Meet Eric Troy | Founder & CEO, Eficionado, LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Troy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was motivated to start my own business once I realized that my gift for connecting people and speaking could be maximized by launching Eficionado. The mantra for Eficionado is “A Better You! Your Best You! ” Throughout my professional career in corporate America and the global sports industry, I strived to present my Best work and to learn from those who are smarter than me. I have a saying, that if you are the smartest one in your group, time to get a new group.

We are all measured at the end of the day to present our best ideas and strategies that will assist your company, client, and team in reaching their goals and making a profit. Before you can recommend your best ideas and strategies to anyone, you first have to believe that you have the skills to be the Best you and bring value added to others. So, I did an assessment of what were those key attributes that I learned throughout life and my professional career that could assist me in launching Eficionado.

1. What is my passion? Talking
2. What am I known for? Connecting people to people and resources
3. How do I measure success? Motivated and empowering people to exceed their own expectations.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Early in my career, I strived to be successful, whereas my focus now is on being significant. The difference is that success is

being recognized and rewarded for meeting/exceeding your

clients/customers needs. Significance is having a positive impact on changing your

customer’s life. Being successful is temporary, and being significant is permanent.

The foundation of my professional career was established during my college career at

Morehouse College. During my tenure at Morehouse, as former, President of Morehouse

College, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays instilled a statement into every Morehouse student/alumnus “to

always leave the community you serve better than you found it.”

I have been blessed to have more than four decades of experience in education,

advertising, faith-based, and global sports management sectors. I’m most proud of my executive

experience, working for Telkom, South Africa in 1996, two years after apartheid, on the 2004

Cape Town Olympic Bid to host the Olympic Games. This was a life-changing experience to

work for a white Afrikann Dutch Company based in Pretoria, South Africa. During my tenure in

South Africa, when I went to Cape Town, I remember falling on the white sands of the beach

and hearing my ancestors say to me, “Welcome Home.” I also saw an image of a slave ship on the Atlantic Ocean, bound for

the United States.

As an executive in South Africa, I was referred to as an American not an African American. All

my meetings were with other executives representing not only their company but

their countries. This is when I begin to think more in a global mindset. My colleagues who ask

me in meetings, American what do you think?” I knew that all of my answers/recommendations

would be a reference to the American said. I’m looking forward to going back to South Africa to continue my work in the

global sports industry.

My late Dad taught me to overcome my challenges by being, prayerful, patient and,

perseverent.

I want the world to know that the Eficionado brand will continue to inspire people to become ‘A Better You, Your Best You!’; in every aspect of their lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My itinerary for the week for my best friend in showing them Columbus, Ohio would be:

On Monday, we would start the day off by getting in a great workout at the gym or bike ride on one of the many bike paths in the city. For lunch, we would get a bite to eat at Northstar Cafe at Easton Town Center. For the evening we would have dinner at Forno Kitchen & Bar.

Tuesday would consist of having breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe at Easton Town Center. Followed by doing some retail shopping at Easton and then going to the Columbus Museum of Art to visit some of the art exhibits. Later, we would have some great food and drinks for dinner at Ocean Club restaurant at Easton.

Wednesday would consist of visiting the Lincoln Theater to check out some art exhibits and jazz artists. Later that evening, we would check out The Junto Roof Top Hotel restaurant for some food and drinks.

Thursday would consist of taking a tour of Ohio Stadium better known as “The Shoe.” This is the home football stadium of The Ohio State University Buckeye Nation. Which seats 102,780 persons. Later, we would then visit Restoration Hardware Restaurant at Easton for some dinner and drinks.

Friday would consist of working out at the gym or getting in a good swim session. Followed by scheduling some time for massages. Later that evening, we would attend the Short-North Gallery Hop to support small businesses and restaurants located in downtown Columbus.

Saturday, we would attend either an OSU Football Game or the MLS, Columbus Crew game.

Sunday, we would attend church and meet up with some friends for brunch.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first shout-out is to my late parents, my Dad, Rev. Leon L. Troy Sr., and my Mom, Bernice Pauline Troy. My Mom taught me and showed me what true leadership and excellence looked like in how she spoke and carried herself. She was the matriarch of our family that we call ‘The House of Troy.” I have three older brothers, Leon Jr. Keith, Adam and one younger brother, Jay that died at birth.

So my Mom along with my Dad raised five boys. Although my Mom was only 5’2”, her presence let you know that she was in charge and had the “look” that said she had the final word. She was and is the standard of what a “Queen” looked like and how a queen conducted herself in boardrooms, churches, community, and at home. She taught me to always have the highest standard for myself and serving others.

My Dad taught me to observe, listen then move. We had a saying, “Don’t come too soon and don’t stay too late.’ As a pastor, he spent his life serving others. He taught me not to make your work about you, but about serving others. He would always remind me of a scripture, “May the work I have done, speak for me” 2 Timothy 4;6-7.

My Dad, also set a standard when it came to excellence. He was always early never on time and was always dressed as God’s man. He was and is the standard of what a “King” looked like and how a king conducted himself in representing God’s kingdom.

One of the key character attributes that my Dad taught me was that my last name “Troy” is my best currency and to always honor the name. Both, my parents motivated me to launch Eficionado and will always be on my “Eternal Board of Directors.”

I would also like to give a shout-out to my brothers. Leon Jr., Rev. Keith Troy, and Adam. My brothers have always been there for me and have always encouraged me to think BIG and never doubt my skills and talents. They are amazing examples of what real “brotherly love” is.

Lastly, I would like to give a shout-out to my Morehouse College classmates. This May I’m celebrating my 40th-year reunion of graduating from Morehouse. I have known my classmates since the age of 19 and they encouraged me and pushed me to strive for excellence in my life for the past 40 years.

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