After a few weeks of steady PWBA bowling, Memorial Day weekend and the past week has been a wonderful slowdown and reset with family and friends.

A few years ago I created a Spark List. An actual list of things that light a spark inside us. It is something that I feel is important to revisit often, and I have been committed to thinking about it regularly.

At the very top of my list is spending time really connecting with good friends.

Last Saturday morning, we had a picnic by the river with friends who live directly across from the Chicago River Walk. They picked up a pizza and we sat on the stairs there, watching all the boats going by. Sometimes we’re so busy living life in the city, that we take the city itself for granted. Sitting by the water like that, we watched city life around us while we slowed down and immersed ourselves in a couple joy-filled hours of connecting and catching up as friends. 

By the end of the weekend, I just felt like I had a really well balanced few days of filling my “friend cup.” And overall I was able to focus on things on my Spark List that just made me feel good. 

Having days like that also opens up space in ourselves for inspiration. So, during some of my in-between hours over the past week, I have felt especially inspired to work on my newest project, The Bowler’s Agency.

Earlier this month, I soft launched The Bowler’s Agency on social media.

Over the years, there has been a shift in how I have participated with the sport of bowling. It continues to evolve – as I evolve. And, to be honest, I think I’ll always be working within bowling in some way or another. While I don’t know everything that is going to unfold in the future, I am excited about where things are headed at the moment.

As I have said many times, I really feel strongly about individuals taking a look at their lives and asking themselves the question, “who am I and what is my power?”

I feel that is the route to a richly fulfilling life.

Asking myself that question is largely how I came up with the idea for The Bowler’s Agency.

Throughout the years, I’ve launched several successful bowling brands, from The International Art of Bowling to Kaizen by Diandra, to the Elite Youth Tour to Beyond the Lanes. And they’ve clearly looked a lot different than what is typical in the industry, thanks to my life-long love for marketing (something I actually studied in college).

My natural talent for designing brands that stand out is a personal power I’ve started passionately channeling into The Bowler’s Agency, to help others build their brands.

Bowling today isn’t just about talent on the lanes. It’s also about building personal brands.
The sport of bowling is evolving. It’s getting more and more competitive as more people join the sport. Every year, more colleges are picking up bowling as a sport, and it has become a pretty strong NCAA sport, which is amazing for bowling. However, that also means bowlers – and any bowling organization – must become even more intention about making themselves stand out.

If you think about Junior Gold, there are around about 3,000 young bowlers there. So besides just bowling your best, how can these bowlers work on making a mark?

Not everyone’s going to be the next Gianna – but that doesn’t mean they deserve to be overlooked. The truth is that you don’t have to be the best to get recruited to college. You just have to be able to be found. That’s where tools like the Bowler’s Agency can help everyone from young bowlers to bowling centers, pro shops, special interest groups and professional bowlers really get their brand, or message, out there in a more powerful way.

Building a brand presence empowers you to do more, achieve more – and have more impact.

I’ve already starting having deep conversations through The Bowler’s Agency Discovery calls. I’ve listened to the pain points of a bowling start up, and provided ideas on how a youth bowler can stand out from the crowd. I am SO EXCITED to delve into this world. (If YOU have a brand you want me to help you elevate, you can start by filling out the form HERE.)

So this is my little reminder to welcome moments that fill you up and inspire you. And when your cup feels full, don’t be afraid to pour yourself into your passions.