Page 24 - midJersey Business - May 2015

SPORTS AND BUSINESS

He’s relentless. He gets up early just like Jessie

me. We both wake up at 5:30 and are ready Armstead:
to go.

Career
What advice do you have for other

business owners?
at a

Glance
l Know how to treat the customer. Just like
in the NFL, the fan experience means every-

thing. If you go to the dealership 20 miles
A former linebacker, Jessie Arm- down the road, they have the same Hondas,

stead played 11 seasons in the but it’s the experience when they come into EAD
NFL, most notably with the New your store that makes all the diference. You MST
AR
York Giants.
must give them that wow factor.
SIE
ES
Born and raised in Dallas, J
Armstead attended David W. How did it feel when you inally

Carter High School, where he received the go-ahead?
In the dealership, do you sign a lot
was part of a talented team
of autographs for fans?

that featured other future NFL l That was the best. I talked about opening a
dealership all the time to my teammates. Mi- l On Friday and Saturday when I have
players. Armstead attended the
University of Miami and became chael Strahan used to say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. extra time, I spend four or ive hours walk-
Let me know when you build it.” I called him ing around, shaking hands and signing
a standout for the Hurricanes
up and said, “I told you so.” (laughs)
pictures. I love talking to fans, but those
national championship teams in are things that I’ve been doing all my life.
1989 and 1991.

Armstead’s pro prospects took What lessons learned from your
a hit, though, because of an ACL
football career extend to your work How do you use your name to
tear during his sophomore year. in the dealership?
market the dealership?

The Giants selected him in the
eighth round of the 1993 NFL I always fought hard from start to inish. I I have two cases of paraphernalia from
l l
Draft, which proved to be a steal. have a competitive edge and hate losing. And the current Giants players and some of my
I know how to treat the customer, because
own stuf. Everyone loves sports, and it gives
He played nine seasons with the
organization, and between 1997 if you want to be a top professional athlete, customers time to break away from the

and 2001, he was selected to the you can’t be a bad person—you have to reach stigma of a car dealership. It’s an icebreaker.
Pro Bowl ive times. Armstead out to fans and take your time with them.

spent his inal two seasons with
You’re right on the edge of Eagles
the Washington Redskins.
During his career, Armstead—a What do you attribute to your and Giants country. Do you cater to
dealership’s success?
Philadelphia fans as well?
member of the New York Giants

Ring of Honor—amassed 747 I have a great teammate, (co-owner) I have things for the Eagles fans too.
tackles, 40 sacks, and 12 inter- l l
Michael Saporito. He maybe couldn’t have I show pictures of me sacking Donovan
ceptions. On June 13, 2007, he played on the football ield, but I tell you McNabb or ighting big Jon Runyan

signed a one-day player contract what, he has the heart of a football player.
(laughs).
with New York to oficially retire

as a Giant.
ARMSTEAD TO SPEAK AT CHAMBER EVENT

Jessie Armstead will be the featured speaker at the MIDJersey Chamber’s

general membership luncheon on May 19 at the Hilton Garden Inn in

Hamilton. The event kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with 30 minutes of networking.

For more information, visit www.midjerseychamber.org.

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