If we look at any traditional sport played professionally, we find the same path. It starts with a game, a team or individual game created by a group of people. Then the community starts to play the game, then it travels to another city, state, gets regulations, becomes a national sport, and even maybe worldwide. That game will have professional, amateur, varsity, collegiate, and rec leagues. 

For esports, there are two significant differences compared with traditional sports. First, professional esports started differently; it first caught fire globally before having varsity, amateur, and collegiate leagues. The second difference is that esports has no rec league, and there is precisely where our guest, Austin Smith, saw a great opportunity to add massive value to the space and use esports as an excuse to do what he likes to do most, build communities.   

Austin Smith is the Co-founder and CEO of Mission Control GG; he is an Economist and Entrepreneur passionate about gathering and building communities. 

In this episode, Austin talks about his journey in esports and why he decided to build a company around rec leagues. We talk about the future of esports and its use as a medium to build community. Austin talks about how Mission Control GG works with some brands like Cinemark and how entertainment companies are targeting video games as what they really are, the future of entertainment. 

Our conversation pivots into the entrepreneurial side of Austin’s journey; we talk about his experience on both sides of dealing with VC (Venture Capitals). He also shares some valuable tips for entrepreneurs and what he considers is the best way for startups to build their advisory boards.

Resources:

Visit the Mission Control website: https://www.missioncontrol.gg/.

or connect with Austin on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinmilessmith/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/austinmilesmith

Full Episode Breakdown:

2:07 – Austin talks about how Mission Control took off and why he saw an opportunity in esports rec leagues. 

3:25 – Sports and esports can be a medium for community. 

7:39 – Esports have grown backward compared with traditional sports. John and Austin discuss the different scenarios in which traditional sports and esports entered society. 

11:33 – It is more about community over competition. Austin talks about the future of esports. 

17:46 – John and Austin talk about the possibilities of empowerment of small groups Mission Control represents.

24:03 – Austin talks about Mission Control’s partnership with Cinemark as an example of how more and more entertainment companies are looking at esports and gaming differently.

26:11 – Austin shares his thoughts on how sponsorship can succeed in esports.

33:25 – Austin talks about his experiences dealing with VC on both sides of the table.

37:38 – “Do projects.” Austin shares a fantastic technique to reduce the risk of failing when starting a business and learning new skills. 

42:47 – “Do something that doesn’t scale.” Austin talks about safe ways of starting with projects we believe could work at a larger scale.

48:12 – John and Austin talk about the steps to transform a business that “doesn’t scale” into something big. 

52:12 – Austing shares his thoughts on the best way to build up an advisory team.