My dad always told me this, but it didn’t sink until much later: “You can’t help anybody if you can’t help yourself.” He meant this in a selfless way saying that if you don’t respect yourself, your goals, and most importantly your time, then nobody else will and you will end up giving it away for nothing. Building a business is all about building processes and standardizing the way you do things so you can approach them in a systematic way. A good friend told me this when building out business plans and discussing opportunities. You have the network but without having a process to go along with it you have nothing. It takes both to build sustainable, long-term gains. Additionally, Brandon Steiner, CEO of Steiner Sports, quoted Warren Buffett to me saying “the best asset is yourself.” Very few people will ever match your output and potential and you can become whatever you want to be.
As a part of my series about sports stars who are making a social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dale Moss. Dale Moss is an NFL Wide Receiver, Fitness Model & Health Enthusiast committed to leaving a lasting legacy and changing people’s lives. Dale grew up in the small Midwestern town of Brandon, South Dakota, and began his journey through athletics by attending South Dakota State University (SDSU) on a full ride basketball scholarship. After a successful college basketball career, he played just one year of SDSU football before being selected by the Green Bay Packers and finishing his NFL Career with the Chicago Bears. Since finishing his NFL Career and with a passion for the entertainment industry, Mr. Moss has become an accomplished model, actor, and host, and sought after media personality, which has allowed him the privilege of being featured in some of the industry’s top fashion, fitness, lifestyle and media outlets. Mr. Moss has advocated for youth development, inclusive initiatives and diversity to athletes, and has shared his story with students and political leaders around the world. For more information, please visit Dale Moss.
Thank you so much for joining us! Can you share with us the “backstory” that led you to this career path?
My entire life has revolved around sports since the time I was a young child. My mother played on the US Women’s National Team that traveled the globe and ever since I can remember I saw how much sports impacted not only people but entire countries. I was a three-sport high school star and signed to play basketball at the Division 1 program of South Dakota State University where we built the program into a reputable mid major program seeing some of its largest success during that time.
When my senior year was completed at SDSU, I was faced with a few options. I could play basketball overseas (which I had no interest in leaving the US) or come back for an additional year to play football (which I was recruited for) with an opportunity to play at the next level.
As a 1-year player at South Dakota State, I led our conference in receptions and receiving yards while also finishing the year in the top 10 all time receivers which opened the doors for an opportunity in the NFL.
While having success, but also battling injuries and coaching changes, I soon began looking for opportunities beyond the game. Creating a new career was not fearful but rather exciting for me and I focused on the knowledge, resources and background I had to pursue a career in entertainment, digital production and overall entrepreneurship.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career?
I think the craziest story was after my first year in New York when I was invited to a movie premier and the first person I met was Cuba Gooding Jr. As a kid, Cuba someone I idolized. We not only met, but also quickly bonded over something going on in the media at the time that we both thought was hilarious. People started joking calling me ‘Baby Cuba’ that night and we developed a mutual respect for one another. It was that moment I realized I not only was in the right place, but could and would earn the respect of people in whatever industry I was in.
What would you advise to a young person who wants to emulate your success?
First and foremost, focus on building great habits! Developing a process rather than obsessing over an individual outcome or goal is important. The process is what allows for longevity and the habits are what will allow you to achieve your goals.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
My mother was the strongest person I know hands down and she is where my mannerisms come from. I learned at a young age it’s how you handle the things you can’t control. When it comes to business impacts, I continue to be impacted by a collective group of people. I’ve always built and been a member of a team; this enables me to learn at a rapid rate. You can’t be a master of all things.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you are working on right now?
I’ve had a platform since I was young in different communities. I’ve also always believed you need to be a servant leader. Recently I was honored as a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics, of whom my older sister was an athlete with. This honor has allowed me to advocate for inclusive measures in health and education on a global scale. I’ve been able to align with the top athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs and political figures globally to focus on achieving one goal: Equality and Acceptance.
What methods are you using to most effectively share your cause with the world?
Partnerships! Aligning myself with great organizations like The Wounded Warrior Project, Special Olympics, and Up2UsSports is how I best extend my community outreach abilities and impact. Just recently The Lonely Entrepreneur (TLE) and The Dale Moss Brand announced our partnership to empower women, minorities, athletes and those less fortunate with the entrepreneurial skills they’ll need to succeed in today’s hypercompetitive world.
The Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community™ is a unique resource I am passionate about making available to entrepreneurs from all walks of life. It’s a one-stop shop for the knowledge, tools and support that entrepreneurs need by combining an extensive learning environment with a vibrant online community where everyone can get real-time answers to their most pressing questions.
Through this partnership, TLE will be made available free of charge to former athletes, youth, minorities, and women entrepreneurs. This will enable charities, foundations, cities and corporate social responsibility efforts to have an efficient and scalable way to empower the entrepreneurs they wish to help. Organizations have the opportunity to sponsor the type and number of entrepreneurs they wish to support. My partnership with TLE is a major stepping stone as I can pull in organizations, charities and individuals who have not only had success, but want to find additional success and pay it forward. This is a direct benefit to the NFL, NFLPA, and MLBPA among others. Partnerships are key to spreading knowledge about the available resources our communities want and need access to.
Can you share with us the story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
I recognize and am grateful for the network and resources I’ve gained throughout the years but also as in industry professional, I experience first hand trends before they are magnified or addressed. Meeting so many aspiring entrepreneurs, people with grand visions and potential solutions to real life problems is something I get to experience often. I also hear their struggles to source and afford the resources necessary to support their entrepreneurial journey. Partnering with organizations to provide resources to empower people makes us all winners.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
I remember an intern / assistant I had that was completely unexposed to New York and the industry itself, but this person overall just great. My first conversation was “I want this relationship to be able to enhance your life for the better otherwise there’s no point in it starting.” From that moment on, I watched this assistant grow since grow into a magnificent leader, massively impacting communities. I love having a hand in building up change-makers.
What are your 3 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
My dad always told me this, but it didn’t sink until much later: “You can’t help anybody if you can’t help yourself.” He meant this in a selfless way saying that if you don’t respect yourself, your goals, and most importantly your time, then nobody else will and you will end up giving it away for nothing.
Building a business is all about building processes and standardizing the way you do things so you can approach them in a systematic way. A good friend told me this when building out business plans and discussing opportunities. You have the network but without having a process to go along with it you have nothing. It takes both to build sustainable, long-term gains.
Additionally, Brandon Steiner, CEO of Steiner Sports, quoted Warren Buffett to me saying “the best asset is yourself.” Very few people will ever match your output and potential and you can become whatever you want to be.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’m a firm believer that knowledge is power so anything that would increase peoples resources and ability to absorb knowledge is massive. The Lonely Entrepreneur is a perfect example of grouping resources. My ultimate goal is to travel and work with CEOs and Universities on creating a high performing team, and developing real company culture to drive lasting results.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
Facts don’t change people’s minds, narratives do!
Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Politics, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
Robert Greene. A friend of mine recently introduced me to his works and I’m currently in the process of reading his book on Mastery in which he talks about how the greatest minds in history achieved true greatness. Greene’s incorporation of story and his use of historical anecdote are truly impressive and keep even the most fickle reader highly engaged.
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring