v foundation

On this episode of the In the Club Podcast by Club Colors, we feature KC Smurthwaite, Director of Major Gifts - Western United States at the V Foundation, as well as Chris Jaeger, Strategic Development Manager of Club Colors. So much about sports can be applied directly to business. 

KC talks about the role of taking losses and how a loss does not define a leader. He advises both athletes and his team members to burn the playbook to adapt to the situation on the ground. With V Foundation being a nonprofit, KC talks about how he engages donors with branded packages that elicit emotions. 

KC coaches others to start small when turning around a losing team and starting with 0.01% improvements every single day. In today’s Hot Iron with JMo, KC answers questions on leading a minor league team, exploring space, starting the fictional Smurf City Island, and curing cancer.   

HIGHLIGHT QUOTES

Losing teaches more than winning - John: "The only way really to grow is to stretch your comfort level and that means that you're going to lose more often. Losing more often ultimately means that you have more opportunity to learn. I hate to say it but we learn so much more from losing than we do from winning because we're basking in our glory of a win. Losing causes analysis, self-awareness, and a need for agility, and that goes to your last point of burning the playbook." 

Burn the playbook and experiment with fresh initiatives - KC: "Burn the playbook. Do something completely different. Whether you're taking over a Utah state softball program that had 20 straight losing seasons or starting a brand new fund to generate new revenues to help the life of a student-athlete, let's do something completely different." 

"Or even the retro night or the retro project that I did at Southern Utah University, pulling out the world's ugliest colors in uniforms and making 25 to $30,000 on it, and also making it one of our best, if not the best marketing initiatives that we did."

Celebrate and focus on small wins - KC: "Let's focus on 0.01%. Let's get 0.01% better, whether that's making five extra phone calls a day from a sales or fundraising standpoint. Let's make one more post. Let's make one more outreach to a head coach or let's make one more outreach to a cancer survivor and get their stories. You name it. Let's get one point 0.01% better and focus on getting 2.5% better every year."

Connect with KC in the links below:

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Email | Website

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on your favorite podcasting platform. We really appreciate it!

Join 401 Podcast Host Kevin McNamara as he sits down with ESPN NCAA Basketball Analyst and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Member Dick Vitale. The former NCAA & NBA Coach discusses his humble basketball beginnings, his coaching career, his broadcasting career, and what College Basketball may look like during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Vitale also discusses his new book, "The Lost Season", which discusses what the NCAA Tournament could have looked like had it not been cancelled in 2020. All proceeds from "The Lost Season" benefit The V Foundation's Research to Fight Pediatric Cancer. Dickie V also has some poignant words for College Basketball Fans and All Americans struggling to survive and adjust to the "new normal". 

Join us for a very special edition of JCB LIVE. AJ Duke from the V Foundation visits us to share their current fundraising efforts and how you can support AND enjoy great wine at the same time!

Click here to bid on our JCB Package on eBay and support the V Foundation!

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Meet Crispin Cain, the mastermind behind the exquisite spirits of 'Prosperous & Penniless.' With a rich history that began in the vineyards of California, Crispin's journey in winemaking evolved into a distinguished career in distillation. Under the tutelage of cognac virtuoso Hubert Germain-Robin, Crispin mastered ancient techniques that now define his artistry in creating exceptional spirits.

🥃 Prosperous & Penniless Barrel-Aged Gin

Masterfully crafted by Crispin Cain, this gin undergoes a transformative journey. Distilled in a traditional Cognac pot still with a rich tapestry of botanicals, it ages gracefully in Bourbon and Limousin oak barrels, finishing in Chardonnay casks. The result is a golden-hued spirit, redolent with coriander, honey, and lemon, and a palate that weaves juniper with caramel and spiced oak. A true embodiment of complexity and elegance.

🥃 Prosperous & Penniless Bourbon Whiskey

Crispin Cain's Bourbon is a study of balance and refinement. It matures in Missouri Bourbon barrels with a mash bill rich in corn and malted grains before finishing in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. The whiskey greets you with aromas of sweet corn and vanilla, unfolding into a palate of toasted oak, butterscotch, and spiced plums. It's a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.

🥃 Prosperous & Penniless Rye Malt Whiskey

This Rye Malt Whiskey showcases Crispin Cain's mastery of distillation and aging. Starting with a robust rye and wheat malt base, it ages in new Bourbon barrels, then Cognac and Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. The result is a golden, aromatic spirit with notes of toasted grain and hazelnuts, leading to a rich palate of melon, vanilla, and leather. It's a luxurious expression of time-honored distilling techniques.

Crispin's creations are not just spirits; they are stories of heritage, skill, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. Experience the culmination of centuries-old distillation methods and modern flair with 'Prosperous & Penniless.

Be the first to taste: https://shopspirits.calistogadepot.com/collections/prosperous-penniless

I welcome to the show NC State's Dereck Whittenburg who recounts his early development, winning national championships in high school and college, coaching, producing, philanthropy and focusing on what's important during these trying times. 

I welcome Dick Vitale to the podcast. Dick Vitale has to be the easiest interview on the planet. Dick talks about his career, the Big East, giving back, staying relevant and his passion projects.