Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in sports education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ken Crippen, Founder of Football Learning Academy, located in Warminster, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are an online school teaching pro football history. Our customers are anyone who wants to put today's game into a historical context.
Tell us about yourself
I have researched and written about pro football history for over 30 years. I started writing early on and developed a passion for sharing the knowledge and experience that I learned along the way. My published works include being the solo author of two books, the managing editor of two other books, a contributor to two additional books, and have written hundreds of articles on pro football history. My work has appeared in publications such as SI.com (Sports Illustrated), National Football Post, Packer Report, The Coffin Corner, and Cold Hard Football Facts, among others.
Over the three decades that I have been doing this, I have had the chance to interview some legends of the game, including many Pro Football Hall of Famers. I have also been interviewed by many outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, Deadspin, ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and the History Channel. I am an award-winning author, including the Pro Football Writers of America's Dick Connor Writing Award for Feature Writing and the Professional Football Researchers Association's Ralph Hay Award for Lifetime Achievement in pro football research. I am also a frequent guest on radio and podcasts.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Interviewing some of the greats of the game.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There is a lot of work needed to run and grow your business. You need to plan for it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- In the beginning, you are doing everything. Be prepared to do it all.
- Make sure you know how to do everything. As you grow and hire people, you need to know how the job needs to be done in order to make sure they are performing.
- Find the marketing outlet that works best for your business. Some work best on social media (and you need to find the appropriate platform based on your ideal client). Some respond best to advertisements.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.football-learning-academy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/959084951680579
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footballlearningacademy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FootballLearn1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-crippen-mba/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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