112: Benn McAlister I How to Take Over the Family Business

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Benn McCallister, president of Worldwide Golf Shops.Benn recounts his personal journey, emphasizing that he has been involved with golf all his life and that this eventually sparked his deep passion for the sport. He will share how he was initially unsure about joining the family business because he wanted to stand out and make a name for himself. However, during college, the significant impact of the Internet piqued his interest and led him to explore web design. As a result, he created a website for his family's business, which quickly became very popular and valuable to the company. This pivotal experience eventually led him to join the family business.After building the website, the decision for Benn to become president wasn't immediate. You’ll learn more about his career progression, including the initial skepticism about his involvement in the family business, which only fueled his determination, strong work ethic and success-oriented mindset. When he took on the role of president in 2017, one of his first acts was to join the YPO (Young Presidents' Organization). He shares how being a member of YPO has provided him with invaluable support and advice from experienced peers.Shortly after joining YPO, Benn and his family decided to sell their business in 2019. He’ll talk about this challenging and tiring process that led to a period of tension and minimal communication among family members and partners. You’ll discover the new idea that Benn proposed, which marked a significant transition for him. After leaving the family business, Benn aimed for a better work-life balance and more time with his family. Unfortunately, the timing coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced Benn to temporarily separate from his family to launch his business. You’ll learn more about this challenging sacrifice.Join Matt and Benn for an insightful conversation on Benn's path to excellence in the golf industry.Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show:Benn’s definition of excellence.The detrimental effect of Instagram on the self-esteem of teens.How to take your passion and turn it into business.The launch of the e-commerce website and direct-to-consumer sales channels.How to take over a family business. The difference between a chip on the shoulder and an ax to grind.How to stay positive during tough times.The impact his wife has had on his business.And so much more...Resources:The Edge of ExcellenceBenn McCallister