What Table Tennis Taught Me That I Didn’t Expect

When I was a young boy growing up in Kenya, my three brothers and I would play table tennis at home for fun. 

I seemed to have a knack for it — quick reflexes, good coordination — but more than anything, I loved the game. (It also gave me a legitimate reason to avoid homework, which I didn’t enjoy nearly as much.) 

A few years later, a local tournament was organized for boys under 13. I entered, gave it everything I had, and won. 

That small victory changed the trajectory of my life. 

A local businessman in his early 30s heard about me and offered to drive me several times a week to the local table tennis club so I could practice. He told me that what made him want to help wasn’t just that I showed potential — it was that I was always ready when he arrived.

Dressed properly. Punctual. Grateful. 

Soon, several men in their 30s and 40s became my mentors. They encouraged me, challenged me, and believed in me.

For a 12-year-old, that kind of support was transformative. It built my confidence, my discipline, and ultimately shaped how I’ve approached every pursuit since — including running a CPA firm. 

Years later, I went on to play at the national level and eventually became the Kenyan National Men’s Singles Champion. But the lessons I learned long before the trophies are the ones that matter most especially in the world of entrepreneurship. 

Here are a few of them:

 

1. Show Up Ready 

When my mentor came to pick me up, I was always prepared — table tennis paddle packed, shoes on, and an enthusiastic mindset.

Meanwhile, the other kids often showed up late, unprepared, or in the wrong attire. 

That simple habit earned me trust and respect with my mentors. 

In a CPA firm, readiness looks similar: 

• Preparing before client and staff meetings 
• Reviewing numbers before making decisions 
• Anticipating busy seasons instead of reacting to them 

And if you’re preparing for a transition, readiness means: 

• Clean systems 
• Documented processes 
• Clear client relationships 

The more “ready” your firm is, the more valuable and attractive it becomes. 

Ask yourself: 
If someone came to “pick up” your firm today — would it be ready? 

 

2. Be Coachable 

I learned early that talent without teachability hits a ceiling. 

My mentors critiqued my grip, stance, footwork, and serve. Their feedback wasn’t always comfortable, but I listened because I knew they saw angles I couldn’t. 

The same applies to firm owners. 

Coachability today might mean: 

• Rethinking how you manage your team 
• Adopting new technology 
• Improving your leadership habits 
• Being open to guidance as you plan your eventual exit 

Ask yourself: 
Are you willing to be mentored again — even after decades of mentoring others? 

 

3. Appreciate the People Who Help You 

I was fortunate to have mentors who believed in me. And I made sure they knew their investment mattered — not just with words, but with effort and gratitude. 

Gratitude multiplies commitment.

People who feel valued tend to give even more. 

Inside a CPA firm, appreciation strengthens: 

• Your team culture 
• Client loyalty 
• Successor relationships 
• Buyer confidence 

Ask yourself: 
Who has helped you — or is helping you now? Have you thanked them recently? 

 

4. Practice the Basics — Relentlessly 

At the national level, I practiced my serve hundreds of times a day.

The basics were repetitive, sometimes boring — but they won matches. 

The same is true in a CPA firm. 

The “basics” are: 

• Weekly dashboards 
• Structured team meetings 
• Regular communication rhythms 
• Consistency in client experience 
• Documenting processes

These simple habits create predictability — and predictability is what buyers, successors, and strong teams rely on. 

Ask yourself: 
Are you practicing the fundamentals… or are urgent tasks pushing them aside? 

 

5. Pay It Forward 

The men who helped me didn’t have to. They weren’t paid coaches. They simply enjoyed supporting a young person who was serious about his craft. 

That spirit of mentorship has stayed with me my entire life — and it drives my work at Straight Talk CPAs and Straight Talk Transitions.

 

Most CPA firm owners have built their practices through decades of hard work and sacrifice.

But eventually, the question becomes: 

Who are you preparing to pass it on to? 

Whether it’s: 

• A rising team member, 
• A younger partner, 
• Or a buyer who shares your values — 

…your legacy continues only when someone else is ready to carry it forward. 

Ask yourself: 
Who are you mentoring to inherit the standards you’ve built? 

 

Final Thought 

That first tournament win taught me far more than table tennis. 

It taught me: 

• Readiness 
• Humility 
• Gratitude 
• Discipline 
• And legacy 

These values guide every strong CPA firm — and every successful transition. 

Because in the end, success isn’t about winning the next match.

It’s about preparing others — and your firm — for the next chapter.