1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Welcome to an all new episode of her playbook that. 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: Her Playbook Podcast is presented by kendras Scott. Game Day 3 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: Just got Personal. Find your winning look at Kendra Scott 4 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: where team spirit meets personal style. Shop jewelry, accessories and 5 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:16,159 Speaker 1: more at your New York area Kendra Scott store or 6 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:19,919 Speaker 1: online at Kendrascott dot com. I'm Madeleine Burke and I 7 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,840 Speaker 1: am thrilled to be joined this week by the COO 8 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 1: Chief Operating Officer of NYCFC, Jennifer O Sullivan. Jennifer, thank 9 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 1: you so much for coming by the studio. 10 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate the innight. 11 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: I am so thrilled to chat with you, and I 12 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 1: got to start with the basics right. For our listeners 13 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:36,559 Speaker 1: out there who don't quite know what the role of 14 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:39,240 Speaker 1: a COO of a major sports team is, how would 15 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:39,839 Speaker 1: you describe it. 16 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 3: I kind of joke that I've got the chief title 17 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 3: that you know, we're all the things that potentially go 18 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 3: wrong go wrong, and it always comes to me, But 19 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 3: it's essentially the right hand to the CEO, so we 20 00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:52,600 Speaker 3: together split the business. I really oversee most of the 21 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:57,440 Speaker 3: operational and administrative side of the business, and he handles 22 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 3: a lot more of the revenue side. But because I'm 23 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:03,840 Speaker 3: a lawyer my background and trade, I do a lot 24 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 3: of work with every department in the in the industry, 25 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,400 Speaker 3: so in the business rather so you know, I work 26 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:10,840 Speaker 3: a lot with the partnership team, and the marketing team, 27 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 3: and the ticketing team, and in our sporting department, academy, 28 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:17,320 Speaker 3: all of our you know, our elite players, our youth 29 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 3: programs kind of runs the gamuts. So so you know, 30 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:22,959 Speaker 3: I think a CEO like part of my job is 31 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:25,160 Speaker 3: also to like look across the business and figure out 32 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 3: where do we have gaps, where do we have deficiencies, 33 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 3: Where could we be better, Where could we be more 34 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 3: cost effective, Where it could be we be more efficient. Yeah, 35 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 3: And so as a lawyer, I think there are certain 36 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 3: there's certain backgrounds and departments that tend to work across 37 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,040 Speaker 3: the business and legal finance, you know, those are sort 38 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:43,720 Speaker 3: of the ones that kind of you know, you have 39 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 3: a more integrated approach when it comes to the business, 40 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 3: and so we have a unique view and insight into 41 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 3: where those areas could be for improvement or where we 42 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 3: could you know, have an opportunity for example. 43 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:57,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, and you mentioned your legal background. Now you came 44 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:01,640 Speaker 1: to ny CFC, you know from different avenue wrapping, you know, 45 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: sports leagues and teams and media companies. What is that 46 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,839 Speaker 1: experience like and how did that experience lend to now 47 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:10,800 Speaker 1: being inside of a sports team. 48 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, it's funny. If you had asked me 49 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 3: when I was in law school what I was going 50 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:17,359 Speaker 3: to do, I would have been able to tell you 51 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:20,000 Speaker 3: what I was not going to do. I would say, 52 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 3: you know, I'm never going to be a partner at 53 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 3: a law firm and I'm never going to work for 54 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:26,359 Speaker 3: a team, because in my mind that was very limiting 55 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 3: and I didn't want to be limited. 56 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 2: I was a league. In my mind. 57 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:32,959 Speaker 3: The league was where I wanted to be right, much 58 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 3: broader kind of opportunity and experience and fast forward. And 59 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:40,360 Speaker 3: I had as a partner in a law firm, you know, 60 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:42,839 Speaker 3: when I was overseeing the sports practice in New York 61 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 3: for that firm and really had a very broad base 62 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:49,240 Speaker 3: of clients and it was very exciting. And one of 63 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:51,480 Speaker 3: my partners said, hey, let me introduce you to my buddy. 64 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 3: He's the new CEO at New York City Football Club. 65 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 3: They're going to be aild a stadium someday, maybe we 66 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 3: can pitch them on our sports practice. 