Entrepreneurship, Remote Work, and Basketball: Lessons from Celina Shands

Entrepreneurship, Remote Work, and Basketball: Lessons from Celina Shands

In a recent episode of the Sales and Cigars podcast, host Walter Crosby spoke with Celina Shands, founder and CEO of Full Capacity Marketing. Their conversation offered valuable insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders navigating today’s dynamic landscape.

Celina Shands’ journey from athlete to successful remote entrepreneur offers valuable lessons for business leaders. By embracing flexibility, fostering open communication, and remaining adaptable, companies can build strong teams and thrive in any environment.

With 21 years at the helm of her company, Shands is no stranger to change. She’s reinvented her business multiple times, most recently expanding into entrepreneurship. Her advice? Keep a close eye on market trends and be willing to reposition your business when necessary.

While many companies struggled to adapt to remote work during the pandemic, Shands has been running a fully remote company for over two decades. This model has allowed her to recruit top talent from across the country and operate more efficiently across time zones.

For leaders grappling with remote team management, Shands offers these tips:

1. Give employees a voice and encourage input from all levels

2. Focus on outcomes rather than when work is done

3. Utilize technology tools like Asana and Slack for communication

4. Hold regular virtual meetings and occasional in-person retreats

Shands is a strong advocate for employee flexibility, believing it often leads to increased creativity and productivity. She sets high expectations for results but doesn’t micromanage when or how work gets done. When faced with lost opportunities, Shands recommends reaching out graciously to understand why and how to improve. This approach can lead to valuable insights and sometimes even future opportunities.

Interestingly, Shands’ business acumen was partly shaped by her athletic background:

– She played college basketball on a scholarship

– Sports taught her valuable lessons about teamwork and perseverance

– In a surprising twist, she once challenged a young, pre-fame Michael Jordan to a one-on-one game in their hometown gym

Shands offers these key takeaways for entrepreneurs:

1. Consider remote or hybrid work models to access wider talent pools and increase efficiency

2. Foster an inclusive culture where all team members feel heard

3. Set clear expectations but give employees flexibility in how they meet goals

4. View setbacks as learning opportunities

5. Stay open to reinvention as markets evolve