We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Migs Mendoza a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Migs, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
Diamond Skills 108 name came from a brain storming day I had where I was playing with different types of names, mix matching words and playing off other words. I was avoiding names that are overused in our industry such as Academy, Elite, Next level, the number 101 to name a few. I got to about 20 names and needed to get to my top 4. They were 1) Diamond Republic
2) Seams and Dreams Development
3) So Cal Church of Baseball
4) Diamond Skills
Then I remembered that a baseball has 108 stitches and added that to all of them n see what sounded good n clicked. Diamond Skills 108: Player Development was the winner.
After about 6 months with the name and developing the logos. I was coming across the eerie magic of numerology and coincidences in the number 108 and how relevant it is in our world both in baseball and cultures. Such as:
1) It takes 108 outs to win the World Series (27 outs per game x 4 games won = 108 outs).
2) The World Series trophy is made of silver, which carries the atomic weight of 108.
3) Bull Durham is 108 minutes long (baseball movie)
4) There are 108 lines in Edgar Allan Poe’s 1845 poem “The Raven”
5)Stonehenge are 108 feet in diameter
6) The temples of the Mayans in Belize and Guatemala are 108 feet tall
7) Buddhist temples have 108 steps
Sun, Moon & Earth connections
8) The distance between the Earth and the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.
9) The distance between the Earth and Moon is 108 times the diameter of the Moon.
10) The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth.
11) 9 planets, 12 Zodiac Constellations (12x 9= 108
12) Mala Bead/Prayer Beads – In Hinduism and Buddhism, a mala comes as a string of 108 beads
13) In acupuncture there are 108 pressure points in the body
14) In Japan, at the end of the year, a bell is chimed 108 times to finish the old year and welcome the new one.
15) Tibetan have 108 sacred books
16) Home Plate in baseball is irregular Pentagon,
Pentagon has 108° angles.
17) I was born in 1980, that was a leap year. Leap years have 366 days. 3 x 6 x 6= 108
The universal sacredness and relevance of the number resonated with my personality and assured me that this was no coincidence that I chose the 108. Its the 108 Magic!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m the founder of a baseball player development service that’s been thriving for a decade. My journey into this industry began with my deep-rooted passion for baseball, having played from a young age to the entry levels of professional baseball and coached for over a decade.
Our range of offerings includes camps, clinics, personalized sessions, groups, teams, online training, digital courses and top-notch baseball products and equipment.
What sets us apart is our relationship and connection to our players and parents. While we certainly focus on refining baseball mechanics and skills, our core mission goes beyond that. We tackle essential issues such as self-image, self-esteem, mental toughness, fostering a competitive spirit, thriving in pressure situations and promoting a growth mindset over a fixed one. In essence, we believe in personal development through player development.
Over the years, We are most proud of the countless players whose lives we’ve positively influenced, both in their personal lives and athletic endeavors. We’ve helped them not only become better athletes but also more resilient and confident individuals. Any training that requires years of focus, discipline and tenacity transforms you on all levels. Who do you have to become in order to materialize your goals? I believe that’s the most important part of the journey. Most athletes won’t play professionally but they get exposed to the effort required to achieve things.
Do you have the commitment to make possibility into a reality?
Who you become because of the journey. That’s the golden ticket!
If you’re considering our services, know that we’re dedicated to nurturing not just great ballplayers but great people, fostering a love for the game that lasts a lifetime.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been a combination of factors:
1. Word of Mouth: Satisfied clients spreading the word about their positive experiences with our services has been a significant driver of new business. Personal recommendations carry a lot of weight in our industry.
2. Adding Value: We’ve consistently focused on adding value to our sessions, Whether it’s through innovative training methods, exceptional coaching, or going the extra mile to meet our clients’ needs, we aim to provide more than expected.
3. Being Excellent at What We Do: Our commitment to excellence in player development has earned us a reputation for producing results. When clients see tangible improvements in their skills and mindset, it builds trust and keeps them coming back. We as a staff invest a lot in continuing education and travel to player development conferences to make sure we are up to date on our industry.
4. Initial Free Camps: In the early years, providing free camps was a strategic move to introduce our brand and showcase our expertise. Parents and players had the opportunity to witness our coaching in action, and it helped establish our credibility in the community.
In essence, our growth strategy revolves around the trifecta of reputation, value, and expertise, all fueled by the trust we’ve built in our community.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
A decade in the industry, we’ve identified the need for multiple revenue streams to sustain and expand our business. Our primary service involves working with youth players, which often means limited operating hours due to their school schedules. To maximize our potential, we’ve diversified our offerings within the player development niche.
In the upcoming year, we’re excited to introduce several supplementary revenue streams:
1. Branded Equipment: We’re launching a line of high-quality, branded baseball equipment, catering to both aspiring and seasoned players. This not only adds value to our brand but also provides an additional source of income.
2. Batting Gloves: Our custom-designed batting gloves will be hitting the market, offering players a blend of comfort and performance while contributing to our revenue diversification.
3. Digital Courses: Leveraging our expertise, we’ll be rolling out digital courses, allowing players and coaches to access our knowledge and training materials remotely. This expands our reach beyond our physical locations and hours
4. Coaching Certification: Recognizing the demand for quality coaching, we’ll offer coaching certification programs to empower aspiring coaches with the skills and knowledge needed to nurture young talent.
5. Youth Mental Mastery: The Mental game is a crucial aspect of player development. We’ll provide specialized programs aimed at enhancing mental resilience, benefitting both players and parents.
6. Apparel Line: In addition to equipment, we’ll be launching a distinctive apparel line that resonates with players and fans alike.
These supplementary revenue streams not only strengthen our financial stability but also allow us to offer a more comprehensive range of products and services to our clients, ensuring they receive the highest level of support in their baseball journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: diamondskills108.com
- Instagram: @diamondskills108
Image Credits
Juan Memorable images