67 00:02:57,480 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 2: And I said, sure, let's do that. 68 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 3: And again, in the back of my mind was never 69 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:05,040 Speaker 3: thinking that this is a path I would go down. 70 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:08,520 Speaker 3: But when it was presented to me and I really 71 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 3: started to think about it, and I started talking to 72 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,440 Speaker 3: some other you know, friends in the business and people 73 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 3: that I confided and said, this is the culmination of 74 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 3: everything you've done in your career, right, like this moment, 75 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 3: this opportunity is sort of there's nobody better qualified to 76 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:24,520 Speaker 3: do this than you, and it's and it's such an 77 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 3: exciting opportunity, and so so I. 78 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 2: Really jumped at it. 79 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 1: I kind of love those moments, right, It's like that 80 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:32,800 Speaker 1: movie slum Dog Millionaire, Right when you look back and 81 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 1: in hindsight, everything kind of seems to have aligned to 82 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 1: point you in that direction. But in the moment, you 83 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: would have never noticed or never seen. But I love 84 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 1: how you've talked about how you were really hesitant to 85 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: make that move when that opportunity came with NYCFC. You're like, no, 86 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 1: I don't know, how did you How did you make 87 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 1: that decision? 88 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 3: Yeah? I was, And you know, again, I never I've 89 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 3: never planned out my career. 90 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 1: Ye, right. 91 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:58,360 Speaker 3: I left law school with the idea that I knew 92 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 3: I wanted to work in sports, but like, I didn't 93 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 3: have connections, I didn't have a plan. I didn't really 94 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 3: have anything. And I was really the right conversation with 95 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 3: the right person at the right time that introduced me 96 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 3: to someone who introduced me to my first internship in 97 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 3: law school, which was in sports, and it was working 98 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 3: for David Falk and his agency, Michael Jordan's agent, who 99 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 3: at the time had every NBA player in his you know, 100 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:26,200 Speaker 3: in his stable of clients. And I learned very quickly, Okay, 101 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:27,480 Speaker 3: well that's what I don't want it. I don't want 102 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:30,600 Speaker 3: to be on the agent side. But I really loved football. 103 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 3: I was introduced to lawyers at the NFL and NFLPA, 104 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 3: and I had an opportunity to go to the NFL 105 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:38,039 Speaker 3: right out of law school, and I said, that's it. 106 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 2: I'm doing it right. 107 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 3: And every guy that I was friends with, who we 108 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 3: watched football with every Sunday was sort of like, oh 109 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 3: my god, this is amazing. 110 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:46,560 Speaker 2: You're going to go work for the NFL. 111 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 3: Like, you know, everyone was very jealous, but I was like, sure, 112 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:50,200 Speaker 3: I'm going to go defer my law school loans. I'm 113 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 3: going to go back to Jersey and live with my parents, 114 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:56,159 Speaker 3: and I'll figure this out. And it was a great 115 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 3: opportunity for me to build my network. It was a 116 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:02,240 Speaker 3: great opportunity for me to get some experience in the 117 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 3: business and really start to have serious conversations with people 118 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:07,720 Speaker 3: who said like, Hey, you really need to hone your 119 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:09,599 Speaker 3: skills as a lawyer. You really need to go to 120 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:11,800 Speaker 3: a law firm or a DA's office or whatever it 121 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:14,719 Speaker 3: is you want to do. And then I spent seven 122 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 3: years in law firms, you know, small law firms to 123 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:20,840 Speaker 3: begin with, getting to progressively bigger law firms, until one 124 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 3: day I woke up saying like I was doing litigation, 125 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 3: and I was like, this is not what I feel 126 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:28,479 Speaker 3: like I want to do, right, and how do I 127 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:31,360 Speaker 3: get out of this? Meanwhile, for seven years, I was networking, 128 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:34,479 Speaker 3: I was papering the city with my resume to try 129 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:36,400 Speaker 3: to bind a job back in sports, trying to get 130 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:38,359 Speaker 3: back to the NFL, trying to do everything that I could. 131 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:42,720 Speaker 3: When again another friend said to me, hey, they need 132 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:45,279 Speaker 3: a senior level lawyer at the Arena Football League, And 133 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:47,720 Speaker 3: you know, you want to throw your hat in the ring, 134 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 3: and I said sure, and I did, and it was 135 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 3: my way back into sports. But it was an opportunity 136 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 3: to get a role that was part transactional, part litigation. 137 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 3: And the minute I did the litigation and you know, 138 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,039 Speaker 3: I said, I really don't want this. This this transactional 139 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 3: stuff is what I enjoy. The light bul went off 140 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:07,120 Speaker 3: and I said, this is what I want to do, 141 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 3: and so I started to kind of more focus on 142 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:12,280 Speaker 3: that side of the business. Soccer came knocking next, and 143 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 3: it was a business role with Women's Professional Soccer as 144 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 3: the CEO and commissioner. And I was a bit shocked 145 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:23,479 Speaker 3: because I thought, I'm a lawyer, Why do they want me? 146 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 3: Why would I Why would I, you know, do this. 147 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 3: But the work I had done at the Arena Football League, 148 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:31,720 Speaker 3: a small league, working very closely with the board of directors, 149 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 3: you know, a league that was struggling trying to get 150 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 3: itself back out onto the field, was sort of that. 151 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 3: That was the what someone saw on me there, and 152 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 3: so I did that and then you know, fifteen years later, 153 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:45,040 Speaker 3: here I'm still working in you know, in soccer and 154 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:47,880 Speaker 3: loving it and that being part of building something is 155 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:49,840 Speaker 3: what I've really totally enjoyed. 