Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Pene.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
As a multifaceted individual with a diverse range of experiences and accomplishments, I have built a successful career in the field of marketing. In addition to my professional pursuits, I was also a talented athlete and coach. As a professional baseball player and coach, I traveled around Europe with Major League Baseball as a roadshow coach, training entire communities on the sport of baseball.
My background is rich and varied. I grew up in American Samoa and was recruited from Australia to play baseball and receive a full sports and academic scholarship to Spring Arbor University under legendary coach Hank Burbridge. In addition to my athletic pursuits, I am also a Samoan chief, deeply rooted in my cultural heritage. I credit my cultural identity for helping me navigate life’s challenges and achieve success.
As a business professional, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the field. My deep understanding of community, education, and engagement, combined with my passion for teaching and mentoring, make me a valuable asset. I have a keen eye for identifying and capitalizing on opportunities. My diverse skill set and unique perspective make my insights worth paying attention to.
Whether on the field or in the business world, I approach each challenge with determination and a strong sense of purpose.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Growing up on the small island of American Samoa, I faced many challenges and obstacles in my pursuit of a career in baseball. With limited resources and opportunities on the island, it was often difficult to access the necessary equipment and training to succeed at the sport. Despite these challenges, I remained determined to pursue my dreams and found ways to make the most of the resources I had.
One major obstacle I faced was not having my own glove for the first two years of little league. I had to borrow a glove from my teammates and make do with what I had. This taught me the value of resourcefulness and resilience, as I had to find creative ways to compensate for my lack of equipment.
Another obstacle I faced was injuries in my playing career. These setbacks were difficult to overcome, but I used my baseball IQ and knowledge to make myself valuable to organizations in other ways. I became a Major League Baseball roadshow coach during my rehabilitation in Europe, sharing my expertise and experience with others. I also leveraged the relationships I built in baseball to help other players using my connections to get them signed to professional contracts. I eventually parlayed that into the business world.
Despite the challenges I faced, I never let them hold me back. I leaned into my cultural identity and upbringing, using them as a guide to navigate life’s obstacles and achieve success.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
In all of my life experiences, I’ve developed a natural ability to identify opportunities and innovative strategies for driving growth. My expertise in digital marketing has allowed me to drum up massive awareness for companies and brands, generating leads and driving sales through targeted campaigns and initiatives.
With a strong understanding of consumer behavior, including market trends, I craft marketing messages that resonate with audiences to deliver results. I have a proven track record of success in creating and executing marketing plans that do the work of driving demand, increase brand awareness, and generating leads.
I also consider myself a work horse writer. I have a way with words and am able to craft compelling copy that engages readers while effectively communicating my ideas. My writing skills, combined with marketing expertise, make me a valuable asset to any business or organization.
With my new book “Rooted In Culture,” I bring to light my ability to simplify strategies and make them easy to understand and implement for any business owner.
Drawing on my own experiences growing up in American Samoa and pursuing success in various fields, I share strategies on the importance of cultural identity in shaping values.”Rooted in Culture” is a valuable resource for business owners looking to build resilience and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
I think it’s important to embrace your cultural identity and use it as a guide for building your own set of life principles. Your cultural identity is a powerful force that can shape values and provide a sense of purpose. By leaning into my cultural heritage, I have found strength and resilience in times of adversity, and I use it as a foundation for achieving success.
I suggest taking the time to reflect on your cultural background and understand the ways in which it has shaped your values. This can help you to develop a strong sense of self and a clear set of goals and priorities.
On top of that, it’s also important to strive for balance and find ways to integrate your personal and professional goals. By finding a sense of balance in your life, you can stay focused and motivated, and avoid burnout and stress.
When you embrace your cultural identity, find balance, and use these foundations to build a successful and fulfilling career you can navigate life’s challenges with confidence and achieve the success you desire.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
To me, success is about more than just financial or material achievements. It’s about finding a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life, and using my talents and abilities to make a positive impact on the world.
One of the cool things in my new book “Rooted In Culture,” I explore the role that cultural identity plays in shaping values and finding resilience. I believe that cultural heritage is a powerful force that can provide a sense of direction and purpose, and help us to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and grace.
Success is about embracing our cultural identity and using it as a foundation for building a set of life principles to live by. It’s about finding balance and harmony in our personal and professional life, and using our skills to make a difference in the world.
Ultimately, success is about finding happiness and fulfillment. It’s about living a life that is meaningful, with purpose and with others in harmony. When you’re able to find that happiness, you’ve achieved success.
What’s next for you?
Looking ahead, I have several exciting projects on the horizon. One of my top priorities is building a baseball and softball pipeline from American Samoa to the United States for student athletes to go to college and play baseball and softball at the next level. I am passionate about giving young athletes the opportunity to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential, and I am excited to work on this project with my uncle Murphy Su’a who was a first team All American third baseman at BYU, played for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and the Miluwake Brewers, and has helped numerous players develop into Major League Baseball players. Our goal is to help more Polynesian student athletes achieve their goals.
In addition to this, I am also launching a new private equity company to buy apartment buildings and businesses. This is an exciting venture that I am looking forward to, as it allows me to use my business expertise and experience to create value and make a positive impact.
Finally, I am planning to write more books, help more people, and spend more time with my family building my legacy. Writing has always been a passion of mine, and I am excited to continue sharing my insights and experiences with others through my writing. And, of course, family is always a top priority for me, and I am looking forward to spending more time with my loved ones and building a strong foundation for the future.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
You can find me on instagram at https://instagram.com/rob.pene or tiktok at https://tiktok.com/@robpene or message me on facebook at https://fb.com/rpene.