Originally posted on Franchisingmagazineusa.com

Growing up, I was the quintessential nerdy kid. I loved video games and spent hours glued to the computer screen playing on my Commodore 64 system. But back in those days, gaming wasn’t as cool as it is now. It would set me apart from my peers, and because of that, I was bullied in school and picked on for being different and not fitting into the “usual” mold. The teasing and harassment could be relentless and I would often escape from reality to the virtual worlds my games offered.

Those school-boy experiences stayed with me as I started my career path as a young adult and tried to find my own footing after being labeled an outsider. But rather than letting those experiences hold me back, they taught me empathy and led me to the desire to one day help others who might be going through the same struggles. I dreamed of owning my own business where I could create a space where individuals could come together, feel safe, and be themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule. But opening a business doesn’t happen overnight, and my career took a different path before I could make that dream a reality.

For 21 years, I served as a cybersecurity officer in the Air Force. After retiring from the military, I became a college professor, teaching cybersecurity to the next generation of digital defenders. The dream of helping kids through gaming remained close to my heart throughout the years. Finally, in the fall of 2023, I made it a reality by opening an XP League franchise in San Antonio.

XP League is an esports franchise, part of the youth enrichment-focused platform Unleashed Brands, that allows kids to play in competitive video gaming leagues. But it’s so much more than just the games. It’s about fostering a community where kids can learn important life skills like confidence and teamwork, make friends and overall, just feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. I saw XP League as the perfect opportunity to not only give kids an avenue to pursue their passions but also to offer them guidance, mentorship and a sense of belonging… things I wish I had access to when I was their age.

Given my background in cybersecurity and my life-long love for video games, the transition into running an esports business felt natural. However, I still experienced growing pains as a first-time owner. My time in the Air Force taught me a lot about discipline, strategic thinking and the importance of building strong, cohesive teams. One of the things I’m most proud of is the team members I’ve assembled. We have professional esports athletes from local colleges who work with the kids, not just on improving their gameplay, but also as role models the children can look-up who embody the values we want to instill.

For me, XP League is about more than just running a successful business. It’s about being a mentor, not just to the kids, but to the entire community that’s formed around our league. I talk to the children about my own experiences with bullying and how I overcame them. I try to be the person I needed when I was their age… a supportive, understanding adult who gets what they’re going through. I know firsthand how isolating it can feel to be labeled as different, and I want to make sure that no kid who walks through our doors ever feels that way.

I’ve already seen the program’s impact less than one year in. I’ve watched children who were shy and withdrawn blossom into confident leaders. I’ve seen friendships form between kids who might never have crossed paths if it weren’t for XP League. And perhaps most importantly, I’ve seen these children develop a sense of pride in who they are and believe they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

Owning an XP League franchise has certainly been a full-circle moment for me. Looking back, I realize that everything I went through – the bullying, the struggles to find my place, and even my careers serving in the Air Force and in cyber security – has led me to this point. It’s given me the tools and the perspective to create something truly special… something that I hope will make a difference in these kids’ lives. XP League is my way of paying it forward, of making sure that the next generation of nerdy, gamers are not afraid to be unapologetically themselves and to have a safe space to learn, play and grow into the best versions of themselves.