156 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 1: That is cool, and it seems too, you know, so 157 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:54,039 Speaker 1: unique that sports has been such a north star in 158 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 1: your career while having the legal and the business side background. 159 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:00,599 Speaker 1: You know, sports is the arena in WI you wanted 160 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:04,360 Speaker 1: to pursue. Where did that love of sport begin? Where 161 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: did that cultivate? What are your early memories of saying, okay, 162 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: this is how I knew sports was what needed to 163 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 1: be an integral part of my life. 164 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 3: So we grew up in I mean I was the 165 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 3: oldest of three kids. I have two younger brothers, and 166 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 3: my dad and his family were athletes, and so it 167 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 3: was sort of from a very young age we played 168 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 3: everything everything but soccer. 169 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, interestingly, but my brothers. 170 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 3: Played football and basketball, baseball. I played softball, volleyball, track 171 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,240 Speaker 3: and field, you know, basketball, my dad had a golfing 172 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,200 Speaker 3: Like it was just such an important part of my life. 173 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 3: I coached as a you know, young kids as I was, like, 174 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:40,679 Speaker 3: you know, coming up in their high school and college, 175 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 3: and ran our murals when I was in college, and 176 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 3: I just knew that, you know, the law always seemed 177 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 3: to be something that I knew would be My passion 178 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 3: is in terms of like my career, but it was 179 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 3: what do you do with it, right, and how do 180 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 3: you use it in a way that that it's something 181 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 3: that you love. And I knew, hey, lawyers, they're going 182 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 3: to work long hours. It's a lot of work. I 183 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 3: have to love what I'm doing. And that's why I say, 184 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:06,480 Speaker 3: you know, sports was sort of just always in my 185 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:08,120 Speaker 3: mind of like what do I love the most? And 186 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 3: I love the fact that sports teaches so many lessons 187 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:17,160 Speaker 3: life lessons, right, and it's really about leadership and teamwork 188 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 3: and working hard and all of those things. And so 189 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:22,240 Speaker 3: if I could combine those two passions, you know, for me, 190 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 3: that was a it was a win win. 191 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 1: Yeah. And like in any office or any professional setting, 192 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 1: there's so many sports analogies of working together as a 193 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 1: team and achieving a goal and this is actually quite 194 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 1: literally doing that. And one of the things that you 195 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:37,680 Speaker 1: guys have been working on at NYCFC is a big 196 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:41,439 Speaker 1: one is bringing a soccer specific stadium to New York. Now, 197 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 1: this is something that has been kind of on the 198 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 1: horizon since even before NYCFC was part of Major League Soccer, 199 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 1: but in recent years it's really gotten going and now 200 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:53,839 Speaker 1: it's underway. What's that process been like for you and 201 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: how did that even how to you even begin something 202 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:56,959 Speaker 1: like that? 203 00:08:57,360 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 2: You know this, I mean the process started long before 204 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:02,160 Speaker 2: I got there. This at this point ten years in 205 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 2: the making. 206 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 1: You know. 207 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:05,959 Speaker 3: The club launched in twenty thirteen, played our first game 208 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 3: in twenty fifteen, and I think at the time the 209 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 3: club launched, there was this idea that, hey, it'll take 210 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:12,839 Speaker 3: a couple of years. Yankees were part owners along with 211 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:16,320 Speaker 3: City Football Group, you know, who are also own our 212 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 3: sister team, Man City and now ten other clubs around 213 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 3: the world. But at the time, it was, hey, we'll 214 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:23,960 Speaker 3: take a couple of years, we'll get this stadium, We'll 215 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:27,800 Speaker 3: play at Yankee State Yankee Stadium. Yeah, but anybody who 216 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:32,640 Speaker 3: knows New York City knows the difficulties in building and 217 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 3: developing large scale projects in New York and there were 218 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 3: a number of hurdles that we had to overcome. And 219 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 3: when I joined, I joined in twenty twenty, so, you know, 220 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 3: almost six years ago, five and a half years ago. 221 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 3: And when I joined, there was a deal to have 222 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:49,600 Speaker 3: a stadium in the Bronx. I mean, we were picking 223 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 3: out chairs, we were picking out carpeting, like yeah, the 224 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:56,320 Speaker 3: design was hate watches every yeah, everything, We're ready, and 225 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 3: that deal ultimately fell through in the Land Assembly. You know, projects, 226 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:02,800 Speaker 3: so a number of challenges, right, It's to find available 227 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 3: land to do what we would need to accomplish. What 228 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:08,440 Speaker 3: we need to accomplish to build a stadium is challenging. 