We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carmen Varnum a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carmen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. So, we’d appreciate if you could open up about your growth story and the nitty, gritty details that went into scaling up.
Starting from a mom and wife to helping my son as an NFL Momager. 2015 my son Jonathan Greenard graduated from high school and begin his first year of college that August at the University of Louisville. He went on a full football scholarship to play ball and to get an education. As a disciplinarian mom I was determined that he gets his degree. His first year on the football team he red shirted to get acclimated to the school. Three years at the university of Louisville he graduated within three years that December. 2018. Afterwards, he entered the transfer portal to move onto the University of Florida as a grad transfer following a wrist injury 2018 that could have possibly ended his football career. With God‘s favor, he moved onto Florida after healing to prove himself that he was still able to play on a higher level in the SEC 2019.
As a mother and the meaning of the title Momager, I was able to put a team together because he wanted to become a NFL player. Agents were calling, and I had to do the interviewing process to find an Agent that will work best for him and I did, Drew ROSENHAUS.. He’s one of the best and have over 30 years in sports agency. Once selecting the Agent, then I moved onto the CPA the person that handles the taxes. Next the attorney to look over the contract to make sure everything is in place for my son. The Financial Advisor and last and insurance agent. Everybody plays an intricate part with his career. As a mother, I had to step up my game and learn the game of football as well. As far as I’m concerned that was an elevation for me. From working a 9 to 5 for 35 years I had to retire early at 53 due to an injury on the job.. looking back on everything and the accident, allowed me to be able to handle other things for my son in which it would have been difficult for me working and 9 to 5 every day. As they say everything happens for a reason and that’s how I look at it today. During this process, I lost my husband a year after he went into the NFL league to Covid. This was the worst time of our lives as well as for my children because they had already lost their biological father 2014 then their stepdad 2021. For me, my world was turned upside down however I found balance again after therapy and much prayer. This is when I decided to put out my first book during my grieving process. I have been writing for some years back, but never had the time and the opportunity to get with an editor or a publisher to put it into action. Once I started six months later, the book was published and I had a very nice book signing, and the book is called (By his grace here I am.) on Amazon.com. Later, I wrote three more books and after afterwards I begin Speaking Engagement speaking about overcoming life adversities. For me born into foster care later adopted and dealing with abuse, rejection and just sadness. I overcame and not allow my past to dictate my future. I won because I’ve raised three beautiful children. and they are successful in life. My life tragedy turned into triumph. Now I can reach back and help someone else..🙏🏿
Carmen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Speaking Engagements about overcoming life adversities. Also speaking with other parents with young middle school, high schoolers who wants to become an NFL player. Sharing my book called The Momager on Amazon.com
Just enter my name
Carmen Greenard Varnum
Contact Info:
- Instagram: carmengreenard_varnum
- Facebook: Carmen Greenard Varnum
- Youtube: Carmen Greenard Varnum
- Other: CGV Enterprises Inc on Facebook
Image Credits
Author: Carmen Greenard Varnum
Editor:Angela Smith
Photography: David Price