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July 17, 2025
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How Jake Kelfer Went From NBA Entrepreneur To Book Publishing CEO

How Jake Kelfer Went From NBA Entrepreneur To Book Publishing CEO
Photo Courtesy: Jake Kelfer / Victoria Mae

Jake Kelfer didn’t make it to the NBA. At least, not in the way he dreamed as a kid.

But where the dream of playing fell short, another emerged—one that would change the game for overlooked athletes trying to break into professional basketball.

In 2017, the NBA introduced the two-way contract system, allowing teams to add players who could move between the G League and the NBA roster. It was a quiet shift in the league’s structure—but for Kelfer, it signaled opportunity. Those two extra roster spots per team created 60 new openings across the league. But the players who would compete for those slots weren’t necessarily the stars. They were the fringe prospects—the ones not invited to the NBA Draft Combine but still good enough to earn a shot.

Rather than try to serve the entire universe of aspiring pros, Kelfer zeroed in on that specific group. The result was the Professional Basketball Combine, a focused, invite-only event designed to give prospects direct exposure to scouts, media, and executives. In its first year, it filled all player slots. Within two years, athletes, agents, and NBA insiders were actively seeking out opportunities to participate.

The Combine’s success stemmed from its relevance, not its size. It was never about mass appeal; it was about precision and impact.

That hyper-specific strategy paid off. Desmond Bane, now with the Memphis Grizzlies, participated. So did LiAngelo Ball. Others included NCAA scoring leaders, Division II standouts, and former top high school recruits looking to reboot their momentum. The event gave scouts a single place to evaluate high-upside talent that might otherwise fall through the cracks.

It also gave Kelfer something more—a blueprint for growth.

Years later, that same focus on intentional specificity became the foundation for Big Idea To Bestseller, the full-service publishing company Kelfer founded to help entrepreneurs write and launch nonfiction books that grow their businesses.

What started as a niche program for business coaches has since expanded to serve consultants, C-suite executives, real estate professionals, and thought leaders across 20+ industries. The success stories speak volumes: bestselling books that opened the door to speaking gigs, national media features, Times Square billboards, and major business growth.

Each client’s journey is different, but the throughline is the same: a message that resonates with a clearly defined, high-intent audience. Whether someone is launching a new offer, building a personal brand, or leveling up their existing business, a book becomes a powerful tool—not just for visibility and credibility, but also for authority, access, and long-term growth.

Despite the evolution, the core approach remains the same. Relevance drives impact. Specificity builds authority. And both events and books deliver the greatest return when created with one ideal audience in mind.

It’s the same reason Big Idea To Bestseller isn’t a publishing house for everyone. It’s built for business owners who want to turn their story into strategy—and their message into clear, measurable outcomes. It’s for the entrepreneur who understands that a book isn’t just about being published; it’s about being positioned.

In a world flooded with generalists, Kelfer has built two industry-specific successes by taking the opposite approach. He identified a high-potential segment, crafted a solution precisely for them, and let results drive momentum.

From court side dreams to bestseller lists, the path was never about reaching everyone. It was about reaching the right few and delivering beyond expectations.

That’s the power of a niche. And for Jake Kelfer, it’s been the launchpad to something much bigger—one built on focus, service, and sustained results.

For more insights into entrepreneurship, publishing, and performance-driven leadership, follow Jake Kelfer on Instagram @jakekelfer.

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