30: From MLB to Million-Dollar Brands: How Anthony Tomey Bet on Himself
In this episode, Bryan sits down with Anthony Tomey, a former MLB pitcher turned multi-brand entrepreneur, to unpack his journey from the mound to millions. Anthony shares how he transitioned from playing for the Detroit Tigers to building a 50+ location Jimmy John's empire, launching award-winning brands like 8 Mile Vodka and Born in Detroit, and giving back through his involvement in GameAbove and The Big3 basketball league. The episode dives deep into grit, leadership, family-run businesses, team culture, and what it really takes to bet on yourself and win big—even through a global pandemic. If you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or dreamer ready to scale something meaningful, this episode is a blueprint for relentless hustle and impact.
Chapters
00:00 – Betting on Yourself from Day One
00:33 – Welcome to the Show
02:09 – From Family Business to MLB Dreams
04:30 – Scaling Jimmy John's Overnight
06:28 – The Moment Baseball Got Real
08:30 – Getting Drafted by the Detroit Tigers
10:55 – From Pro Sports to Business Ownership
13:18 – Betting on Jimmy John's (and Winning Big)
15:40 – Growing a Business During a Pandemic
18:02 – The Power of Team and Culture
20:25 – Born in Detroit & 8 Mile Vodka
24:10 – What Makes a Family Business Actually Work
27:45 – Investing in The Big3 League
30:20 – GameAbove & Giving Back to Eastern Michigan
32:50 – Anthony’s Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Connect with Anthony Tomey
- Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-tomey-9a1a5246/
- Website: https://tomeygroup.com/
Connect with Bryan:
Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty
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