Mel Strong on Life After Nike: Pathological Optimism and Financial Empowerment
Like it or not, we live in a capitalist society– so, what can we do to benefit ourselves and the world?
Mel Strong started her career as a first grade teacher and journalist. A fateful interview with her long-time running hero Joan Benoit Samuelson led to a long-shot interview for an entry level job at Nike — a process that included running twice around Nike campus with her future manager.
Mel spent 17 years at Nike, working on the Running, Soccer, Women’s, Snow and Skateboarding businesses. In 2017, she started angel investing and advising early stage founders, and in 2019, Mel co-founded venture capital firm Next Ventures.
We talk about...
Mel’s childhood and early career leading to a personal mission to increase access to health resources for communities that need them
How young Mel thought optimism was a bad thing, but now it’s her superpower
Having an incredible sister Marilyn who has disabilities and how that adds to Mel’s life
How navigating the healthcare system with Marilyn as a child led Mel to her passion for community health
Starting as a first-grade teacher at a challenging Teach For America school, and still feeling guilt that she didn’t stick with it even though it wasn’t the right path for her
Early impressions of Nike: she hated them!... and then learned about their mission statement to be inclusive of all people as athletes
17 years at Nike: the ups and the downs
How mentorship and connecting with others led her to an unexpected role at Nike
The corporate life exposed gender inequity to Mel
Traveling the world to bring the Nike mission to life after working her way up from an entry-level job
When social and political issues interact with employer culture and how that affects employee beliefs about the brand
Juggling a high-demand career with marriage and her husband’s goals, too
12 hour workdays and drinking wine to cope: Not liking that version of herself
The self-identity of working at Nike making it hard to leave
The wealth creation gap: Historical female disempowerment around wealth and finances
Mentorship: finding the people who will share the truth and give you a lift up
Are women holding themselves back financially?
Statistics show that investing and generating wealth as women has a positive ripple effect on society
Women-led companies statistically give better returns, which funders like!
Three things women can do in the next month to become more financially empowered
Leaving Nike and co-founding a venture capital firm
Seeking something different than corporate life after leaving Nike but being fearful of leaving after 17 years without a clear vision
How Mel got into venture capital (and what the heck that even means)
When Mel realized she had to examine diversity in her investment base
Different types of VC funds and the positive impact they can make on communities
The trade-offs of being your own boss: when things go sideways, that’s on you– which is terrifying but wonderful
Relationships with money and financial planning
“Soft skills,” “breadwinner,” “wearing the pants…” EWWW, these terms suck!
Making more money than her partner and the dynamic between them (including when he got laid off from Nike) and feeling jealous of the luxury of time
Convincing Angie why she should invest and care about retirement funds
Finding values alignment in financial decisions
Worth vs. money: Does your money affect or worth or vice versa?
Retirement plans can be constantly evolving, and flexibility is helpful
Short and long term visioning and planning around wealth in order to maximize your positive impact on the world
PSST! If you like this episode, you’ll love these two:
From Corporate Career to Entrepreneur in the Wake of Sobriety with Emily Holland
Why Erika Vikander is Fighting for Gender Equality in Freeride Snowboarding and Women’s Sport
How to connect with Mel:
Hood River Mountain Bike Adventures (Mel and her husband's business)
YouTube video to inspire you from Mel
How to connect with Jeni and Angie:
Please rate and review For The Love Of:
Music: The Kind of Sandwich Island by Shut-ins
Thank you to The Ruins, the best wedding venue in Oregon, for supporting the show.