Colleen Craig on Empowering Women in Sports and the Atlanta Vibe | Marketing Mad Men
Join Nick Constantino and special guest Colleen Craig, owner of the Atlanta Vibe volleyball team, as they discuss the rapid growth of women’s sports, the vibrant culture of Atlanta, and the power of positive energy. Learn about Colleen’s journey from Cornell athlete to Harvard Business School graduate and her career in finance and entrepreneurship. Discover the unique experience of attending a volleyball game and the future of the Atlanta Vibe. Subscribe for more inspiring stories!
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Key Takeaways:
- The importance of effort, attitude, and intentionality in both sports and business.
- The rapid growth and increasing recognition of women’s sports, particularly volleyball.
- Colleen Craig’s eight pillars of success.
- The unique experience of attending a volleyball game with the Atlanta Vibe.
- The role of community engagement and positive energy in building a successful sports team.
#MarketingMadMen #ColleenCraig #AtlantaVibe #WomensSports #ProVolleyball #Entrepreneurship #SportsCulture #GrowthMindset #SuccessPillars
Discover the inspiring journey of Colleen Craig, owner of the Atlanta Vibe volleyball team, as she discusses the rapid growth of women’s sports, her entrepreneurial journey, and the power of positive energy. Tune into Marketing Mad Men for insights on building a winning culture and the future of professional volleyball.
Nick Constantino hosts the “Marketing Mad Men” show and introduces “Uncle Donnie,” nicknamed “Squeaky” due to his military call sign. Donnie shares his story of earning the nickname during a flight in an F4 Phantom on a tiger cruise.
The main guest, Colleen Craig, is introduced. She is the owner of the Atlanta Vibe volleyball team. Colleen shares her background: growing up with two brothers, competing in volleyball and track at Cornell University, attending Harvard Business School, and meeting her husband in Atlanta. She talks about balancing academics and athletics, her career in finance (including running a hedge fund), and her entrepreneurial ventures. She emphasizes the importance of effort, attitude, intentionality, and being deliberate in actions. The conversation also touches on her family’s business background and her grandfather’s role in the 1949 Brooklyn Dodgers’ grounds crew.
Colleen shares her entrepreneurial journey, influenced by her father who always encouraged her to pursue her goals, making her unaware of any hurdles. She was the only girl on boys’ teams in her youth, which instilled a strong sense of determination in her. During a marathon with her brother, she overtook him at mile 22, a humorous testament to her competitive spirit.
Colleen emphasizes the importance of learning from every interaction and maintaining a growth mindset. She highlights the need to surround oneself with people who provide positive energy and to minimize the influence of those who drain it. This principle applies both in sports and business, where difficult decisions often need to be made for the greater good of the team or organization.
The conversation then shifts to women’s sports, particularly volleyball. Women’s volleyball is the largest team sport for girls in the U.S., surpassing basketball and soccer. Colleen notes the Southeast region’s significant participation in volleyball, with events drawing tens of thousands of participants. The dialogue underscores the rapid growth and increasing recognition of women’s sports.
Overall, Colleen’s journey and her insights into leadership, competition, and the growth of women’s sports offer valuable lessons for both personal and professional development.
Colleen highlights the surge in popularity of women’s volleyball, noting its presence in high schools and colleges and its subsequent professional opportunities overseas, mainly in Europe. Italy, in particular, has a significant league. Social media platforms like Instagram have helped bring volleyball into mainstream awareness.
Volleyball’s accessibility and its appeal across different settings contribute to its growing popularity. Players can showcase their athleticism while also expressing personal style. Colleen discusses the positive, uplifting environment within the sport, emphasizing the supportive culture that celebrates both winning and resilience. This ethos contrasts with the more adversarial nature often associated with men’s sports.
Nick and Colleen discuss the camaraderie and trust in successful men’s teams, noting that the best teams in men’s sports have adopted a sense of unity and bonding seen in women’s volleyball. This camaraderie fosters a culture where teammates support each other both on and off the court.
The conversation shifts to women’s sports figures like Caitlyn Clark, whose impact on the WNBA illustrates the evolving landscape of women’s sports and their growing recognition and success.