229 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:09,200 Speaker 2: We looked at. 230 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 3: Dozens, dozens and dozens of sites, spent a lot of 231 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 3: money on, you know, feasibility studies on maybe probably eight 232 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:19,360 Speaker 3: to ten of them. And the original site that was 233 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:22,280 Speaker 3: looked at was in Queen's And when we went back 234 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,320 Speaker 3: to the drawing board after the Bronx, it was sort 235 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:26,359 Speaker 3: of the Queen's site kept coming. 236 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 2: Back up, and. 237 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:33,480 Speaker 3: We had a really solid relationship with council Member Francisco 238 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 3: Moya with some other politicians in the area who had 239 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 3: formed this Willets Point Task Force and said like, we 240 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 3: think this is the perfect site. And so ultimately we 241 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 3: started a plan before we actually had a deal done, 242 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 3: of like could we make this happen. And you know, 243 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 3: it's a real example I think of, you know, when 244 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:55,560 Speaker 3: you have a group of people in New York City 245 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 3: who really want to get something done and can push 246 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 3: a project through and so it's It took a lot 247 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 3: from community leaders and local politicians, union leaders, a lot 248 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:09,439 Speaker 3: of the support that we built behind the scenes to 249 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 3: sort of say, is this what this community wants? And 250 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:16,560 Speaker 3: then fast forward, you know, to a very challenging public 251 00:11:16,559 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 3: approvals process called eulrope that New York City has that 252 00:11:20,160 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 3: I don't think, you know, it is unlike anything else 253 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:24,360 Speaker 3: anywhere in the you know, in this country. 254 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 2: How does that work. 255 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 3: It is a very robust community feedback process. So in 256 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 3: the beginning, the local community boards get to vote on 257 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 3: whether or not this is a project they want to support. 258 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 3: It winds its way to the Queensboro President, who also 259 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 3: gets a vote, and it goes to city City Planning Commission, 260 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:46,760 Speaker 3: ultimately culminates in a vote with the entire New York 261 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:50,600 Speaker 3: City Council and then goes to the mayor for signing. 262 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:52,840 Speaker 3: If the project makes its way through all the ways 263 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 3: through all the yeah, and it's a process that can 264 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,680 Speaker 3: take a very long time. It took nine months for us, 265 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 3: which is a lot faster than most projects are able 266 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:03,679 Speaker 3: to get through. And I think what the thing that 267 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:06,640 Speaker 3: we were so humble by was the this sheer amount 268 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 3: of community support and unwavering support that was there for 269 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 3: this project. It's not just a stadium. It's a project 270 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:16,320 Speaker 3: that is a mixed use development that's providing you know, 271 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:19,079 Speaker 3: twenty five hundred units with affordable housing, a new six 272 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:22,200 Speaker 3: hundred and fifty seed school, a new hotel, retail opportunities 273 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:25,839 Speaker 3: in an area which if you're a you know, a 274 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 3: fan of of f Scott Fitzgerald, it's it's you know, 275 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 3: rising from the ashes here like this is what this is, 276 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 3: what this land was. It was just underutilized. It had 277 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:38,920 Speaker 3: been desolate for decades and decades. It's the first new 278 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:41,840 Speaker 3: neighborhood in New York City in forty years. So for 279 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 3: us to be part of that project is I mean, 280 00:12:45,559 --> 00:12:47,400 Speaker 3: you know, it's a once in a career opportunity for 281 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 3: a lot of us. It's a once in a lifetime 282 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 3: opportunity to be part of that. And we were able 283 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 3: to get that support, get it through and break around 284 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 3: last December, and here we are looking at a you know, 285 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:00,560 Speaker 3: an opening in twenty twenty seven of the first ever 286 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:02,839 Speaker 3: soccer specific stadium in New York City. 287 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,320 Speaker 1: It's fascinating too, because, i mean, when you think about 288 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 1: the approvals process, you know, as grueling as it is. 289 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:10,839 Speaker 1: It's like, you know, a New York City co op 290 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:14,079 Speaker 1: or something like that. It's a it's such a unique process, 291 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 1: but it does kind of make sense in the fact 292 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 1: that you know, real estate and land is so densely 293 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 1: populated and sparse that sure people want to be deliberate 294 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:26,240 Speaker 1: with what they're putting there. So cool though, how quickly 295 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 1: and swiftly it moved along in that nine month process. 296 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: And also cool to be a part not just of 297 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:35,360 Speaker 1: just bringing a new stadium, but almost a community to 298 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: a new part of town. That's just such a huge impact. 