Just think. Before all the money, the glitz and the glamour, Nike started with just one man.
The biggest, most recognisable brand of our generation was once just an idea in someone’s head. And it wasn’t a clear one either.
I guarantee you haven’t heard this story…
He tried everything. He glued rocks to their soles, hoping it may add some traction.
He even poured rubber into his wife’s waffle iron to make newer, more bouncy soles. Did I mention it was 1970?
Anyway, the latter actually worked. Bill attached waffle-shaped rubber to the bottom of his prototypes, and the Nike waffle was born.
Today the sneaker is undoubtedly Nike’s most revolutionary shoe. Who would have thought it?
By knowing less, you can sometimes do more. You’re not tied down by all the old beliefs of an industry. You can do wtf you want.
Now, if you thought that story was wild. Let me tell you one more.
A former QPR and Nottingham Forest striker is working with governments and changing the Pharmaceutical industry. Read that again.
Dexter Blackstock is the founder and CEO of MediConnect — a medical technology built on the Blockchain.
Medical. Technology. Blockchain… Yes… I was confused too. But you don’t need to understand WHAT Dexter is doing. Let’s look at HOW.
In the latter years of his career, Dexter began investing in the online pharmacy market with a Nottingham-based company, UK Meds.
At that time, he realised there were some flaws in the system, namely that one person could get the same medication from two different sources.
Being a tech enthusiast, he thought of a way to solve it. Blockchain.
In its simplest form, blockchain is a secure and transparent way of recording information that’s shared publicly and can’t be tampered with.
MediConnect, which Blackstock set up in 2017, is billed as a safeguarding platform for everyone in the Pharma supply chain.
This year, he’s met the president of Uganda to discuss integrating MediConnect into their national systems to cut out counterfeit medication.
Applying modern methods to old industries
There are so many businesses that are successful but are outdated.
I like to call these sleeping giants. They are already successful, so they stay sleeping. But this means they are prime for a wake-up call.
Dexter saw the inefficient parts of the Pharma industry and knew that modern technology, blockchain, could improve them.
Your modern weapons are; TikTok marketing, creating apps, influencer collaborations, or AI generators… to name a few… by being aware of these weapons, you can use them to kill those sleeping giants when you see a chance.
Don’t underestimate Your unique perspective.
The problem is that most people don’t know what the problem is.
“What’s the Problem?” Clip from “Moneyball”.mov
This scene in the movie Moneyball says it all.
The deck is stacked against the majority of us. If we want to win, we must think differently from those with an unfair advantage.
There are loads of businesses dying for a fresh perspective. Glass manufacturers, door makers, landscapers, the list is endless.
It’s not about what you do. It’s about how you do it. Nike wasn’t the first sports brand. Apple wasn’t the first technology company.
Don’t do differently; think differently.
You have a unique experience as a pro footballer. You’re in the 0.01%. You must see how special that makes your ideas.
Follow your curiosity
Be more than a footballer, have interests, have goals! At some point, your interests will create the perfect opportunity for you.
Mark my words! But you know this, Chris Smalling did the same.
The more involved you are in businesses, industries and trends, the more opportunities you will see.
Dexter used his fascination with tech to create something unique.
Is it time you started building networks with businesses that interest you?
As always, we’ll have you covered.
