I'm Baaaaaack..

sup world!! how is everyone doing?

yes, I missed you all at the end of last week and yesterday, but i'm back.. it's been a lot going on.. my other "job" had me handling a lot of music-related things at the end of last week (The Graduated Experience was a HUGE success), and the start of this week focused on a few things related to my other job (Fuzion Marketing Group).. i never said i led a simple life.. shoot, this blog is called A FAM Life for a reason (aside from them not letting me change it to i - Q..)..

but back on my women's basketball grind..

i spent a lot of time at the end of last week and this week getting things together for Ketia's first basketball clinic.. this is a big deal, because she's returning home.. y'all might not know, but Ketia is THE big deal down in Columbus, GA.. she destroyed the competition in HS, and set all types of records, carrying her team on her back.. it's no surprise that Geno scooped her, and she started at the Point as a freshman.. her HS jersey is retired there.. her UConn jersey is in the rafters there.. Her CT Sun jersey is there.. Her Phx Mercury jersey is there.. it's the house that Ketia built, as it relates to basketball.. so, yea, I would like this to go as it should.. and thus far, it is.. we have a few more approvals to get, then we'll blast it out to the general public..

we're also working on the Pepsi Refresh grant for both Ketia and Meek, and shouts to the Phoenix Mercury for capturing them on video for this opportunity.. it's far from over, but it's a big deal..

speaking of Meek, i'm so focused on her 2nd Annual Weekend, down in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, it's ridiculous.. i've had to put other things on the back burner to concentrate on making this a success.. it's always hard when we're trying to find sponsors.. but somehow, some way, we have to.. that's what i've been focused on.. that, and making sure this year is better than last year's..

a lot of people think this stuff is easy.. but it's not.. it's an all day thing, and normally, at the end of the day, we're at the EXACT same place we were at the beginning of the day.. that is hard to explain to athletes who are so accustomed to things going their way.. not really for the WNBA players, because after years in the league, they are used to being second citizens.. but, it's still hard when these women give their all to do things for the community, and don't get the support.. but that's where i come in.. or at least i definitely try my best..

what people don't get about my position, is that i'm not about task management.. i'm about forward thinking.. so, for me, while i have to oversee and ensure that things go well, my main goal is to stay ahead of the game.. for instance, today i found out about Women's Sports Foundation (shout out to Cheryl aka HoopFeed on Twitter).. knew nothing about it.. but once i did, i used my influence to make a meeting happen to get my players involved.. they don't even have WNBA players assisting, but when i saw that, i knew it was opportunity to get my FAM involved.. in a matter of minutes, i inked the meeting for Thursday.. you best believe we'll have more announcements about it.. sometimes, it's just about awareness and people knowing about opportunities.. so we'll see what happens on Thursday, but i'm sure it'll be positive!

now i have to run.. just got some photos over to the Mercury for Meek and the video we're creating, and now i'm on the move..

talk to y'all tomorrow!!

i - Q..

Missed Me??

yesterday was non-stop, my bad for not getting at you.. it wasn't as much a crazy day for my WNBA FAM, but more a crazy day for me.. but i got through it, and i apologize for not being around for this daily talk..

i did get a number of things accomplished for my women, though.. 1st, Ketia is about to host her 1st basketball camp in October.. to me, that's a pretty big deal.. i know i talked about it in prior blogs, but i'm serious.. she did this w/ Smoke (her father), and i'm happy for her.. some may think that it's all about me, or that's what i'm motivated by.. well, i'm sorry to disappoint, but you're wrong.. i'm motivated by change.. with or without me.. Ketia should be proud of this.. now, my part begins.. and it's begun (peep the tweets later on)..

y'all know Syl is out.. at home w/ the family.. she needs that break, so this is that "leave Syl alone" stage.. she finished her season - a great one at that - so now she gets to be w/ family and friends, and rest for a split second.. then she'll be headed to participate in the World Championship festivities.. i wished i could have made it over there.. who knows, maybe i will sneak over there.. we'll see.. but i am proud of what Syl accomplished this season.. she shut up a lot of people w/ her play.. on that note, i'll shut up and let the numbers paint the picture for you.. do your research..

