We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandon Myles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandon, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
The funny thing about the word “risk”, is the negative connotation that is associated with the word. I was actually just talking about risk with my mom, things that she could/would have done when I was a kid, but did not do. No knock to her and my dad, I blame that on the small town mindset of Springfield, IL where I was born and raised. Naturally, growing up, those same instincts and cautions were instilled in my siblings and I. As a teenager trying to find his way in this crazy world, taking risk into consideration actually stopped me from doing certain things as a kid. Instead of making a right, if I would’ve made a left, my entire life could be totally different. In my hometown, I was exposed to things that had risk associated with those things. If I wanted to partake in those things, it actually would’ve been easy to in all reality. Kudos to my parents though, hearing about risk and consequences my entire life, I didn’t want to take those specific risk. It didn’t make sense to me. Because of the small town I grew up however, I was never exposed to “good risk” either. I never was told “Take risk to make your dreams and aspirations come to fruition.” I had to learn that lesson on my own! The single biggest risk I have taken in my life was packing my life up in the Midwest and moving to Miami to take a FREE internship! After finishing up Grad School in Cincinnati, I needed an internship to finish the program. The easy thing to do was to find an internship in Cincinnati or go back to Springfield to complete an internship. Both options were available. I think what helped also, was looking for internships in February in the Midwest. It was cold, snowy and I was tired of starting my car before I started my day! So at that time, I decided I was moving as far as I could away from the snow and cold to complete this internship. I emailed over 100 organizations, universities and colleges in Florida looking for an internship. My guy Stephen Pugh (who at the time was the Assistant Director of Marketing at the University of Miami) responded and told me he would love to have me as an intern with the University of Miami Hurricanes. Stephen told me that he couldn’t provide me with a paycheck nor housing. Fair enough, I’ll figure it out! In Cincinnati, I worked at a Law Firm (shout out to my folks at Frost Brown Todd) so I had just enough money to at least try to make this work! Now yes, my parents still had my room at home if things would’ve went bad, I could’ve always went back home. Thankfully, things worked out and I have been in Miami for 8 years now (which is crazy to think about). Moral of the story, I had to spread my wings, jump out into the world and see what I was made of. At the time I accepted the internship, I had built up enough confidence in myself that this was going to work. You are probably thinking it was just an internship, that’s easy! To me it was much more than that. It was leaving a region that I had spent 22 years in at the time. It was going to a top 50 populated city in the U.S. with no family or friends. It was knowing that by nature, you are a “Mamas Boy” but having to dig deeper to figure out how to pull all of this off. I remember a vivid conversation with my Mom where she asked me, “Are you sure this is what you want to do? There are a lot of sports teams close by, Chicago, Indiana.” I responded with, “Mom I’m going and can’t wait for you to visit.” Reflecting on this experience, I think this was personal for me as a man and as a young professional. This experience let me know what I was made of, I needed to do this!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My proudest moment was getting the email from the Miami HEAT saying that I was hired! That honestly for me has been the highlight of my career. I knew what it meant for me and I knew what it meant for the Myles Crew and anyone that has heard me say, “I’m going to work in the NBA.” I still remember telling my sister and my mom and they screamed in my ear with excitement. These are moments I will forever cherish. If you know me, you know I love music. If you really know me, you know I can probably describe my life with a lyric from an artist pretty much immediately (ask my fiance, she hates it!). The simple words that Jay-Z uttered in his song “I Made It” brought a smile to my face. In the chorus, Jay expresses to his mother, “Mama I made it” which described his current place in rap and business. That was the feeling I had when I was able to make that phone call to my family that I got hired by the HEAT. I also get excited about constant progression. I’m excited when I struggle at something one day, then in 2 weeks I don’t struggle at it anymore. I’ve never been an accolades or an awards guy, so that’s why what I’m most proud of isn’t tied to an award that I received. Why you may ask? DJ Khaled’s song “Never Surrender” Jadakiss (who is featured along with Scarface and Meek Mill) says “Family over everything skills over politics, he don’t need the accolades as long as you acknowledge it.” Since I heard that line, this has been my life motto. Its a reminder to never do things for the recognition or to be celebrated, but do things because its right and your job. Similar to Jadakiss, I don’t need the accolades that come with good work as long as its acknowledged. Depending on your line of work that acknowledgment could be a raise or a promotion. I’ve learned that if you do good work, you will usually get acknowledged for it (and I’m content with that) and if you are lucky enough, sometimes accolades and awards will follow. Currently, I am the Manager of the Season