Ryan Tubongbanua / The Collegian

Former basketball player started his own company

Former Fresno State basketball player Scott Graham came to campus this week with a message of inspiration and hope for students as this Fall̢۪s Entrepreneur in Residence.

Graham, 29, a Fresno State graduate, is now the CEO of Xtreme Personal Assistant Concierge Services (XPACS), a business that provides concierge services to different target markets including professional athletes, entertainers, celebrities, and various corporations.

With a love of inspiring people, Graham came to Fresno State to tell students about his life experiences and the journey he went through to get to where he is today.

“When I was coming up and growing up, I sat in the chair where those students are sitting, the people that inspired me… their message resonated in me and affected my life,â€Â Graham said. “So I try to do the same to them (students), give back to them what I’ve learned.â€Â

Graham hopes that he can give students better clarity and insight for their visions and goals, and that maybe he can help them avoid the mistakes that he made along the way.

He also wants to send out a message of inspiration, hope and determination. Graham quoted his mother: “Don’t let anyone stay in your head, reign free.â€Â

He explained to students that someone̢۪s always going to try and tell you what you can and cannot do, or that you need to do this or that, but it̢۪s important to believe in yourself.

“If what you’re trying to do makes sense, do it with all your might, with all your passion,â€Â Graham said.

Graham, originally from Newport Beach, Calif., came to Fresno State because it wasn̢۪t too far from home, and more importantly, because of the business program.

“I was very impressed,â€Â he said. “I’d went to a couple of other schools prior to Fresno State and none of the business programs compare to Fresno State’s. It’s very vigorous and very challenging.â€Â

While at Fresno State Graham played basketball, and although he had aspirations of playing in the NBA, a career in business was always his primary goal.

“I had a bigger purpose as far as why I was in school. It wasn’t to go to the big league. It was really first and foremost to get my education and excel,â€Â Graham said.

While he was in his senior year, he started thinking about the business idea that was to become XPACS.

“I realized I wasn’t going to the NBA so I figured I might as well use the brain to make some money somehow,â€Â he said, smiling.

Graham realized that a lot of entertainers, athletes and people in general, needed assistance with getting their day-to-day tasks done but they didn’t know how to, and so he came up with the concept of a personal concierge. He simplified the idea saying “there was a need and I provided a solution.â€Â

And now, almost ten years later, the company̢۪s a success and has even gone global, with clients from countries such as Australia, Canada, China, Europe and Mexico.

Graham admitted that at times it was a real struggle and things didn̢۪t always go smoothly. But he said it̢۪s how you respond and react to these trials that determines a lot about you as an individual. He said that if you can overcome these problems and keep going, then you can overcome a lot.

One of the main reasons for Graham̢۪s success is the fact that he never once doubted himself; he always knew he̢۪d be successful.

“I really view myself of a different breed, I don’t think I’m human,â€Â Graham said. “Really, some of the stuff I do, just in terms of the passion and the drive. I always tell people if it’s me and someone else in a room and you have to place a bet, you better not place it on them cause you’re going to lose your money.â€Â

Graham is extremely sure of himself, however not cocky. He has a way of speaking so that just listening to him inspires people to want to pursue goals non-stop until they are achieved.

Currently, Graham is involved in a few other companies and is starting his own Internet venture, however, he has two main goals in life. Firstly, to own his own sports team, but more importantly, to be a billionaire.

Unlike a majority of people, Graham does not want to be a billionaire for himself, but so he can help other people. He̢۪s very passionate about many causes like homelessness, AIDS in Africa, and poverty in general, and there are a lot of things that he could do for these causes if he had the money.

He said he wants to be able to challenge other people who are wealthy to “put their money where their mouth isâ€Â or even challenge them to invest in a cause if they are not doing so already.

“For me, social entrepreneurship is very important,â€Â Graham said. “Not just making money for yourself, but making money so that you can give back to those that are less fortunate. I think this is the sole purpose of why I work so hard and try and achieve all of my goals.â€Â