NFL Pro to Style Pro — Bernard Pollard and the StylePro31 Smart Tray

July 28, 2014

Chris Kidd, Financial Coach and Contributor on the Price of Business on Business Talk 1110 AM KTEK (on Bloomberg’s home in Houston) recently interviewed Bernard Pollard, star Strong Safety for the Tennessee Titans. He has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Houston Texans, and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. Pollard is also an entrepreneur, founder and CEO of StylePro31 and the inventor of the Smart Tray.

How did you come up with the idea for the Smart Tray?

There is always a need for space in the bathroom and when I travel with my family sharing the bathroom space was always very difficult. From make up to hair care appliances to my kids things. So I thought about how to fix it, how could I make the space more functional and safe for every one.

Did you have any other entrepreneurial ventures growing up?

A lot of kids try to create things when they’re growing up. I remember I would add things to my Huffy bike and I had my own radio show, my mother still has the cassette tapes. I was official; I had the boom-box, microphone, fans and everything. I also like to build cars and model airplanes. I’m really into old fighter jets and planes. I plan to build a helicopter and plane with my son Jaylen, 6.

I know as a pro football player, you have to invest a great deal of time into practice, workouts, and studying game films. How do you balance your football career with your business?

I’m usually up by 5 am and at the facility by 6 am. Until around 4 pm it’s all football. Outside of that window it’s time with family and my small circle of friends. My sister helps me a lot with running my business.

Are there some lessons or principles you have learned in football that you apply to running your business?

The hard work and heart that I put into football is what I transfer into my business. I want to be the best, I believe in hard work and you got to have heart. I work hard to posture my business in the right way so that it is successful.

What are some of the challenges you faced while taking your idea to an actual business?

I started out with a survey to get feedback and accepting some remarks was challenging, but it helped. I had to figure out how to have the best product and learn the business. I had to make sure price, quality, and where it’s made was prime so that I had the best product.