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A Champion is Born: The Early Years of Earvin “Magic” Johnson

At 49 years old, Magic Johnson’s accomplishments stretch as far and wide as the many basketball courts he has conquered in his career. From transforming the Los Angeles Lakers into a championship team, to living with HIV, to launching a multi-million dollar business empire, Johnson has overcome numerous stereotypes in creating his own multi-faceted success.

Making Magic: Johnson Heats Things Up Off the Court

Leaving the game that he loved for so many years was a hard move for Johnson. He tried his hand at coaching, but found it was just not the same. With that, he decided once and for all to turn his attention to other things, namely the world of business.

Lesson #1: Work Hard and Plan for Your Dreams

When Johnson was a young boy, he would frequently visit his father at the General Motors plant where he worked. “I would sit in the chair behind the desk and dream I was the CEO,” he says. But it was Johnson’s father who told him that he had to do more than just dream about what he wanted; he had to work hard for it.

Lesson #2: A Good Rebound Can Come from a Bad Misstep

During Johnson’s early business ventures, he was self-admittedly an inexperienced entrepreneur who failed to look at the context within which he found himself. For instance, one of his very first deals was in opening up an NBA franchise store. He thought he had the intimate product knowledge and experience to make it successful. But he had made one crucial mistake.

Lesson #3: Make Sure You Are Not Missing the Market

Johnson opened up his first movie theatre in the Los Angeles inner-city area of Baldwin Hills. It was an area notorious for being home to the Bloods and Crips gangs, and everybody around him kept telling Johnson he was crazy.

Lesson #4: A Great Businessman is Only as Great as His Vision

What is the difference between an average point guard and a great point guard? According to Johnson, it all lies in the vision. Great point guards see the court differently than everyone else. They envision where they need to go and how they are going to get there before they even touch the ball. Johnson, unarguably one of basketball’s greatest point guards ever, used that very same vision in crossing over to the business world.

Lesson #5: Do What Cannot Be Done

In 1991, after Johnson revealed to the world that he was HIV-positive, it seemed as if his magic was gone. People thought it was the end for the once-unstoppable athlete. “People thought I was going to go away,” recalls Johnson. “But I never planned on going anywhere.”

Turning the Magic On: How Johnson Built an Empire

“You’re the only one who can make the difference. Whatever your dream is, go for it.”

Magic Johnson Quotes

Magic Johnson Quotes

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