Q&A by Todd Moore '16
This alumni profile features a Q&A with Michelle Fogle ‘07, Operating Partner of a recently opened Fleet Feet Sports franchise in Wilmington North Carolina. Michelle discusses the challenges and rewards of opening her own business, advice for those interested in starting a business, and how the Ohio Sports Administration program impacted her career.
Your Fleet Feet Sports Store opened very recently, on November 18th. What has the average day looked like for you since opening?
When you own your own retail business there really is no average day. Early in the week I work on inventory and updating the website and other maintenance items. Then during the week I work on different marketing campaigns, race partnerships, medical partnership and other event and marketing items. As I go into the weekend I either have an event activation at a local race or community event or have something going on at the store.
That is the schedule I try to keep, but it hardly ever goes that smoothly because when a fire pops up, I am the one that has to put it out. It's always keeping me on my toes and definitely exciting.
You worked in Corporate Development and Sales for both the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Houston Texans. What inspired you to diverge from that career path in favor of starting your own business?
There are several things that led me to diverting from the sponsorship activation and marketing path:
1. I always wanted to own my own business. Something that was instilled from the time I was young seeing my grandpa run his own company.
2. My time at OU and working on my MBA and doing small business consulting led me to think that owning my own business would be something I would eventually want to do. Whether that was in the sports industry or later in life, definitely something I would take on one day.
3. When working for the Texans, I was sitting in a business operation meeting and listening to a story about the owner of the Texans and how he overcame obstacles and made his own destiny and success through business ownership. That really struck a chord with me. If I am going to work long hours and put my heart and soul into something, why not do it for myself and try to control my own career destiny.
What, in particular, attracted you to the Fleet Feet Sports organization?
If you ask any of my classmates, they would not be surprised that I own a specialty running and walking store. I initially approached this business ownership venture as a pure investment strategy (carpet cleaning company, in-home non-medical care, etc.). However, after talking with an owner of a Trek Bicycle store, I realized that there could be opportunities to not only own a successful business, but one that is in an industry that I have a passion.
Running, leading an active lifestyle, and helping people be comfortable while doing the aforementioned, is a passion of mine and if I can bring that passion to the community I live through my business, all the better. Also, Fleet Feet's philosophy and mission is one I identify with and knew I could truly buy into.
How will you differentiate your store from other sporting goods stores?
We focus on service, community involvement and empowering our customers and staff. Basically, I want to make an investment in the overall well-being of this community by supporting current fitness-oriented residents and encouraging new ones. My entire staff is actively involved in supporting our community through clinics, educational outreach, volunteerism and group activities that promote health and wellness.
Those outreach activities include numerous activities: educational clinics in the store covering varying topics conducted by physical therapists, chiropractors, podiatrists or orthopedic doctors; volunteer coaching for youth running programs; volunteering at local races; free gait analysis at local gyms and recreation centers; free ‘Lunch and Learns’ at companies and for various groups on topics ranging from running shoes to proper hydration and nutrition; and training programs for the local YMCA Triathlon Club.
As a woman in the sports industry, were there any unique challenges you had to overcome to achieve your success?
There are always challenges in any job you hold. For me, I did not run into any unique challenges, but I also did not have to balance work with family life, which I could imagine would have presented some unique challenges. I also worked for an amazing organization in the Houston Texans that created a wonderful environment to work in and really tried to keep all employees on an equal playing field supporting each person as much as possible.
What was the importance of the Ohio University Sports Administration program in your career and personal development?
The OU Sports Ad program has helped me tremendously in my personal and professional life. Providing me contacts in the industry allowed for idea generation among peers when working with clients and creating contacts when I was in the industry, and even now. One of the most important assets I gained through the program was the ability to connect with people. In opening my own business, and even in my previous career, I have used the skills of networking and creating connections with people on a meaningful level that has truly helped make me successful.
While I had a level of social skills prior to my time at OU, those two years bonding with classmates and professors and networking and building relationships with alums taught me the value of relationships and how to create relationships on the most meaningful level. Something I try to teach the young people working for me today.
What is one piece of advice you'd offer to someone interested in starting their own business?
Be ready to work long and hard hours for a few years, and don't be gun shy. I will say that working for a sports organization prepared me for long hours and continuous days without a day off, but I know that if I decide to take a day off or relax for one minute, no one is picking up the slack and it just allows my competition an opportunity to fill the gap. Also, you can't sit and contemplate too much, you have to take action, so if you are overly analytical, you can get caught analyzing and never acting while the rest of the world keeps moving and passing you by.
Do you have any upcoming projects or initiatives, either at your store or nationally with Fleet Feet Sports, that you can share with us?
There are quite a few projects I am working on. One of the bigger initiatives I have working is directing and/or owning one or two races this year in conjunction with other major community events.
Fleet Feet as a franchise is working on creating greater national marketing campaigns in order to grow continuity among stores. Whether it is a national Black Friday campaign or something leading heavy race season, the franchise is attempting to foster a greater national brand, which can be tough when you are working with over 70 different franchise owners.
Read more about Michelle's new endeavorhere or congratulate her via email!
Why Choose Ohio University Sports Administration?
1. The Curriculum: The MBA/MSA combination
The two-year MBA/MSA program prepares students for leadership positions by combining the business teaching of the Ohio University MBA program with sport-specific knowledge during the MSA program. This degree combination recognizes the growing complexity of the sports, facility and entertainment industries, and reinforces Ohio University's commitment to preparing students for the leadership challenges of the future. SportBusiness International recently ranked the program the #1 American Postgraduate Sports Course.
The MBA phase of the program uses a problem-based learning style, immersing students in collaborative projects and working situations that are commonplace in the business world. Students learn basic business concepts in a real-life context, and develop skills in communication, collaboration and teamwork that are essential for success, while developing their ability to be creative, take initiative, and accept personal responsibility for their actions.
The MSA program combines classroom and practical experience to prepare individuals for leadership positions in the sport industry. An interdisciplinary approach gives students the freedom to choose courses of personal interest and build a foundation of knowledge in their desired career fields.
Click here to see more reasons to join our program!
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