WORKSHOP

TUFF JUICE

BY CARON BUTLER
NBA ALL STAR AND CHAMPION,
BUSINESS BUILDER, AUTHOR

MentorBox

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 PRINCIPLE
ABOUT CARON

Born in Racine, Wisconsin during the 1980s, Caron Butler was not raised in
happy circumstances. The community around him was deeply impoverished,
and he became involved with gang culture and crime to stay safe and
financially afloat. After spending time in jail and even solitary confinement
for selling drugs, he turned his life around by dedicating himself rigorously to
basketball. He made it to an elite prep school in Maine, the to the University
of Connecticut, and finally to the National Basketball Assocation, where he
played 15 seasons, earned two all-star nominations, and one championship.
As a retiree, Butler has become a dedicated business builder, investor,
philanthropist, and basketball commentator.

ABOUT THE BOOK/THIS WORKSHOP

Caron is very clear that he forgets neither the conditions from which he
came, nor the people that still live similarly challenging lives. That adversity
is his consistent motivator in pursuing success as a business developer today.
However, he doesn’t just seek the fulfillment of having “made it out” and
gotten rich and famous. Rather, he seeks to negate the circumstances and
help those who are still suffering.
Caron’s principles, like the story of Tuff Juice (also his nickname), focus on
the long game. No, not triple overtime NBA games. Long-term well-being
that keep you a safe distance from poverty, crime, violence, and danger.

CONTACT INFO

@realtuffjuice @caronbutler
 PRINCIPLE
FROM EXTREME ADVERSITY TO PEAK
PERFORMANCE

When you grow up in conditions like those of Caron Butler’s youth,

adversity haunts you in various forms. He had few positive role models,
extremely limited resources, and the threat of violence around him virtually
all the time. Amid all that he has done to improve these conditions in
his own and similar communities, he makes one particularly poignant
observation about the difference between how he had it in the 80s and how
similar kids have it now. Social media.
Neither Butler nor MentorBox are arguing that social media is here to
eradicate poverty or eliminate injustice and adversity, but we do strongly
advise you take advantage of the connectedness it offers. For instance, he
had access to old media depictions of athletes that he was likely to idolize,
but now anyone with a smartphone can technically reach out directly to any
celebrity, leader, or champion they want.
Butler relates this opportunity to how we think of luck. Sure, you can’t
control the conditions of your birth, and some people have it “easier” than
others at the start. However, with minimal access to the internet, you can
reach out to excellent role models and potential mentors. They may be
unlikely to respond to you, but if you don’t try to get noticed, you definitely
won’t be. That’s how you can influence your luck: The more you try, the
more chances you take, and the better prepared you are, the luckier you will
be.
Speaking of preparation, there’s no better way to be lucky than to be
prepared. Butler explains that a lot of people assume pro athletes are
practicing for their games—for the big moments specifically. However, it’s
about much more. To beat the toughest challenges and come out a winner,
you must be prepared for everything. It takes exceptional mental toughness
to make sure media and social distractions don’t impact your game—don’t
cloud your mind when that big shot comes. The same goes for climbing
out of an undesirable life situation. Practice and prepare so that when that
incredible opportunity arrives, you won’t miss it or be deemed unqualified.
 FROM EXTREME ADVERSITY TO PEAK
PERFORMANCE

One of the most important moments of Butler’s formative years in

basketball and in life came at the hands of a highly esteemed coach. When
he joined Maine Central Institute’s prep basketball team, then-coach Max
Good told him he’d one day be a pro player. Butler had been told this
before, but this was the first time he truly felt it mattered—the first time
being told he could be successful, that he could do anything he wanted, that
it sounded true to him.
Butler also has similar stories about how legendary NBA coach Pat
Riley affirmed him, as well as the time Kobe Bryant complimented his
competitive spirit. Again, he had certainly been told these things before,
but it never came from the mouths of elite mentors. This goes to show the
importance of great mentors, and the power they can have to help you
succeed. Receiving their affirmation is a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts:
You work hard to impress them because that’s an especially important
achievement, and once you’ve done so your confidence is elevated
exponentially.
 PRINCIPLE
BUSINESS AND INVESTING

Butler makes it very clear that his rationale for investing is growth through
long-term sustainable passive income. He isn’t interested in any sort of big
exit or getting a single massive check. Because of his meager origins, Butler
feels that it’s most important to develop a pattern of generational wealth and
financial education among his family and community. Keep your eyes on
legacy, not the things great wealth can buy.
Of course, Caron Butler became quite rich through his basketball career. In
fact, he made many millions in just his first year. So, yes—he was able to
live extravagantly for some time, including seemingly endless travel, material
luxury, and even wonderful gifts for his loved ones. However, he identified
early on that extravagance and superficial gifts ultimately lose significance.
He always keeps his deeper purpose of empowerment and education at the
fore, and never loses sight of this in his business dealings.
One of Butler’s key strategies for investment is to stick with what you
know. For instance, he and his family have always been interested in luxury
hospitality, so they navigated their way into equity of Graduate Hotels. As
we’ve established, Butler is also a believer in the promise of tech and social
media to empower, so he has invested in an app called Arbit. And, of course,
he is heavily invested in community centers back in Racine. Because he is so
passionate about each of these things, he finds no problem—even enjoys
—checking on each endeavor and the status of his investments on a daily
basis. Every morning, he is in touch with his team, keeping an eye on the
pulse of his commitments. You should feel comfortable and enthusiastic
about doing the same.
At the same time that you want to stay close to your realms of expertise
when investing, you also want to be sure that you aren’t making investments
and major business commitments based on emotional appeal. A particular
company or product may have a seemingly inspirational brand message, but
if the numbers don’t add up, if there’s no proof of concept, you should avoid
taking substantial risks. Avoid the emotionally appealing ideas as much as
you avoid the temptation of a potential “home run” short-term investment
that involves committing to the whims of an unfamiliar industry.
 QUESTIONS & EXERCISES

What is your deeper purpose for striving to achieve as you do? Who are you
seeking to help and why? Write these down in a place where you can return
to them for a regular reminder to yourself.

Who are your most prized mentors? Have you ever managed to seriously
impress them? Create a plan to do something that will impress them soon.
Execute this and ride the wave of their approval thereafter.

Reach out to 10 potential mentors or role models on social media. Get

into their inboxes with a message of gratitude, or even a pitch! In a week, if
none have responded, follow up. Then, a week later, message 10 new
people. List some potential people here.
 QUESTIONS & EXERCISES

What industries are you most interested in or familiar with? Search some
companies from those realms and conduct a bit of research as to whether
they’re a viable investment option.

Is there a “big break” that would advance or make your career suddenly and
rapidly? If so, how prepared are you to capitalize on such a moment? How
can you be better prepared?
 YOU’VE MADE IT!

CONGRATULATIONS!

YOU’VE COMPLETED THIS WORKSHOP

You’ve completed this workshop on how to build a legacy

like Tuff Juice himself. Now you’re ready to beat the odds
and pursue long-term wealth for you, your family, and
your community.

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