After my freshman basketball season at Wesleyan, I spent time reflecting on what made the year meaningful. Winning games was special, but the most rewarding part was the connections I built with coaches, teammates, alumni, and mentors back at home. Those conversations inspired me to start my own basketball training business for younger athletes in my town.

Giving back to the youth has always been one of my favorite parts of being an athlete. Coaching is something I hope to pursue after my playing career at Wesleyan, and working with kids gives me the chance to share the game in a way that feels purposeful.

A skill I didn’t fully appreciate until this experience was the ability to communicate confidently. Introducing myself, shaking hands firmly, making eye contact, and using clear language helped me build trust with both players and parents. These small habits made every interaction feel more professional, and they carried directly over into how I talk with professors, coaches, and people I meet in my daily life.

Managing my training schedule taught me another valuable skill: organization. Every week, I mapped out each client’s timeslot on paper, along with locations and notes for the session ahead. Balancing that schedule with my own workouts, schoolwork, and personal responsibilities made me far more disciplined. That habit has followed me to Wesleyan, where I keep detailed schedules for academics, training, and team commitments.

The experience of running a small business—even just for the summer—helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. It strengthened my communication skills, improved my time management, and gave me a new sense of responsibility toward the athletes I worked with. Most importantly, it showed me how fulfilling it is to take initiative and create something that positively impacts others.

This combination of coaching, organizing, and learning from mentors has shaped my academic, athletic, and personal life. It taught me that growth often happens when you step forward, introduce yourself, and take on something that challenges you.