When I was in the 7th grade, I was cut from the school basketball team. 

I remember the list being posted on our middle school entrance and not seeing my name. My heart sank. Basketball was my sport and a big part of my identity.

My amazing mom decided that it was time for a pivot – “What about volleyball?” I reluctantly agreed.

In the years that followed, I grew to love the game of volleyball and ultimately went on to have the opportunity to play volleyball in college (and even somehow made it into my high school Hall of Fame). I wish I could have told my 7th grade self what was to come.

As the Olympics begin this Friday, I’m reflecting of the powerful teacher that sports can be — and the huge impact that they have made on my life as a founder.

Sports have taught me how to handle wins and losses, work as a team, make fast pivots, not be afraid of my strength, care well for myself and others, find my voice, stay positive, and persist relentlessly. Here are a few other lessons that sports have taught me.

💫 The Power of Sports in Entrepreneurship 💫

From the court to the boardroom, the skills honed in sports are invaluable in entrepreneurship. 🏐🏀⚽️ 

1. Competitive Spirit: Just like in sports, entrepreneurship thrives on a fierce competitive drive. The determination to win and create something powerful fuels innovation and pushes us to go the extra mile.

2. Teamwork: Success in both arenas depends on the ability to work cohesively as a team. Great entrepreneurs build strong teams, leveraging diverse talents to achieve common goals.

3. Resilience: Sports teach us to bounce back from setbacks. In entrepreneurship, resilience and pivoting is key to navigating challenges and turning obstacles into opportunities.

4. Discipline and Focus: Athletes train with discipline and focus to achieve peak performance. Caring well for ourselves impacts the way we perform. Entrepreneurs need the same level of dedication to build successful ventures.

5. Servant Leadership: I was fortunate to be led by some amazing coaches and captains who taught me what it means to lead with strength and warmth. Captains on the field and leaders in the boardroom both inspire, motivate, and lead by example.

I bring these learnings from sports with me now as my teammates and I build PairUp. Grateful for the highs, lows, and pivots along the startup journey -- that make us even stronger and faster as a team, if we let them. 💪

Emily Harburg

Co-Founder & CEO at PairUp