Interview with Shawn Moye, Founder, The Moye Group LLC, E-Sports Trainer
Q: What does your company do? What problem are you solving? How did you “discover” this problem? Why are you passionate about it?
Sean: The Moye Group, LLC, empowers inventors and entrepreneurs through counseling while providing high-quality products and services to consumers. The patented E-Sports Trainer provides an independent way for sports athletes to maintain the proper mechanics when shooting a basketball by tracking trends in real time, providing 100% focus on development, while growing with the sports user. Cost-efficient training with analytical tracking to ensure money is being well spent. Help the user gain a competitive advantage. I am passionate about my family, creating, and helping others bring their ideas to fruition. I didn’t know where to turn when I came up with my first idea, so I want to be a resource for others. The blessings are truly in the giving.
Q: What inspired you to start this venture? Is there a story behind the name of the company?
Sean: When my son Elijah showed an interest in basketball, we went to the park to practice but I didn’t want him to develop bad habits when I wasn’t around and as I looked around I saw others with no one to help them, So I asked myself how I can help them gain quality practice time, gain a competitive advantage, do it in a cost-efficient way as sports camps can be expensive, That’s when the E-Sports Trainer aka (Elijah’s Sports Trainer) was born which pays homage to one of my greatest passions—my son.
Q: What’s your background? How did you get here? Is there a story behind what led you to jump into entrepreneurship? What previous experiences influence your role today?
Sean: I have over 18 years of experience in Operations Management and as the founder of The Moye Group, LLC. I understand you must make sure you get the foundational things right first because you cannot build a great company on a flawed foundation. When I first started working on protecting my idea, I didn’t have the funding needed, but I didn’t make excuses; I made adjustments. I saved money by single-handedly preparing a provisional patent before filing a utility patent on my own. My firsthand experience and knowledge gained over the years of inventing, patenting, and manufacturing allows me to know exactly which direction to take when providing consumers with the highest quality of products, customer service, and support. I have also gained the tools needed to continue to develop my invention and build the brand.
Q: What’s your favorite part of being an entrepreneur?
Sean: One thing I cherish most about being an entrepreneur is when people want to hear more about my “why” and purchase my product. It literally brings tears to my eyes and validation to all the long nights when my dreams wouldn’t let me sleep. Another thing is being proof that if you work hard enough you can accomplish your goals and dreams.
Q: Do you have any mentors or role models who have inspired you while you have been building your business?
Sean: I humbly stand on the shoulders of many amazing individuals, businessmen, and entrepreneurs who believed in me before I believed in myself. My mother who instilled the importance of hard work in me and my siblings at an early age, not only in words but in works. I get my fortitude to persevere through any situation from her. I’m so blessed and grateful to the many people that have planted over the years, the many that have watered, and that God continues to give the increase.
Q: What is the biggest lesson you have learned in your startup journey so far? What are you still learning today? Any advice for entrepreneurs?
Sean:What I have learned on my journey is to enjoy the process because it’s part of the promise. The story I am now able to share with everyone comes from the process. What I am learning today is that customer discovery never stops. We should always try to understand our customer challenges and prove out our theories no matter the product development stage we are in. Continuous improvement should always be our motivation. What I am still learning are the KPI’s and milestones I want to set for my company. The advice I have for entrepreneurs is that you should know your unique value proposition, your market segment, your numbers (i.e., sales, analytics, path to cash), and to make sure you are consistently consistent with your vision and focus. At the end of it all, let your actions cause a reaction!