Jeff Sloan
Birmingham entrepreneur and innovator Jeff Sloan was born in Ann Arbor while his father was attending medical school at the University of Michigan. The family moved when his father joined a medical practice in Flint – the relocation would turn out to be consequential to Sloan’s future success.
“Flint was one of America’s great towns and I was able to experience the best of it while growing up – but then things started changing. I was keenly aware of the unrest between labor and corporate entities, and I decided early on that I didn’t want to be a part of either...I wanted to be the master of my own destiny, steer my own ship, and do things my own way. I knew then that I wanted to be an entrepreneur and business owner,” Sloan explained.
As a teenager sitting in Flint Public Library, Sloan mapped out his vision of a business that creates businesses. “I wasn’t influenced by anyone I knew, I just imagined it,” he said.
Sloan attended The Lawrenceville School, a prep school in New Jersey, then graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor of arts degree.
Putting his vision into practice started early for Sloan. His first venture as a teen was buying and selling HUD houses in Flint with the help of his parents, who signed documents and provided loans. He recalled, “My first house sold for five times the amount I paid after six months.”
The lifelong entrepreneur has been involved in a remarkable range of business pursuits over the years.
While in college, he formed a company that assembled and promoted rock bands – he had four bands on his payroll and earned profits from their bookings. Later, he and his brother, Rich, patented, licensed, and received notable royalties for Battery Buddy, a device that prevents dead batteries in autos and boats.
In his early 20s, Sloan developed a passion for Arabian horses after watching the movie, “The Black Stallion,” based on the 1940s classic children’s novel. He now operates a significant international Arabian horse operation in Scottsdale, Arizona. “The movie was a watershed moment for me...I got into this business not to make money but because of my love for these extremely beautiful and intelligent horses.”
Sloan has founded many other business ventures, including StartupNation and Aria Venture Group as well as his latest, SportsCaster.com – an innovative platform that empowers sports enthusiasts to create and share podcasts, video content and live play-by-play broadcasts. StartupNation was created to help other entrepreneurs bring their inventive business ideas to life while Aria Ventures develops, funds, and strategically guides early-stage companies. He also hosts Business Beat on WJR 760 AM.
“In most industries, it’s easy for non-celebrities to become influencers but in the sports world it’s hard to break in. Sportscaster.com is about breaking down barriers and giving people opportunities to produce content.”
The busy enterpriser has been married for 15 years to his wife, Dr. Andrea Sloan, and has four children who he encourages to follow their own entrepreneurial interests. He enjoys classical guitar, sailing, boating and the outdoors. He is also writing a book due to be released next year.
“I married later in life and have four kids which shifted my entire focus. When I was younger it was all about ambition and achieving success. Now, I don’t just do it for me, I do it for them.”
Sloan offered this counsel to aspiring entrepreneurs: “To avoid failure really do your research and give the planning phase real attention. Be disciplined. Vet your idea carefully before investing. Address a problem in the market...In the beginning, focus and do one thing really well – then deliver on it. Look for creative ways to fund it.”
He added, “Success is defined by getting through inherent challenges. Be tenacious, creative and believe in yourself and that what you are doing has merit.”
Story: Tracy Donohue
Photo: Laurie Tennent
