380 | A Community Building Organization Disguised As a Soccer Team with Ron Patel

Is it possible that the heart of social entrepreneurship beats just as strongly in a stadium as in a startup? This is just one of the provocative questions we explored with Ron Patel on the latest Awarepreneurs podcast episode, hosted by our very own Paul Zelizer. Bio: Ron Patel is President of New Mexico United, the USL professional soccer club in Albuquerque. He co-founded the club in 2018 with Majority Owner/CEO Peter Trevisani and, as VP of Sales, helped drive league-leading attendance and merchandise while shaping a strong community brand. After leading a sports & entertainment group in McAllen, TX, he returned to New Mexico in 2021, became Chief Business Officer in 2022, and was named President in January 2024. Earlier, he founded "Just Dine In" (2006), expanded it through mergers to seven Western markets, and exited after its 2015 acquisition by Grubhub. Patel also founded Albuquerque Sol (2013) and helped lay the groundwork for New Mexico's first professional soccer franchise in United. This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business. Resources mentioned in this episode include: New Mexico United site New Mexico United store Somos United Foundation site Ron Patel on LinkedIn Paul's Strategy Sessions Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode