Organizers of the Battlefords' Best Business Showcase turned to a Grey Cup-winning former Saskatchewan Roughrider star to kick off their event.
Matt Dominguez, who played five years for the Roughriders as a wide receiver including with the 2007 championship team, was the keynote speaker for the VIP Kickoff Luncheon at the Dekker Centre.
It was the first major event of the three-day Best Business trade show. The event, organized by the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, saw the majority of its activity take place at the NationsWEST Field House from Oct. 24 to 26.
The selection of Dominguez to speak to the business-oriented audience was appropriate, given his own transition from football to the business world.
He works with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate - Signature Service as its broker of record for several of its offices, including the one in North Battleford.
The Moose Jaw-based Dominguez took on that title this year, one that has seen him come to North Battleford on a number of occasions on business. Many of his colleagues from the North Battleford office were in the audience, as were others from the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce and the rest of the business community.
His business career is different from the fame and notoriety of his playing days, though. During his address, he recalled meeting one fan who recognized him and asked "Hey, didn't you used to be Matt Dominguez?"
He spoke about the qualities needed for successful leaders in business. He called on those in the room to focus on building bridges as opposed to building fences.
What struck a chord with many of the business-minded people in the luncheon audience were some the reasons Dominguez opted to pursue his real estate career in Saskatchewan rather than return to his native Texas. He had been an all-star at Sam Houston State in his college days there.
Timing proved a big reason. Dominguez explained that around the time he retired from football in 2008 the housing market in the United States tanked, while the housing market and employment market in Saskatchewan were in great shape.
"So it didn't make sense to basically run home to basically the worst scenario in North America, when I was living in the best scenario," Dominguez said. Besides, he had been in Saskatchewan for five years.
That is one way he answers the question he gets from Saskatchewan people about "why are you still here?"
But Dominguez has another response to that question ready as well.
"This is a great place to live, so stop having low self-esteem about it," he said.
In meeting reporters after his address, Dominguez acknowledged a successful transition to a life off the field is not an easy one for many pro athletes, especially when they focus for years on succeeding in their own sport.
Dominguez acknowledged many players struggle after their playing days are over. "If you look at the statistics it's not very good," said Dominguez.
"A bigger portion of that is you spend your whole life trying to reach this pinnacle, this one thing, and once you have gotten there and you're in it for a little bit, you're not focusing on anything else."
Being sidelined with knee injuries was what forced him to think seriously and plan for life beyond football, Dominguez said.
"Not everybody gets that as a wakeup call," he said.
He got involved in fixing up properties and selling them, sparking his interest in real estate. That led to him getting his real estate and later his brokers' licences.
He points to a sports background as being particularly good for anyone in the field of business in general.
"Sports in general teaches you adversity, teaches you how to co-operate, teaches you how to be humble," said Dominguez.
The real estate field has attracted many former notable pro athletes as agents or brokers. Dominguez can point to a few reasons it has proven a good fit for former players.
"You have to be self-motivated," said Dominguez. As well, he said athletes have outgoing personalities.
"So you want to be in front of other people, you want to meet people, associate with them. Those types of things also work well in real estate. Also, another portion of that is the amount of money you can make is as much as you can work."
Name recognition helps, but Dominguez points out it's not enough by itself. "It can get you in the room, but you still got to be able to do the work."
