Giving Thanks

Two and a half years ago I left my corporate job at Caribou Coffee HQ to start 6x6 Lacrosse. Aside from my wife and about 3 other people, nobody knew this was going to happen (not even my parents!).

On the 1 year anniversary of signing the deal on what is now the 6x6 Lacrosse Training Center and with the Thanksgiving Holiday just a few days away— I thought I would reflect and give some shoutouts.

In the past, when someone asked me “what are you thankful for?” I would give the canned responses — my health, my family, my friends — and then throw in something light-hearted like bacon or bad romantic comedies.

This year — I am trying something different. I am going to think of specific things and people I am thankful for. Without them, 6x6 Lacrosse and just an amazing life in general, would not be possible.

In no particular order:

1. I am thankful for my loving and supportive wife, Annie, who upon hearing me say the most illogical words for a newly engaged, soon to be home-owning couple: “I really want to quit my job and start my own lacrosse coaching business from the ground up” — responded gleefully and without any hesitation, “Coaching makes you happy, I think you should do it!” To this day, she continues to support me and rides the emotional roller coaster of entreprenuership with me gracefully.
2. I am thankful for my parents who, upon initial confusion and uncertainty about my life decision to start a business at age 27, have had my back every single day.
3. I am thankful for Team Minnesota Lacrosse for giving me a platform to showcase my coaching ability and opportunity to work alongside so many talented and knowledgable people whom I have learned so much from.
4. I am thankful for the Vodovnik family for being my first “sale” and create some momentum to officially launch my business.
5. I am thankful for Guy Grindberg, who helped organize my first ever training group, provide me with endless work opportunities through his son’s association/school, and who sat with me hashing out the first training program 6x6 ever offered. Thank you for putting your reputation on the line for me and continuing to vouch for me!
6. I am thankful for my first group of players who decided to show up and work hard even though I had no experience as a skills trainer and the sessions were probably terrible compared to what we do now. Thank you to: Cole, Jadon, Jay, Jackson, Tyler, Conor, Patrick, Lucas, Porter, Kyle, and Jake for being in that first group!
7. I am thankful for the C3 Lacrosse Association board members, coaches, players, and parents for beliving in me and letting me work with them for the past 3 seasons. Thank you for your support and your feedback to help make me a better coach and continue to improve my program.
8. I am thankful for my staff and team (Jack, Taylor, Justin, Hannah, and Katie) for coaching with me and adding insane value to the athletes who train with 6x6. Without them, I would not have been able to grow this business or even take a day off. They do such a great job and I am amazed at how easy they are work with.
9. I am thankful for all of our loyal members/supporters who continue to believe in what we do and have signed up for 6x6 stuff from day 1.
10. I am thankful for all of the parents that have helped spread the word and referred us business. This is a huge compliment and we appreciate it greatly.
11. I am thankful for Sarah DiFrancesco helping us get the 6x6 girls training program launched by organizing the first small group in summer of 2014.
12. I am thankful for the players who come to 6x6 to work and improve. They take the training and sport seriously, play with passion, and honor the game. To be around these amazing kids who care about lacrosse as much as me, keeps me going, every day.
13. I am thankful for all of the donations people have made to our facility. Equipment. Plants. Scented Candles. “Fre-breeze.” Food. Water. Decor for our walls. Thank you — we love all of it!
14. I am thankful for everyone who believes in my philosophies and ideas as a coach and business owner. Without customers, I don’t have a business. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do this every single day.
15. I am thankful for my health and ability to show up at the field every day with a passion and energy to make a difference. I realize now, how much of an asset that is.
16. I am thankful for my mom who does my bookkeeping. Even hearing the word “quickbooks” makes me cringe — the fact she does this for free is even more amazing.
17. I am thankful for my dad who sets a great example of how to run a successful business and can offer me valuable advice and push me out of my comfort zone.
18. I am thankful for my sister who runs the girls training and helps manage the facility. Her support makes 6x6 run smoothly on a daily basis!
19. I am thankful for my friends that continue to like me even though my world is completely different now. A lot of sacrifice and “missing out” happens when you run a business, but, they still try and include me in things knowing full well I probably can’t go. That small gesture means a lot.

I probably could go on for days, weeks, years, but I will stop there. I am thankful if you made it to the end of this post. Have a happy thanksgiving and we will see you all very very soon!

Lax On!

-Coach Ted