Podcasts about golfsmith

Homeless Jenny: Part 2 Jenny moves in. I make some important changes.by Sénor Longo. Listen to the  ► Podcast at Connected. Soon enough we were driving south on US-17, the main road through virtually every town between here and Charleston. Five minutes later I pulled into the big parking lot at the PGA Superstore. Golfsmith was right across the street. “How do you know which one to go to,” Jenny asked.“It really doesn't matter that much. Their prices are virtually identical, but here they'll fit the clubs to you. That's important. I'll explain that you're a novice so the salesman will spend like forever with us. You'll see.” I took her hand and led her into the big store. The one difference between the two stores was that this one also sold clothing and equipment for tennis. I had no interest in that. Sometimes I could barely hit a stationary golf ball.Once inside I led Jenny to the area where she would be able to try various clubs. I wasn't at all surprised that we were intercepted halfway there by one of the salesmen. These guys must work on commission. They were even more attentive; always had been; than even the car salespeople.“Yes, you can help us. I want a set of clubs for my friend here. She's a total novice.”“Then I assume you'll want an inexpensive set of clubs.”“On the contrary, I believe that one should always have the very best equipment. Let's see what you have then I'm sure she'll want to try them out.” He smiled and led us to the back of the store where the ladies' clubs could be found. They had a good selection from TaylorMade, Nike, Adams, and Callaway; all top brands. He showed Jenny how to hold the clubs using several types of grips. I always used an interlocking grip so that's what I suggested to Jenny.Apparently, the salesman agreed. “It's the most popular and I find it helps control the club more effectively. He helped Jenny select a glove and we proceeded to the practice area. “These shafts will seem light to you. Don't let that fool you. They're graphite and they're extremely strong. I've never even come close to breaking one of mine so you don't have to worry about that. Now, here's some advice; golf is a game of contradictions.” Jenny replied with a puzzled look. I'd heard all of this before. “Believe it or not, to get the ball into the air you have to hit down on it. It's called trapping the ball; squeezing it between the club and the ground or, in this case, the mat. Next, if you want the ball to go far, swing easy. Swinging hard, or over-swinging, just gets your body out of rhythm. Only bad things will happen then like hooking or slicing and your distance will suffer, too. Just relax and swing in an arc. Ever play softball?”“Yes, I played on our high school varsity four years.”“That should help you; it's basically the same swing except now the ball is smaller, on the ground, and not moving.” Jenny tried a few practice swings before actually addressing a ball. Her first few swings were weak, but then she seemed to get the hang of it. All told she hit five shots with each club before going back to the TaylorMade Aeroburner's.“I like the way this one feels, Doug. Is that okay?”“It's more than okay; it's exactly right.” She tried several drivers and some fairway woods. Why they're still called “woods” when they're made of metal has always astounded me. Anyway, Jenny liked the TaylorMade there, too. Once we had the clubs we walked over to get a couple of bags.“Why do I need more than one?”“You'll need a cart bag for when we play. It'll help you organize the clubs and it's big enough to hold extra gloves, raingear, plenty of balls, tees, and first aid supplies in case you get a blister or a cut. It'll also have a compartment that's insulated to keep cold water or Gator Aid. On the downside, cart bags are heavy so when we go to the range to practice you'll want something lighter and easier to carry. I also use mine when I travel. She selected one in pink and the second in purple. They were both excellent bags so I was satisfied. I handed them to the salesman, telling him to meet us in shoes.“Shoes?”“Yeah, you can play in your sneakers, but they're not waterproof like golf shoes and you can slip quite easily. Golf shoes have cleats.” She tried several, picking a pair that was more like sneakers than shoes. We bought two. Next: putters. I explained and Jenny tried a few on their putting green. After almost an hour she picked an Odyssey Works Superstroke; a good choice in my opinion. We spent another hour on clothes before buying three dozen balls and several ball markers, towels, and other assorted tools. My bill came to $3,427.16, not too bad all things considered.On the drive home I told Jenny that I'd be away for the weekend. “I think it would be good if you came with me.”“Where are we going?”“Santee, South Carolina.”“Where on earth is that?”“I-95 runs right through the middle of it. That's how we're getting there. I'm getting a dog.”“Why can't you get one here?”“I could, but this will be a special dog. Before you came to live with me I was there alone every day and night except for when May was there cleaning. I had a team of burglars break in early one morning about two months ago. The alarm went off and I grabbed my pistol. It's a smart gun that requires my thumbprint to be fired. I shot one of them when he tried to knife me and the other ran. The guy lived, but he'll be paralyzed for the rest of his life; the bullet went through his lung and severed his spinal cord. For a while I thought I might go to jail, but the DA decided not to prosecute. The one I shot had a long record of burglary and even armed robbery and the fact that he did cut my arm made the case one of self-defense.“I thought at the time that I might need a guard dog. Dogs are notoriously light sleepers and they have sensational hearing. I think a barking dog would probably scare most burglars away, besides you could always call the dog back. You can't do that with a bullet. I'd like to have you with me so the dog will know you. We can take our clubs and practice. Then when we come home I'll arrange some lessons for you.” Jenny leaned forward and kissed me. It had been a wonderful morning.We stopped at the Farmstead Golf Links where I was a member and walked together into the clubhouse where I picked up a ticket for three bags of balls. For some reason this course puts their range balls into these neat nylon mesh bags which disappear at an alarming rate according to the head pro who is a friend. We redeemed our voucher for the balls at the bag drop and walked together to the range about 75 yards away. We were almost there when Jenny told me, “I can see what you mean about these wind shirts. It's breezy here, but I'm warm; much warmer than I thought I would be.” I showed her what most people thought was the best way to practice; starting with a wedge and moving up to the longer clubs. She did as I suggested and before long she was striking the ball as though she'd been playing for years. She was a natural; I wasn't. I could hit most shots fairly well, but every now and then, . Well, let me put it this way; golf is only one of the four-letter words I've been known to use often on the course.After the range we walked to the putting green. It was mid-afternoon and it was deserted. I gave her three balls and told her to have fun. Fifteen minutes later I was just about to stroke a twenty-footer when I heard her shout, “YEAH!” She continued when I looked up. “That must have been forty feet, maybe even longer.” I left my ball to give Jenny a knuckle bump, but she jumped up to wrap her arms around my neck and pressed her lips into mine. “I'm having such fun. It's hard to believe that less than a week ago, .”I stopped her there. “Let's not talk about the past. It's no longer important. Only your future matters now.” Leaning down, I kissed her again, but only a short one. “Back to work,” I told her as I patted her ass. It looked as good in her jeans as it did naked in my bed. We stayed until the weather turned cool then returned to my car to stow the clubs in the trunk. A minute later we were on our way back home.Once there I showed Jenny how to clean her clubs. “I'm sure you've never watched golf on TV, but if you had you'd see that the caddie cleans the club after every shot. I play with some guys who never clean their clubs. It's important to keep these little grooves clean. They grip and spin the ball. You'll learn more about that when you take a few lessons. I think you'll do really well. You seem to have a knack for the game. Next week we'll get you out onto the course.”“I had a lot of fun today, Doug. Thank you so much. Running into you was the best thing that's ever happened to me.” What could I say? Absolutely nothing; she kissed me then, ramming her tongue down my throat. Man, could she kiss!Anyway, I washed the clubs in my laundry tub and she dried them, returning them to their bags. We were done in about twenty minutes then I surprised her by removing her golf shoes and washing them. I finished by washing mine then we carried all her clothes into the house. I dropped them onto the bed and went to one of the spare bedrooms for some extra hangers. We showered quickly; no fooling around; and went back to the car to go out for dinner. We were both hungry, not having eaten since breakfast.I debated driving all the way back to Myrtle Beach, but I had promised Jenny we'd go to Original Benjamin's and I liked to think of myself as a man of my word. At one time I would have been forced to drive down Route 17 past light after light, probably being lucky to average 30 miles per hour. About five years ago a bypass was created; SC-31, the Carolina Bays Parkway; where the speed limit was 65, but the average speed was closer to 75. That was where I headed now. Thirty minutes later I pulled into the restaurant's huge parking lot.We were greeted by a “pirate” who gave us some cheap plastic bead necklaces. Just inside the door Jenny marveled at the model of the Queen Elizabeth. It must be thirty feet long and the detail is incredible. I gave my name to the hostess and we moved into the bar to wait until we were called. It was January; the middle of winter; and we still had to wait. Jenny looked at the sticker I'd been given. It was on my shirt. “Yellowfin Tuna?”