EP36: Corey Jackson - One-Way Bus Ticket, the NFL, and Successful Business Owner

Can you imagine only having enough money to afford a one-way bus ticket, and going someplace you've never been, with no idea if you'll be welcomed when you get there? Today's Mark Your Mark podcast guest, Corey Jackson, not only was in that spot, but has turned what little he had at that point twenty years ago into playing in the NFL and running a successful business. And this is one journey you'll want to listen to!   "When I was working at Walmart I was miserable because I was not living the life I wanted to live. One day I was just sitting there, on this pity party where my life sucks and this thing gets on my head, "Who did this to you? Whose fault is this?". And what I realized in that moment was that no one did it to me, but I also realized nothing was stopping me, so I did what I always did, I was creative, and made things happen."   Corey has truly made the most of his opportunity, and as you will hear in this episode, he shows how focusing completely on basketball, becoming a top collegiate player, and almost by complete accident jumping into football, led him to starting his own company, Qwerkz. He has created an App that makes it easy for athletes to have access to products and service providers that can be trusted. Corey is everywhere on LinkedIn and other social media, offering inspirational messaging and advice for entrepreneurs and athletes making that transition into business.   "This is how the things that you struggle with actually help you. I struggled academically, I was slow, and it took me longer to understand things.  I was still behind, and because I had to come back to campus, one one of the football coaches told me I was his favorite player, but that I was playing in the wrong sport!  He told me I should be playing football. I ended up getting through the season, and one of the coaches called and told me "You need to come over here because we have 30 NFL scouts asking about you. They want to know who the basketball player is." I just went and killed the workouts, and suddenly had agents calling me."   Corey has jumped over hurdle after hurdle along the way, and you'll really enjoy this episode filled with his uplifting story of beating the odds to get to where he is today, making him the ideal guest for the Make Your Mark podcast! Happy listening!   "It was overwhelming, one of the greatest feelings. You come out of this tunnel, and this is something you have watched your entire life, and all these people screaming. I am nobody, but they know me. Amazing experience walking out on that field. That was one of the most remarkable feelings that I've ever had. It makes you think anything is possible!"   Some Topics we talk about in this episode:   Introduction - 0:40 Growing up in south carolina - 5:10 Going behind the scenes - 7:45 Losing is the hardest thing to do/learning how to lose - 8:35 Academic Difficulties - 9:15 Figuring out how to do it, and how to get things done - 12:05 Not living the life you want to live - 13:45 Applying for school - 15:00 How are you gonna pay for it - 17:25 We want you on the team-Life changing - 18:45 Training the whole team - 20:40 I became a leader - 22:00 You're my favorite player but you're playing the wrong sport - 23:35 Long story, short - 25:00 I'm nobody but they know me (getting out on the field) - 27:05 Anything is possible - 28:10 I took off like a rocket - 29:15 I'll go there and kill it - 34:15 Giving up the half million - 35:15 The transition - 36:15 Trying to fund my lifestyle - 38:25 Talking about retired athletes and how to help them - 43:15 Starting a new company - 44:40 Where do you wanna take it in the next 5-10 years? - 46:10 Staying on top of the game - 49:15 Follow on social media - 50:30 Hit Your Mark - 51:35 How to get involved Be sure to connect with me on Social Media @MarkMoyerCoach and go to my website, www.markmoyer.com to get access to the tips and strategies that my coaching clients get directly. If you're looking for ways to Make Your Mark, send me an email [email protected] and I'll get you going right away towards taking your business and career to a much higher level!   If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave me a quick review on iTunes. Your reviews and ratings will help me reach more people with ways to make their mark in life!