Mercer County helped make Safet Kastrat into who he is, so the Hamilton Twp. native is making sure to give back. Whether it was as a basketball coach or in his new venture into the business world, the goal remains the same. “It is important for me to continue to impact people because several people had an impact on me early in my life that helped me turn the corner in my life for the better,” Kastrat said. “You never know who is struggling and who can use your help. We can never do it alone so it is important to let people know that you are there for them in a genuine manner because life is short and you want to try and help as many people as you can because it is the right thing to do.” This new phase has him working for Hibu — formerly Yellowbook Inc. — which is a company that deals in web development and hosting, digital listings and reputation management, search engine and social media marketing, and digital advertisements. It works with local small to medium sized businesses in Mercer County with the goal of helping drive job leads to their specific businesses through online advertising. “I am meeting with business owners on a daily basis and getting to know them on a personal level,” Kastrat said. “I find out their history of starting the business, their motivation, where they are, and where they are trying to go and grow. After meeting with them, we develop a plan of attack and strategy of how to help them grow their business online. Do they need a website? Do they need online advertising? Why are they not being found online? It is all problem solving and troubleshooting.” Sounds a lot like coaching, right? “There are so many similarities between the sports world and the business world,” Kastrat said. “That is why it is important to have your kids participate in sports at an early age because it teaches you the concepts of teamwork, social skills, and life lessons that correlate to the real world. When you get a regular job, the traits you learn in the sports world will help separate you from the rest. There is no secret sauce or recipe. The concept of consistency, hard work, being a servant to others, and working as a team are all things that intertwine in both worlds.” Kastrat has made stop in the college ranks at Rider, Radford and La Salle and has also worked with U18 Kosovo National Team. Those are all experiences he can draw on as he enters a new chapter. “The work ethic you learn in the sports world of being consistent and showing up everyday correlates directly to the business world because you have to be the same person you are every single day when you wake up and get ready for work,” he said. “The concept of servant leadership is another trait from the sports world that has worked wonders for me in the business world because you have to be genuine with people and show them that you truly care to help them out. The concept of teamwork is another one that is extremely vital and important because you are always working as a team whether you realize it or not. You have to listen to understand and you have to pull each other up when the other is down.” Kastrat can be reached at 551-232-2438 or via email at [email protected]