“Yeah, that's how they'll call us when they have table for us. It's easier than calling a bunch of names they've never heard before. Margarita?”“Yes, please.” I ordered and a few minutes later our drinks were placed on the bar in front of us. I dropped a twenty on the bar, leaving the change as a tip. Jenny and I chatted while we drank. She was really excited about our day. She had just asked me a question about golf when we were called. After reporting to the cashier we were led to our table, but not before our guide picked up a basket of hush puppies. Jenny and I sat and ate a few before going up to the buffet. I always ate the same things; cold boiled peel-and-eat shrimp on my first trip, crab-stuffed mushrooms, fried shrimp and fried scallops along with an ear of corn on my second, and several pounds of crab legs on the rest, usually eating until I could barely walk. Jenny went for salad and soup to begin, commenting as I fed her a large shrimp with cocktail sauce how good the vegetable beef soup was.I realized then that I hadn't thought to buy Jenny either a wallet or purse. She'd had no need on the road, but now they'd be essentials. Oh well, tomorrow was another day. I followed my usual routine, finishing after having eaten nine clusters of crab legs. Jenny wasn't that far behind me, having eaten six.We were back in the car when Jenny next spoke. “I don't think I've ever eaten so much. I couldn't believe how good the food was. Doug, I have to thank you for the best day of my life.” I sat there silent, unbelieving that such an ordinary day had been her best.Finally, after almost a minute, I responded, “I'm truly sorry, Jenny. I keep forgetting how miserable your life has been, but I want you to know that I had a wonderful time, too. I think running into you was just as lucky for me as it was for you. You have so much energy and so much curiosity that I get a big kick out of watching you as you experience things for the first time.” I reached across the console to take her hand in mine. I knew she was grateful as hell, but how far did her feelings for me really go? I wasn't ready then to tell her how I really felt. I knew I could easily fall in love with her, but would she feel the same about me? Only time would tell.CHAPTER 5.We'd left the restaurant at 8:45 and the sky had become cloudy and overcast so the night was black as pitch when we passed through Calabash around ten after nine. The road forms a big “S” with a right turn that takes it down near the I C W and a left that runs roughly parallel to the waterway. We were about a mile from the house when I first noticed the bright blue, red, and white blinking lights in the distance. As we approached we realized the lights were coming from my driveway.Sunset Beach has its own police force, but the majority of law enforcement is still done by the sheriff and his deputies. There was one car from each agency in the driveway as I parked on the front lawn. Of course, I was challenged by one of the town officers until I identified myself as the owner of the house. “What happened?”“We got an alert from the alarm company. Your sliding glass door was forced open. Looks like they got some of your stuff. I'd like you to check and tell us what.”“Doug, do you think they stole your computers?”“No, they're locked in place and the password is fourteen symbols long so I doubt they were able to gain access to my files.” We walked in to find a lot of vandalism; torn cushions from my almost new leather couch, marker on the walls, beer missing from the fridge. They'd also gotten my I-pad and a laptop I used for email or writing if I wanted to watch TV. There was nothing of value on the hard drive. I wasn't foolish enough to put my billion dollar investment program on something so easily lost or stolen. However, that didn't mean I didn't have a nasty surprise for the thieves.“We know this was done by kids. Real burglars don't destroy furniture or write on the walls. We believe their MO is to knock on doors. If someone answers they ask for someone who obviously doesn't live there. If nobody answers they break in and steal what they can. I sure would like to catch these bastards.”“Then come with us to my office and I'll show you where they are.” He looked to be confused, but he did follow Jenny and me into the room. “I'm a PhD. in computer engineering so I've taken my laptop and I-pad and made a few changes to how they operate. There's a password, but no special password screen so if you don't know about it you'll open the computer, but also activate a GPS chip that I installed. I can pull up a map showing their location in seconds. Hold on a sec, .” I activated the GPS tracker using the icon on my desktop. Initially, there were two dots; one red for the laptop and one green for the I-pad, but a minute later I had the latitude and longitude down to the nearest second. A map appeared when I pressed F12 and I was able to zoom in all the way to the address.“Once they turn these on the GPS will continue independently whether the unit is on or off. Okay, 3746 Duncan Street. That's just up the road on the left past that big pond with the observation deck.”“We're on the way. I'm sure we can get a full search warrant based on what we have. With our new technology the judge's staff can send it to my vehicle and I can print it out right there. How's that for service? Will you be home tomorrow morning? I'd like to send one of the day deputies over to fill you in. If we're lucky we'll find some of the other stuff they've taken, too.” We shook hands and they were gone less than a minute later.“What're we going to do about this mess? I can't believe they were so destructive, Doug.”“I'll contact my insurance company first thing tomorrow morning. Well, maybe not the first thing, but early then I'll call the painters and finally, the furniture company to get a replacement for the couch. Then I'll need a fence company and I'll have to postpone our meeting with the dog trainer. I probably should have taken more precautions, but as the saying goes; there's no sense crying over spilt milk. I'm sure to get my laptop and I-pad back, but it will take time, unfortunately. Why don't we just go to bed?”“Good idea; I'm too stuffed to even think about dealing with this now.” She held out her hand and I took it as we walked together to the bedroom. We stripped and showered, but no sex tonight. I went to sleep quickly with a promise of a great blowjob in the morning.I got it, too; first thing, exactly as promised and well worth waiting for. Jenny sucked me dry, leaving me exhausted again at 6:30. We rested together and rose at seven. I fixed a breakfast of bacon and French toast for the two of us. I would have preferred for us to be naked, but I half expected a visit from the law and I knew May would be here around nine, thus, my sweatshirt and jeans while Jenny wore a sweater and Capri's.We ate in the kitchen, looking out toward the marsh and waterway, a dozen slices of hot egg-soaked bread, a pound of crisp bacon, butter, and genuine Vermont maple syrup. I ate quietly, but Jenny was ecstatic. “Damn, Doug; this is the best breakfast I've ever had.”“Thanks for the compliment, even if it isn't true. I'm sure your mother must have done something right in the kitchen, even if only once.”“My mother never made breakfast. She's the reason why I can't stomach cold cereal. I must have had frosted flakes a thousand days in a row then I had shredded wheat for the next thousand, besides don't you know to never refuse a compliment?”“I do now so why don't we finish up so I can get to work?” We dug in, eating like we had last night. We tackled the dishes together and Jenny volunteered to make the bed while I got busy on the phone. My first call was to my insurance agent. He told me he would get the crime report from the sheriff's office. Next I rang Sunset Painting. They were two brothers from New Jersey; Al and Joe. They were good workers and always showed up on time. Ten minutes later we had an appointment for Saturday morning. I had just ended the call when May and Le'andra walked in ready to work.“My lord, Mistuh Doug; what on earth happened heah?”“Burglary and vandalism, last night. Just work around it until the adjuster shows up. He should be here by one. Jenny and I will handle it if you're gone by the time he comes. Okay? Good, now I have to make a few more calls so, please excuse me.” I returned to the office while they got to work.My call went to a major furniture store in High Point, out in the western half of North Carolina. Lots of people think of it as the furniture capital of the world and they're probably right. I spoke to a salesperson, giving her the invoice number from my order. She found it in her computer and told me I could have the order duplicated in ten days. They even had my credit card on file.I was about to place another call when my phone rang. It was a sheriff's deputy. I made an appointment to meet with him in an hour. He was actually early which was okay with me. “We got ‘em, Mr. Preston. They're all eighth graders at the middle school in Shallotte. We busted the address you gave us at 11:00 last night and found your equipment and a closet full of electronics from the other jobs they pulled. I thought the kid's father was going to kill him. They're not poor. Dad's a service manag