for Temeka, from my perspective, it's all about pausing for a second to catch our breath and figure out the right path.. we tried so much this season.. some things just to see if there was a market out there for things.. the resounding answer to that is "no".. but that's more from a financial standpoint.. we had some great things going for Temeka all season long, but we didn't hit on every one of them.. some of that is on us, some of that is on the market, some of that is just a learning experience.. while the WNBA has VERY loyal fans, the fact is that it all gets lost in translation.. not enough awareness.. not the right type of awareness.. some support, not enough support.. the league's brand, and the league's confused branding.. so many things we can point to, but the effort is there.. now we've just come to a point where we have to truly assess things.. for me, Temeka sets the bar.. it's almost like she's the first doing these things.. so we're learning on the fly w/ things that work or don't work.. from an experience standpoint, the things that we've done w/ Temeka for our NFL and NBA guys work like a charm..

BG just had a celebrity basketball game last weekend.. it was AMAZING!! the support was there, the stars turned out, the media was there.. it was his 6th annual weekend, and it amazes me how quickly you can make things happen.. i say all of this to say that i can take the shots from people questioning how well we can do things, because i lay on a foundation of work product that has been EXTREMELY successful.. let's not get that twisted.. but for the WNBA? man, it's an all day affair of headaches on most days.. and then the time is non-existent..

let's look at the season the Mercury had.. it wasn't what we expected, huh? well, think about how that affects my job.. every pitch is shot down.. "wait, they're not even playing .500 ball, Q? how are we supposed to highlight that?".. every opportunity is shot down.. "did you see how they played last night? how did they lose that one? a feature on who? she just played 16 minutes in that loss!".. everything is used as a slight or excuse.. but sadly, the excuses are valid (so then are they excuses?).. so yea, it's not easy at all when the perfect storm never appears.. because truth be told, w/ the WNBA, you need a perfect storm..

i thought the Meek Moments children's book would be a perfect storm.. and i think it will be, it will just take time.. we have the media now.. that's a HUGE plus for us.. that's usually the most difficult.. but, i think there's a misconception on all of this.. WE paid for this.. not a sponsor.. WE being FAM and Temeka.. WE tried to get sponsors and put feelers out for over 2 years.. WE made a decision to stop waiting and figure it out on our own.. so WE got to work.. WE found a self-publishing company that we felt was the best.. that meant not worrying or spending too much more time on things.. so, if AuthorHouse could do all the heavy lifting (outside of writing and putting the book together), we would be happy.. that's what we did.. but the reality is that it takes a couple months post debut to truly get things moving.. the publisher didn't really know what to expect, because we didn't know what to expect.. we hoped for the best, but never knew.. you can't force Barnes & Noble or Borders to place the book on the shelves, especially when you're self-publishing.. they place it online first to see how the books move.. if they don't move, it's an uphill battle for them to place it in their stores.. but that's business.. that's smart business.. that's not a FAM decision or a Temeka decision.. the people got Barack elected.. the people got Barack from no name to name brand in less than 2 years.. the people would also have to get Temeka's book in stores.. this is nothing new.. if the demand is there, things happen.. the demand isn't here.. yet..

so yesterday and today i spent time explaining things and planning things.. i wish i was Kanye and had all the Power.. but i'm just a man journeying through this world.. most of the time, alone.. you think you know?? nah, you really don't.. you think you want my life?? nah, you really don't.. Entourage has nothing on what we go through.. it's close, but it's worse than that.. remember how E pretty much had to shut his doors (luckily he had people in high places - i.e. an ex girl who's family is POWERFUL)? that's the reality.. Ari and his issues? that's all day, every day.. you see his relationship w/ his wife? that's all day, every day.. somehow, i'm still here, though.. i'm still standing.. and i will continue to stand.. strong.. but you won't catch me in that position, though, cuz i'm on the move.. when i stand, others are walking.. when i walk, others are running.. when i run, you ain't catching me.. point blank..

i'm out.. Usain Bolt..

i - Q..

The Weekend and The Week Ahead..

sometimes life happens.. for me, that's been pretty often lately.. that's how Friday ended.. when life supersedes (i swore that was spelled w/ a 'c') everything else.. it knocked me off my square for a bit.. actually, i'm still off of it, and maybe for a bit.. but that doesn't mean my focus is.. that's why we have tactical plans.. when things go wrong, the blueprint is there.. w/ time built into it.. now i gotta adjust a bit..

with that said, i was still on it.. Saturday was rough, but i did handle a few things for my FAM.. but realizing that my mind wasn't there, i stopped.. but Sunday morning, i woke up and got right to it.. sending something over to Ketia for a grant opportunity.. i loved that she loved the concept and what are next steps are.. she also hit me w/ her basketball camp info.. she put that together on her own.. i was proud, yet again.. now, it's my turn to put in some work on it.. the PR, the marketing, sponsors, etc.. everything is in my head right now, but by tomorrow, it'll be on paper, and by Wednesday, over to Ketia for her final review and approval..

what, you thought i didn't get things approved by my players? come on now.. i treat my athletes like the businesses/brands they are.. this is their livelihood.. i'm here as an advocate of what they do.. as a manager, i want a team of educated athletes.. not puppets.. i want them to know and understand everything we're doing w/ them.. sometimes it might take a year or more for them to fully understand, but it took me YEARS to understand the business that i'm in as well.. for me, though, this is advanced business development.. they've skipped a few courses, and now they are all in an advanced learning environment.. i have 4 months w/ them in the States.. 4.. not a year.. yes, we talk all year long.. shoot, for some i talk EVERY DAY!! but it's different when they are overseas.. they have so much more on their head.. you have no idea.. so the 4 months here is a crash course.. we get it in!! sometimes on game days.. and no, i'm not interfering w/ their jobs.. i'm advancing it!! when you played sports in high school or college, did you get to skip class on the day that you had your games? (ok, maybe you have a point).. but you get what i'm saying.. when i have a big pitch, i still have clients that i tend to.. it's the real world.. the gloves are off.. these athletes are geniuses in their own rights.. (that's another blog).. so, they get what i'm doing, and happily go along w/ the plan..

sorry for that rant.. but yea, shout out to ESPN for the blog on Meek.. Ms. Carter did her thing, and i'm happy we found a place on the site, and they felt it was a good enough story to capture.. means a lot to me.. it's 1 step, but for us, it's a big step.. you may disagree, but this is a highlight.. the small ones definitely appear to be bigger in some cases.. this is one of them..

today, i still have some personal things to handle, so aside from some follow-ups, i have to do me today.. until tomorrow..

i - Q..

Breakfast..

working off of not too many hours of sleep on a Friday is tougher than you think.. especially considering that's it's been about 3 of those nights already.. but here i am.. trying to play a bit of catch up on some back-end business stuff.. boring, i know.. even more boring when you're tired!! put yourself in my shoes! stop being selfish!! :)

yea, i just put a smiley face in my blog, and??

the day ahead consists of a couple meetings, a few calls, and a couple games.. Syl is playing in her last home game, and I'm hoping they end on a good note.. i'm a bit concerned that they will be losing a few season ticket holders and a few more fans this off-season.. i've had some people come up to me and mention that the Sky HAVE to be a winning team for them to invest their money into not only the tickets, but the expense related to how far from the city the games are.. maybe not in true miles, but most definitely in the amount of time it takes and the headaches of driving through Chicago rush hour to get to the games.. it's difficult, especially considering the talent on that team.. Syl will be Syl.. there's nothing the league or other players can do to stop her.. that's not bragging or anything.. there are just some players who stand apart from others.. Syl is one of those players.. Epiphany Prince (what up Piph) is one of those players too, and I will enjoy watching her continue to develop this off-season overseas.. I'm seriously considering visiting her at some point in time over there.. probably not to Russia, but you know!! she just can play ball.. the slowest explosive game you'll see.. seriously.. when i watch her play, i watch her eyes.. she sees beyond 3 moves.. like each dribble is deliberate and calculated, and then she's out.. i was convinced during 1 game, where i watched her get a steal, get bumped, the defender was running ahead but riding her right side.. Piph NEVER put the ball in her right hand.. she used her left hand the whole way down the court, while the defender was pretty much bumping her.. Piph didn't lose sight of the goal.. EVER.. she ended up exploding to the rim w/ her left hand (on the right side though), and got an And-1.. that's when it all added up to me.. most of the times, it's the simple things in basketball.. and she does the simple things efficiently.. Jia and Canty are good.. i like Jia's poise.. Canty has the experience.. but Piph has the talent.. would love to see Jia and Piph in the backcourt together more often..

