Since 1999 Tom Nicotera has helped thousands of churches, schools, municipalities, and residential customers find the best equipment for their needs and applications. Be assured, if you have the budget for institutional equipment, he will get you the best price possible on the equipment most suited for your intended use.
This business started quite by accident. In 1998 Tom helped his church in Southern California upgrade the gym equipment in their multi-purpose room. Back then it wasn’t as easy to find equipment. It took many trips to local high schools to look at their basketball systems to find some sort of manufacturer label and then seek out that manufacturer, only to find that you had to find a dealer to purchase the equipment. After a few weeks, the equipment was found and the church had members with the skillset to install everything and it worked out great.
A year later a family member moved to Huntersville, NC. Two weeks after they were there they reached out for help to do the same, and this church not only had a multi-purpose room but also a school gymnasium. After that was completed Tom ended up doing 3 more projects in NC, which essentially convinced him that what was a hobby could be a business.
In 1999 Tom built his first websites, several of them, each showcasing the different products suited for public play; protective wall padding, basketball goals, volleyball systems, soccer goals, football goalposts, etc. Now all products are showcased in one spot, www.institutionalsportsequipment.com.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts when the phone starts ringing, which is usually 7-8 am EST. Like me, decision-makers often want to get started early. My mornings are busy working with new and existing customers sort through the equipment options best suited for their needs. Mid-day I schedule on-site visits with local customers. I try to get 1 hour for personal growth, exercise, anything to keep my mental health in check. Afternoons are spent back in the office consulting with customers nationwide.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Interestingly this is best answered ‘with the help of my customers’. My customers have the vision for what they are attempting to do. They let me in and together we determine which of the options available best suit their needs and importantly budget.
What’s one trend that excites you?
People concentrating their efforts towards a common goal. When my customers see the need to develop a space for their group, they make the resources available and together we can make it happen
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Attention to detail.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Find what satisfies you personally and professionally and do it. There are different paths for everyone.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I am not afraid to walk away from a situation I do not believe in, even if it’s detrimental to me. I’ve been told I’m too quick to dismiss something as implausible. I stick to my instincts and live with the consequences.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Exercise. Take time for yourself, away from the noise of daily life.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Find a place away from the noise of life. I wouldn’t say it’s meditating, but it is certainly similar. Look at a tree for a while, sit in a rocking chair. Anything.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
The old saying ‘treat people how you’d like to be treated’. It’s hard to spearhead a project for a group of people who are relying on you to deliver. I make sure my customers know that I understand the gravity of the position they have elected to put themselves in and together we will get it done correctly such that they will be able to hold their heads up high when looking at what we’ve been able to deliver for their group.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I am confident enough to learn from my mistakes. Mistakes are just that, as long as you don’t repeat them. Early on I was reluctant to make this my career for fear of missing out on traditional professional paths. Once I let myself do what I love, I did it better than I could have done anything else.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Everything Microsoft Windows. Outlook email. I use it for my CRM, personal and professional calendar, editor.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
In recently ran the Charlotte Half Marathon. I have done dozens of distance events — Half Ironman, Half and Full Marathons, all on the West Coast. I wanted to get my first East Coast event under my belt.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
I read a lot. Very rarely fiction. I wouldn’t want to specify one resource over another. There are just too many things that stimulate my interest from time to time.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The British Baking Show on Netflix. It has become a relaxing go-to for me and my significant other. She turned me onto it. It’s been a surprisingly fun 1 hour of our day, particularly for me who has never baked a chocolate chip cookie in my life.
Key learnings:
- A nice idea to review/reflect on what has gotten you where you are today.
- Remembering your flaws.
- Remembering your strengths.
- Remembering to always remain self-aware.