For this Throwback Thursday, just after Father's Day, I knew I wanted to bring you this episode with my friend, an incredible father and podcaster at the While Black Podcast, Darius Hicks.    This past week in the United States, in addition to Father's Day, we also acknowledged Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) an annual commemoration of the effective end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War. It came when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to ensure all those enslaved were freed, a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It's considered the longest-running African American holiday and last year in 2021 became a federal holiday.    For those of us who are not Black, Juneteenth is an opportunity to learn more about the history of slavery, to reflect on how much more is needed for Black people to be truly free in this country, and to recommit to antiracism.    Just over a month since a white gunman killed 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo, one of the deadliest racist massacres in recent U.S. history, this conversation with Darius is a necessary call to action to learn more and identify how we can be part of the change that is needed.    Darius gifted us with exceptional insight, perspective, and vulnerability in this conversation. I'm honored to share it with you again.   So join us in this episode as we celebrate amazing fathers all over the world!   About Darius:   Darius has always displayed an entrepreneurial and activist spirit. Since his youth, he has dedicated his time to those around him in hopes of bettering them while he better himself. It began by volunteering as a camp counselor from middle school through high school, and grew via mentorship and tutoring in college all the way to his membership role in the 100 Black Men and as an advocate for African Americans through his work on the While Black Podcast. Vince wholeheartedly believes James Baldwin's quote “To be Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be a rage almost all the time”. However, he chooses to channel that rage into a place that allows him to change the narrative on black folks while he helps to empower those same black folks.   Earning his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Southern University A&M in Baton Rouge LA (1999) and his MBA from Queens University in Charlotte NC (2005), Vince has gained valuable experience in multiple industries.   He has excelled in multiple industries and enjoyed a career spanning 20+ years with opportunities in Engineering, Consumer packaged goods, Corporate retail giants, and now the Social/tech industry.   In addition, he is a successful entrepreneur and founder of Aveo Big and Tall Golf Apparel which rose to become the #1 big and tall golf apparel offering in Golfsmith stores and was distributed nationally and internationally via various outlets including but not limited to Dicks Sporting Good, GolfSmith, and Golf Galaxy. He has since sold the rights to the Aveo name and divested from the company.   However, he has altered his focus by aligning his passions with his promise and ensuring his time is invested accordingly as he focuses on improving the black world and the global community through and with black people. His latest endeavor is laser-focused on impacting and improving the people around him. Specifically, he is the creator and co-host of the While Black Podcast a podcast focused on empowering, educating, and inspiring African Americans to go and grow. While Black tells stories by, from, and for African Americans and pairs those stories with expert and credible guests who can communicate wisdom and success strategies helping us to achieve, accomplish, and overcome.   Connect with Darius: • Facebook: @whileblackpodcast • Instagram: @while_black • Twitter: @Whileblackpc   Topics Discussed in this Episode: • The universal language and common connection among mothers of all races and how Darius and I both believe mothers will be critical to making change  • Darius' quest to be authentically who he is as a 6'4, 300-pound dark-skinned Black man. How he has struggled to stand tall and shine while also consciously shrinking because people's first reaction to him is fear   • The question about fatherhood Darius asks himself all the time…” How do I raise fearless children when I am a fearful parent?”  • A heartbreaking but powerful “epic snapshot moment” with his son made Darius realize his words were getting through to him and that his son would be part of making change • How those committed to anti-racism and new to this can begin and the reason why Darius seeks “partnership” over saviorism or “help” • The three-fold challenge Darius gave us, including the specific movies that Darius thinks we should all watch to shift our understanding and perspective • How we all need each other to get free    Resources Mentioned: • While Black Podcast • Ahmaud Arbery Is All of Us – Can I Live?  • American Son|Netflix • When They See Us|Netflix • 13TH|Netflix • Ep 07: Living Out Loud with Jenjii Hysten • Revisited: Beyond the Trauma: Legacy, Compassion and Change with Mothers Against Police Brutality Co-Founder Sara Mokuria • Ep 55: From Grief to Advocacy and a Circle of Mothers with Trayvon Martin's mother Sybrina Fulton • Desiree Adaway and Diversity is an Asset  • Podcast Movement • Justice for Josiah   This Episode's Challenge:   Darius gave us a threefold challenge:   • There is bias inside all of us. We all have it. Try our very best to recognize when our unconscious bias fires. Try to pay attention every time we see or meet a Black person…if our initial intent is to walk in the other direction, stop for a moment and ask yourself why?  • Meet someone new and be the first one to say hello and to really see the humanity in them. • Be more intentional in our actions and in whatever media we digest so that we are aware of what's really happening and what others are really going through. Specifically, watch the movies American Son, 13th, and When They See Us This Episode is dedicated by:   Herve Clermont is an actor, voice-over artist, and Host, and was a National brand ambassador for Remy Martin for over 8 years. He discovered his passion for acting at Georgetown University, where he was in school as a pre-med major, and needed to fulfill electives.  He is the son of a proud Haitian Doctor and nurse, he always joked he “could play one.” He began his professional acting career in 2000 with a contract Role on One Life To Live, and has co-starred and guest-starred on various prime-time shows: Law & Order, CSI Miami, Cane, 24, Criminal Minds, Scandal, Guys with Kids, New Girl, The Mick, NCIS, NCIS LA, Dice, Veronica Mars, Mr. Iglesias, and many others.    Herve has been recurring on John Singleton's Snowfall for the last 3 seasons, before landing a series cast member on Tyler Perry's Ruthless. His voice-over career includes announcing at celebrity fund-raisers, branding and promotional videos, industrials, and promotional TV and radio commercials, including ones for Beyonce, an international Jazz festival, and currently is the voice behind Cintas and on camera.    Herve's hosting experience includes live events with BMW, VH-l, Harmon/ Kardon, and Remy Martin. He has also worked on a pilot in front of the camera as a Studio host in the entertainment industry, interviewing celebrities and keeping the audience up-to-date with the latest entertainment news.   Visit The J.E. Clermont Foundation Hope for the Children of Haiti for more about the Foundation that furthers Herve's father's legacy   Instagram @Plantinghopela – to learn about Herve's wife's venture that creates beautiful plants with contributions supporting the Foundation in Haiti and charitable efforts in LA.   Full Episode Show Notes Check out the full shownotes from the original episode here: Ep 75: A Call for Kinetic Partnership with While Black's Darius Hicks Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life. Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C). Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

