Soccer Passion to Career
The last game of our 2007 season with the Charleston Battery ended in a tough home draw, and we narrowly missed the playoffs. This had been the final game of my contract and I was now a free agent with the hopes of re-signing with the Battery. Although I personally had a good season, the coach had plans of taking the team in a new direction for 2008. Leaving that meeting, I had no idea what my future with soccer would be.
At that time, my primary focus was on creating a good environment to raise a family with my soon-to-be wife, Andrea (married in 2008). Since I was 10 years-old I wanted to be a professional soccer player. I had written a paper in college about my career goal: “playing professional soccer at the highest level possible while providing a comfortable living for my family.” I was hoping to continue working towards this goal, but I wasn’t sure exactly how (I had played two years in the MLS before playing with Charleston). Andrea was extremely supportive of me pursuing my soccer career, although I was ready to hang up the cleats and find a more “stable” job if a good offer didn’t present itself. We put our trust in God, and, on the verge of retirement, the Richmond Kickers came through with a good pro soccer offer with youth coaching on the side.
I had coached youth around the country throughout my soccer career, and I really enjoyed it. Being a newlywed with the hopes of a family on the way, my financial responsibilities increased, and I had to get creative in order to provide full-time income for my family year round through soccer. This wasn’t a problem during the pro season in the United Soccer League (USL), but the off-seasons could be long (6 months) and tough. Although I was able to coach youth teams in the evenings, there were still a lot of day-time hours where I wasn’t bringing in any revenue. Also, the club coaching didn’t provide family friendly hours since it took place during nights and weekends, and this wasn’t in line with my long term career/family goals.
My wife was working at a child care center at the time (summer 2008), and they approached me about teaching their kids soccer. I was very comfortable with this idea since I had enjoyed working with this age group (3-5 years) before and I was available during day-time hours. I soon decided to put together a soccer program for other local child cares and Mighty Kicks was born!
After the first season of the Program, word of mouth spread rapidly. I quickly retired from club coaching in order to focus on the Mighty Kicks Program, due to the demand and potential. Discovering this awesome concept (Mobile Soccer Enrichment to child cares and preschools) was one thing, but creating a great business was something different. Since its inception in 2008, I have spent the past 5 years creating the most effective systems, methods and curriculum to introduce children to the sport I am passionate about. I am extremely confident that a parent will not be able to find a better way to introduce their child to sports than with Mighty Kicks. The Mighty Kicks Program is thankful to service over 4,000 participants each year in the Richmond market, while this proven business model is rapidly expanding nationally (14 Franchised Territories at this writing in December of 2013).
I have been blessed to continue my professional soccer career to this day, while devoting myself to Mighty Kicks at the same time. I am extremely passionate about this business, which not only introduces children to healthy lifestyle habits and soccer basics, but helps them develop life skills and character as well. I thank the Lord each day that I have been given the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and create a career through the world’s greatest game.
Mighty Kicks is a national franchise that offers a premier introductory early childhood soccer program. The affordable soccer franchise opportunity makes it easy to bring our proven business to your area. Click Here to learn how to impact youth and profit with your own Mighty Kicks business. Make your passion a career!