Former College Tennis Player to CEO of PolarityBio and CEO of Stoner's Pizza Joint | John Stetson

In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with John Stetson—a former athlete who’s blazed an impressive trail through the worlds of finance, private equity, regenerative medicine, and national franchising. From competing in sports to closing multimillion-dollar deals, John shares how the lessons of the game prepared him for the complexities of business leadership.

John dives deep into the mindset shifts required to navigate life after sports, the value of leaning into curiosity, and how simply asking good questions can open doors in any industry. He reflects on the importance of mentorship and alumni connections in shaping his journey and emphasizes that trusting your instincts—and not being afraid to take bold risks—can make all the difference.

Rob and John explore how athletes can use their competitive edge to thrive in business, what it means to find your own lane after sports, and why embracing diverse ventures (like biotech and pizza!) is part of a fulfilling entrepreneurial path. This episode is a must-listen for any current or former athlete looking to tap into their full potential.

--- 🔑 Key Takeaways:

- Sports Build the Blueprint: Discipline, work ethic, and teamwork are all transferable to business.

- Curiosity is a Career Accelerator: Asking questions helps you grow faster in unfamiliar spaces.

- The Alumni Network is Gold: Leveraging connections creates real-world opportunities.

- **Your Gut Knows**: Trusting your instincts can lead you to the right decisions, even in high-stakes situations.

- Transition is a Team Sport: You don’t have to go it alone—mentorship and community matter.

- Diverse Paths Can Strengthen You: Jumping into different industries expands your business mindset.

- Entrepreneurship Mirrors Athletics: Strategy, execution, and perseverance are always in play.

- Relationships Over Transactions: Long-term success comes from building real, meaningful connections.

- 👤 About John Stetson:

John is the Founder and Managing Member of Sunset Bay Capital, a private equity firm based in Fort Lauderdale. He serves as CEO of PolarityBio, a biotech company in regenerative tissue development, and Stoner’s Pizza Joint, a 50+ location national pizza franchisor. He’s held CFO and board roles at Nasdaq-listed companies and raised over $250 million in capital. John holds a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

--- 🤝 Connect with John Stetson:

- [LinkedIn – John Stetson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-stetson-11751934)

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### 🔗 Connect with Us:

Follow Alumni Direct for more stories, resources, and tools to help athletes transition into the next phase of life:

📸 Instagram: [@AlumniDirect](https://www.instagram.com/alumnidirect)

💼 LinkedIn: [Alumni Direct](https://www.linkedin.com/company/alumnidirect)

📘 Facebook: [Alumni Direct](https://www.facebook.com/alumnidirect)

If you're an athlete preparing for life after the game—or supporting someone who is—this episode delivers practical advice, inspiration, and a reminder that your journey is just beginning. **Share it with your network, teammates, and mentors—let’s help each other rise.