Name: Bill Colvin
Position: Colvin Sports Network Founder & President
Age: 57
Where I’m from: Detroit
Where I call home: Pepper Pike, Ohio
Focusing on right now: Details for the corporate groups we're taking to The Masters.
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Colvin (l) has become a Kid Cudi fan after his
daughter introduced him to the rapper's music |
Best advice: If you’re going to do something, do it right. In today’s technologically geeked-up world, I think we get focused on doing a lot of things rather than doing what we do well.
Must for a new hire: One of the questions I ask is, “Do you like sunrises or sunsets?” In our business, you’ve got to be up early and you’ve got to get going first thing. If you’re a slow starter, you’re playing catch-up with your day. I prefer people who like to get up and get at it right away.
Exec I admire most: It's BILL GATES, who had conviction to say, “I’m going to not finish school. This is what I want to do, this is what I want to create." He was pure conviction. Then, to take his wealth and put it to work philanthropically, I think is the complete package. He's also a family man and a gentleman, and understated.
Best book I've read: "The Presidents Club" by NANCY GIBBS and MICHAEL DUFFY. HERBERT HOOVER and HARRY TRUMAN formed this club for former presidents to give council to and do things on behalf of the sitting president. I took away an appreciation for history that kind of gets muddled as we get older. It was uniquely written to not only give you particular examples of what they do, but the times and the pressures and the important historical occurrences that happened.
First thing in the morning: Two cups of coffee, then I work out. I have a small space in the house with enough equipment to give me the workout that I need. While on the treadmill, I’m flipping between the Golf Channel and "SPORTSCENTER." Then I’m usually in the office by 6:30, 7:00.
Talking tech: I just added an app called "Windfinder" for when I'm boating. I can plug in any part of where I want to go boating and it tells me what the winds are.
Must have music: I have tried to exchange musical preferences with each of my three kids. My youngest daughter, who's 22, really likes rap. She suggested KID CUDI, and I actually like it. Then my oldest daughter, 27, is a little more traditional, so I listen to THE BLACK KEYS. My son (24) and I have become very fond of country. They’ve turned me on to their music, and in return, they now like THE BEATLES and MAROON 5.
Food for thought: There’s a place in Atlanta called Nan Thai Fine Dining, owned by CHARLIE and NAN NIYOMKUL, who are avid golfers. When pro golfers fly into Atlanta for the Tour Championship or The Masters, they stop there. It’s one of VIJAY SINGH’s favorite restaurants and they have memorabilia all over the wall. It is probably the best Thai food that I’ve ever had.
How I unwind: In the winter time, snow-shoeing. It’s very relaxing but it’s also great exercise because while you do walk on top of snow, you sink down a little bit and have to pull your legs out of the snow.
Day in the life: When we take people to golf events, we typically break the week up into three or more waves of people. That complicates the logistical aspect, but it maximizes return because you buy one Masters badge and that can be used once by you, or it can be used four times. So if you’re paying "X" for it, you’re really paying one-quarter "X" for you and then three other customers. But by the third wave of guests, one of the tricky parts for your staff is to make it seem like they just arrived as well instead of being tired. They’ve got to gear up with every wave and have the energy level, and that’s hard to do.