299 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:40,679 Speaker 1: I think when people think about, oh, they're building a stadium, 300 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 1: they just think about that building and where they're going 301 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:44,559 Speaker 1: to go to the game now. 302 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:46,679 Speaker 3: One hundred percent. And I think, you know, for us, 303 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:49,560 Speaker 3: it's never just been about a stadium. Yes, we've needed 304 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:51,800 Speaker 3: our own home because when you when you play in 305 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 3: buildings that are not purpose built for your sport, it's 306 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:56,800 Speaker 3: a challenge and it's a challenge we have to load 307 00:13:56,840 --> 00:13:58,520 Speaker 3: things in and load things out every week. I mean, 308 00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:00,680 Speaker 3: there's a certain amount of inefficient see in the way 309 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:04,400 Speaker 3: that we operate when it's not your own stadium and 310 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 3: a baseball stadium is not a perfect design for for 311 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,319 Speaker 3: soccer games, and even. 312 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 2: Fan experience is built differently. 313 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 3: You're not yeah, yeah, you have a you have a 314 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 3: less than you know, perfect experience for your fans, for 315 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:18,280 Speaker 3: your partners, for everybody, for your for your players, for 316 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:22,400 Speaker 3: your coaches, and so you know this. It's game changer 317 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:24,920 Speaker 3: for us from a business perspective because we now get 318 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 3: to control our game day experience, We control our revenue, 319 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:32,200 Speaker 3: we control a lot more than we do you know currently. 320 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 3: But it's also for us and been part of our 321 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 3: DNA to be part of the community, and I think 322 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 3: more than any other you know, team, we really have 323 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:45,680 Speaker 3: sort of from the very beginning. Our roots are born 324 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:49,040 Speaker 3: out of community. That's that's our DNA. We provide free 325 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 3: soccer programming to kids all across the five boroughs. We've 326 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 3: served over fifty thousand kids thus far over the last 327 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 3: ten years we're in it. I think at the last 328 00:14:57,880 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 3: time I checked, it was like eighty six or eighty 329 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 3: seven percent of neighborhoods in New York. Whether that's our 330 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 3: soccer programming or a mini pitch. We've built over fifty 331 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 3: mini pitches in the last ten years. We're going to 332 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 3: be building another twenty six before the World Cup comes 333 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 3: in twenty six. So, you know, providing kids with safe 334 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 3: spaces to play and access to those spaces and programming 335 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 3: is really important to us. 336 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 2: And so we've looked at this building in a way. 337 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 3: To say, Okay, how does this become a real home 338 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 3: for the community as well, how does this building become 339 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 3: a community resource, and how do we impact even more 340 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,360 Speaker 3: lives through this through this stadium? And so it really 341 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,000 Speaker 3: becomes more than just a place to play. 342 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 1: Games, sure yeah, and more than just changing of destination 343 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:39,520 Speaker 1: from going to a game in the Bronx to go 344 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 1: into a game in Queens. But you know, maintaining that 345 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 1: fan base and maintaining that culture while also kind of 346 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:48,040 Speaker 1: setting some more permanent route, that's right. Yeah, And it's 347 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:50,640 Speaker 1: got to be great too to have, you know, this 348 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 1: on the horizon as the team is doing so well too. 349 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 1: I mean, twenty twenty five season is an incredible success 350 00:15:56,120 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: right here. Pascal Jens in his first year at the 351 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:02,480 Speaker 1: Helm playoffs secure the highest win percentage in club history. 352 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 1: How much easier does it make your job when the 353 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 1: team on the field is playing as well as they are, No, 354 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 1: it's as easier when the team is playing well. 355 00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 3: I mean, I think there's there's just a certain amount 356 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 3: of excitement, you know that, and rallying that you can 357 00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:17,960 Speaker 3: get around the team when that's happening, And so it's 358 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:20,520 Speaker 3: always easier to sell season tickets, it's always easier to 359 00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 3: get people to come out to games. But the team, 360 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 3: over the course of our last ten years, like it, 361 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:31,560 Speaker 3: has been incredibly competitive. And and MLS, similar to the NFL, 362 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:35,520 Speaker 3: is a league where parody sort of rules, and the 363 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 3: way that the league is set up, when you win 364 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 3: an MLS Cup, you're not supposed to come back the 365 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 3: next year and I'm supposed to be the playoffs next year, right, 366 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:42,880 Speaker 3: there's so much there's. 367 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 2: So much turnover. 368 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,040 Speaker 3: And the year we won the Cup in twenty one, 369 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 3: came back the following year in the Eastern Conference finals. 370 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 3: And we've been in the playoffs for eight of the 371 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 3: last ten seasons, and so we have an incredibly competitive squad. 372 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 3: But you're right, this year there's something a little bit, 373 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:58,680 Speaker 3: you know, special about that and having a coach who 374 00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 3: really is focused on player development and young players and 375 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:05,399 Speaker 3: bringing them up through the ranks and giving them opportunities. 