Question and Answer With Ashton Mitchell

More than 400,000 students athletes compete at institutions at all levels in the NCAA.

The majority of them will go on to other endeavors other than sports after their collegiate careers are over.

Ashton Mitchell is one of the few who go on to play professional sports.

Mitchell competed for Sam Houston State men basketball team from 2006-10.

During that time, he led them to both a Southland Conference regular-season title and a post-season title.

He went on to play for Liepaja in Latvia, where they won their

first championship cup in 11 years and

was a bronze medal winner in the Latvian Basketball League Playoffs.

After the season, he played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers,

an affiliate of the Houston Rockets during the 2011-12 season

Now, he is a certified sports for the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA)

and run One Dreams Sports, LLC, an international sports agency based in Houston, Texas.

We recently caught up with Ashton to find out more about the agency

and got his perspective on collegiate athletics.

You can check out their website at www.OneDreamSports.com.

Vallano Media: What was it like playing in Latvia?

Ashton Mitchell: Playing in Latvia was a learning experience.

I got a chance to really learn the business and get a clearer understanding about

the basketball side of things on an international level.

My experience as a player was great.

I was in a position to lead my team to a Bronze medal, their first in 11 years.

I was also able to receive huge accolades to put myself in

a great position for the following season.

As long as your winning though things are great.

Like anything it had its ups and downs.

The biggest adjustment I’ll say was adapting to their lifestyle.

Being from the U.S., we really don’t know how well we have it

until we can actually experience it.

I must say, I’ve lived it and I’m thankful for the

many things that I have.

I am happy to have had an experience like Latvia that I can share with others.

V. M.: How did you come up with the idea of forming your own company?

A.M.: I’ve dealt with 3-4 different agents in 2 years of playing professional sports

and wasn’t satisfied with the service that I received.

So, I decided to take some time to learn about the sports agency industry.

It’s always been an interest of mine because of the love of sports.

I just never really took it too seriously.

I began to do some research on how to become

an international sports agency and started the process.

V. M.: What was the process that you took in order to get the company off the ground?

A. M.: The process started with getting my certification out the way.

From there, I tried to build my network and contact as many players, coaches,

friends and teams that I could think of and let them know about the new direction I’ll be taking.

I was focused on laying the foundation of my company

by picking up a few clients that would be

manageable within the first couple of years in business.

Now, I have 4 clients that includes my former roommate and teammate, Corey Allmond.

V. M.: Do you believe that this will be a stepping stone to help future

college athletes to be prepared for academic life along with sports?

A. M.: I think this will be a stepping stone.

I’ve always been one to inform others when I knew of something that may be of help.

As college athletes, its important to really learn and understand

the industry in which your career lies.

It’s something that you can’t just take peoples’ word for all the time.

You have to acquire it on your own.

Many of us learn from personal experience and

I am in a position to give aspiring players the knowledge on

what to expect for them to be successful at a particular career.

It is huge blessing to be a part of.

V. M.: As a Bearkat alum, what was your initial thoughts when you saw

the Bearkat football team’s run at the National Championship?

A. M.: As an Alum, I was excited for them.

It’s always great to get exposure nationally

coming from a smaller division like we did.

I could remember in my senior year the change in football coaches.

I even had Coach Fritz as one of my instructors.

To see the football program’s run was something special.

V. M.: How important was it for you to get your college degree while playing for SHSU?

A. M.: With me graduating in 3 years shows how important a college degree is to me.

It was definitely my first priority and that never changed during my time at Sam.

I was honored to be apart of one of the best Criminal Justice programs in the country.

Although, I haven’t started putting my degree to work, it holds much value to me.

V. M.: For those who are contemplating to start their own business,what is your advice?

A. M.: The only way is to DO IT.

You have to show your passion behind your work

so that others may take it seriously.

Keep expanding your knowledge and learn

as much as you can and take action.

 

About Cheval John

Cheval John is the Founder and CEO of Vallano Media, LLC, a marketing agency which helps small to mid-sized businesses use social media correctly to build a loyal following and in the process become more profitable. Cheval is also the host of "What's The Word?" a podcast about finding out what inspires people to choose their respective careers and how social media impacted their lives and business. He is the author of two books including the Amazon Best-Seller, "8 Lessons Every Podcaster Needs To Learn." He has spoken at Social Media Week Lima in Ohio and at Social Media Day Houston 2017 about topics around live streaming and podcasting. Cheval has been featured in media outlets including Ebony Magazine, Social Media Today and Forbes. He was named a Houston Top 25 Social Media Power Influencer (2016 and 2017) and a Twitter Top 50 Influencer by Onalytica in 2018.

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