Snohomish County Football Club

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dorian Lair, President of Snohomish County Football Club, located in Woodinville, WA, USA.

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

Est. 2017, The Snohomish County Football Club, also known as the "Steelheads," are a Washington State Non-Profit. Our club has 120+ Members, Players, Staff, Coaches, and Volunteers operating across Snohomish County, the second-largest county in the state. We operate 4+ Semi-Pro/Pre-professional teams: Men's Indoor & Outdoor and Women's Indoor & Outdoor. Our players consist of former & current pros, former & current collegiate athletes, youth club athletes, and recreational players.

Tell us about yourself

I have been working in technology for 7 years in data analytics for many fortune 500 companies, both consulting and full-time. As for football (soccer), I have been playing for 25 years, including high school, and college, and have been playing in a semi-professional capacity (UPSL, NPSL, CPL) since 2014.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

One of my biggest accomplishments has been taking over as president & chairman of Snohomish County Football Club within 8 months, starting from a player. I was then able to scale the club from one team, two to 4 teams and quadruple revenues. In 2023 we are on track to do over $70,000. Also, we were able to successfully receive 501(c)(3) status and looking to build out a for-profit branch of the club to ultimately develop an investment program to generate funds to expand and grow the club.

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

Probably the hardest thing I have found is finding the right people to help drive your vision. It's easy to take action on your own goals and visions, but if you don't tell a good story, enable those around you, and build trust with those people, reaching your goals becomes a bit harder. You have to find good people and hold on to them.

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

Build a very detailed business plan. Don't freestyle these things, especially when the business can be very nuanced. You can tell a great story with a great business plan.
Find the help of people who have been there. I learned this the hard way and only now looking to focus on getting help, bouncing ideas, and getting new perspectives from people who have been there.
Take care of yourself. Being a business owner or entrepreneur can be long hours, blood, sweat, tears, overwhelming, lonely, and more. Look out for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being throughout the process. I have found it extremely helpful during these times to have a therapist to guide you through the hard times while supporting you with ideas and a different perspective on the challenges you will face.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://snocofc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dorian.lair
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorianlair/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dorianlair
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorianlair/

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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