“I always explain branding as the personality of your business.” - Dawn Foster Welcome to the Marketing To Millions Podcast, I'm your host, Liz Boer! In this episode, I welcome Dawn Foster to teach us how to set our brands up for success as Solopreneurs. We get practical and precise with metrics and tools.  Dawn Foster is a marketing strategist and brand guru who sees shapes and colors before words. She's led small and large marketing teams for over a decade and now works with solopreneurs and small business owners to take their marketing to the next level. Dawn is an analytical person who specializes in not only creating a branding foundation but in using numbers and data to amplify marketing strategies. She's worked with Golfsmith (now Dick's Sporting Goods), Renewal by Anderson, QuantumDigital, and more and shares what she's learned along the way with her clients.[00:01 - 08:28] Getting to Know Dawn[08:27 - 18:27] The First Steps of Online Marketing [18:28 - 28:47] What Happens After the Foundation is Set?[28:48 - 39:30] What Metrics Should Solopreneurs Focus on? [39:31 - 47:11] Favorite Branding, Media, and Metric Tools[47:12 - 49:54] Wrapping Up! Key Quotes“Branding now is more important than ever. People really want to connect with the business that they are deciding to put their resources into and invest in.” - Dawn Foster“Branding is something that does not stop, just because you're starting a business and working on branding. You'll continue to work on that same branding, and it will continue to evolve as long as your business is in existence.” - Dawn Foster“A little spend consistently has a bigger impact than a larger spend here or there.” - Dawn FosterResources Mentioned: HotJarGoogle AnalyticsHootsuiteBluehostWordPressMailchimp Connect with DawnWebsite: www.dfostermarketing.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dawnpfoster Instagram: www.instagram.com/dfostermarketing Facebook: www.facebook.com/dfostermarketing  Let's get connected!  You can find me on Instagram and Facebook. Visit my website https://lizboer.com  Join the Marketing to Millions FB Group  LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone you know who wants to build their online business, influence, and brand. You can listen to Marketing to Millions on Spotify, Stitcher, or iTunes.

Nearly 20 years later, CFO Trent York tells us that he can still hear the finance executive's exact words. “Trent, I don't need you tell me how not to do something—I need you to help me to figure out how to work through the issue and what needs to be addressed in order for us to be able to expand,” recalls York, placing just enough emphasis on the word “not” to expose a degree of anxiety that still lingers. At the time, York was a newbie controller for Golfsmith, an Austin, TX–based golf specialty retailer that in the 2000s was opening dozens of stores annually as golf enjoyed newfound popularity nationally amidst the Tiger Woods boom.  “We went from 20 retail stores at the time I joined to close to 80, and we actually took it public, so this was really a build-and-scale moment that was quite exciting,” explains York, who advanced into the vice president of finance role as the golf retailer began to prepare for a public offering that ultimately debuted on NASDAQ (symbol: GOLF) in June 2006. Beyond gainful employment and resume enrichment, Golfsmith provided York with a series of “build-and-scale” moments of insight that allowed him to confidently step into yet another fast-growing Austin phenom of the 2000s, HomeAway. “HomeAway was about scale. There was meaningful organic growth, and we were very acquisitive along the way, too, because the market that we were looking to bring together was fragmented,” remembers York, who would spend 13 years at the company and enter the CFO office a year after its sale to Expedia Group in 2015. Later, HomeAway was rebranded as part of VRBO. “Following the sale, we pivoted our entire business model from being subscription-based to being transaction-driven, which was really more aligned with the marketplace—and to pivot like this was not an easy thing to do,” reports York, who adds that his lesson or takeaway from “the pivot” was coming to understand how making complex tasks simple could help an organization to achieve greater agility.   Says York: “The ability to be agile or stay fluid within a changing environment—and to drive through it—comes back to keeping things simple.” –Jack Sweeney   Leave rating & review   Signup for our Newsletter GET MORE: Order now The CFO Yearbook, 2021     