ok, ok, i feel like i'm Piph's groupie right about now.. but that is my peoples.. getting to know her this year was a highlight for me.. i only want the best for her.. real talk..

but back to the point.. i'm hoping that the fans increase and more support is shown to the Sky, and I'm going to figure something out this off-season to make that happen.. i had some ideas this season, but none truly panned out the way i expected.. the commute killed it.. maybe getting a party bus from downtown to the game would work.. but that could mean some ROWDY fans.. then again, that might not be a bad idea.. then i won't feel alone w/ yelling at refs and coaches all game long.. y'all know the refs run up my blood pressure!! they need to institute referee school next season.. seriously.. if not, Syl is getting kicked out of half of the games.. y'all thought her getting kicked out of that one game was something? shoot, that was mild.. (glad they won, though, on A FAMily Affair night!!) it's a respect thing.. those refs truly try to control the game.. that's not your job.. call the game.. let these women play.. it's bad enough they have that "no touch" zone, which allows the slowest guards in the league to play 30 minutes, knowing they wouldn't see the court if they were truly getting D'd up.. wait, did i say that? oh well..

let me stop here.. it's been fun.. will update y'all later..

i - Q..

Slow Motion..

today is a pretty weird day.. but Momma said there would be days like this.. it's not good or bad.. just a bit "blah".. yea, that's a feeling.. google it.. i just turned off my phone, because i'm just not in the mood for much.. but again, it's not bad.. i still have a long night ahead of me..

it was pretty much Temeka Johnson Media Day.. She did a twitter interview w/ the WNBA, but the highlight for me was by far the interview we had w/ Kelley Carter for ESPN to discuss the Meek Moments children's book.. being featured on ESPN.com is a pretty big deal for a WNBA player.. especially considering that she will be in there for a reason other than playing basketball.. but she deserves it, and I can't wait for the piece to come out.. Ms. Carter did a good job on the interview, and allowed Meek to talk about the book, her foundation, her family and her future.. yea, i just kept going w/ the "f's" - sue me, it felt right!! but i also had a good brief business discussion w/ her, and look forward to after the season, where we'll be able to take the time to properly chart the rest of this course..

but, my day started w/ a business convo w/ Ketia Swanier, that made me proud.. she initiated it, and was focused.. she voiced concerns and solutions.. it's that moment where you can see the light bulb go on - and you just know that the corner is being turned for the better.. i can't wait for people to recognize the talent that Ms. Swanier has in her.. she has her share of doubters, but who doesn't.. it's up to her to just play the game that made her a HS star and a UConn player.. i know that's coming, because i've seen flashes of it.. but more than that, she just showed me by taking the initiative.. that's all i can ask for..

other than that, it's been business as usual.. worked on our Brasil camp down in Santos in October.. still have some things to iron out.. then something bigger that's being launched in April.. but that's still under wraps, but it's a pretty big deal w/in women's basketball..

oh, shoot, and an opportunity where both Meek and Kesh will be able to do something together to support our Armed Forces.. that's going to be a classic moment, and I hope that it builds into something larger.. that would be a true blessing.. so on that note, the day was pretty good in my role as a manager for WNBA players.. i didn't bother Syl, because she's relaxing w/ friends.. her season's coming to an end, and I'll catch her at the game tomorrow.. i thought about going to the DWade Charity Benefit Dinner later tonight, but i'm not feeling it.. have some non women's basketball stuff to do (studio session w/ Esynaj), and i know i'm not going to be feeling too "Hollywood" today..

