time, or if it was raining (which we all know is a big deterrent in LA). Keep in mind, that it is sometimes the people you do not meet at industry events that may have the best connections. For me, it was the guy that cut my hair. He was so well connected he introduced me to some of the most well-known professional service providers in music, TV, and film. Did this result in clients? No, but it did result in the ever-valuable relationship capital, and keep in mind that the more people in an industry that hear your name, the more credibility you have, even if you haven’t worked for those individuals.

When I network it is not about getting clients, it is about getting to know the people, learning what they have to offer, and matching them with my current clientele and connections to help their business. When you network and provide value to the people you are networking with, you stay top of mind, and that is one of the best ways to eventually land clients from your networking efforts.

Cold emails

Even though this may be a different version of networking, I think this is a completely different game in itself. Cold emails allow you to pinpoint the people you want to meet instead of leaving it up to chance. Compile a list of people you want to meet, talk with, learn from, or whatever it may be and start sending emails. This is a numbers game, so don’t be deterred if you receive no response. To this day, I still send out daily cold emails to other professionals in order to network and provide value to in any way I can. I send out six emails a day, five days a week, 50 weeks a year. By doing this, I have made numerous connections with professionals that now provide my firm with great referrals and clients/connections in the entertainment industry.

Asking

I am a huge fan of learning from some of the best business people. Usually, this education is provided via interviews or biographies. Nowadays there is a ton of videos on YouTube that can provide some great information. With all the videos out there, the best one I have found is of Steve Jobs. Never be afraid to ask. This can be done via emails, phone calls, or while networking.

I always ask for the most valuable thing a person can offer, their time, whether that’s to grab coffee or jump on a call. Yes, I get a lot of “no’s”, but I also get some “yes.” Don’t be afraid to ask the same person over and over again to meet for coffee/a phone call/response email. Just keep one thing in mind, you better plan to bring some value to the conversation as well. Bring something to the table, don’t ask this person for their time and then ask for something without providing value back to them.

As these three factors outlined, persistence is the key to breaking into entertainment and sports, or any industry for that matter. The Members of SES are established in these industries, but sometimes our closest connections that want to break into entertainment and sports don’t want to listen to us. So, this article is for them, that may be your kids, family, friends, or someone seeking your time. Persistence has been the key to my success, not only in entertainment and sports, but life in general, and it can be an important asset for others too.

[1] Persistence can be used to break into any industry.

Apr

2021

March 2021

The "2 Client Approach." We had a great conversation on our last Zoom call about the 2 Client Approach for our sports and entertainment clients. This month, we will have a great guest speaker from the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation that you won't want to miss. Lastly, the first quarter is officially over and get ready for the rest of the year to fly by too. Stay dialed in for more SES networking, online events and speakers, and YES, in-person events! This is going to be a year of growth and expansion for our members and we are excited to support that journey.

-Kofi Nartey and The Sports and Entertainment Society Team

Amalfi Coast: Luxury Experiences in one of the world’s most sought-after destinations

Located in the beating heart of southern Italy, Amalfi Coast is a one-of-a-kind destination. This place feels like time has stopped there. You’ll still be able to see cars and scooters from the 50s, cheekily flying around the small alleys and intricate coastal roads. The scenery is very traditional and picturesque, but Amalfi is home to some of the most incredible luxury experiences you could dream of. The world-famous Santa Caterina hotel is one of them. I had the opportunity to spend several nights in this beautiful establishment with my wife last summer, and our stay was unforgettable.

What is the most effective strategy for connecting with and encouraging your team?

I have found that its easiest to connect with my team through daily texts that set the tone for that day. This is a simple, short text that does not require a response. For example, if work needs to be done on a contract for a client, I’ll send something quick like, “I know you’ve the contract for client Doe handled, but if you need a second take on anything today before sending, I’m available.” I found this works great for tasks that the team and I have discussed.

In addition to small texts, my team and I also have summary/strategy calls whenever as needed. If an attorney I am working with needs some help, they text me their availability and we set up a call that day to discuss. I always welcome any questions. I also make myself available at a time that works best for the person seeking help.

Who is the best person you’ve worked for? Why?