I’m honored to share this special Father’s Day Episode with a devoted father, successful entrepreneur and fellow podcaster who has become a friend, Darius Hicks. Known as “Vince” on the acclaimed While Black Podcast, Darius channels his rage at the injustices Black people experience in our country by focusing it on empowering, educating, and inspiring African Americans to go and grow. While Black tells stories by, from, and for African Americans and pairs those stories with expert and credible guests who can communicate wisdom and success strategies to help the Black listeners achieve, accomplish, and overcome. In this conversation, Darius had me riveted, inspired and often in tears as we explored his epic life quest, his transformative moments as a father, how his work through While Black is meeting this moment and movement in our country, and the unique role that mothers, fathers and our younger generation all have to play in making change. To honor this episode, I want to share a statement of shared commitment from an effort called Podcasters for Justice that aligns with so much of the messages Darius and I explore here together: “We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many many others at the hands of police. This is a continuation of the systemic racism pervasive in our country since its inception and we are committed to standing against racism in all its forms. We believe that to be silent is to be complicit. We believe that Black lives matter. We believe that Black lives are more important than property. We believe that we have a responsibility to use our platforms to speak out against this injustice whenever and wherever we are witness to it. In creating digital media we have built audiences that return week after week to hear our voices and we will use our voices to speak against anti-blackness and police brutality.” I invite you to join me in donating to one of the efforts that Podcasters for Justice identified which you can find below in the show notes, to listen to and amplify this episode with Darius, and to follow each of Darius' powerful calls to action, stepping into kinetic partnership that will move us forward and help us all get free, together. Much appreciation, P.S. Know someone who would love this conversation? Pay this forward to a friend who may be interested. This Episode is Dedicated by: Herve Clermont  Herve Clermont is an actor, voice over artist, Host, and was a National brand ambassador for Remy Martin for over 8 years. He discovered his passion for acting at Georgetown University, where he was in school as a pre-med major, and needed to fulfill electives.  He is the son of a proud Haitian Doctor and nurse, he always joked he “could play one.” He began his professional acting career in 2000 with a contract Role on One Life To Live, and has co-starred and guest starred on various prime time shows: Law & Order, CSI Miami, Cane, 24, Criminal Minds, Scandal, Guys with Kids, New Girl, The Mick, NCIS, NCIS LA, Dice, Veronica Mars, Mr Iglesias, and many others.  Herve has been recurring on John Singleton’s Snowfall the last 3 seasons, before landing a series cast member on Tyler Perry’s Ruthless. His voice-over career includes announcing at celebrity fund-raisers, branding and promotional videos, industrials and promotional TV and radio commercials, including ones for Beyonce, an international Jazz festival, and currently is the voice behind Cintas and on camera.  Herve’s hosting experience includes live events with BMW, VH-l, Harmon/ Kardon and Remy Martin. He has also worked on a pilot in front of the camera as a Studio host in the entertainment industry, interviewing celebrities and keeping the audience up-to-date with the latest entertainment news. Visit The J.E. Clermont Foundation Hope for the Children of Haiti for more about the Foundation that furthers Herve’s father’s legacy Instagram @Plantinghopela - to learn about Herve’s wife’s venture that creates beautiful plants with contributions supporting the Foundation in Haiti and charitable efforts in LA.   Connect with Herve: Instagram @hervec19 In This Episode We Talk About: The universal language and common connection among mothers of all races and how Darius and I both believe mothers will be critical to making change  Darius' quest to be authentically who he is as a 6'4, 300-pound dark-skinned Black man. How he has struggled to stand tall and shine while also consciously shrinking because people's first reaction to him is fear   The question about fatherhood Darius asks himself all the time..."How do I raise fearless children when I am a fearful parent?”  A heartbreaking but powerful "epic snapshot moment" with his son that made Darius realize his words were getting through to him and that his son would be part of making change How those committed to anti-racism and new to this can begin and the reason why Darius seeks “partnership” over saviorism or "help" The three-fold challenge Darius gave us, including the specific movies that Darius thinks we should all watch to shift our understanding and perspective How we all need each other to get free  This Week's Challenge: Darius gave us a threefold challenge: 1) There is bias inside all of us. We all have it. Try our very best to recognize when our unconscious bias fires. Try to pay attention every time we see or meet a Black person...if our initial intent is to walk in the other direction, stop for a moment and ask yourself why?  2) Meet someone new and be the first one to say hello and to really see the humanity in them. 3) Be more intentional in our actions and in whatever media we digest so that we are aware of what’s really happening and what others are really going through. Specifically, watch the movies American Son, 13th, and When They See Us (all linked below.)  Learn More About Darius Hicks Darius has always displayed an entrepreneurial and activist spirit. Since his youth he has dedicated his time to those around him in hopes of bettering them while he better himself. It began by volunteering as a camp counselor from middle school through high school, and grew via mentorship and tutoring in college all the way to his membership role in the 100 Black Men and as an advocate for African Americans through his work on the While Black Podcast. Vince believes wholeheartedly the James Baldwin quote “To be Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be a rage almost all the time”. However, he chooses to channel that rage into a place that allows him to change the narrative on black folks while he helps to empower those same black folks. Earning his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Southern University A&M in Baton Rouge LA (1999) and his MBA from Queens University in Charlotte NC (2005), Vince has gained valuable experience in multiple industries. He has excelled in multiple industries and enjoyed a career spanning 20+ years with opportunities in Engineering, Consumer packaged goods, Corporate retail giants, and now the Social/tech industry. In addition, he is a successful entrepreneur and founder of Aveo Big and Tall Golf Apparel which rose to become the #1 big and tall golf apparel offering in Golfsmith stores and was distributed nationally and internationally via various outlets including but not limited to Dicks Sporting Good, GolfSmith, and Golf Galaxy. He has since sold the rights to the Aveo name and divested from the company. However, he has altered his focus by aligning his passions with his promise and ensuring his time is invested accordingly as he focuses on improving the black world and the global community through and with black people. His latest endeavor is laser focused on impacting and improving the people around him. Specifically, he is the creator and co-host of the While Black Podcast a podcast focused on empowering, educating, and inspiring African Americans to go and grow. While Black tells stories by, from, and for African Americans and pairs those stories with expert and credible guests who can communicate wisdom and success strategies helping us to achieve, accomplish, and overcome. Follow While Black on Social Media Facebook: @whileblackpodcast Instagram: @while_black Twitter: @Whileblackpc Resources Mentioned: While Black Podcast Ahmaud Arbery Is All of Us - Can I Live?  American Son|Netflix When They See Us|Netflix 13TH|Netflix Ep 07: Living Out Loud with Jenjii Hysten Revisited: Beyond the Trauma: Legacy, Compassion and Change with Mothers Against Police Brutality Co-Founder Sara Mokuria Ep 55: From Grief to Advocacy and a Circle of Mothers with Trayvon Martin’s Mother Sybrina Fulton Desiree Adaway and Diversity is an Asset  Podcast Movement Podcasters for Justice Recommended Efforts for Contribution: Black Visions Collective Campaign Zero Black Lives Matter Minneapolis NAACP Branch Sign-up at Color of Change to be notified of more opportunities to take action Mother's Quest also encourages you to consider: Mothers Against Police Brutality  Trayvon Martin Foundation's Circle of Mothers Announcements: Join us in the Mother’s Quest Facebook Group   At the time I’m releasing this episode, during the COVID-19 global pandemic, so many of us are seeking ways to connect with one another, even while needing to stay physically apart. If you identify with being a mother on a quest and you’re not yet a member of the free private Mother’s Quest Facebook Group, I invite you to join us for opportunities to learn together, to share what we have to offer one another and where we need support, and to find ways to make meaning of all we’re going through right now. Visit www.motherquest.com/community to join and I’d be honored to welcome you in.  Season Five of the Mother’s Podcast is Under Way! - Help us Spread the Word   If you enjoy the Mother’s Quest Podcast, we’d love your support in sharing this or another favorite episode with a mother you think would appreciate it too!  Another way to help spread the word is to leave a review at Apple Podcasts. Instructions for leaving a review are here: How to leave a rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad On your iOS mobile device, launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab in the lower right corner of the screen. Enter the name of the podcast you want to rate or review. ... Tap the Reviews tab, then tap “Write a Review” at the bottom of the screen. Acknowledgments: A big THANK YOU to our “patrons” for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support: Herve ClermontSamantha ArsenaultVickie Giambra Casey O'Roarty of Joyful Courage Kathie Moehlig or TransFamily Support Services Anne Ferguson of MamaFuel On the Move and etsuko Kubo Kate Amoo-Gottfried Nicole Lee Olivia Parr-Rud "Vince" of the While Black Podcast Sara Brannin-Mooser Lindsay Pera Julie Castro Abrams Alexia Vernon Brooke Markevicius Democracy Clothing Michael Skolnik Helgi Maki Kari Azuma Tamara Sobomehin Katie Krimitsos Carrie Caulfield Arick Rachel Rosen Chandra Brooks Jen Simon Monisha Vasa Celia Ward-Wallace Vanessa Couto Desiree Adaway Rachel Steinman Katie Hanus Denise Barreto  Sage B. Hobbs  Samantha Nolan-Smith Jody Smith Emily Cretella Collette Flanagan Titilayo Tinubu Ali  Carly Magnus Hurt Lizzy Russinko  Suzanne Brown Mara Berns Langer Mallory Schlabach  Katharine Earhart Jessica Kupferman Jen Jenkins Dohner Genese Harris Tonya Rineer Liane Louie-Badua Cristin Downs  Erin Kendall  Niko Osoteo  Erik Newton  Claire Fry Divya Silbermann Rachel Winter Caren and Debbie Lieberman Cameron Miranda Fran and David Lieberman Debbie and Alan Goore The Sustainable Living Podcast Samantha Arsenault Support the Podcast If you’d like to make a contribution to Mother’s Quest to support Season Four of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution. If you would like to “dedicate” an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com --- Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life. Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C). Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