Momma said there would be days like this.. things are good, but i feel blah.. google it..

i - Q..

A Brighter Day..

today is a better day.. my FAM basically had a travel day, which meant that they were heading home.. heading "home" always seems to be an easier day for all of us.. for me, it gives me the time to shoot them more information related to ongoing projects or opportunities available to them.. it also gives me a part of the day to really just sit and think..

today, i used that time to recap a few things w/ Temeka Johnson, about her children's book Meek Moments, as well as some updates for her website (some new enhancements coming by Monday).. from day to day, i do forget things.. i'm human.. and with the way my schedule is, i use these days to try to catch up.. it's smart to cushion the amount of time you tell your athletes you'll respond.. so, if you're thinking it's Wednesday, maybe you say Saturday.. if it's earlier, great.. but at least you set the right expectations.. for us, BBM is great!! i need to go ahead and get us a sponsorship, because we use it like it's our lifeline.. no lie.. that's why i don't typically give out my BBM.. for me, that's for business.. not another instant messenger.. you guys can't imagine how often my phone goes off.. seriously.. if you know me, you know that i ALWAYS have my phone on vibrate, never on a ring tone.. those tones get pretty annoying to me, when it goes off ever 23 seconds.. i'm just sayin'..

but, just as I typed this, ESPN.com Page 2 just hit me about an interview for a feature on Meek Moments!! NOW THIS IS WHY I DO WHAT I DO!! a true blessing.. Meek will LOVE this!!

i also shot some things to Ketia Swanier.. we need to gear up on some Armed Forces things, as her foundation supports military children.. Ketia4Kidz is an amazing organization, but go check it out for yourself.. it's been a great day.. seriously..

i also have something for Sylvia Fowles w/ DWade, but i wish the timing was better.. but i'm still trying to pull it off for tomorrow.. but i now have to rush this blog to an end..

this ESPN.com feature has consumed me.. you don't understand how difficult it is to have something like this for the WNBA players.. wow.. i should have started this blog before!!

i - Q..

i - Q..

i - Q..

i, Q, am many things to many people.. which, i guess, confuses a lot.. Owner, CEO, President, Board Member, Boss, Boss Man, Manager, Author (shoutout to Temeka Johnson) and everything else.. but to me, i - am - Q..

for the purpose of this blog, i, Q, am a man trying to navigate the world of professional women's basketball.. that's it.. i'm on a mission.. this journey has been filled w/ its' share of ups and downs.. accomplishments and failures.. but the great thing is that the journey isn't over.. last night, it almost ended though.. i was ready to throw in the towel.. not on Fuzion or Fuzion Athlete Management, but on me representing some elite women basketball players that play in the WNBA..

let me take a quick moment to swell my chest up.. or, as Kevin Hart's "Uncle Richie Jr." says, put my chest in it..

yesterday, i got so upset that i almost cried.. not the boo-hoo type, but the eyes watering type.. i was THAT upset.. i won't go into details as to why.. but, in doing my job, you run into people that have many other agendas.. i simply had a situation that went left field on me, and i was literally in a twilight zone.. but i knew i did nothing wrong.. so much so, that i had affirmation from someone on how i handled it during the heat of the moment.. the sad part is that it turned into something far worse, but that was taken care of as well.. the sad part is that it took literally from 2PM-7PM to go through the madness.. which meant that anything and everything else i had planned was done.. it meant that i once again didn't hold up to an agreement that i made (actually a few of them).. it meant that i once again felt like the respect shown to these women actually did NOT exist.. am i venting? to some, maybe you think that.. but to me? to my players? to the players that know me? nah, they know it's the truth.. they know i'm on my Beanie Sigel w/ this..