Finally, Colleen introduces the Atlanta Vibe volleyball team. The name “Vibe” emerged from a community naming competition, representing Atlanta’s diverse and vibrant culture. The Vibe aims to encapsulate the city’s unique energy and spirit, highlighting the importance of community and connection in sports.
The Atlanta Vibe name was chosen through a community competition, reflecting the city’s unique energy. The logo incorporates elements like bright red “A” and “V,” representing Atlanta’s sports tradition and the intertwined facets of its vibrant culture. The “V” also evokes the imagery of Spaghetti Junction, symbolizing the interconnected nature of the city’s diverse communities.
Colleen mentions that she met her husband in Piedmont Park and emphasizes the importance of the right opportunity and timing for establishing the team. Despite initially considering other major markets, Atlanta’s strong junior club base and supportive infrastructure made it the ideal location.
The Gas South Arena in Gwinnett, with its 6,000-8,000 seat capacity, became the home for the Vibe due to its welcoming environment, fan engagement opportunities, and corporate sponsorship potential. Colleen highlights the importance of bringing the community together and creating an inclusive atmosphere with seating options at every price point.
Colleen also notes the increasing visibility and success of volleyball, with figures like Morgan Hentz and Kayla Banwarth representing the sport at the highest levels. The presence of Georgia Tech’s strong volleyball team further underscores the sport’s growth in the region.
Looking ahead, Colleen expresses a desire to establish a volleyball training center, emphasizing community engagement and building a lasting legacy for future generations. The accessible infrastructure for volleyball makes this an attainable goal.
In discussing the Pro Volleyball Federation, Colleen stresses the importance of due diligence in selecting team owners with the commitment and vision to ensure the league’s authenticity and longevity. The focus is on finding owners who are genuinely invested in the sport, rather than those seeking quick profits.
Colleen emphasizes that owning a sports team is not about seeking immediate profits but about genuine investment and long-term vision. She highlights the importance of having Major League owners with experience and wisdom to guide the league. This foundation helps ensure stability and growth.
The conversation touches on the challenge of weeding out bad owners in sports, referencing examples like Dan Snyder and the Redskins. They discuss how winning can significantly influence a team’s popularity in Atlanta, a city that strongly supports winning teams but loses interest quickly when they don’t perform well.
Colleen mentions receiving significant interest from Major League owners in the Pro Volleyball Federation. She notes the supportive sports community in Atlanta, where teams and owners collaborate for the city’s benefit. The Atlanta Vibe received a warm welcome on social media and from local teams like Atlanta United.
The Atlanta Vibe aims to be included in regular sports coverage on news stations, striving for recognition alongside other major sports teams. Colleen underscores the unique experience of attending a volleyball game, emphasizing the sport’s inherent excitement and energy. The team avoids overreliance on gimmicks, focusing instead on the high-quality product they offer.
Colleen reflects on memorable moments from the first season, particularly a historic match in Omaha where the Vibe overcame a significant deficit to win. This victory marked an inflection point for the team, showcasing their resilience and potential.
The conversation concludes with a light-hearted inquiry about Colleen’s nickname during her playing days, followed by Donnie sharing his unexpected path to joining the Atlanta Vibe team as Chief Revenue and Partnership Officer, driven by his passion for sports.
Colleen wraps up with her eight pillars that have guided her career:
- Growth Mindset: Always learning and adapting.
- Visualizing Success: Seeing and feeling the end goal.
- Setting Goals: From small, tactical targets to overarching ambitions.
- Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones: Using challenges as opportunities for growth.
- Focusing on What You Can Control: Staying proactive and centered.
- Operating with Intentionality: Being deliberate in all actions.
- Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People: Building a personal board of directors for guidance.
- Continuous Improvement: Always striving for better results, never settling.
Donnie’s journey to the Vibe team includes a colorful past, including running penthouse pet parties in 1992. His passion for sports brought him full circle to joining the Atlanta Vibe, emphasizing the importance of fun and fulfillment in his career choices.
Together, they look forward to the future of women’s professional volleyball, with plans for expansion, community engagement, and continuous growth. The Atlanta Vibe aims to become a cornerstone of Atlanta’s sports culture, driven by passion, preparation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