What you think is what you say. What you say is what you do. What you do becomes a habit. What becomes your habit becomes your character. And your character is what determines your future.  (taken from Will Latif’s TEDx Talk: How to Become the Best Version of Yourself) As June comes to a close, a month with a focus on Father’s Day and Gun Violence Awareness, I’m honored to bring you an important conversation that touches on both themes with poet, speaker, advocate and father Will Latif Little.   As you’ll learn in this episode, Will has a profound story to tell, one that began with an upbringing in a single family parent home with his four sisters in Philadelphia, PA. Without his father or a father figure, and impacted by his environment, Will began to venture away from the ideals he was shaped by in church, dropping out of high school in the 10th grade, and becoming involved in the Philadelphia drug trade and a shooting that resulted in the death of a young man. This ultimately landed Will in prison for a 10-20 year sentence on a murder conviction at the age of 19.   Fatherhood was a seminal experience for Will. It was the knowledge of becoming a father, during the time of his incarceration, that became a catalyst for Will to turn his life around, motivating him to get his GED and educate himself through reading books that enlightened him. Through that process, Will says that what he thought was passing the time actually helped him become a man.  After ten long years, rehabilitated and reformed, Will was released from prison to start a new life, as a free man but challenged by the difficulty of gaining steady employment due to his criminal record. Not wanting to go back to a life of drug dealing and gun carrying, Will decided to invest in a career as a barber.  In his spare time, Will developed a program calledPoetree N Motion that would show young and older people how to overcome obstacles in life. And he began to share his story far and wide, taking the stage at a TEDx event, at public meetings where he advocates for education and emotional intelligence trainings, mentoring in the Philadelphia Prison System, and revealing his experience in a new award-winning documentary called Behind the Bullet.   It was important to me that this not be an interview solely about Will’stransgressions but about his whole life, his full humanity and his wisdom across all the E.P.I.C. guideposts. I learned so much from my time with Will...about the power of resilience, a strength passed from his own mother, the enduring possibility of forgiveness and redemption, the power of mindset, and about pushing through our discomfort, something Will challenged me to explore through the metaphor of running. Ultimately, this episode is about hope and transformation...And I hope you’ll be forever changed, as I have been, by your connection to Will and his story.   Much appreciation, Additional Reflections: With this special episode today, I close a series of conversations I set out to record on the intersectional impact of gun violence for the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative. This one differs from the others in that it is a deeply personal redemption story. A story of a man who took the life of another human being through gun violence and has come out the other side committed to educating others so they don’t make the same mistakes that he did. It’s important to note that Will’s perspective and journey is uniquely his own, that he takes a tremendous amount of personal responsibility, and focuses his change efforts on building emotional intelligence. Will also shares that there is systemic racism, a justice system that is not always just, and environmental conditions that contribute to the issue of gun violence. After listening to this conversation and exploring the links to Will’s work, I hope you’ll also spend some time with some of the other episodes I’ve recorded and with links I’ve included in the show notes to understand the big picture context beneath this deeply personal story. And to find your own path and commitment to dismantling systemic racism and gun violence.  There is so much work to do.   This Episode is Dedicated by: Vince from the While Black Podcast Vince has always displayed an entrepreneurial and activist spirit. Since his youth, he has dedicated his time to those around him in hopes of bettering them while he better himself. It began by volunteering as a camp counselor from middle school through high school, and grew via mentorship and tutoring in college all the way to his membership role in the 100 Black Men and as an advocate for African Americans through his work on the While Black Podcast. Vince believes wholeheartedly the James Baldwin quote “To be Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be a rage almost all the time”. However, he chooses to channel that rage into a place that allows him to change the narrative on black folks while he helps to empower those same black folks.  Earning his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Southern University A&M in Baton Rouge LA (1999) and his MBA from Queens University in Charlotte NC (2005), Vince has gained valuable experience in multiple industries.  He has excelled in multiple industries and enjoyed a career spanning 20+ years with opportunities in Engineering, Consumer packaged goods, Corporate retail giants, and now the Social/tech industry.  In addition, he is a successful entrepreneur and founder of Aveo Big and Tall Golf Apparel which rose to become the #1 big and tall golf apparel offering in Golfsmith stores and was distributed nationally and internationally via various outlets including but not limited to Dicks Sporting Good, GolfSmith, and Golf Galaxy. He has since sold the rights to the Aveo name and divested from the company  However, he has altered his focus by aligning his passions with his promise and ensuring his time is invested accordingly as he focuses on improving the black world and the global community through and with black people. His latest endeavor is laser-focused on impacting and improving the people around him. Specifically, he is the creator and co-host of the While Black Podcast a podcast focused on empowering, educating, and inspiring African Americans to go and grow. While Black tells stories by, from, and for African Americans and pairs those stories with expert and credible guests who can communicate wisdom and success strategies helping us to achieve, accomplish, and overcome. Check out the While Black Podcast here   In This Episode We Talk About: How Will’s mother influenced him to be a hard worker and to build esilience Will’s thoughts on the concept of a Hero’s Journey...why he thinks life is really more about being a responsible human being than a hero How fatherhood became the catalyst for changing his life from within and other pivotal moments that he shares in his TEDx Talk The story of forgiveness that unfolded after the brother of the man that Will killed entered into his barber shop The illusion of power and the emotional intelligence and mental control Will believes you need if you are to carry a gun Will’s reflections on the problem of police brutality, the need for emotional intelligence training for officers, and the belief that in order to have justice you need to be just  Biggest lessons Will learned in building a community through the barber shop and how he sees people of diverse backgrounds coming together in new ways Poetry as a vehicle for self reflection and the recitation of one of Will’s favorite poems “Look Into His Eyes” Pushing past your limiting beliefs through a physical challenge like running Mentioned from this Episode: Will's TEDx talk Will’s Book: ICY: Inner City Youth Behind the Bullet: Documentary The Power of Forgiveness - A South Philly Story Story of Off Duty Officer Who Shot a Man with A Mental Disability  Ep 55: From Grief to Advocacy and a Circle of Mothers with Trayvon Martin’s Mother Sybrina Fulton Resources to Go Deeper On Intersectional Impact of Gun Violence and our Criminal Justice System: Ep 33: Beyond the Trauma: Legacy, Compassion and Change with Mothers Against Police Brutality Co-founder Sara Mokuria  13th and When They See Us from Ava DuVernay - must see movies to understand our criminal justice system and racial profiling Community Justice Action Fund Website - changing the conversation on gun violence by leading with the people closest to the pain of everyday gun violence. Black on Black Crime is a Myth  While Black Podcast episode on Prison Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative This Week’s Challenge:  For this week’s challenge, Will challenges us to run! It’s a physical and mental challenge to engage yourself in self-awareness he says. Challenge yourself and see how far you can go. This activity will help you shape your mindset to understand that you can reach your full potential. Do this when you’re thinking of starting a new project or a big event. This physical challenge will help you gain more clarity to reach your goals. Learn More About Will: Will Little grew up in a single family parent home with his four sisters in Philadelphia, PA. Without his father or a father figure, Will began to venture out. Traveling through the City streets, Will picked up bad habits and negative ideas, soon becoming a product of his environment. Dropping out of high school in the 10th grade, Will became involved in the Philadelphia drug trade and other illegal activities. This ultimately landed Will in prison for 10-20 years on a murder conviction at the age of 19. During the time of his incarceration, Will decided to turn his life around, by first getting his diploma by way of a GED. While incarcerated, Will started educating himself to pass the time. He became a prodigious reader. In ten years, Will read a diverse spectrum of books that educated and enlightened him. What he thought was passing the time actually helped him become a man.  After ten long years, rehabilitated and reformed, Will Little was released from prison to start a new life, as a free man. He worked several odd jobs, but could not maintain steady employment due to his criminal record. Will was now unemployed with two children, an apartment, and a car note. Not wanted to go back to a life of drug dealing and gun carrying, Will decided to invest in a career as a barber. Will used one of his unemployment checks to purchase his supplies for barbering and learned how to be a barber while on the job. In his spare time, Will developed a program in 2003 that would show young and older people how to overcome obstacles in life through understanding life's trial and taking positive action. This program is called Poetree N Motion. Since his release, Will has performed in famous places such as Love Park, Harrisburg, PA, for the Philadelphia Prison System, for the Philadelphia School District, and at Girard College. Will has performed at community events with the former Mayor Street, former Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, District Attorney Seth Williams, and for actors such as Charles Dutton, and Judge Mathis. Will Little and Poetree N Motion have appeared on NBC News and well as on Fox 29. They also teach mentoring workshops with other organizations in the Philadelphia area. Will has had numerous articles in the local newspapers Philadelphia Tribune twice, south Philu review four times, Philadelphia Enquire two front-page article in the Philadelphia Daily News which inspired him to write his autobiography, I.C.Y. The Life and Times of Will Little. Will also had a television talk show on Comcast channel 80 which aired for two and a half years. You can see a great forgiveness story that won a 2014 Emmy award on YouTube under The power of Forgiveness two south Philly men"  Will has received awards and citations from the Philadelphia Mayor's Office, the Lieutenant Governor's Office of Pennsylvania, former Prison Commissioner Leon King, Partners in Peace Award from State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson and the 2010 Lucien E. Blackwell Guiding Light Award, United Way Philly Roots award, is a 2014 BME award winner and many more.   Connect with Will: Facebook LinkedIn littwilli@aol.com   Announcements: Announcement for the First Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life Group Program This summer, I’m excited to invite you to join us for the first group program version of the signature Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life series that I typically do in one-on-one coaching or in the Mother’s Quest Circle. The Group Program will bring you the same powerful sequence, in community, at a more affordable rate and at an accelerated pace, meeting weekly on Thursdays, beginning the second week of July.  If you want to be added to wait list to receive the link to all the details and the registration application as soon as it goes live, sign up here. Hope you may join us, and that together, we can help you clarify your future vision, assess your present along the E.P.I.C. Guideposts, and then move into action to more fully live your E.P.I.C. life.   Mother’s Quest Manifesto Give-Away ⚡️Have you been feeling a nudge to say "yes" to this Mother's Quest Manifesto Challenge? Here are some easy steps you can follow...in the last few days of this year's invitation before our Give-Away. FIVE STEPS:

