Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Franco Varga, Founder and Owner of CSRS, located in Urdorf, Zürich, Switzerland.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are a collegiate soccer recruitment service (CSRS) agency that brings the most talented soccer players to the U.S. with a soccer scholarship. Our talents are 18-23 years old and are looking to pursue a bachelor's degree at a U.S. College with a soccer scholarship.

Tell us about yourself

I started working on the company while I was a soccer athlete in Alabama, playing for Auburn University at Montgomery and Menlo College in Atherton, California. I started just to help people; I never had the intention to make a business out of it. With time, more and more people started asking me for help, and so I started doing it as a business.

My motivation is to give talents the possibility to do the same I have done in the U.S. I want to help them to combine the best sport in the world with a high education so they can start their young adult life with a great experience, play on high-level soccer and get an answer degree at a top university.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As every player has their own story, I can't and don't want to pick a player and say this is the biggest accomplishment we have had as a company. With every player we transfer to the US, it is a big pleasure and accomplishment for the player and us. The service to transfer a player takes about one year of preparation and admin work. Therefore, transferring any player is an absolute pleasure.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being a business owner means knowing everything about your business. It is not only about sales or marketing. If you want to be a great businessman, you need to know everything about anything to bring your business to the next level. Also, in these times, digitalisation is a big topic. You always set your focus on your business and how you can improve it. I never thought about it negatively because I love every aspect of what I am doing, and I do it with heart. I would never want to stop what I am doing today. Helping players to grow as persons and players and get an academic degree means the world to me.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Start with the most relevant topics, and don't waste your time on details.
  2. Trust in the process and always make long-term decisions. Your service is what makes you special.
  3. Always be reliable and professional; your behavior will be noticed on the market.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Our service includes:
- Scouting players also female soccer players
- Editing a highlight video and creating a player's profile on our website
- Help them with the English test to get accepted at a university
- Find soccer scholarships
- Help them to apply for their new university
- Help them to get eligible to play soccer in the US
- Help them with the visa processing

Our company is a big family even after a player starts in the US and is not with us anymore as we have finalized our contract. They come to visit us in the office, and we organize friendly games and have get-togethers like a big family. I'm very proud of my players.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.csrs-usa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSRS-GmbH-110443240448956/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csrsoccer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/csrs-gmbh/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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