8 ways an athlete is like an entrepreneur

Registering a personal domain name with a .CA can make sense for many individuals looking to build their personal online brand, with some of the most common uses being:

• New graduates trying to establish an online presence at the beginning of their career;
• Entrepreneurs who want to sell in the Canadian marketplace; and
• Canadian amateur athletes building their online brand and connecting with their fans.

Athletes’ personal brands can be worth a lot  ̶  but those who are in the big leagues all started somewhere. Athletes can (and should) begin building their personal brand online early in their careers.

We’ve noticed that there are many similarities in the objectives entrepreneurs and athletes are trying to achieve. What are these similarities? How exactly is an amateur athlete like an entrepreneur?

1. They’re likely up at the crack of dawn.

Athletes work hard. They sacrifice a lot to achieve their own personal goals. Just like entrepreneurs, they develop superior time management skills to squeeze in all of the preparation they need and thrive under pressure.

2. They connect with their fans online.

When consumers love a product, service or business, they like to be in the know about new developments and success stories. Similarly, athletes can use a website as a platform to share updates with fans. Having a website allows for the communication barrier between athletes and fans to be broken down.

3. They may be the ones running the show, but they rely on their network for support.

Athletes and entrepreneurs share a high level of independence and self-motivation. However, this doesn’t mean that they got to where they are on their own. They rely on the support provided through their networks, both in their local community and online, to achieve their goals. A website not only serves as a platform for thanking and recognizing these key players in their road to success, but can also help make new connections (think attracting new sponsors). Entrepreneurs and athletes sometimes rely on that extra boost of support to make it to the next level.

4. They know how to quash the competition.

They know what it takes to beat out their competitors. They analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and tweak what they do to be successful. They use tactics and strategies to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

5. They can literally change the game.

Many startups (like Uber) have gained notoriety for getting creative in the way they do business. They challenge traditional methods and make waves by doing things their own way. Some great athletes were no different- some, such as Martin Brodeur, were so awesome at what they did that the rules of the game needed to be changed.

6. They make great role models.

Athletes and entrepreneurs both worked hard to create something out of nothing. Their perseverance, passion, and tenacity are admirable, and many people look up to them as role models and seek them out for advice. A strong web presence can help athletes and entrepreneurs harness their role model status to motivate others to do good.

7. A big win is often preceded by a few (or many) losses.

The road to success is full of ups and downs, heartaches, and learning experiences. Just as entrepreneurs rarely succeed with their first business, athletes don’t become pro the first time they step onto the field. It takes years of hard work to get to where they are. And those years will be filled with bumps along the road, which are not seen as failures but embraced as valuable learning experiences.

“Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely.” – Henry Ford

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

8. They might not be marketing experts or have access to a big marketing budget, but they know the importance of branding.

We understand that not everyone is a marketing expert or website developer. But the good news is that you don’t have to be in order to start building up your online brand!

Many Canadians, from athletes to entrepreneurs, value the ability to create their own website and share their stories with the world.