The NBA Journeyman Who Became a Better Entrepreneur than Magic, MJ, ...Anyone, Everyone!

Recently, I shared the story of how Magic Johnson became a great entrepreneur. Today’s NBA player’s journey is much less well known - both as a player as well as an entrepreneur. But insofar as the latter goes, wow, what a story!

When Junior Bridgeman retired from the NBA in 1987, he was not a rich man. Not even close.

He played twelve solid seasons, mostly as a bench player, often called “a journeyman.” Bridgeman had zero All-Star games and no big endorsement deals.

his career earnings were just under $3 million total. No season did he earn above $350,000.

And yet… Junior Bridgeman died a multi-millionaire. How?

He became the franchise king, and later, a Coca-Cola bottler. He was worth over $600 million dollars.

How Did He Do It?

Junior Bridgeman started working at a Wendy’s while still a player.

Literally.

During the off-season, while other players rested, Bridgeman decided to learn the restaurant business. He showed up early for his shifts. Wore the apron. Took notes. Studied the margins. Flipped burgers. Mixed milkshakes.

And so when retirement came, he bought three Wendy’s franchises. He put in the sweat. He learned the ropes. Soon, he bought a couple more.

Then ten more.

Then hundreds.

The Willingness to Take a Risk

Sometines, the entrepreneurs we profile here in Notes seem almost superhuman. But Juniort Bridgman is just like you or me: A guy who was good at his job, not great, and he took a risk as an entrepreneur.

And he continued to take smart, calculated, prudent risks. Risks that paid off.

At his peak, Bridgeman owned over 450 restaurants: Wendy’s, Chili’s, and more. And he did not stop there. He then cashed out some of his holdings, took a big risk, and bought an expensive Coca-Cola bottling operation.

He then Acquired Ebony and Jet magazines. Finally, he took a stake in his old team, the Milwaukee Bucks.

Not bad for a guy who started by cleaning fryers.

Turning it around

What made him different?

Bridgeman was willing to learn the ropes. Do the hard stuff. He also had a story.
A real one. A working-class one.

He could walk into a bank and say:

That story, plus his relentless work ethic, made lenders trust him.

It made employees follow him.

It made suppliers give him better deals.

And a world obsessed with flash, Junior Bridgeman won by being steady, humble, and smart and savvy. He was areal leader.

He did not try to be Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson. He just built systems that worked.

He was a true entrepreneur.

The Takeaway

In the great book, The E-Myth, Michael Gerber explains that the best entrepreneurs create great systems. It is systems that create wealth, and it’s stories that unlock the doors to build them.

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Steal This Strategy

📖 Book – Grinding It Out
Ray Kroc explains how franchising scaled McDonald’s from one grill to global dominance.

🛠️ Tool – Franzy
A great new, free platform that compares fees, royalties, and earnings so you can vet franchise deals.

🌐 Book – The E-Myth
How small businesses can build great systems

About Steve

Steve Strauss is the best-selling author of The Small Business Bible (and 17 other books), Inc.’s small business columnist, a lawyer (non-practicing), and an entrepreneur. He sold his last venture, TheSelfEmployed.com to Mark Cuban & Zen Business. Need a ghostwriter or a newsletter for your business? Contact Steve!