Podcasts Other You, Me, and Your Top Three Preparing to Jump Without a Parachute (wsg Ryan Sullivan)

Preparing to Jump Without a Parachute (wsg Ryan Sullivan)

Published: Oct. 16, 2019, 10 a.m.

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During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Ryan Sullivan, CEO of Xenith \\u2013 an athlete-centric lifestyle brand that is an emerging challenger in the very competitive football market. Ryan speaks about how it is no longer good enough for CEOs to be incredible operators, but how they must now be transformation specialists. Ryan also opens up about what it\\u2019s like to hold the CEO position and the challenges of being at the top. Ryan shares his top three including his wife who is his foundational rock, journey-mates on the CEO path, and time-tested industry professionals. And, of course, Ryan shares advice for leaders and, specifically, how some of the best journeys start with being forced to \\u2018jump without a parachute\\u2019.\\xa0

About ryan sullivan

Ryan Sullivan has led the Xenith team as CEO since 2016. Every day, Ryan instills in himself and his team members three foundational qualities \\u2013 passion, purpose and pride. These qualities drive Ryan and Xenith to pursue the mission of designing for the athlete. Ryan challenges his team of forward-thinkers to continuously create and innovate the best protective gear in sport. Ryan has grown the team to twice its size while leading Xenith\\u2019s major milestones including the company\\u2019s rebrand and its biggest selling season yet in 2019.

Prior to joining Xenith, Ryan was VP of Business Development with Detroit-based Rock Ventures. In this role, Ryan was focused primarily on the evaluation, execution and financing of gaming and real estate activities within Dan Gilbert\\u2019s portfolio of companies. Ryan started his career on Wall Street as a financial analyst with Bank of America and an associate with private equity firm Vestar Capital Partners.

A third generation Spartan, Ryan graduated with high honor from the Eli Broad College of Business and Honors College at Michigan State University, where he received his BA in Finance. \\xa0He is a proud resident of the City of Detroit, where he lives with his wife, daughter, and three sons.

Show Highlights

Segment 1: Overview

1:06\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The journey to being brave and intentionally building relationships.

5:20\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ryan\\u2019s Story: \\u201cJumped out of the airplane without a parachute - so to speak.\\u201d (Michigan State University.)

8:18\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Becoming the CEO of Xenith \\u2013 a leading designer, manufacturer and athletic brand. (Dan Gilbert. Rock Ventures.)

9:11\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ryan\\u2019s Personal Passions: Family. Athletics. Running.

Segment 2: The \\u201cTop Three\\u201d \\xa0

10:47\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ryan\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: His wife \\u2013 His foundational rock who motivates and inspires him.

14:30\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ryan\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: Mike Vichich \\u2013 An advisor and collaborator who is walking a similar path. (Wisely.)

17:30\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Where it all started: Student Consulting for Non-Profit Organizations. (SCNO)

20:40\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ryan\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: Matt Cullen \\u2013 True mentorship and a \\u2018never quit\\u2019 attitude. (Bedrock. JACK Entertainment. General Motors.)

25:03\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Patterns of relationships: Intentionality and pre-investment.

26:45\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The difference between networking and building relationships.

30:54\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 A lesson for leaders: Going through the tough times really brings groups of people together.

33:16\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ryan\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: Roger Holstein \\u2013 Being challenged to drive success. (WebMD. Vestar Capital Partners.)

Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation \\xa0

37:42\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Xenith: \\u201cDesigning outstanding products for the football athlete from head to ankle.\\u201d

39:54\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 How flag football and 7 on 7 are disrupting the football industry.

43:07\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Esport\\u2019s impact on the physical game.

45:45\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 How to manage change and growth concurrently \\u2013 ensure everyone knows the key goals, those things that are important, and roles and responsibilities to accomplish goals. (OKR Framework.)\\xa0

48:55\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Xenith: A Challenger Brand.

50:13\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The CEO role \\u2013 all about Transformation.

52:22\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The challenges of being the CEO \\u2013 Until you are there, it is hard to really understand the sense of responsibility.

Segment 4: Wrapping Up

56:12\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Advice to leaders: \\u201cHonor your relationships, invest in them.\\u201d

57:22\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Advice to leaders: \\u201cNothing in life is wasted.\\u201d

58:46\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Connect with Ryan and Xenith!

Additional Information

Contact Ryan Sullivan:

Contact Xenith:

Contact Gregg Garrett:

Contact CGS Advisors:

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