376 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 3: And I think they've really reacted well to him in 377 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,159 Speaker 3: the locker room, and fans have really reacted well to that. 378 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:13,199 Speaker 3: So yeah, it does make our job a little bit 379 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 3: easier to be able to say, like, Okay, they're not 380 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:17,119 Speaker 3: complaining about what's going on in the field, They're not 381 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:18,280 Speaker 3: complaining now about the stadium. 382 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:18,879 Speaker 2: It's coming. 383 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:21,159 Speaker 3: You know, it's all kind of coming together, and I 384 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 3: think it makes it. It makes the job a little 385 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:26,639 Speaker 3: bit easier, you know, when you're that successful. 386 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 1: And that's got to be kind of an incredible experience 387 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 1: to be a part of not just a successful season, 388 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:33,680 Speaker 1: but a successful season when the league as a whole 389 00:17:33,760 --> 00:17:35,600 Speaker 1: is on the rise. I mean, you're seeing so much 390 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:40,120 Speaker 1: international talent coming over to the MLS. You know, there's 391 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:43,160 Speaker 1: so much more fan engagement, fan interest in the United States, 392 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 1: whereas you know, soccer is such a global game, the 393 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 1: beautiful game. 394 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 2: The World Cup, I mean. 395 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:51,639 Speaker 1: Just dominates in numbers, but domestically, you know, there are 396 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:54,200 Speaker 1: other sports that kind of seem to take the attention away, 397 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:56,439 Speaker 1: but MLS is kind of coming for the yields. How 398 00:17:56,520 --> 00:17:59,080 Speaker 1: much have you felt that growth of the league huge? 399 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:00,840 Speaker 3: It's been huge, and I think, you know, like I 400 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:03,679 Speaker 3: said before, being a part of building something, which is 401 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 3: what I really really love. That's the feeling that we 402 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:09,840 Speaker 3: get here, the feeling that you can be so much 403 00:18:09,880 --> 00:18:12,359 Speaker 3: more impactful in this sport because we are sort of 404 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 3: riding this wave of growth and opportunity. There are more 405 00:18:16,840 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 3: kids playing soccer you know, today than any other sport, 406 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:21,960 Speaker 3: and there are kids that are growing up with parents 407 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,480 Speaker 3: who also played and are familiar with this sport right. 408 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:27,879 Speaker 3: And we also have, you know, at least particularly in 409 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:31,640 Speaker 3: this area, like a hugely diverse population of people who 410 00:18:31,680 --> 00:18:33,880 Speaker 3: come from you know, all over the world, who speak 411 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:37,160 Speaker 3: so many different languages and ethnicities that are represented, who 412 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:39,760 Speaker 3: have soccer in their DNA. So you have this just 413 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:42,440 Speaker 3: sort of built in demo here in New York of people. 414 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 3: You're not introducing the sport to them, they know it already. 415 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 3: What we're basically saying is, hey, you can still be 416 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:50,639 Speaker 3: fans of your teams back home, you know, wherever your 417 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 3: family connections are, but let us be your local team here, 418 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 3: you know, in New York. And I think with the 419 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,440 Speaker 3: World Cup coming with so many eyeballs, we've had Club 420 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:01,880 Speaker 3: World Cup here this past summer, you know, to have 421 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 3: the World Cup here with eyes on New York and 422 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:07,399 Speaker 3: New Jersey in this entire area which is so talent 423 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:11,680 Speaker 3: rich in soccer. You know, the the the idea that 424 00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:15,080 Speaker 3: like we're now in the room for conversations that you know, 425 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 3: maybe we wouldn't have been before because there is so 426 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:20,360 Speaker 3: much global attention that companies are starting to invest more 427 00:19:20,359 --> 00:19:23,200 Speaker 3: and there's there's a lot more excitement around the sport. Yeah, 428 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:26,240 Speaker 3: it's it's definitely something that's a thrilling, you. 429 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:27,960 Speaker 1: Know, ride to be on as you see the sort 430 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:29,879 Speaker 1: of rise of it, and it's so much fun to 431 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:31,080 Speaker 1: be a part of it. I mean, the world of 432 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: sport the world of business coming together in this way 433 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:36,200 Speaker 1: and and you know, looking at what you do as 434 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:38,000 Speaker 1: a whole is just so fascinating to me and so 435 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:42,040 Speaker 1: impressive to me. What what is your biggest motivation every 436 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:43,040 Speaker 1: day in your career? 437 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:46,840 Speaker 3: You know, it's funny because when we talked about soccer, 438 00:19:46,840 --> 00:19:48,680 Speaker 3: I didn't grow up playing soccer, but I grew up 439 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:51,480 Speaker 3: with a family who were fans. 440 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:52,080 Speaker 2: My mom. 441 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:55,080 Speaker 3: So I'm the daughter of immigrants, right. My mom came 442 00:19:55,080 --> 00:19:58,320 Speaker 3: from Scotland with her family. My dad's family came from 443 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:01,639 Speaker 3: Slovakia and grandfather was a referee back in Scotland, and 444 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 3: so we always knew about the game, knew about the sport. 