Career advice from Rich Paul to businesses in Miami area

Business professionals who gathered at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino gasped when Klutch Sports Group founder and CEO Rich Paul spoke at the Black Professional Network’s LegacyCon.“You can be rich fiscally but poor mentally,” Paul said to the professionals who filled the Broward ballroom.Paul, 44, has been the longtime agent of former Miami Heat star LeBron James, and has expanded what was once a small business into a company that serves 6,000 clients.On Friday, Paul discussed the skills that helped him succeed as a business leader. The Black Professional Network is a national organization designed to help Black entrepreneurs and professionals navigate industries and network with one another.Here are some tips he shared: Rich Paul speaks at the Black Professional Network’s annual summit at Seminole Hard Rock near Hollywood, Florida on Friday, November 14, 2025. Rich Paul is a longtime sports agent to former Miami Heat star LeBron James. AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com 1. Dare to be differentWith stunning, large diamond earrings in both ears and sneakers over dress shoes, Paul doesn’t look like the typical sports agent.And he embraces what makes him different.“I’ve had my fair share of years of being underestimated,” he said. “You have got to be unbothered by people’s opinions and critics and naysayers, and even be unbothered by the positive comments on your social media posts. Have a balance throughout it all.”2. Embrace random moments that can turn into big opportunitiesA chance interaction with LeBron James over a stylish sports jersey became the catalyst for Rich Paul’s sports business. Paul wore a rare football jersey in an airport, and it appealed to James when they crossed paths. Paul sold two jerseys to him afterward, and began a business relationship with James.“Ultimately how I took advantage of whatever chance was the opportunity,” he said. “No one told me anything.”3. Success starts with having a positive mindset Kenasha Paul interviews Rich Paul at the Black Professional Network’s annual summit at Seminole Hard Rock. AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com Working with under-resourced athletes who are coming into millions of dollars means that Paul has to change the way they see money. That means having serious conversations about financial responsibility and shifting mindsets.“It’s not necessarily this thing of going broke; it’s having a ‘broke’ mentality coming in,” he said. “They were broke when they came in, but you just didn’t know it because we were focused on the finance of it all. We weren’t focused on how they thought.”4. Work with people who want to work with you Rich Paul makes a point at the Black Professional Network’s annual summit. AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com Paul is unlike many sports agents in that he has a sportswear and apparel deal with New Balance, a footwear brand. While he has supported other fashion brands, he gravitated to New Balance because the company showed an affinity for him and his work.Paul’s client, pro basketball player Darius Bazley, had an agreement with New Balance that allowed him to wear its shoes in professional games and also participate in an internship at the sports company. Paul was impressed.“I risked my life and my freedom to support these [other] brands growing up,” he said. “But where’s the reciprocity?”5. Support people who can do the workThroughout his career in sports, Paul has had to remind clients that supporting others close to them can sometimes become a complicated experience. He recommends that professionals give financial support and advice to friends and family that they know can use it in a productive way.“No matter who you give that opportunity to, if they don’t have the capabilities, it’s not going to matter,” he said.6. Keep finding ways to evolve Rich Paul a longtime sports agent to former Miami Heat star LeBron James, speaks at the Black Professional Network’s annual summit at Seminole Hard Rock in Davie, Florida on Friday, November 14, 2025. AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com Paul has taken his company from two employees to 250. He has a passion for helping young people find opportunities, and has even appeared on an episode of “Grown-ish,” a sitcom for young adults. Putting others first is an important part of his work.“My goal is to create 2,500 jobs and create a program where you leave high school and if you don’t want to go to college, you can go into this design program,” he said. “You are developing the next shoes, yoga pants or whatever the case may be. I still dream big.”

Michael Butler

Miami Herald

Michael Butler writes about minority business and trends that affect marginalized professionals in South Florida. As a business reporter for the Miami Herald, he tells inclusive stories that reflect South Florida’s diversity. Just like Miami’s diverse population, Butler, a Temple University graduate, has both local roots and a Panamanian heritage.

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