Pro Tennis Player Carries On Legacy of Family Entrepreneurship | Paul Sullivan

The Wise Exit

E29: Today, I want to do something a little different and share a story about an 82 year old serial entrepreneur who is also a professional tennis player.

I've known this person my whole life and he helped shape my entire entrepreneurial career with his unwavering encouragement and lifelong words of wisdom when he told me, "No one is ever going to give it to you. You have to fight for every point, every game and every match, every single day." And when he gave examples of great entrepreneurs and athletes that he remembers most, they were always the ones that succeeded with class and integrity.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with my dad, Paul Sullivan.

Episode Highlights:
(2:47) The beginning's of the Sullivan family entrepreneurial journey - Edith Sullivan Tennis Creations
(8:11) The Vietnam War, and playing tennis with a US General
(10:57) Starting the Paul Sullivan Sportswear Company
(15:32) Winning the Mixed Doubles U.S. National Indoor Championships with Billie Jean King
(19:50) Inventing the "Spalding Smasher" (the world's first aluminum tennis racquet)
(27:31) The patent fight with Spalding
(33:22) A Christmas Eve flood that destroyed the clothing business
(39:12) The next big opportunity in Iowa
(48:10) Flying to every Yale hockey game from El Salvador
(59:42) Final entrepreneurial advice from Paul Sullivan

Where To Find Todd Sullivan:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddfsullivan/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Todd_Sullivan

Episode 29 References:
Frequent Flier, Sports Illustrated (1994)