Former NBA Player John Starks Scores Big in Business
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At a recent event sponsored by Black Enterprise and Grey Goose, former New York Knicks guard John Starks unveiled his new brand of cigars called Dominican Legend.
In conjunction with cigar maker Eddy Zarzuela, Starks hopes to establish the brand as a higher class of cigars. Starks spoke to rolling out about his new business venture and balancing life after a successful NBA career. –amir shaw
Why did you decide to create a cigar brand?
I usually smoke cigars to relax or when I’m on the golf course, so I wanted to find the perfect cigar. Dominican Legend comes with a Cameroon wrapper and Nicaraguan filler.
It’s a great medium body-blend cigar.
Have you been involved any other business ventures?
I have a clothing company called Zipway USA. I met a guy named Darren Nunn who invented break-away pants. With traditional break-away pants, you use buttons. But we use zippers instead of buttons. We call it the ultimate transition pants.
Did you always want to be a business owner?
When I played in the NBA, I looked at becoming an entrepreneur. I got that spirit from my mother. When I was younger, we had a laundry mat business that I worked in. I was always looking for investments when I played. I knew there was going to be a point when I wasn’t going to be able to play anymore so I had to continue to focus on business.
How are the business and sports world similar?
In the business and sports world, you have to create a good team to be successful. One thing that I leaned is that you have to put good people around you. I was able to gather successful people that have been good in business and bring them to my companies.
Do you ever talk to current NBA players about the importance of preparing for life after professional sports?
A lot of opportunities come when you play pro sports. Whenever I get the opportunity, I talk to players who are playing now. When your playing days are over, you want to get involved in something that can sustain your life. I tell them to take their time because you really have to be involved when you invest in a business.
Starks also talked about the importance of getting advice from people who have been successful in business. He believes that good advice and knowledge of your product will entrepreneurs to achieve.
