{"id":1431,"date":"2026-05-05T18:11:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T18:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecrs.org\/?p=1431"},"modified":"2026-05-05T18:11:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T18:11:18","slug":"building-your-brand-an-athletic-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecrs.org\/?p=1431","title":{"rendered":"Building Your Brand: An Athletic Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Council for Retail and Sales (CRS) hosted a well-attended Meet the Experts session at DeSales University on May 4th<\/sup>, 2026. At Building Your Brand: An Athletic Perspective, attendees learned all about how to boost individual brands, connect with customers, and the importance of finding the \u201cwhy\u201d behind a successful business. The event offered a complimentary lunch buffet and a one-hour panel discussion followed by networking and an opportunity for guests to meet with the panelists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The expert panelists were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andre Williams <\/strong>is a former NFL running back turned author, entrepreneur, and elite fitness coach dedicated to inspiring others to unlock their full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elspeth Huyett <\/strong>is a former elite cyclist who raced on national and international stages and now brings the same competitive spirit and determination that fueled her cycling career to her work as an Account Manager at Vault Communications. Elspeth currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Favorito<\/strong> has helped shape the public image of some of the world\u2019s biggest names and events\u2014from the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and US Open to Fanatics, the Harlem Globetrotters, and Major League Baseball. As an independent consultant, he\u2019s been named one of Forbes\u2019<\/em> \u201c50 Must-Follows in Sports Business\u201d and a Sports Business Journal<\/em> \u201cPower Player,\u201d Joe also co-hosts the CUSP Show<\/em> podcast and teaches at Columbia University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bobby Dingell<\/strong>, a graduating senior at DeSales University, was the session moderator. He is on the DeSales Baseball Team as well as the President of the DeSales University Student Government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The advice provided during the session was plentiful and when asked by an audience member for one piece of advice they\u2019d give to young folks, they all had different answers. Joe\u2019s advice was directed at the parents. \u201cDon\u2019t over-parent,\u201d he said. Don\u2019t make the phone call for your child; let them do it themselves. For Elspeth, it was, \u201cDon\u2019t be the smartest person in the room. If you find yourself in that situation, change rooms. Learning from others is the path to real growth.\u201d Andre\u2019s advice to starting an entrepreneurial journey was, \u201cFigure out how to make people happy first by filling a void, and then figure out how to make money doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walmart\u2019s generous sponsorship of this event allowed guests to attend for free. Follow @thecrsorg on social media or become a member<\/a> for free to learn about future events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
From left to right: Bobby Dingell, Andre Williams, Elspeth Huyett, Joe Favorito<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Council for Retail and Sales (CRS) hosted a well-attended Meet the Experts session at DeSales University on May 4th, 2026. At Building Your Brand: An Athletic Perspective, attendees learned all about how to boost individual brands, connect with customers, and the importance of finding the \u201cwhy\u201d behind a successful business. 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