Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray

From Football to Finance: Craig Talks With Lee Mair About Football, Finance, And Life After The Game

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In this episode of Know Your Numbers, host Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with former professional footballer and now funding expert, Lee Mair, to discuss his journey from the world of football to founding his finance brokerage, Mair Finance. Lee opens up about the emotional and financial challenges of transitioning from a football career to the "real world" and shares his personal experience of going from earning six figures a year to selling photocopiers for £18,000 a year.

Lee also touches on the unique financial struggles many ex-footballers face, including depression, bankruptcy, and the pressure on families. Now, as the owner of Mair Finance, Lee is passionate about helping business owners secure the funding they need, and he's particularly driven to support fellow athletes navigating life after sports.

 

Key topics discussed include:

  • The emotional highs and lows of professional football and how they relate to the rollercoaster of running a business.
  • The importance of financial planning, both during and after a football career.
  • Lee’s advice for current footballers on preparing for life after the game.
  • Insights into building a successful finance brokerage and the importance of cash flow management for business owners.
  • The role of fitness and mental health in Lee’s life after football and how it helps him stay focused on business.
  • His involvement with the mental health charity Back Onside and his passion for supporting those facing tough transitions.

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    Key Takeaways:

    • "Football is not forever. Start planning for life after your career while you’re still playing."
  • "Know Your Numbers and ensure you have enough cash flow to cover the unexpected."
  • "Business, like football, is full of highs and lows - don’t let the highs get too high or the lows too low."

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    Memorable Quotes:

    • "You go from working two hours a day to 10 hours a day... but you’re earning a fifth of the income." - Lee Mair
  • "It’s not just about the player. It’s about their family and the financial pressures they face when football ends." - Lee Mair
  • "Fitness keeps my head right. It’s not just about physical health - it’s about mental clarity when running a business." - Lee Mair

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    Resources Mentioned:

    • Mair Finance Website
  • Lee Mair on LinkedIn and Instagram
  • Charity: Back Onside

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    Key Timestamps:

    00:51 Lee's Journey from Football to Finance

    03:50 Transition Challenges After Football

    05:51 Helping Footballers Transition to Finance

    10:53 The Importance of Fitness and Mental Health

    12:51 Building a Business Team

    18:16 Building Relationships Through Golf

    18:34 From Hands-On to Businessman

    19:09 Honesty and Client Relationships

    20:16 Financial Advice for Businesses

    23:07 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Football

    26:28 Business Challenges and Resilience

    29:41 Raising Finance and Client Care

    32:48 Passion for Mental Health Advocacy

    35:32 Contact and Closing Remarks

     

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    Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander RattrayBy Craig Alexander Rattray