Ticket Memberships Department at the HEAT. I just finished my first season in this role and I think I learned something new about the job every single day. Which is cool because I enjoy learning and the challenges that comes with promotions! If I had to pick one thing that has helped me in my career growth and everyday line of work is, I will always find a way to get “it” done. Whatever the “it” is at the time, if it needs to be done, I’m your guy! I would describe my get “it” done attitude from Jay-Z’s song “Somehow, Someway (what do you know another music reference!).” In the chorus of the song, Jay says, “Somehow, someway, we gotta make it up out the hood one day, somehow, someway we gotta make it up out this life.” As I look at these specific lyrics the inspiration is wanting to figure out how to accomplish a task and not being satisfied until you do. Jay is stating that he has to make it out of his hood and current life situations he is experiencing. Switching over to me, for as long as I can remember, I knew I would play in the NBA or work in the NBA. It was honestly that simple! So going back to the song, somehow, someway, I had to figure out how to get to the NBA is the remix version for me. I realized early that people respected “getting things done.” You become valuable when people can count on you. When you have a project due on Friday, but turn it in on Wednesday, people make note of that! So among other things, I think I can always sleep peacefully, knowing that, I’m going to get “it” done! As I stated, I love a good challenge! It gives you an opportunity to grind and figure out how to overcome the issue. Overcoming challenges are so rewarding! To the challenges I face, I think about Future’s song “Never Be The Same.” In the chorus of this song Future says, “After you grind and survive and you grind and you grind things will never be the same no more.” In the line, he lets us know that he has worked hard on his music to survive in the industry. Due to his constant work, he finally broke through and became one of the most popular rappers in the industry, things were never the same again. The inspiration for me, no matter what the challenge is, keep grinding and ultimately you will have that breakthrough. Once you get that breakthrough, keep grinding, keep elevating, keep getting better so things never go back to being the same. My challenges are similar to most, but once I overcome it, I’m on to the next phase! I have learned a few lessons on this journey. To me, the biggest lesson Drake actually helped me learn in his song “Miss Me” feat Lil Wayne. In Drake’s verse he flips his name into an acronym which is not only dope but a life principle for me “Bills everywhere, trill everything and DRAKE just stands for Do Right And Kill Everything.” Disclaimer: not kill in terms of harming an individual. But kill everything in the sense of being good at what you are involved with: work, relationship, hobbies, washing dishes, taking the trash out! No matter what it is kill it and do a good job at it. The first part where Drake says “Do Right” that is a lesson from my parents and Matthew 7:12 in the Bible “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” My inspiration from this line: do right by everyone you come in contact with in your life and by the way, be extremely good at whatever you do! Also, I have learned that patience is truly a virtue. I’m the middle child so before my baby sister came along, I was used to getting everything when I wanted. Thanks for ruining that for me Brandi! None the less, I always got what I wanted, when I wanted! Boy oh boy is that not the real world! Life has taught me that I am not in control and things don’t happen when I want them to happen. Usually things happen when the timing is right. Interestingly enough, I actually use this to my advantage now. I use that extra waiting time to try and improve on what I need to get better at. I usually do a self-assessment and try to pin point why something didn’t happen and how I can get better at it. This allows me to constantly improve for starters (which as I mentioned I love progression), but also forces me to be ready when the time is finally right. I’m at stage in my life that by the grace of God, certain things are going to happen in my life personally and professionally. When that time comes for whatever the opportunity is, I owe it to myself to be ready for it! The worst thing I could do is have an opportunity given to me and me fumble the opportunity. What do I want the world to know about me? Interesting question. Never given that much thought to it. I want the world to know that Diane and Clem raised a decent human being. When you look at me or talk to me, I want you to walk away thinking that my parents did a great job with me! My decision making process has elevated to thinking, if I had to explain this decision to my parents, would they be proud of me? I try to not focus on good or bad. Obviously, I want to make 100% good decisions, but I’m human and I will never be able to do that. If I know I made a decision with the best intentions and not to intentionally hurt anyone and I think my parents would agree with me, then I can live with it. I would also want the world to know that I’ve seen enough basketball games live that has exceeded any of my wildest imaginations. Don’t get me wrong, I still love gamedays and still get goosebumps before every game. But, I’ve realized that games aren’t just for me anymore. I get more excited helping out a Season Ticket Member do something they have never done at the Arena before. Or taking a kid on the court to slap high fives with the team as they come on the court. Or treat one of my family members or friends from back home to a game with some added surprises. Those are the parts of my job that warm my heart the most these days! I also want to be the person that I never had growing up that could tell me about the Sports Industry. If I can shed light to a high school student that enjoys sports, but has no clue all of the possibilities that lie within the industry, that is what I cherish. Or if I can assist a recent college graduate who majored in Sports Management that needs someone to look at their resume, answer some questions, I want to be that vessel. As I mentioned, this journey has gone beyond my wildest dreams and I can’t wait for more of it, but I want to be known for someone that helped pull someone else up, even if its only one person!