372. Path to Freedom: Tennis, Golf & Kids

Paul Maskill

Paul Maskill set out for Chicago and the American dream in 2007, bolstered by his degree in finance from the University of Michigan. Stuck in a cube farm, watching his co-workers being laid off as the worst recession in decades rolled in, he knew he had to change his vision of the right career for him – and NOW!

Sitting in a cubicle for 12 hours a day building someone else’s business was not Paul Maskill’s idea of a living the dream. So, he quit! In 2011 he invested in his first TGA franchise, combining his business experience with passion for sports. TGA—teach, grow, achieve—brings golf and tennis to students through afterschool programs, summer camps and family events. Paul grew his business to four franchises, reaching thousands of kids and earning $420k in annual revenue. In 2015, he sold his franchises for six times his initial investment, netting a profit three times his investment. He was hired by TGA and is in charge of Business Development.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

Connecting with the TGA franchise, Paul’s education and passions came together. His father had introduced him to golf at age four or five. His mother had influenced him to learn about finance, and he’d long had a passion for sports. In the after-school sports program of TGA, he owned and managed a business, stayed connected with golf and tennis, and helped others find their way into entrepreneurial lives through the franchise opportunity.

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

With his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Michigan, Paul headed to Chicago, Illinois, in 2007 to live the American dream. After working two years in a cubicle during the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, “I knew I had to do something different. Watching many co-workers get laid off, I saw this wasn’t viable for my sanity.” He quit his job, took two months off in South America, and seriously began investigating starting his own business.

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

Taking stock of his life’s direction as a young man, Paul faced the fears most people face about leaving the security of a job “working for the man.” Ultimately, he asked himself what was the worst that could happen. “I knew I was taking a huge risk challenging conventional thinking. Going out on my own was kind of nerve-racking, but looking back, what’s more secure? Being in 100 percent control of your own destiny, or letting somebody else be in control? That’s what made me decide stick to work hard enough to never have to go back to working for the man again.”