Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Johnson.
Hi Patrick, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My mom introduced me to basketball one morning in 1988 when I found her and my brother playing outside on a dirt court, shooting into a bucket mom had nailed to a tree trunk.
I was 10. My four brothers and I fell in love with the game, watching the Chicago Bulls. I was the first in my family to decide I wanted to go to the NBA when I grew up. If you told anyone back then you wanted to play in the NBA, they always told you, “You know, you have a better chance of winning the lottery.” I knew there must have been thousands of other boys who wanted to play pro basketball, but I figured if I worked and became good enough, I could beat the odds.
I didn’t get past high school, but two of my brothers did. They played in college, and afterward, both got an NBA agent. That’s when they discovered a bitter reality that has dashed the dreams of tens of thousands of really great basketball players.
What we learned is that being good enough is not always good enough.
In the business of basketball, there are several reasons why 99% of eligible players don’t make it. Arguably, the biggest factor is capacity. The NBA may be the biggest stage in basketball, still, there isn’t enough space on that stage for all the performers!
So, I created Rimpage, a global 1v1 basketball league with unlimited capacity. It’s like YouTube for basketball players. Now anyone can realize the dream of playing on a big stage and getting all the rewards their skills deserve. Everyone gets a shot, but only the best will reach the top.”
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No! Getting here was not easy! I have encountered a lot of setbacks and obstacles – and I still do! I’ll mention some of the more notable ones. First is my own ignorance, what I don’t know! No one has ever built a global 1v1 basketball league before. I had no one to guide me. Next, no start-up cash! I didn’t have rich friends or relatives to invest in Rimpage. I developed the attitude that If Rimpage was to flourish, I would have to create something from nothing. So far, so good. One last one I’ll mention is that website! I didn’t know how to code. The site I wanted was very expensive to build. That was a major hurdle! I’m thankful to have gotten over it. All this is to say nothing of the inner turmoil that presents itself in the darker moments. No one ever promised me that all of the time and effort I put into this would pay off. I was fueled by my faith. I have deep faith in Jesus.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the founder of the Rimpage, a global 1v1 basketball league on a mission to find the best basketball player in every city, state, country, and then the world.
Creating! I am a creator. My mind is infinitely fertile; ideas flourish here!
What am I known for?
I am best known for my faith in Jesus and my passion for my vision for Rimpage.
I am most proud of Rimpage! I got the first flash of insight about Rimpage in 2009! I wrote that down. Over the years, I got more and more of these insights, and I wrote them down also. Each one was like a puzzle piece revealing a grand picture! By 2017 I had enough puzzle pieces to see a very clear picture of what Rimpage wanted to be, and I got to work building that image into a reality. It’s wonderful watching that happen!
Dream! And Believe! I have enough courage to allow myself to dream, to decide what it is I really really really want in life. And I believe it can happen for me. I believe it so strongly that I gladly put myself out there! I take action and move toward the realization of my dream! It’s sad how many people will not do exactly what I have just said! I really wish they would! I’m certain they have something wonderful to contribute to the world.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Top of the list! My lord and savior, Jesus Christ!
My mom, Linda Johnson who introduced me to my imagination
Erika, for helping me understand I need to go beyond just imagining the amazing thing; I need to BUILD IT!
Sharesa Alexander for believing in me and in Rimpage at a critical time and helping me believe in myself.
Josh Kaufman for writing the book that helped me get over the intimidation of starting a business, The Personal MBA. I still use his 5 processes to explain what a business is to this day!
Derrick Ross for his friendship and help
Jose “Little Joe” Valdez for his amazing photography
Amanda Banks and Rupa DeLoach for the work they are doing at Sports to Suits, for their friendship and support.
Katarina Miletic for demonstrating for me what unwavering faith and boundless imagination look like and for everything that will come from it!
Nik Lewis and his team for AO Sports for being Rimpage’s media partner.
To Andrea Ellis for being a perennial supporter of Rimpage.
To Cameron for his support and his video editing skills!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rimpage.club
- Instagram: rimpage_bc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gorimpage
Image Credits
Jose “Little Joe” Valdez
