Ted Turner Told Me to ‘Just Do It’

A bearded Ted Turner with Jane Fonda on the red carpet at the 1992 Emmy Awards. (Photo by Alan Light.)

Before Nike marketed its successful slogan, maverick entrepreneur Ted Turner told me, “Just do it.”

The phrase was his response to a question that I posed at a small luncheon in 1990. At the time, I was an MBA student attending the international convention of the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs (ACE). The conference was held at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, which, by the way, was the same hotel where actor Rob Lowe filmed his infamous sex tape during the 1988 Democratic National Convention.

ACE Founder Verne Harnish organized the intimate luncheon for 25 of the 1,000 attendees. The guest of honor brought along a stunning Jane Fonda, who he later married. I was thinking about launching my first business, and as the lunch ended, I introduced myself and asked him how he started his initial company. He looked me straight in the eye and said in a deep southern draw, “Just do it!”

Motivated to action, I wrote the first mission statement for my golf marketing company, later that night. I still have the handwritten document, which continues to serve as a guide for me and my business, nearly twenty years later.

As I continue my quest to play on the PGA Tour into the new year, I will remember Ted Turner’s inspiring words, and I will, indeed, just do it.

Until next time, enjoy golf America!