akin ayodele - the flavor of success, cowboy style
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Akin Ayodele, Yomi Martin and Greg Ellis
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Owner, Jerseyville Sports Restaurant
You might not expect for a name like “Jerseyville” to be associated with anything Texan, but it is. Jerseyville is a West Plano, Texas sports-themed restaurant and bar which is owned by Dallas Cowboys linebacker, Akin Ayodele and business partners Yomi Martin, Carlos David Goyne, Bruce Lazarus and Doug Czufin. “In the partnership we all have our part or role. The innovative concept for this venture was born from Yomi’s, [Apple Bottoms’ hip-hop mogul’s] vision. We did a lot of research before taking the serious steps,” says Ayodele. “Before I actually became involved with Jerseyville, I’d heard horror stories about the restaurant business and how hard it is to make it run successfully ... it is a risk but I know that I am a [hands on] person … not one to just put my money in it and let other people take care of it. Whenever I can, I’m always here.” The North Carolina Jaguar’s 2003 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee adds, “This gives me something outside of football — an investment that I can watch grow from the ground up, it’s exciting.”
Transitioning from entrepreneurship to the business of football the 6th year veteran offers this valuable advice to athletes joining the league, “Respect the game and the game will respect [and] take care of you. Treat it just like you would any 9 to 5 job. Show up on time, work hard and meet your goals. Be professional [and] come to work everyday, willing to learn something.” There’s a poignant takeaway we can all use. –cheryl w.robinson
Jerseyville is located at 6121 W. Park Blvd., Suite R101, at Willow Bend in West Plano.
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