Meet Founder & CEO, Tom Wheaton
Beginning
Faded Spade was born from a Dream. A Dream that turned into Action. An Action that turned into a Brand. A Brand that turned into a Product. A Product that turned into a Business. A Business that was formed out of Pure Poker Passion. I hope that you join us as each chapter of the Faded Spade Story is written.
For the last 15 years, my primary passion in life outside of family and friendships has been Poker. Like many of you, I was a product of the first poker boom and was hooked after winning the first home poker tournament that I ever played.
It was pure luck. I wish I could tell you that I was a natural poker prodigy. But the strong passion that I felt for the game turned me into a student of the game. As a new player, I studied Doyle Brunson’s Super System. And then read Phil Helmuth’s, Play Poker like the Pros. I watched Rounders at least 100 times.
It wasn’t long before I had consistent success at the local Orlando home games and small buy-in tournaments in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As my play matured, I became less of a tournament player and was drawn toward cash games. That would be the shift from casual player to a part-time amateur player.
Boom
I remember the first legit cash game that I ever played. It was at the Mirage. My hands were shaking as I sat down. The sharks were licking their jaws because it was clear that I was a first-time fish.
I lost two buy-ins that night, and learned to never blow your stack in an un-raised pot. Oddly, I walked away from the Mirage with a quiet confidence about developing skills in the game of NL Hold’em poker.
From that point, I honed my craft as a part-time cash game player on nights and weekends. I played online too but it wasn’t the same. To me, Poker is more psychological than mathematical. The ability to see, hear and feel the game at a live table is poker in its purest form.
At that time, I didn’t have the guts or bankroll to dive-in as a professional poker player. I was climbing the corporate ladder and content with the ride. My passion grew, as did my skill level, and 2/5 NL became my sacred ground. It was then that I developed Faded Spade in my mind. It wouldn’t be until the unforeseeable future that I acted upon the dream.
Next?
Years later, my consistent poker playing days faded away. As a newly married man and Dad – my priorities had changed. My once five-figure bankroll was spent on everything from strollers to toy soldiers.
It was important to me that I was a present, engaged Dad on nights and weekends. And eight-hour poker sessions didn’t align with family priorities anymore.
Don’t get me wrong, I still hit the felt when the opportunity presented itself. And each time, my passion and purpose for the game sizzled like a three-round heater.
During a business trip, I carved out a few hours for poker, and listened to a book by Gary Vaynerchuk called, Crush It. My wife heard him speak at a conference and knew that I had a deep desire to own my own business.
The key was aligning business purpose with true personal passion. It was that poker session that I decided to go all-in on Faded Spade. My wife Devon, and Gary Vaynerchuk, were my inspiration to stop thinking and start doing.
Today
Today, due to relentless business grinding, Faded Spade is a new brand. And we’re becoming a deeper part of the poker community every day thanks to a few divine connections. Especially industry mentor David Gitter, who took time to introduce me to the industry in ways that I never expected, but greatly appreciated.
Faded Spade has even allowed me to get back into playing poker more regularly. It’s called Market Research! I’m not a poker superstar by any means…just a 2/5 NL player who has a fluctuating $25 an hour win rate over the last 15 years.
As the bankroll grows, I’ll likely test my skill at higher cash game limits. A complete re-focus on tournament strategy is probably in the cards as well. As a Dad, Husband, Leader, Poker Player and Business Owner the goal is constant personal and professional growth.
Like many of you, I obsess about strategy and making good decisions. I love feeling the cards and chips in my hands; hearing the rush of the poker room while participating in table talk; seeing the tells of my opponents and wondering if my reads are right.
Trust
I’m not an expert, but if I could impart any wisdom to recreational or amateur poker players like me across the globe it’s this:
Always have the confidence and conviction that you’re the best player at the table. Poker is a game of competitive psychology and self-awareness. And it starts with your state of mind about yourself and your play every day.
Work to be the Best. Learn from your Leaks. Be a Student of the Game. Apply Sound Bankroll Management. Keep Your Emotions in Check. And Get a Faded Spade Poker Playing Card Set!
I believe those key things are what sets apart the best from the rest. And the same is true in life or business. Your mindset and ability to dream big, while acting upon those dreams, is what will turn your dreams into reality.
If you have a vision for your future - no matter what your passion - take action. It’s amazing how a few baby steps, can turn into larger steps, that turn into leaps of faith. Trust in God. Trust in Yourself. Trust in the Dream that God put inside You.
And go frickin get it! - Tom