Q&A: With Chauntiel Smith - Founder of Capture Sports Agency

Chauntiel Smith is the founder of Capture Sports Agency, an elite sports and consulting agency focused on capturing clients to not only be great athletes, but to become positive influencers and role models to their audience. Chauntiel has been involved in sports since the age of three and has enjoyed playing basketball and running track from an early age. Chauntiel graduated from Indiana Institute of Technology where she received her Bachelors in Sports Management. The Athletic Genius recently caught up with Chauntiel for a wide-ranging conversation about the her thriving business.

Follow Capture Sports on Twitter: (@CaptureSports) or visit capturesportsagency.com

 
How did you get involved in sports and what made you want to start Capture Sports Agency?
I got involved with sports at a very young age. My mother got me my first basketball when I was at the age three. I’ve been playing sports ever since then. Basketball was and always will be my first love. Following God’s vision, purpose, and mission for me made me want to start Capture Sports Agency as well as wanting to be that difference maker in this industry as well. A lot of agencies are about the money when I’m just here for the people trying to be a light and a positive influence to those around me.

How did you come up with the name Capture Sports Agency?
My mother and I came up with the agency name. We we’re sitting down just brainstorming on what to name it. Something that has meaning to it and will make a positive influence so Capture Sports Agency was it. We chose this because as an agency we want to capture our athletes to be more than just athletes, but positive role models and influences to those around them and their audience as well.
What are the biggest issues you face in recruiting and managing athletes?
The biggest thing I face with recruiting and managing athletes is that one I am a African American woman in this industry so already people are looking down on me waiting for me to fail, but I know a God who is greater than all doubt and opinions of those of the world. Two, I’m not really known just yet so it’s getting these athletes to know who I am as well as the coaches.

With the growth in technology and social media, how has technology affected sports management and athlete representation?
Technology has affected sports management and representation so much because now you really don’t have to talk to the players or coaches directly you have social media for that now. All marketing is mostly done through social media and technology.

Who are some of your clients?
Some of my clients are Kwame Thompson young guy from Brookline, MA and David McDaniel also a young guy from Plainfield, NJ. Both so wonderful and grateful for the opportunities given to them.

What do you feel is the most important part of your job?
The most important part of my job is making sure that my clients are learning about taking care of themselves and their families mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually the right way. Just enjoying life and showing people that there is more to athletes than what is on TV.

What are some of your goals for Capture Sports in the future?
Some of my goals for Capture Sports in the future is to grow within our clientele, host more events for the youth through the agency, grow as an agency in general, partner with some wonderful organizations, charities, etc. that stands for what we stand for as an agency, lastly be that agency that’s Uncommon from the rest and help athletes become better overall.

What advice do you have for the youth looking to break into the sports industry?
The advice I have for the youth breaking into the industry today would be to keep God first He knows your heart and your dreams and He’ll help you get through any obstacle that you may face going through this industry, network, network, network it’s true when they say it’s not what you know, but who you know, learn all you can because learning never stops, and keep a wonderful team behind you. One of my favorite music artists by the name of Andy Mineo once stated “We need to have F.A.T. people around us on our team at all times.” F.A.T. is an acronym which stands for Faithful, Available, and Teachable. If you can have those kinds of people behind you things will work out for the greater.

What do you do for fun when you are not at the office?
In my fun time what I like to do outside the office is listen to music Andy Mineo, Lecrae, KB, Trip Lee, Flame, Prop, Bizzle, Christon Gray, Benjah, RPSMG, Roy Tosh, I can go on and on but I listen to music, I dance, I read my bible and talk to God, I may play basketball from time to time or attend some games, or I’m thinking of master plans on how I can help the youth of today.