As a walk-on freshman wide receiver at Tulane University, Steven Ballard was shorter, lighter, and slower than every other receiver on the team. But he was determined to make the Green Wave and worked so hard on the practice squad that when he got a chance to play a single down at a first-team practice, he made a great catch and set himself on course for a scholarship, a place on the travel squad, and a 1,000+ yard receiving career.
Steven went into business with his brothers, Paul and Scott, opening a restaurant and a couple of coffee houses. Under the banner Ballard Brands, the brothers went on to form a company that today owns, operates, and manages more than 150 restaurants and food and beverage “concepts” in 28 states and 3 countries, including the acclaimed PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans and Smoothie King franchises.
Recently, Ballard had the chance to catch up with one of his coaches at Tulane and thank him for the many lessons learned. Coach Nunez countered with a thank you of his own. “You know, Steve, in my office I have photographs of three people hanging on my wall: (first-round NFL Draft pick) Chad Pennington, (first-ballot NFL Hall of Famer) Randy Moss, and you,” Nunez said. “Pennington was the smartest player I ever coached. Moss was the best athlete. And you were the hardest working. You are the reason a guy like me devotes his life to coaching.”
Enjoy this conversation with the hardest working man in hospitality, Steven Ballard.
You will learn:
- 4:30 How to turn disappointment into fuel.
- 6:30 How to congratulate your team in a meaningful way.
- 9:30 How to navigate leadership trasitions from the top down.
- 23:30 How to hire people that bring something new to the table.
- 28.00 How to empower your teammates to be problem-solvers.
Resources:
- Learn more about Ballard Brands.
- Find a PJ’s Coffee location near you.
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