Make the Call, Change Your Life

While walking the fairways of the most beautiful golf courses in Oregon—arguably the world—it hit me: none of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t made, or accepted, a phone call.

Fifteen years ago, I was a young man working at the Nike Factory Store with a big audacious goal. Recently obsessed with golf, I was looking for any way into the sporting goods industry and golf presented potential. Someone passed me the name of a product line manager leading Nike Golf apparel, and I picked up the phone and asked my favorite four words in the industry: "How can I help?"

While my career path never took me into Nike Golf, that call sparked a friendship that led to more connections, shared fairways, a hole in one & eventually road trips to Bandon Dunes once I moved to Oregon.

When I learned my Oregon itinerary, I threw a hail mary to that friend, Ryan, to see if he could join me for a round with a young hungry dude who is trying to break into the sporting good industry himself.

A couple years ago, I met Daryl. He was a University of Oregon MBA international student who heard me speak to his class. He reached out later (Email & IG DM/Not a Phone Call, but you get the point), offering to connect over golf. I rarely turn down a tee time, and I’m glad I didn’t. Daryl and I grew up in completely different parts of the world: Taiwan & Texas, but through golf—and countless conversations since—I’ve gained a friend who’s expanded my worldview and taught me more than I could’ve imagined.

As we we were strolling down the first few holes, Daryl told Ryan how we met and Ryan said, “That’s actually how Jordan and I met YEARS ago. This random dude from a Nike Factory Store in Texas called me up to see if he could help, and that sparked our friendship!” I was teleported back to that time when a.) desk telephones were still a thing, haha! b.) I was hustling willing to call any stranger who could help in any way.

We had a great time in Eugene, but the following morning I hit the road to Bandon Dunes with my new friend Joe.

Unfortunately, I’m overconnected these days and can’t take every phone call I get offered, but sometimes a trusted friend makes a connection and you take the call no matter what. Joe and I started discussing sports, and it led to a long conversation and an opportunity for me to speak at the longest running charity golf tournament at Bandon Dunes. And that all started with a phone call…

Joe Whitworth is the CEO of The Freshwater Trust, an organization restoring waterways across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. 21 Years ago, Joe heard about a guy from Chicago building a wild new golf course on the Oregon coast. He called again and again until Mike Keiser—the founder & visionary behind Bandon Dunes—finally picked up.

Joe asked if Mike wanted to survey his land from the air to better understand its environmental context and offered to help advise on how to best ensure it’s integrity. Mike finally agreed.
Joe, who actually had no helicopter lined up, hung up the phone, promptly turned to his team, and said, “We need to figure out how to get a helicopter to Bandon—ASAP.”

They practiced a principle I’ve been practicing in Entrepreneurship a lot. Say Yes, and figure it out.
That one call sparked a 20+ year partnership between The Freshwater Trust and Bandon Dunes—helping shape the region not only through tourism and jobs but through real environmental stewardship, but raising

So, if you’re on the fence, wondering if you should reach out…
Stop wondering.

Make the call. Send the message.
You never know what’s waiting on the other end.

Education:
The BrandFathers new episode is out NOW: This week the Brandfathers talk retail attractions and how companies can drive in person foot traffic through design.

You can always visit HowToGetAJobAtNike.com for some of my career resources & advice as well.

Blessings:

There are few people who have been a bigger blessing to me than John Olinger. We worked at Nike together. He hustled a long time too and eventually was the Jordan Brand Digital Manager, Kobe’s global business leader and many other cool things. Like others, there’s more to John than his resume.

His impact was often on his teammates around him. He lost both his parents at a young age and his awareness of life’s preciousness is key. He regularly encourages me in my faith, my business and always reminds me to Win Where It’s Worthy.
John’s story is powerful and he’s put it into a book. You can preorder it here, or subscribe to his newsletter here. Highest Recommendation!

“At the end of your life, how will you know if you truly won? How will you know if your time was well spent?

John Olinger had it all-a dream job, collaborations with sports legends, and a career trajectory pointing straight up. But when tragedy struck with his father's sudden death, he confronted a haunting reality: There is a risk of getting to the end of life and having won at things that weren't most important.

In Worthy Wins, John-a former Nike marketing executive-vulnerably shares his journey of discovering what truly matters. Drawing from both his faith and personal experience.”