Interview with Glenn Witman, Real Estate Developer
What motivated you to start You Can Play Project? How did the idea come about? I was motivated to start the You Can Play Project (YCP) because growing up playing sports, I was never able to be my true self to my teammates, friends and family and I didn’t want closeted gay athletes to go through the same experience I did. When I came out at 28 years old, everything in my life changed for the better, including my athletic performance. Eventually, I started a gay all-star hockey team that traveled around the country playing in straight tournaments. This was the beginning of my activism and showing the heterosexual world that gays can be great athletes and teammates. As a part of Gforce (the name of our team), we conducted “invisible athlete forums” at universities and high schools were we would talk about our experience as closeted athletes and it’s effects not only emotionally but on the playing field. It really helped break down barriers and gave our straight teammates a glimpse into our lives that they hadn’t realized existed. Patrick Burke moderated a panel for us in 2010 and two weeks later emailed me saying he wanted do more and possibly form a new group. We joined forces with Brian Kitts and that’s how You Can Play was formed. What is the toughest decision you’ve ever made when starting a business? How did it make you better at the end of the day ? The toughest decision I’ve made was saying no to money from a company whose product/view point I didn’t feel represented by non-profit. We were in our infancy and we really needed funds, but had to hold true to our beliefs. It would have been very easy to take the money, but it wasn’t who we were or are to this day. Who has been your greatest influencer along your entrepreneurial journey? How did they shape You Can Play Project ? My father has been my biggest influencer and role model. He is in his 70’s now and works like he just got out of college! He maintains balance between work and his home life and has fun while he is doing it. Same is true with YCP. Patrick, Brian, and I work really hard with our staff and board members. When we get together, we make sure to really enjoy one another’s company. It’s important to have levity in any situation. When it came time to register your business with the state, did you handle the legal paperwork yourself or did you have an incorporation service like LegalZoom do it for you? Brian Kitts has a business/marketing background and registered our non profit. For my personal business I do use a private real estate attorney. How do you balance life and work to remain connected and available for your loved ones? Any advice for me? Balance is so important. Working out, eating well, and spending time with your loved ones/ friends makes life enjoyable. I recommend scheduling everything you want to do because if it doesn’t get into the schedule, it doesn’t get done. Both my husband and I have very hectic schedules, so we make sure to pencil in time to hang out and relax together. It works! We’re huge believers of every entrepreneur keeping their business’ finances under control. How do you keep You Can Play Project books in check? We have an accountant for YCP to keep track of our finances. We also are very judicious with our spending. What advice would you give to our readers who want to start a business in New York today? Where should they start? Starting any new business, especially in New York you need to be passionate about your product, your end goal, and of course work your butt off to make it successful. I heard Ted Turner speak several years ago and this quote stuck with me when talking about his success: “Early to Bed, Early to Rise, Work like Hell and Advertise! Source: Startup Savant
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