If you visited a Golf Town store just 12 months ago – you would have seen a very different company than the innovative brand which stands before you today. Making the decision to buy back its namesake from its US counterpart, Golfsmith, was just the first step on its transformative journey to re-establish itself as a premier, stand-alone Canadian golf retailer. And this year has been one for the books. While many retailers are facing declining foot-traffic, decreasing sales and store closures, Golf Town marches forward. Between relaunching their brand, to rebuilding their culture (in partnership with their store associates, no less), to introducing experiential store concepts across the country – Golf Town relishes in the unique opportunity to create a fresh foundation. One that is built on an evolved purpose, a forward-thinking strategy and encompasses its renewed core values: team, winning, adaptation and authenticity. But how does a brand in transition, faced with the uncertainty of today’s retail landscape, bring its brand to life and create an enduring foundation? We had the opportunity to speak with Sue Gilpin, Director of HR at Golf Town, to discuss the organization’s remarkable transformation.

Michael Stricker, our STL guest this week, is an international digital marketer and agency consultant with hundreds of campaigns delivering millions of impressions to brands such as 2Modern, Aeropostale, BET, Dell, GolfSmith, JG Wentworth, Job.com, Johns Hopkins University, RE/MAX, Toshiba, SEMrush and Herringtons. He’s been called “a creative mind with a fearsome grasp of analytic skills”, and we can’t help but agree. Now at BeyondROI, Mike marries exhaustive research and analytics with actionable strategies, creative concepts, scalable processes, and doable tactics achieve tangible business results.

