We recently asked Advisor Martin Lee a few questions regarding his business career, interests, and the business of sports. Here is what Martin had to say.
Q: Over your career you have worked for Olympus, Sirius and Sears — what position you have held was the most rewarding and why?
They have all been rewarding but Olympus was probably the most rewarding because I learned so much there. Olympus was transforming from a traditional film camera company to one that could battle with consumer electronic giants like Sony and HP. At the same time, we were experiencing dramatic growth because of digital camera adoption. Our marketing budget grew 10X and we got involved in sponsorships, cause marketing, sports marketing, digital engagement and more. More importantly, we had a great team that worked together to drive the business forward. There were no silos and no politics. It was a great culture when I was there.
Q. Who was a mentor to you in your career and how did that relationship help you along the way?
I’ve had several mentors and encourage everyone to find several mentors. If I had to single anyone out, it would have to be my father. He was a surgeon that literally had nothing when we was young. He put himself through medical school, moved to the United States to give his family a better life, started a educational scholarship fund and ended his career on medical missions serving underprivileged communities around the world. No matter what I accomplish in my career, in my mind it will never measure up to what he accomplished in his.
Q: What are the most important business lessons you have learned in life?
Follow your passions. I ended up at SIRIUS XM because I am a huge sports fan and music enthusiast. Having a job where I could market sports and music was a dream job. I moved to Sears because I am also a big do-it-yourself enthusiast. I love landscaping, carpentry, anything that has to do with building or working with your hands. Everyone should follow their passions. If you do, you will find your job will be much more rewarding.
Q: Over your career you have been a very successful businessman, husband and father – how do you balance all those responsibilities?
That is easy. The most important thing in my life is my family. I’ve found that if you make your family the priority, everything else falls in place. I consider myself to be very lucky. I have two great boys and a perfect wife. They make it very easy for me to focus on work when I need to . And it is important for my kids to see that you have to work hard to accomplish things. I tell them constantly that the only way they can get better is to practice, practice, practice.
Q: During your career you have had first hand involvement in the sponsorship space – what trends do you see today in the world of corporate sponsorship of sports?
The biggest challenge in the world of sponsorships is ROI. There are so many ways to spend your marketing dollars, that every activity needs to have an associated ROI.
Q: We are told you are a huge St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan – how did that come about ?
I was born in St. Louis so the Cardinals are my favorite of all sports teams. Kentucky Wildcats are a close second. I still remember listening to Cardinal games on my clock radio. I grew up with Tommy Herr, Garry Templeton, Bob Forsch, Ted Simmons, Whitey Herzog. Then Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee, and Vince Coleman. I’ve watched replays of Game 6 of the 2011 World Series at least 30 times. St. Louis is a great baseball town and my Cardinals will always be my favorite of all sports teams.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite sports moment as a fan?
I have a two and they are both in the last year. Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. Watching my 6 year old son hit 3 baskets in his basketball game. That is what is so great about sports, there is a good chance that your favorite moment is still in your future.
Q: What are your favorite passions outside of work?
Coaching my son’s sports teams and golf. Golf is my inner peace. Nothing is better than going out late on a Sunday afternoon and walking a golf course by yourself. Sometimes I am the only one on the golf course and it is the best way to relax and take away the stress from the week. I also enjoy times that aren’t as relaxing when I bring my boys with me. The sand traps are a big sand box to them so I spend an hour golfing and an hour raking the sand traps. It is a good work out. My other favorite activity is a new one, coaching. I love coaching 5-7 year olds. They are so eager to learn and make so much progress in a 4 month period of time.
Q: Why would you encourage someone to enter sports as a career?
Enter sports as a career if it is your passion. I love sports. I love the competition and that you are part of a team. If I could do things over again, I would probably start my career in sports.