Page 34 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 103

34 Issue #103 August 2021
In The
In
ZONE
Creating Opportunity
With Justin Roethlingshoefer
he saying ‘’it’s all about
Twho you know’’ has some
truth to it, but how do you get
to know the right people? The
movie, ‘’The Secret’’ has some
truth to it, but what actions do
you take after you visualize what
you want? More often than not,
it’s really about putting yourself
into the room. This is what’s
provided me opportunity after
opportunity. Here’s a couple
stories:
1- My opportunity to play
with the Cornwall Colts: I
wanted to play college hockey
and the step to get there was
playing Jr. A. Knowing
exposure was key, I left home
at 17 to play Jr. B hockey in
BC. From there I was traded to
Ontario and after going to the
Jr. B National Championship
the following season, I was
released in November. Instead
of pouting and licking my
wounds, I called the GM of the
Colts. He said, “Fly yourself in THE ROOM!
and we’ll see how it goes.” And
so, I did. I got in the room. From
there, I made the team. From
there, I went to the RBC Cup,
a 2nd national championship in
2 years. From there, I was able
to make the step to the NCAA
(by the way, I made sure to put
myself in the room with the
decision makers there as well).
2- My first NHL job:
Presenting at conferences was
becoming second nature as I
was about to graduate. My work
in data driven performance was
getting noticed, but I still did not
have an opportunity. Knowing
where I wanted to end up, I
made sure I knew what NHL
teams were going to be at the
conference. While there, I
prepared a folder for each one
of the 6 teams in attendance,
with a letter and my information
about my work. After the
conference, 2 teams asked me
to fly out and do some work
for them for a week, again on acquisition for our IP and to
my own dime. I accepted, and put our program into an app
within 2 weeks had been given platform that could take what
my first NHL job offer. GET IN we were doing with thousands
3- My first company funding:
While in the NHL, it was
common to go from hotel to a 1.3 billion start-up: An
www.sportsenergynews.com
rink and repeat while on the individual had reached out
road. It was monotonous and
through social media and asked
and could put an active and me to do some testing and work
tiring both at the same time
with him. Empathetically, I
social person like myself in a
agreed to help him and over the
downward spiral. So, I made
a point to meet with someone first couple months his results
were outstanding (we had a
new in every single city we good canvas). He wanted to give
went to, someone who was me some form of payment other
business savvy, and I could
than cash and so he introduced
learn from. It was after my me to a mentor of his. We
3rd year that I got a phone call began speaking she invited me
(from 1 of the 187 people I out to a party in NYC. I had
had taken for lunch), and they to pay my own way there but
said, “What you are doing is wanted to feature my work to
special and I would like to fund the people attending. She and I
your company.” Just like that began working together putting
we had a business plan and an her on a mission to create
operation that would impact change within herself. After
thousands. we presented, the outpouring
4- Selling my first company: of people coming forward
Though an inadvertent meeting was immense. People in the
through social media (again... same circles as the likes of
being active through LinkedIn, Oprah, Steve Harvey, Donald
the virtual room) there was Trump, and Warren Buffet.
a company that saw impact They wanted me to be a part
in what we were doing. They of what they were doing, and
wanted to see, feel, and touch within 2 weeks I was a part of a
what we were doing however company that was going public
and so we decided to put them in 10 months at a 1.3 billion
through the program for free. valuation. See the pattern yet?
Yes, we turned down 4K a Moral of the story: if
month. After 3 months they you’re not in the room, get into
said, “We love this, we want the room, even if you must pour
to scale this for you.” So, the the water; but, while you’re
there, make sure the skills you
show them are the ones that
will impress.
and now impact millions. Own It.
Again...get in the room. Justin Roethlingshoefer
5- Becoming a part of Founder, Own It
justownit.co