i'm closer to my WNBA players than my NBA or NFL players.. but they all know how hard i work for them.. shoot, i've stayed w/ my players.. they see me going to bed after them, w/ the laptop in front of me.. they wake up and see me w/ the laptop in front of me, and me putting in work.. it's not a game people.. i sleep a good 4-5 hours each day.. but that's the life i live.. i will PERSONALLY do things that no other manager, agent or owner will do on behalf of my players.. but to me, that's where it starts.. i match their work ethic w/ my own.. they might get upset when something doesn't go through, but they KNOW it's not due to me not putting in work.. yesterday, it dawned on me that i could be becoming World Wide Wes (google him) for the WNBA.. those are big shoes to fill.. but not many like him.. they wonder why and how he got so close to MJ, LeBron, etc.. my guess? he does what i do, but has the experience 20 times over.. he's gone through what i'm going through.. and he didn't give up.. so, neither am i.. i will become the World Wide Wes of the WNBA.. hate it or love it.

THIS is why i'm doing what i'm doing.. i tell everyone that THIS is a labor of love.. the glory? come on now.. i get blasted every year in fantasy football about the fact that i rep WNBA players.. they have jokes for days.. the money? you already know "that ain't it".. i have a genuine respect for the work that these women put into the game.. i've seen how hard they work.. i've seen the long bus rides after the long flights and layovers.. i've seen the fact that every meal is in the airport.. i've seen them play through injuries, just so that they can play in front of their families, who don't get to travel overseas with them.. i've seen how they are treated overseas.. i've seen how alone they are over there.. but just when i thought i've seen it all, i see something else.. that's what motivates me.. their stories are NOT told..

shoot, look at Sylvia Fowles.. i'm blessed to know her.. blessed to work WITH her.. how does LeBron mention her as part of a team he'd put together, and no true awareness of that FACT is provided by the "game" that she plays.. really? she's from the south, but "where they do that at?"

Ketia Swanier is one of the most unique and misunderstood players that i know.. she's a player that dudes would pick up in a 5-on-5, but for some reason the league doesn't see that.. i'm not a GM or Coach, but w/ her talent, you FIND a way to make it work.. you want more interest from men? put her on the court and watch the speed, no look passes, and sick reverse layups.. then let's see if men will feel the same..

and don't get me started on Temeka Johnson.. point blank, she's the most respected player in the game.. on and off the court.. more hops than a little bit.. more inner-strength than 99% of the people that i know.. on the court? she can only stop herself.. or maybe a - cough - system can..

yea, those are my players.. and? have you heard of Epiphany Prince? do your research.. Tamera Young reps the high school MJ came from.. and she has that MJ swag on the court.. Tangela Smith is a proven champion.. so yes, the league is much more than the players it touts.. MUCH MORE.. i can market the league w/ my eyes closed, if given the chance.. but i'm pretty sure that chance won't come.. especially after i keep blogging daily about my life in this arena.. but what else can i do? i've tried to shut up and just do work.. but yesterday changed all that..

they talk about more money, more problems.. yes, that's true.. i, Q, have felt that over the last 5 years of being "Fuzion".. shoot, yesterday i had a court case in NYC.. there will be many more, i'm sure.. i blew off a call w/ my step-dad, cuz i was handling this.. and he just had a stroke.. i should be stressed about stuff like that.. but nah, here i am stressed about a game.. lol.. a game.. i laugh, because that's how most view this.. a game.. nah, y'all, this is a livelihood.. and people are playing w/ them.. that's not cool.. it's more like less money, more problems.. can i get a rapper to rap about that? that might be the realest ish they never wrote..

so, yea, this was a long rant, but daily, i'm going to provide insight on my day reppin for WNBA players.. it will be good and bad.. it will be bad, then good.. at the end, it will be me.. i - Q.. watch me become legendary.. no threats, but watch what i do now.. thanks for the motivation and the inspiration.. thanks for the tears of anger.. i needed that.. but, lastly, i want to thank the players that ride w/ and for me.. you're the reason that i do this.. doesn't hurt that my lil' cousins and nieces are beasts w/ the ball in their hands, either, though!!