Exploring Life & Business with Devin Franklin of Franklin Sports Performance

Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Franklin

Hi Devin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been an athlete, from winning national championships playing American football to running and jumping regionally in club track. As a young man, sport was always an integral piece of my life. It encompassed my passion, motivation, and desire to lead and be led. When I began playing soccer, I noticed my connection to the game was deeper than the others. The root cause was my inability to quickly master the ball, as every other game came so natural to me. If I wanted to improve as a soccer player, it was going to require copious amounts of time invested. This drove me to fall madly in love with the challenge of the game and its free-flow nature. The obstacle of proving myself to be worth and respectable among my peers despite an extremely late start.

Fast forward a decade later, I have traveled across the globe pursuing this passion. It has taken me great places and brought me before great men/women, positioning me to impact the youth that I oversee exponentially greater. I began my training business in the summer of 2018, starting out as a speed and agility coach for my college football buddies and technical trainer for youth soccer players. This quickly developed into a pro-training gig for a club in the west valley, training multiple teams per week and running private training in supplication. With a few different club collaborations, successful clinics, and steadily growing private sessions, I decided to pivot the business to club-neutral. This meant no guaranteed paycheck, thrusting me into true sole-proprietorship. With the favor of Jesus Christ, I have grown the brand into a bustling business, employing two other coaches and training over 200 athletes a week collectively. I have also played on UPSL Premier National Championship-winning team, NISA Nation, and won multiple state titles in UPSL with various clubs.

The greatest lesson I have learned thus far, is that you can’t count on becoming an overnight success. Consistency wins and with God there is no goal too unrealistic. If you told me five years ago that I would have business partners in Spain, England, Liberia and Zimbabwe, I would look at you crazy. Dream big and lead with impact; empty yourself out and pour your gifts into your community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road was always the smoothest. Like any business start-up, especially your first, everything is new. It has been a 7-year process of learning the craft of training effectively, money management, seasonal adjustments, fluctuating partnerships, failed collaborations, and so much more. Perhaps the greatest hurdle has been remaining motivated when things are not moving along as fast as you’d like. I have had to learn how to be innovative, without imitation and authentic in substance. It has not been a straight path, but the best skill you can have in business (and the game) is the ability to adapt quickly.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Franklin Sports Performance?
I specialize in soccer-specific training for athletes 7 to 17, college and professional athletes as well. We offer supplemental sessions for teams, small group and on a private basis. We also offer strength and conditioning, mentorship, international opportunities and much more. We work with beginners to the highest level of elite athletes locally. Special events of ours include camps/clinics locally and a summer-exclusive soccer league for youth competitive players, boasting over 500 players. We are blessed to do what we love! In addition, I am Co-founder of Top Bin Media. We are the fastest growing Media outlet for youth, collegiate and semi-professional soccer in Arizona.

I am most proud of my impact on families and players’ personal development. It brings me great joy to know that these families trust me, confide in me and look to me as a role model. There is no greater feeling than to see a kid’s eyes light up when they see you.

What sets me apart is my approach to business. Some would say its backwards, but I am about people first and profit second. If I can make a substantial impact in someone’s life, that is worth infinitely more than the wage I am receiving. Now, that does not mean I work for free or I do not know my worth. But I understand that I have been called to create community.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory was going back “home” to Mississippi to visit my father’s side of the family. Though these trips were few and far between, it was always the most exciting time for me venturing into the unknown and connecting with my father’s roots. Life out there was slow, but the kids played outside, there was always a ball close by and everyone seemed to know everyone! I’m long overdue for a trip back to the south.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fsparizona.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franklinsportsperformance
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franklinsportsperformance

Image Credits
Stephano Jean-Marie @topbinmedia