Being the CEO of National Business Center, Inc., which oversees Vegas-Style Skill Games and Blue Bull Gaming, comes with a lot of responsibility. Every day, I am making decisions that affect our employees, our players, and the future of our business. The work is exciting, fast-paced, and sometimes stressful. Over the years, I have learned that balancing work with hobbies and personal passions is not optional. It is essential for staying focused, creative, and energized.
The Importance of Hobbies
Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, I was always active. I played baseball and football in high school and even tried out for professional baseball. Those experiences taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. But they also taught me that life is more than just competition. Sports, drawing, and later golf became outlets that kept me grounded and helped me manage stress.
Hobbies are more than just leisure activities. They are ways to recharge and maintain perspective. When I am playing a round of golf, shooting hoops, or sketching a drawing, I am not thinking about profits or deadlines. I am fully present in the moment. That presence helps me come back to work with renewed energy, clearer focus, and fresh ideas.
Golf as a Mindful Escape
Golf has become one of my favorite hobbies and one of the most valuable for maintaining balance. A few hours on the course allows me to clear my mind, focus on strategy, and enjoy time outdoors. Golf teaches patience, planning, and adaptability, all of which are useful in running a business.
Beyond the physical activity, golf is also a great way to network and connect with others in a relaxed environment. I often find that some of the most productive conversations and partnerships start on the course. It is a hobby that combines personal enjoyment with professional growth, which makes it unique and rewarding.
Drawing and Creativity
Drawing has been a passion of mine since childhood. Sketching and creating art provides a sense of focus and relaxation that is very different from the fast pace of business. It allows me to slow down, pay attention to details, and explore creative solutions.
Creativity is a critical skill in the gaming industry. From designing new skill-based games to developing engaging rewards programs, every aspect of what we do benefits from creative thinking. Drawing and other creative hobbies help me approach business challenges in a more imaginative way, and they remind me that leadership is not just about strategy—it is also about vision and innovation.
Gaming as a Passion
Of course, gaming itself is both my profession and my passion. Spending time playing games purely for fun, without focusing on business outcomes, keeps my love for the industry alive. It allows me to connect with players on a personal level and understand their experiences firsthand.
Engaging with games as a hobby also fuels innovation. Ideas for new features, game mechanics, and player rewards often come when I am enjoying the game as a player rather than analyzing it from a business perspective. That playful approach is critical for staying creative in a competitive industry.
Balancing Leadership and Life
Leadership in a fast-paced industry requires energy, focus, and decisiveness. Without balance, it is easy to burn out or lose perspective. Integrating hobbies and personal passions into daily life helps prevent that. I make it a point to set aside time for golf, drawing, sports, and casual gaming, even on busy days.
Balance is also about boundaries. While work is important, stepping away and dedicating time to personal interests allows me to return with renewed focus. It is not just about stress relief—it is about maintaining performance, creativity, and long-term sustainability as a leader.
Lessons Learned
Over the years, I have learned a few key lessons about balancing work, play, and passion:
- Prioritize personal time – Schedule time for hobbies just like you would for a meeting. Protect it.
- Stay fully present – When engaging in a hobby, focus on the activity itself rather than work distractions.
- Blend interests with growth – Choose hobbies that also enhance skills valuable to leadership, such as golf for strategy or drawing for creativity.
- Use hobbies as inspiration – Many ideas for games, rewards programs, or company initiatives can come from passions outside of work.
- Maintain perspective – Remember that success is not just measured by business metrics but also by personal fulfillment and well-being.
Looking Ahead
Balancing work, hobbies, and passion is an ongoing journey. Each day presents new challenges, deadlines, and opportunities. By staying committed to my hobbies and personal interests, I maintain the energy, focus, and creativity necessary to lead Vegas-Style Skill Games, Blue Bull Gaming, and National Business Center, Inc. effectively.
Hobbies are not distractions—they are investments in leadership and personal growth. Whether it is a round of golf, a drawing session, or time spent enjoying a game purely for fun, these activities enrich my life and enhance my ability to make thoughtful decisions for the company.
In the end, leadership is not just about running a business. It is about nurturing your mind, body, and creativity so you can bring your best self to every challenge. Balancing work, play, and passion has allowed me to do that, and it is a principle I try to share with my team and players every day.