What does it take to become a legend? Excellence? Drive? Work ethic? A little bit of luck? Now, imagine becoming a legend not only in one avenue of life... but two. That’s what Stan Smith has done.

 

 

At the age of 16, a young Stan set some simple (if not audacious) tennis-related goals for himself: to make the US Davis Cup Team; to become the best player in the US, to win Wimbledon; and to become the best player in the world. And then, he went about checking things off his list.

 

 

He was the #1 player in the US four times between 1969-1973. In 1972, he won Wimbledon’s singles title. Later that same year, he was named the #1 player in the world.

 

 

In 1978, Stan changed the fashion world when Adidas took his name for their classic tennis shoe. One of the most popular, and iconic, shoes in history, Adidas continues to make Stan Smiths, and estimates it has sold over 40 million pairs since their introduction.

 

 

Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987, Stan continues to take new ground. He is involved with a tennis academy in Hilton Head for young players, works with charitable organizations like The Boys and Girls Club & the Heritage Foundation, and is preparing to release a book in March called “Winning Trust.”

 

 

Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice.

 

 

Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show.

 

 

This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.