Mike Repole ’91Svc,’ 11hon, a successful serial entrepreneur and a leading supporter of the Red Storm’s Athenian University of St. John, shared professional knowledge and life lessons with students in Peter J. Tobin College of Business on February 24 in a two-hour discussion that drew to his background as a university of St. Beverage.
Mr. Repole, best known as Vitamin Water Sports Drinks and Smartwater and Bodyarmor, advised St. John’s students to seek career opportunities that cultivate “learning on win” and reinforced the importance of self -esteem and personal growth, protecting a balance between professional and personal responsibilities.
“Get out there and get experience in real life,” Mr. Repole St. John’s students, some aspiring for entrepreneurial careers like Mr. Repole. “Work for a small company. Even if you go bankrupt, you will have learned something. “
“What you do with that lesson is more important than what you will do with the money you may have made,” continued Mr. Repole.
The son of a waiter and a tailor, Mr. Repole grew up in the middle village, NY, near Queens of St. John, NY, Campus. He attended local Catholic schools and studied sports management in St. John.
There is no doubt a great student, but talented for sale, Mr. Repole worked for sale for a small company, Mold Drink, Inc. After graduating in St. John. He later joined the Crystal Geyser Water Company as Vice President of Sales. In 1999, Mr. Repole and his partner, Darius Bikoff, founded energy brands commonly known as Glacéau, which produced intelligent waters and vitaminwater. The founders were evaluated for the onset of improved water drink space. In 2007, the founders sold the company at Coca-Cola company for more than $ 4 billion.
In 2011, Mr. Repole decided to return to the beverage industry and created the best sports, bodyguard drink. In 2014, Kobe Bryant made a large investment in the company.
Mr. Repole was determined not to allow Mr. Bryant in bodybuilding fail.
“We were eating dinner and I told Kobe that this had a percent of a percentage to succeed,” Mr. Repole. “He looked at me and said, ‘One percent? I was born in the United States, I moved to Italy at a young age, and then returned here. I went to private school in Philadelphia and tried in NBA [National Basketball Association] When I was 17 years old. My parents had to sign my contract because I was not 18 years old. I got married in 20, and I have five NBA titles, the most valuable player awards and two gold Olympic medals. This percentage is the best chances I have ever had in my life. “
In 2021, the Coca-Cola company bought $ 8 billion.
Mr. Repole, who served as chairman of the university starting university in 2011, attributes his success to building relationships as much as any business saving. He also remains with religious determination, remembering students throughout his discussion of the role of faith and family played in his personal and professional achievements.
For those knowledge, students filled a second floor presentation room in Tobin. Students heard Mr. Repole’s speech and then asked him about his entrepreneurial spirit, love for St. John, and more.
“I have always been someone who considered himself an entrepreneur,” said Panagiotis Papastefanou, a new interdisciplinary business student from Bronx, NY and President of the Entrepreneurship Alliance in St. John. “This was an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and information from a self-made billionaire who can help you avoid unnecessary or wrong steps.”
“His ability to connect with each of us while still talking to a large group was extraordinary,” added Isabella Patterson, a young marketing from San Diego. “His experience working with cobbles – and both of those who oppose the chances of what people said – is a great story. Having experienced that level of success and how it happened is really extraordinary.”
Married to a girl and living in South Florida, Mr. Repole regularly participates in the Red Storm Men’s Basketball Games in New York City. As he was introduced by the deputy president and director of athletics Ed Kull ’05mba, a former cochleg in Glacéau, came Word that the red storm had improved in seventh place in the latest basketball of the Associate College.
“Well done, guys,” said Mr. Repole.
Mr. Repole then ended his discussion by wishing students well and encouraging them to live a life of challenges. “Do you want a boring life or a great life?” Asked Mr. Repole. “Challenge yourself to make it a great life, where you have to decide what is great.”
Mr. Repole later visited the Venture and Innovation Center (VIC) that provides students, faculties and administrators resources, support and inspiration that they need to turn their business ideas into reality. After listening to the business areas from a group of students, he offered feedback and encouragement to booming entrepreneurs.