Meet Dylan Grodner | Vice President of Operations & Head of Basketball Division

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

Hi Dylan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My entire life I’ve grown up with the mindset that taking risks is essential to growth and success. One of the most significant turning points in my life came when my family moved from New York City to Delray Beach, Florida, just as I was entering high school. From that moment on I’ve had the mindset that taking risks leads to success. It might not happen right away, but the more willing one is willing to step out of their comfort zone, the more they will accomplish throughout their life.

While I’m only a sophomore at the University of Miami, I’ve taken a number of risks that led me to where I am, and even the reason I am a part of this interview. In high school, I started my own sports media company, Swish Tribune, and made many strong connections through this. During my time working on Swish Tribune, I grew the company to a 20-person team focused on creating daily blogs, producing weekly podcasts, and managing a wide range of social media content. We took many risks by reaching out to high-profile athletes and professionals in the sports world, which led to interviews with players like Jeremiah Smith, Sony Michel, Xavier Restrepo, and many others, including sports agents. Taking these risks and proactively building these connections helped me gain valuable experience and helped me establish myself in the sports industry.

Toward the end of my senior year of high school, I attended an entrepreneurial summit where I had the opportunity to meet Ty Marion — now a great friend, colleague, and the founder of TradeMark. I took the risk of presenting my business at the time to him and getting to know who he was. From there, we kept in contact with each other and as the last year has gone by, we are now working together with the same goal of growing TradeMark.

Fast forward to today, I’ve established myself as an important part of TradeMark and am helping lead all operations as well as the basketball division. Every decision, from expanding into new areas to building relationships with athletes and brands, involves taking risks. This is what pushes TradeMark forward, and it’s also what pushes me forward. I’m proud to be part of a team that embraces risk taking and uses it as fuel to build TradeMark into something special.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
TradeMark Sports & Entertainment is a media and production company working with some of the top athletes, entertainers, and companies in the world. My journey into the industry started with my passion for sports and entrepreneurship, which led me to create my first sports media company in high school.

After a few years of growing that, I found my way to TradeMark, where I was impressed by the company’s reputation, network, and commitment to innovation in the sports and entertainment space. Our goal is to change the game of social media and show a side to players that has never been seen before.

Currently, TradeMark is working on a behind the scenes YouTube documentary with Rashee Rice, showing his recovery to the game he loves most. We’re creating content of all the bits and pieces of the work he puts in and his determination to get back on the field.

Beyond that, TradeMark is producing content for a variety of athletes and influencers, including well known names like NELK. We’ve been filming golf content with them and using these collaborations to expand our network and influence.

As part of our continued growth and expansion, I’ve taken on the responsibility of launching TradeMark’s basketball division. Our goal is to connect with more basketball athletes and diversify the sports talent we work with. In addition to this, I serve as VP of Operations, where I focus on building strategic partnerships and identifying new opportunities that align with our vision.

In terms of challenges TradeMark faces, there will always be something that comes up. However, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned through this journey is that having a challenge doesn’t mean it’s the end, however it’s a chance to adapt and improve, and learn from any mistakes made along the way. Each setback is a learning experience and eventually leads to success down the line.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
After spending a year living in Miami, I’ve gotten to know the city pretty well. If I had a friend visiting for the week, here’s how I’d go about it.

We’d start things off with what I consider the best pizza in Miami, Miami Slice. It’s a place I go to regularly with friends, and it never disappoints. For anyone visiting the city, this spot is an absolute must.

The next day, we’d start the day early with breakfast at El Bagel in Coconut Grove. If you’re a fan of classic bacon, egg, and cheese, this is your go to spot. From there, we’d head over to South Beach for us to play some beach football, jump in the ocean, and maybe walk around for a few hours after. We’d spend a few hours doing that and then grab some lunch on Ocean Drive and head back from there. After a long day at the beach, there’s no better way to top it off than a great dinner. A restaurant I really like is Call Me Gabby in Miami Beach, an Italian spot with amazing food and a lively atmosphere. The food here is great and it’s also a fun place to walk around after with a lot going on.

On our final day, I’d go to Chugs diner for breakfast, which I think has some really good food and has an old-fashioned feel to it that is sometimes hard to find in Miami. From there I would take them to the Design District, which I think is one of the best outdoor malls in America. Finally, I would have to take them to my favorite Smash Burger restaurant, Skinny Louis.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Someone I’ve always admired is Phil Knight, and he’s the person I’d like to give a shoutout to for motivating me to reach this point. In middle school, I read his memoir, Shoe Dog, and it left a lasting impression on me. The book tells the story of how he founded Nike and transformed it from a small startup by selling shoes out of his car into the global brand it is today. His perseverance in overcoming countless obstacles, his willingness to take risks, and his unwavering belief in his company are what inspire me to believe in the work I put in. Phil Knight’s journey has shown me that anything is possible if you’re willing to put in the effort and have the determination to create something special.

Website: https://www.trademarkse.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trademarkcreations/

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/dylangrodner/