Turner Booth was the long snapper at the University of Michigan before a short stint in the NFL ending abruptly due to injury. When his football career was over Booth attacked his career with the same tenacity and found much success in his various career stages since. Booth became an advisor to Uru because he passionately believes in their mission of shining a light on opportunities for elite athletes while coaching them through the next phase of their lives & he personally believes that athletes make the best employees.
Booth is now the co-founder and managing partner of Cochran Booth & Co. Booth participates in all investment decisions and oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm. Before founding Cochran Booth & Co., Booth was Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at Cantor Fitzgerald in New York City. At Cantor, he served on the executive credit committee for real estate investments, coordinated the acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate assets and companies, and organized the origination and securitization of more than $5B of debt secured by commercial real estate. Previously, Booth was an associate at the real estate finance group at Winston & Strawn LLP.
Booth success is much to credit to how he works with others and claims that real estate and investing are great team sports. "Athletes can do very well in this career if the find a mentor and are committed to finding how to create value."
What did you learn through sports that helped you thrive in the business world? And how did it prepare you?
When athletics are a big part of your life, you learn how to compete every day – in the gym, on the field, studying film, getting the right amount of rest – you’re always competing. Every day is filled with wins and losses. Great athletes learn from their wins and losses and get back to work on accomplishing the primary goal. Life works the same way. You need to keep show up, compete, learn, and repeat. As an employer myself now, I’m looking for smart athletes. If you’re smart and you bring the determination of an athlete to the workplace, you won’t lose.
What advice would you give our Uru athlete community as they're looking for 'What's next?' and seeking to build meaningful careers off the field?
Uru is all about shining a light on opportunities for elite athletes and coaching those athletes through the next phase of their life.
The opportunities are actual jobs, internships, and careers. As an employer, I’m always looking for smart individuals that have an athletic mentality – someone who knows how to show up, work hard, and get the job done. I’m committed to working with Uru to find my next employee.
Regarding coaching, take advantage of Uru’s network of current and former athletes who are living the experience of locker room to board room. Uru is your access to that network and the information and inspiration you need to make informed decisions. Uru is your coach for translating your commitment and energy to sport to your career.
Why are you excited about Uru's mission and what made you get involved?
When I met Ainsley, I was immediately impressed with her drive and passion for Uru. I realized the potential impact of what she was creating and knew I had to invest and help her in any way I could.
If you are an athlete at a high level – college, professional, Olympian, etc. – a huge part of your life is putting energy into your sport. Your days/weeks/years are structured around your sport. You’re training and competing all the time. It’s a huge commitment, and there is something special about the athletes that are willing and capable of committing and working in that way.
Now consider that most elite athletic careers wind down for athletes in their 20’s or, if they’re lucky, their 30’s. As an athlete, what do you do with that energy and that commitment when your athletic career slows down or ends? To me, this is where Uru has the potential to be very special - because nobody else, not a single website, organization, or alumni association, is doing a great job at answering the question: ‘What’s next?
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