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Anyone wanting to visit Miami, my first question is, you want to be low key or you want to be in the mix? This translate to, how much money you want to spend? Depending on that answer, I start to throw some ideas around. For food: Coyo Taco, Naked Taco, Sugar, Texas de Brazil, STK, Rusty Pelican, Clives, Barton G, The Licking, House of Wings, Jacksons, Crabman 305, that usually will cover the food. Going out, usually takes us to Miami Beach if interested or Wynwood. On the beach if they want the true Miami feel, you have to go to a club, Story, Rockwell, LIV, E11even, Basement, Bodega. For more touristy vibes, The Clevelander, Mangos, Wet Willies for food and drinks, In Wynwood, you can’t go wrong at Wood, Brick, Shots, there are a few different decent spots in Wynwood. I usually say lets walk and we will find something! Everyone wants to see what the hype about South Beach is so that is usually a go to! I also try to suggest the Wynwood Walls and Wynwood in general because it is so unique. My fiance always says we have to brunch with our guest, so we try to do that. If kids are involved, the Zoo, Sequarium, Frost Science Museum are all options. And then if you are my best friend, they are for sure going to HEAT game and Hyde inside of the Arena after the game! Dolphins game and LIV inside the stadium and a Marlins game and the Clevelander inside the ballpark are good options too. If it is college football season, no doubt we are going to a UM Football game.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Wow, a list of shoutouts, I could probably do this for 10 pages. The guy in the sky for the blessings and favor. I recognize the opportunities that some don’t receive and I’m forever grateful! My beautiful and loving fiance Candice for being my #1 supporter, no matter what is going on. My parents for keeping me on the straight and narrow and always instilling love and support in our home. My siblings for the constant laughs, love and support and for simply telling me I’m wrong when I’m wrong. My in-laws for welcoming me into your family and your constant support! My grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousin have all played a huge role in my live. It honestly does take a village and I’ll put my village up against anyone’s village. My boys (Ant, DJ, Jairus, Pooh, Chuck, Sean and Shuan), appreciate you all for the constant support and keeping me grounded. I don’t think you all know how much you help my mindset when we just are clowning in our text messages. It’s like the good ol days and that helps my mental so much. Professionally, thank you to Mitch Wallner who allowed me to intern with him at the Springfield Sliders during undergrad. Stephen Pugh, for opening the door for me at the University of Miami Hurricanes. David Villavicencio who was my first friend in Miami who I met at UM and he took me under his wing. My lifelong friends and former Co-Workers: Aneisha Johnson (who I consider my mentor in the Sports Industry) for literally believing in me and grooming me for the next steps in my career. Frantz Chery Jr. for being my big brother in Miami. At this point, work is secondary with us (sometimes I forget we were even co-workers), yes you showed me the ropes at the HEAT but this guy is a role model for me and overall good human to have in your corner. Jake Kopczyk for the countless amount of questions you answered for me and the constant information you poured into me to make sure I was successful when I joined the HEAT. And Megan Khoury, who is the most positive person on Earth! Which is great because that is how I connected with her. Thank you for your tutelage and savviness, and your constant reminders to us to “Check our spam, stay hydrated, & charge our phones!” 3-6+1 for life! I told you I could keep this up! My teachers and administrators that have helped me along the way. My Middle School teachers, Mrs. Heather Cook & Mrs. Kim Crum. The Cook & Crum duo is legendary, When you think of Kobe & Shaq, Mike and Pip, Magic & Kareem, you have to mention Cook & Crum! My High School crew: Mrs. Tammie Bolden, Mrs. Janet Stratton, Ms. Karmen Goodrich, Ms. Rachel Streeb, Ms. Serena Craner, Mr. Andy Volpert, Mr. Rechad Bradley, Coach Rick Montooth, Coach Lawrence Thomas & Coach Larry Hale, thank you all for believing in me and the friendships we have cultivated as you all watched me grow! My College crew: Mr. Michael Harden, Mrs. Allyson Strauch, Mrs. Ann Gemberling, Coach Scott Eades, Coach Matt McElroy, Coach Corley Lee, Coach Tim Allen and Coach Matt Wiseman for helping me build confidence in myself and equipping me with life long skills that I still use. Lastly and certainly not least, my sports teammates growing up. Football teammates from an early stage to my basketball teammates that helped create an identity for myself. I appreciate y’all boys for all the battles we entered together and for helping me fall in love with the game I turned into my career! Thank you for teaching me how to be a teammate. Miss being out there with y’all. Thank you all!

Instagram: @bmyles2