Adam Daily jumped in with both feet when he saw an unusual opportunity almost a decade ago. “I competed in the Olympic Trials in 2000. A couple years later, as a former athlete, I was offered tickets to the next Summer Games in Athens. I bought them, not knowing if I’d sell them, be competing or go myself. My wife and I move to Greece where we helped a few hundred athletes and their families with tickets/hotels, etc. for the Olympic Games. We made the decision in an effort to live in Greece for a year, but not with the idea of sustaining a long term business.”
Adam’s business not only went long term, it joined the Inc. 500, the SDBJ list of Fastest Growing Companies, and has been identified by MSN as one its Best Places to Work. Ludus Sports is now the Official Hospitality Provider for over 20 different Olympic Federations, including USA Volleyball, USA Track & Field and USRowing.
Adam couldn’t be happier. “It’s an amazing benefit being able to attend the world’s best events; and have that be ‘work’. I’ve sat at the Olympic Games, the BCS College Football Game, the World Cup and seen Lance Armstrong sail down the Champs-Élysées in Paris wearing the yellow jersey. This is part of my job.”
Adam and his team wants to expand their offering beyond sports to “bucket list” experiences of all kinds; and his BHAG is cool. ”We want to touch 1,000,000 people with once in a lifetime trips by 2021.”
Adam takes pride in his role as entrepreneur and innovator. ”You can’t wait for the divine sign to come”, he says. “You’ve got to have the confidence to invite the right people into your dream.”
Twenty-three have responded thus far to Adam’s invitation, and it seems many more will receive the call. Who wouldn’t jump in, with both feet?