Michael Stricker, our STL guest this week, is an international digital marketer and agency consultant with hundreds of campaigns delivering millions of impressions to brands such as 2Modern, Aeropostale, BET, Dell, GolfSmith, JG Wentworth, Job.com, Johns Hopkins University, RE/MAX, Toshiba, SEMrush and Herringtons. He’s been called “a creative mind with a fearsome grasp of analytic skills”, and we can’t help but agree. Now at BeyondROI, Mike marries exhaustive research and analytics with actionable strategies, creative concepts, scalable processes, and doable tactics achieve tangible business results.

From courses closing to brands shutting down their golf lines, National Golf Foundation CEO Joe Beditz explains why the sport is going through a rough patch. Plus, the impact of the death of Miami Marlins Pitcher Jose Fernandez on the team’s plans, and how teams figure out when to make money for playing poorly. Listen to this week’s episode of Keeping Score. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We were jamming about Golfsmith filing for bankruptcy and were getting pretty heated (because of their stupidity). We decided to keep the mics rolling and do our second OTR micro episode where we come up with ideas for saving Golfsmith. From time to time, when inspiration strikes us, we'll give some additional thoughts about a topic. There is no script for this, we just let it rip, have fun, and let you in on our conversation. - In each episode of The Sports Marketing Huddle, CEO of BOLD Worldwide Brian Cristiano, and Founder of Cress Media & Bacon Sports Rob Cressy give a forward-thinking perspective about some of the hottest topics in the world of sports marketing and then give you actionable advice for how you can implement it into your business. Our goal of the podcast is to create the best sports marketing podcast and take The Sports Marketing Huddle up to #1 on iTunes New & Noteworthy. One way you can help support the show is by subscribing to The Sports Marketing Huddle on iTunes and letting your friends who are in the sports and marketing worlds know about it. Your feedback is super important to us. We want to make sure that we deliver value for you and make this the best sports marketing show possible. You can connect with Brian & Rob on social media and let us know what you think (good or bad): Brian Cristiano -Twitter: @boldceo - Instagram: @boldceo Rob Cressy - Twitter: @RobCressy - Snapchat: @baconsports Websites: BOLD Worldwide: http://www.boldworldwide.com Cress Media: http://www.cressmedia.com Bacon Sports: http://www.baconsports.com Facebook: BOLD Worldwide Bacon Sports Cress Media

Golf retailer Golfsmith just filed for bankruptcy. The company blamed an aggressive plan to open bigger stores that cost more to operate, just as golf began to lose popularity. Brian Cristiano and Rob Cressy dish about how Golfsmith is Sports Authority Jr. — a sports retailer who failed to adapt to the digital era and deliver an unforgettable experience for customers, ultimate ending in their demise. It blows our mind how tone deaf and far behind some retailers can be in this industry. At the end Brian and Rob give actionable advice on what you can implement into your business from Golfsmith filing for bankruptcy. - In each episode of The Sports Marketing Huddle, CEO of BOLD Worldwide Brian Cristiano, and Founder of Cress Media & Bacon Sports Rob Cressy give a forward-thinking perspective about some of the hottest topics in the world of sports marketing and then give you actionable advice for how you can implement it into your business. Our goal of the podcast is to create the best sports marketing podcast and take The Sports Marketing Huddle up to #1 on iTunes New & Noteworthy. One way you can help support the show is by subscribing to The Sports Marketing Huddle on iTunes and letting your friends who are in the sports and marketing worlds know about it. Your feedback is super important to us. We want to make sure that we deliver value for you and make this the best sports marketing show possible. You can connect with Brian & Rob on social media and let us know what you think (good or bad): Brian Cristiano -Twitter: @boldceo - Instagram: @boldceo Rob Cressy - Twitter: @RobCressy - Snapchat: @baconsports Websites: BOLD Worldwide: http://www.boldworldwide.com Cress Media: http://www.cressmedia.com Bacon Sports: http://www.baconsports.com Facebook: BOLD Worldwide Bacon Sports Cress Media

Bryan and Tyler play a rousing game of Do You Care featuring a potential buyer for TaylorMade, Ryder Cup picks, DJ's spitting habit, Golfsmith's bankruptcy, and more. Bryan also gives a recap of his first round of Geezer Golf and Tyler's recaps his third major of the year. If you enjoyed the podcast, will you leave a review? SUBSCRIBE on iTunes or Android to have new episodes sent to your device as soon as they become available. Show Notes: Show notes on our site Sign up for The Grint, friend us, and we’ll invite you to join our Hosel Jockeys Tour! Roll the Dice, Davis (article suggesting Tiger be the last Ryder Cup captain’s pick Jason Day Signs Apparel Deal with Nike

Three of four wild-card picks have been added to the U.S. Ryder Cup team, and Davis Love III didn't pick Bubba Watson. Why? Will he anyway? We discuss. We also talk about Golfsmith's bankruptcy filing just a little. Then we're joined by EZLinks CEO Gary Cohen to talk about his company's growth, how the game is faring in his view and how technology can help golfers enjoy the game more.

Cassandra Stoklosa began her career as a marketing analytics consultant and ultimately found her passion in media and content marketing. Cassandra is a driver and incredibly motivated. She has sought out career opportunities and consistently improves her skill sets. Cassandra is currently the Director of Marketing at Golfsmith, the world's largest specialty golf retailer. On this episode, Cassandra shares how she landed pivotal career opportunities and her advice for anyone looking to excel in their career.

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio talking about the dramatic finish of the Northern Trust Open. Bill Haas beat Phil Mickleson in a playoff. Sergio Garcia also did well to finish 4th. Bob Harig, ESPN.com, kicks off the show talking about the finish at the Northern Trust Open. Thought that Phil should have left himself with 100 yards because he is one of the best from that distance in on the PGA Tour.  But he chose to hit 3 Wood and the rest is history. Holly and Bob talk about the early success of Phil and how that may help him heading into the Masters. They also talk about Keegan Bradley's success at the Northern Trust Open and a great start at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship is underway today.  The WGC is set up completely off the world rankings with the top 64 players. Minus two players who chose not to compete but both are replaced. Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in to the show to talk to Holly and Rich about the excitement of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. How Wednesday and Thursday matches are so exciting.  Todd feels that the Europeans are more experienced with match play and that may be why the last two years the winners have been from Europe. Todd talks about the short game and great putters are favored at this match play event. You can check out Todd on The Golf Channel or online at www.golfchannel.com Both Bob Harig and Todd Lewis both pick Charles Schwartzel as one of the players to be in the finals. Follow Bob at espn.go.com/golf/ Jeff Shain from the Orlando Sentinel talks to the duo about the WGC.  They also talk to Jeff about the upcoming Florida Swing and the Honda Classic having Tiger Woods for the first time. You can follow Jeff at www.OrlandoSentinel.com or you can Tweet him @jeffshain. Holly talks to GolfSmith's Dan Watkins about some of the new products that have just come out like the new adjustable clubs which are selling well. TaylorMade's RocketBallz, Callaway, Cobra, etc. Also big are the new things are the forged wedges. GolfSmith also offers custom fitting.