445 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:07,920 Speaker 3: And when my family came, you know, they were sixth 446 00:20:07,960 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 3: grade educations at best that they had. They were factory workers, 447 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:13,960 Speaker 3: they were cleaning people, and so they sacrificed a lot 448 00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:17,040 Speaker 3: for us to have better opportunities. And so I always 449 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:18,840 Speaker 3: have that in the back of my mind that like, hey, 450 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 3: it's about making sure that I don't. 451 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:23,960 Speaker 2: Waste that sacrifice, right, and so that I. 452 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:26,840 Speaker 3: Am continuing to sort of move forward and motivate myself 453 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:29,719 Speaker 3: and my kids. So you know, for me, like I 454 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:32,400 Speaker 3: want my kids to be motivated by seeing what I'm 455 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 3: able to do, what I'm able to accomplish, right, Because you. 456 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:36,639 Speaker 1: Were the first person in your immediate family to go 457 00:20:36,680 --> 00:20:39,400 Speaker 1: to college, yeah, I was. And to build what you've 458 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: built on that is so fascinating too. I'm sure obviously 459 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:44,720 Speaker 1: your family is so proud. But also, like you said, 460 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:46,399 Speaker 1: setting that example for your kids and all that, is 461 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:48,040 Speaker 1: there a pressure in that, you. 462 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:49,720 Speaker 3: Know, I don't know that I look at it as pressure, 463 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 3: but I look at it as an obligation and a responsibility, 464 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:53,800 Speaker 3: and I say it to my kids all the time. 465 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:55,080 Speaker 2: I mean, like my joke to them is like. 466 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:58,360 Speaker 3: You have no barriers in your way, right, Like are 467 00:20:58,880 --> 00:21:02,640 Speaker 3: your ancestors can here with a lot of barriers, language barriers, 468 00:21:02,680 --> 00:21:05,119 Speaker 3: they came here with socioeconomic barriers, they came here with 469 00:21:05,200 --> 00:21:08,080 Speaker 3: like religious barriers. There were a lot of reasons why 470 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:11,080 Speaker 3: they could have failed, but they worked really hard so 471 00:21:11,119 --> 00:21:14,359 Speaker 3: that they're better, you know, better opportunities for future generations. 472 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 3: Like you don't have those excuses, so you had better 473 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:19,880 Speaker 3: be able to sort of move the ball forward even 474 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:23,119 Speaker 3: further right, right, because you just don't have that. So 475 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:25,600 Speaker 3: I feel like it's not necessarily that it's pressure, but 476 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:27,640 Speaker 3: it's just that that's what motivates me to make sure 477 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:31,080 Speaker 3: that they appreciate everything that's been given to them and everything, 478 00:21:31,160 --> 00:21:32,879 Speaker 3: you know, the opportunities that have been afforded to them, 479 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:34,359 Speaker 3: and that take advantage of those opportunities. 480 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:37,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know, I mean hindsight always twenty twenty, When 481 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 1: you look back at your career, at your life, is 482 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:41,639 Speaker 1: there a piece of advice that you wish that you 483 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:44,440 Speaker 1: could give your younger self, or that you would perhaps 484 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:47,520 Speaker 1: give a younger person who is watching this or listening 485 00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:49,879 Speaker 1: to this, thinking, wow, that is such a fascinating career journey, 486 00:21:49,880 --> 00:21:52,080 Speaker 1: how do I even begin to approach that. 487 00:21:52,400 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, I think there's a couple of things. 488 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:58,639 Speaker 3: One thing that I I think that I wouldn't change, 489 00:21:58,760 --> 00:22:00,719 Speaker 3: and I would make sure that I didn't. This was 490 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:04,359 Speaker 3: who bringing my whole self and knowing who I was, 491 00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:06,160 Speaker 3: and I didn't know that what I was. 492 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 2: Doing in my career was building a network. 493 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:11,840 Speaker 3: It was just my personality to stay friends with or 494 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 3: to be friends with, or to build relationships with people 495 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:16,399 Speaker 3: that I worked with, and to this day, from that 496 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:19,200 Speaker 3: first internship that I had, you know, with David Fox, 497 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 3: I still have friends from that that opportunity, from friends 498 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,200 Speaker 3: at the NFL to every law firm that I've been to, 499 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:27,720 Speaker 3: to every job I've had in between, like building relationships 500 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:31,159 Speaker 3: because in this in this business, it's your name and 501 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:34,080 Speaker 3: your reputation that mean everything, but it is your network 502 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:36,679 Speaker 3: that are the people that you can lean on in 503 00:22:36,760 --> 00:22:39,480 Speaker 3: times of need or in every opportunity for a job 504 00:22:39,480 --> 00:22:40,200 Speaker 3: that I've had. 505 00:22:40,080 --> 00:22:42,360 Speaker 2: But one has come from my network. 506 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:45,359 Speaker 3: And so you know that, I would say, like to myself, 507 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:47,359 Speaker 3: don't ever change that, and I would tell other younger 508 00:22:47,359 --> 00:22:49,359 Speaker 3: people that is one of the most important things that 509 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:52,400 Speaker 3: you can do is real, genuine relationship. 510 00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:54,919 Speaker 1: Well, and the genuine part too, because I'll give this 511 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 1: piece of advice to people as well. And I think 512 00:22:56,760 --> 00:23:00,480 Speaker 1: sometimes it gets lost in the whole. You know, relationships 513 00:23:00,560 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 1: versus transactional, right, there's a difference, and I think people 514 00:23:04,119 --> 00:23:06,399 Speaker 1: feel that. But it's like if you invest in just 515 00:23:06,520 --> 00:23:10,600 Speaker 1: knowing people and maintaining contact with people versus Hi, you know, 516 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:13,159 Speaker 1: how can I benefit you or you benefit me? It 517 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:14,000 Speaker 1: feels very different. 518 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:15,520 Speaker 2: It's very different. It is very different. 