NBA Legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson delivered an inspirational message on winning to AAPEX 2023 attendees, sharing insights and advice that guided him during his basketball career and later as an investor.
“My brand and I started on the basketball court,” said Johnson, who won an NCAA championship with Michigan State in 1979. “ … I was all about winning at an early age.”
The five-time NBA champion talked about going up against his archnemesis, Larry Bird, saying, “All of us here have competitors. They make you better and guess what, you make them better.”
After a highly successful 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Johnson knew he wanted to be a businessman. He turned to mentors to help him better understand business and learn what resonated best in urban communities. He invested in movie theaters and built 125 Starbucks in 40 different markets across America.
“You have to understand your customer base and overdeliver to them. Then they become your brand ambassadors,” said Johnson. “When you treat your customer well, they’re going to tell 100 people. They’re going to tell everybody their car is running well because you took care of them.”
Today, Johnson is the chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. Forbes recently reported that Johnson is a billionaire.
In the same way Johnson reinvented himself, he encouraged audience members to be prepared to reinvent themselves when facing change. He also suggested inspiring young people to join the industry, and to reach back and give back to help others achieve their goals.
Johnson shared how to cultivate a winning mindset even when facing difficult situations. His advice: “Move on very fast. If someone didn’t do the job, next time let’s do it better. Don’t dwell; life keeps moving. Understand what you don’t know, do your research and hire the best of the best.”
Prior to Johnson’s keynote, Paul McCarthy, president and CEO of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, and Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, updated attendees on the fight for national Right to Repair legislation. For information, visit repairact.com.