For the majority of my 30-year career, I have been my own boss. Some days I love being the boss. Other days, it is a little lonely. I learned about hustling and the power of treating any position like you are the boss from John Soltis at Milliken & Company – one of the world’s largest textile companies. He was a bit of maverick with a tremendously committed work ethic. He approached every day like his sole job was to make sure new business flowed in to keep the lights on, even though we worked in one small business unit in a multi-million dollar company with thousands of employees. He always had a back-up plan for his back-up plan and taught me to be bold and confident in sharing my ideas. He showed me that I could use my position as the only woman at the table to make diversity a business asset. Because of his mentorship, many more women joined me at that table.

thesesociety_0md1v7

Hello SES Community!

MIMI
NARTEY

The Olympic Champions of Giving

July 2021

SPORTS MEMORABILIA CONTINUES TO BOOM. WHAT THE NFT HAPPENED?!

APPLE NEWS PARTNERS WITH NBCUNIVERSAL TO SHARE EXCLUSIVE OLYMPICS CONTENT

2022 PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO GT FIRST DRIVE REVIEW: PEAK PERFORMANCE

A luxury stay in the Maldives: the most exclusive getaway on the planet!

BRANDON
LEOPOLDUS

CHAD
WARRICK

KENNINGTON
GROFF

SHANE
VANDERSON

Hello SES!

WORLD'S MOST VALUABLE SPORTS TEAMS 2021

2021 OSCARS: THE COMPLETE WINNERS LIST

REEBOK JOINS NFT MARKET WITH LIMITED EDITION FOOTWEAR

DR. MIMI
NARTEY

ERIC
PROOS

GOLD
PORTER

DAVID
SIEGEL

MELISSA
HASKINS

3 Great Resources for Networking in Sports Philanthropy

Professional Networking Sites: Sports Philanthropy Network

Sports Philanthropy Platforms: The Sport of Philanthropy

Continuing Education: Sports Philanthropy Certificate Programs

SUPREME COURT CASE COULD CHANGE THE NATURE OF COLLEGE SPORTS

TRIBECA PLANS IN-PERSON, OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVAL FOR JUNE

INNOVATIVE BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY CREATES NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HIGH-END FASHION INDUSTRY

Amalfi Coast: Luxury Experiences in one of the world’s most sought-after destinations

ED CASTNER

ERIC
PROOS

TRACY
HAZZARD

BRANDON
LEOPOLDUS

Recent Posts

Hello SES Community!

MIMI NARTEY

The Olympic Champions of Giving

Perry Baker | Rugby

Simone Biles | Gymnastics

Katie Ledecky | Swimming

Megan Rapinoe | Soccer

Scout Bassett | Paralympic Track and Field

SPORTS MEMORABILIA CONTINUES TO BOOM. WHAT THE NFT HAPPENED?!

APPLE NEWS PARTNERS WITH NBCUNIVERSAL TO SHARE EXCLUSIVE OLYMPICS CONTENT

2022 PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO GT FIRST DRIVE REVIEW: PEAK PERFORMANCE

A luxury stay in the Maldives: the most exclusive getaway on the planet!

BRANDON LEOPOLDUS

CHAD WARRICK

KENNINGTON GROFF

SHANE VANDERSON

Hello SES!

WORLD'S MOST VALUABLE SPORTS TEAMS 2021

2021 OSCARS: THE COMPLETE WINNERS LIST

REEBOK JOINS NFT MARKET WITH LIMITED EDITION FOOTWEAR

DR. MIMI NARTEY

ERIC PROOS

GOLD PORTER

DAVID SIEGEL

MELISSA HASKINS

Professional Networking Sites: Sports Philanthropy Network

Sports Philanthropy Platforms: The Sport of Philanthropy

Continuing Education: Sports Philanthropy Certificate Programs

Networking

Cold emails

Asking

SUPREME COURT CASE COULD CHANGE THE NATURE OF COLLEGE SPORTS

TRIBECA PLANS IN-PERSON, OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVAL FOR JUNE

INNOVATIVE BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY CREATES NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HIGH-END FASHION INDUSTRY

Amalfi Coast: Luxury Experiences in one of the world’s most sought-after destinations

ED CASTNER

ERIC PROOS

TRACY HAZZARD

BRANDON LEOPOLDUS

Recent Posts

MIMI
NARTEY

BRANDON
LEOPOLDUS

CHAD
WARRICK

KENNINGTON
GROFF

SHANE
VANDERSON

DR. MIMI
NARTEY

ERIC
PROOS

GOLD
PORTER

DAVID
SIEGEL

MELISSA
HASKINS

ERIC
PROOS

TRACY
HAZZARD

BRANDON
LEOPOLDUS