519 00:23:15,560 --> 00:23:16,760 Speaker 3: And that's why I say a lot of it is 520 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:19,640 Speaker 3: they were friends, friends who picked up the phone and said, Hey, 521 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:21,760 Speaker 3: I heard about this opportunity. I want to put your 522 00:23:21,800 --> 00:23:24,119 Speaker 3: name in or hey, we have this opportunity. Can we 523 00:23:24,200 --> 00:23:26,919 Speaker 3: can I introduce you to someone? I mean, that's what 524 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 3: it became, became friends, And so I wouldn't I wouldn't, 525 00:23:29,400 --> 00:23:30,359 Speaker 3: you know, sort of change that. 526 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:34,399 Speaker 2: The other thing I think I would say is I 527 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:35,560 Speaker 2: worried a lot. 528 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:38,880 Speaker 3: I stressed a lot about oh if I don't get 529 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:42,280 Speaker 3: this greater, I don't get this opportunity, like you know, 530 00:23:42,320 --> 00:23:44,960 Speaker 3: what's going to happen. And when I look back at 531 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:46,919 Speaker 3: my career and I see the twists and turns that 532 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:47,680 Speaker 3: my career took. 533 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,200 Speaker 2: I tell younger people now enjoy the ride a little 534 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:51,560 Speaker 2: bit more. 535 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:51,920 Speaker 1: Yeah. 536 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:53,320 Speaker 3: You know, when I talk to people that are in 537 00:23:53,359 --> 00:23:55,960 Speaker 3: college or in grad school and they're worried about I've 538 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:57,639 Speaker 3: got to get this internship or I've got to get this, 539 00:23:57,680 --> 00:24:00,360 Speaker 3: and I always say, like, your first internship for first 540 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:02,520 Speaker 3: jobs not going to make or break you. 541 00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:04,320 Speaker 2: You know, it's just as important to figure out what 542 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 2: you don't want to do as what you do want 543 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:06,800 Speaker 2: to do, and. 544 00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:10,720 Speaker 3: Try to make sure that every opportunity, even if it's 545 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:14,280 Speaker 3: not where you want to be, you're taking lessons from those. 546 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:14,640 Speaker 2: Right. 547 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:17,120 Speaker 3: So I spent seven years in law firms really kind 548 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:19,919 Speaker 3: of miserable, not doing what I wanted to do. But 549 00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:21,919 Speaker 3: when I look back at each of the places that 550 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:25,320 Speaker 3: I was, even the partner who you know, the one 551 00:24:25,359 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 3: person in my career that I did not stay in 552 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:31,560 Speaker 3: touch with because I didn't want that relationship to begause 553 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:33,159 Speaker 3: I just didn't enjoy it. I didn't want to be 554 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:36,639 Speaker 3: part of it. Even he, I look back and can say, well, 555 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:38,560 Speaker 3: you know what he taught me as a lawyer, how 556 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 3: to sell something that like no one tells young lawyers, Right, 557 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 3: you're the value as a lawyer, sometimes it's how much 558 00:24:44,560 --> 00:24:46,560 Speaker 3: business can you bring in or how much can you build? 559 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:48,560 Speaker 3: Because it's money, it's revenue. What are your revenue are 560 00:24:48,560 --> 00:24:50,000 Speaker 3: you generating for the law firm? If you're in a 561 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:50,480 Speaker 3: law firm. 562 00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:53,120 Speaker 2: He taught us how to sell. He taught us how. 563 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:58,680 Speaker 3: To build a book of business, and I value that right. 564 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:01,080 Speaker 3: He also taught us how to build team of people 565 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:04,720 Speaker 3: that were going to be there for one another. And 566 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:06,879 Speaker 3: if you were leaving the office but your you know, 567 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:10,600 Speaker 3: fellow associate or partner was still sitting there doing you know, 568 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:13,040 Speaker 3: god knows what until two in the morning you jumped 569 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:14,239 Speaker 3: into saying it, how can I help you to get 570 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:14,920 Speaker 3: out of here earlier? 571 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:16,679 Speaker 2: How can I help you? What can I do for you? 572 00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:19,160 Speaker 3: And so, you know, there are a lot of reasons 573 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:22,359 Speaker 3: why I didn't love that time and that experience that 574 00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:24,439 Speaker 3: I worked for him, But I walked out of there 575 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:26,560 Speaker 3: with two things that were solid that really have like 576 00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:28,760 Speaker 3: resonated with me throughout my career. So even if you're 577 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:30,520 Speaker 3: stuck in a job that you just don't love or 578 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:33,280 Speaker 3: experience you're not thinking is going to be for you, 579 00:25:33,720 --> 00:25:36,160 Speaker 3: that's fine. You can still learn something from it. 580 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:38,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, And kind of taking those moments being where your 581 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 1: feed are, because I think we all do this no 582 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:43,439 Speaker 1: matter where you are in life, You're looking towards the 583 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:45,000 Speaker 1: next goal or the next. 584 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:48,000 Speaker 2: Hopeful at chet, how do I climb the ladder? How 585 00:25:48,040 --> 00:25:49,400 Speaker 2: do I get to the next opportunity? 586 00:25:49,480 --> 00:25:51,480 Speaker 1: And instead of remembering, oh, you know, once upon a 587 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:54,040 Speaker 1: time I was hoping that I would get to where 588 00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:55,800 Speaker 1: I am right now, kind of that's right, yeah, and 589 00:25:55,880 --> 00:25:58,920 Speaker 1: so that's great, it's great insight too, and also recognizing 590 00:25:58,920 --> 00:26:00,479 Speaker 1: that each step along the way, even if it's not 591 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:02,640 Speaker 1: the best experience, is something we can learn from. 592 00:26:02,680 --> 00:26:05,080 Speaker 2: Absolutely, I love that this is a great insight. 593 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:07,480 Speaker 1: Jennifer O'Sullivan, Thank you so much for taking the time 594 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:09,760 Speaker 1: today and sharing your story and sharing some of your 595 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:14,679 Speaker 1: wisdom with us. Jennifer O'Sullivan, the COO of n y CFC, 596 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:17,640 Speaker 1: thank you so much for joining us on. Thank you 597 00:26:17,680 --> 00:26:18,520 Speaker 1: by Kendra Scott