Getting from the Bar to the Boardroom

Introduction

It’s mid-morning of a random August 2003 day in Orlando, FL. The first thing I feel is my head pounding from whatever damage I had done to my body the previous evening. Then, as I slowly open my groggy eyes and look around an apartment that is not mine, I say to myself, “I’m done with this madness, it’s time to act like a grown-up.” The “madness” I spoke of was pursuing a professional golf career. There was a sense of relief when I decided to abandon my dream of playing on the PGA Tour because, well, I was nowhere close to good enough at golf. The feeling that came to me next is something I will never forget. What in the hell am I going to do now?!?!?

I had a degree, a supportive family, and little else. The credit card that I had ...