Meet Erin Donnelley | Marketing Consultant | TopCourt & Break the Love

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

Hi Erin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My dad’s initials, “TBD,” are the inspiration and initial thought process behind my brand. He helped instill a strong work ethic from the time I was young, taking gratification in doing a job the best to my ability. I am very lucky that both my parents encouraged me to pursue my passions in life and helped me realize it’s okay to have more than one. As long as I aged with passion and purpose, I was never too old to go after what I wanted in life. That’s why I always use the phrase “To beautiful destinations, yet to be determined” when it comes to my creative consulting business. My career has spanned from performing in musical theatre to majoring in advertising and having high level corporate positions at Fortune 500 companies to now embracing marketing positions in the tennis industry. If there’s something you want in life, go and get it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After 10 years of working with big corporations such as ExxonMobil, P&G, and Unilever, I felt it was time to take a risk and try something completely different. I had been a part of an industry where I was considered just a number. My positions were always dependent on profit margins and budgets for the marketing department. I was sick and tired of putting all my time and effort into jobs where I was ultimately disposable for something I wasn’t truly passionate about at the end of the day. I was selling hairspray and motor oil! After my dad passed away, I was struggling to find happiness. I lost my best friend, my guiding light. At the moment when I was at a cross roads of deciding whether to continue down a job I wasn’t happy with I came across a video I took of my father where my brother asked him if there’s one thing you know now that you didn’t know when you were our age, what would that be? My dad answered, “if there’s anything you desire grab it and go for it now.” This is when I decided to pursue a career in tennis. Whenever I am happy or sad, I find myself on the tennis court. It’s the best way for me to relieve stress and where I have the most fun too. I knew I was never going to be a professional tennis player, but for years, I wanted to do something with my passion and my expertise in marketing. Finally, I decided to take a leap of faith and mix the two. Before I jump full-time into the tennis industry, I found a wonderful female owned company called, Break the Love. It was a great resource I used to be able to find courts and other players of my level in New York to play tennis with outside of my Florida bubble. I loved and respected their services so much, I asked the founder to meet me for coffee. We hit it off, and I decided to become an angel investor in her company. That was my first step into the tennis industry. From there, I finally left my position in the corporate world and took a job at TopCourt. This is a subscription based e-learning platform where the professional tennis players teach you how to play tennis online. I became their Director of Social Media, and quickly gravitated towards life in sports marketing. I circled back with Break the Love, and joined their team as one of their Event and Partnership leads. It’s been a great run so far, and I have my dad to thank for the advice. I am so grateful I decided to lean into my passion. I wake up everyday with a purpose now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely start the day with an awesome workout. We’d probably go to Barry’s, Mile High Run Club, Rumble, or an AKT class. I love classes that are high energy and make you sweat! It’s the best way to start the day. From there, we’d go to the West Village to my favorite Australian cafe, Merriweather, for a delicious coffee and breakfast. They have the best cortados and yogurts. We’d then probably head back to my house to shower and change. While we are back at my apartment I’d make my friends enter the digital lottery for Broadway tickets and see what free popups are happening around NYC. I always check instagram to see what brands are doing around the city. It’s the city of cool activations! From there, I’d probably head to the West Side Highway for some tennis or across the street to the little park for some pickleball. While I haven’t played too much and like to think of myself as a tennis purist, it is a fun sport to do with friends I have to admit. Lunch would definitely be at American Bar so I can get their peanut chicken salad, and drinks would be an aperol spritz at Bar Pisellino around the corner from me. They have the best dirty martinis and spritz’s in town! Not going to lie, I would probably take a nap or go shopping at this point. West Village and Soho I am always popping by little shops and fun stores around the neighborhood, which makes me tired by the late afternoon. At night, if we win those lottery tickets, I would take my friends to a broadway show, or a delicious meal. I love the sushi/omakase in NYC and the restaurants to choose from are endless!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many mentors in my life that have become part of my team. Mentors help you build resilience, and that’s exactly what these individuals have helped do in various facets of my life. My mom has never let me quit when the going gets tough. One of my bosses, Torri Eubanks, provided me with confidence, connection, and experience in the corporate setting, allowing my career to flourish. My trainers, Michael Maloney and Niv Zinder, challenge me and keep me humble, yet encourage me to never give up. My tennis coach, Carlos Chaumer, has been the best sounding board, breaking things down for me, while also providing me with short term goals and a long term vision. Last, but not least, my sister gave me the greatest gift of all, my god-daughter and niece, Madison. She brightens my day whenever I need to smile.

Instagram: TBDestination

Other: www.breakthelove.com www.topcourt.com