Paul Rossignol discovered his passion for sports marketing and athlete management during his time in college. For this Cape Cod, Massachusetts native though, his journey in the space was one that began when he was just five years old. From basketball to football to baseball, Paul remembers playing an array of sports growing up and deciding to focus on basketball in high school with the goal of playing the game at the collegiate level. A decision that, in the years to come, would lead him to discover a world beyond the court; and one that would allow him to merge his love for sports and business. After freshman year of college, Paul decided to step away from the game and stop playing basketball competitively. Despite ending his career on the court, he was determined more than ever to remain immersed in the industry. It was only up from there. Shortly after, he began connecting with different business professionals and diving into the world of sports management. He hasn't looked back since. Over the past couple of years, Paul has embarked on his career in the business side of sports—working with athletes on their endeavors on and off the court—, while also tapping into the music and entertainment space—helping artists with their personal brands and business ventures. Amazing!
How was that transition into the world of sports branding and athlete management like for you? What were some challenges that you faced early on?
Some challenges would probably be self-doubt. Sometimes, still to this day, I doubt myself if I'm not getting the things I want in life as quickly; but I just gotta embrace the journey and know it's not an overnight success. I guess just being young, finding great connections, and being around a lot of people who have years of experience—looking up to them and seeing all their accomplishments—, I kind of want all those accomplishments so quick. I just gotta learn that it's not an overnight success. So many of them tell me: “Yeah, I've put years of hard work into this and I still don't have everything I want. It's really a challenge and it defines who you are.”
How did you work to navigate through some of those challenges that you faced early on?
I think it was really important that my first client is my best friend. A lot of people say, “Oh, don't do business with your closest friends because business can ruin that relationship.” But, I think otherwise. No one knows me better than Kendall besides my immediate family, and the same thing goes for me towards her. I think just doing business with someone you've always been next to, someone you care a lot about and know so much about, when there's challenges that come up and it's in the manager's hands she can help me with those things. She's not gonna judge or stress because we know each other so well. We know (that) any challenge we can work out together.
Let’s talk branding! How did you get started building your personal brand in the space?
Anywhere I go, I really try to speak up and introduce myself to anyone I know, anyone I don't know—just to get my name out there and make those connections. I really think the pandemic was a blessing in disguise. The emails I've sent, the people I've followed on social media, the zoom calls I've had, I've really made so many great connections throughout the pandemic that really put me in a position today to succeed in the field I'm going towards.
Along with sports, you also focus on music and entertainment management. Take us through that journey of launching your own business and wanting to focus on these three pillars of sports, entertainment, and music.
Sports, music, and entertainment…they're all entertaining to people. They all catch attention. They all keep you busy. Throughout my whole life, if I'm going through a hard time, I've put the headphones in to listen to music, calm me down, and make me feel better. If I’m going through a hard time, I pick up a basketball and go shoot some hoops at the park—whether it's by myself or with a friend. Entertainment, for example, maybe I'm having a hard day and I'm watching a movie or funny YouTube videos. They all make me feel better and they are all so entertaining. They all connect to each other. (With) not playing basketball competitively anymore, I want to focus on the sports business. I've never played an instrument or made music as an artist, so I want to focus on the business side. How can I help the artist? How can I build their careers off the court or off the stage? That's really what I like to focus on.
What are some of your areas of focus within the space of sports branding, athlete marketing, and talent management?
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