Stephan Partners

04/14/2026

Hello Golfers,
About to go out and practice for the 2026 golf season. Take a look at this pro lesson from my friend and client Rob Labritz, PGA with Caitlin Moyer. Rob's philosophy is to practice from the flag stick out, starting with putting, chipping, etc.
That's where 40% of your score comes from.
Don't be one of those golfers who just bangs out driver.
I'm doing putting and short chips today.
Cheers!

1 like. "Pro Lesson with Rob Labritz | American Family Insurance"

04/14/2026

Proud to be the founding Board Member of Golf Like A Girl

Golf Like a Girl was founded in January 2025 by Victoria Kronschnabel, LPGA Class A (Tory). Golf Like A Girl brings accessible golf through free lessons to all women and girls. Tory's mission is simple - free golf lessons for women and girls. All too often women are excluded from important conversations that happen on the golf course. Golf Like A Girl gives women the ability to not only crush the ball but also close the deal. Please get involved and donate to this great organization.
https://givebutter.com/GolfLikeAGirl

04/12/2026

I know this is Masters weekend and I'm loving it!
I had the best day today playing Vanny with my brother and his sons then watching the back nine of the Masters.
While you're waiting for the final round, check out historic Van Cortlandt Golf Course (Vanny) in the Bronx.
Opened on July 6, 1895, Vanny is the oldest public golf course in the United States. It hosted the country's first public golf tournament in 1896. Vanny is known for its historic 1902 clubhouse and past famous visitors like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and The Three Stooges.
My friend Paul Sliva is the Head Professional and the star of this great video.
It's a must see if you love golf.

The Big Apple. The Empire State. The city that never sleeps. Erik finds himself in New York for this Adventures in Golf, presented by United, to play the old...

04/12/2026

Golf was booming in Westchester NY at Game On Golf Center last Sunday.
All 100 bays full with waiting lines.
Still some snow on the range.

No parking.
Most players under 30!
The game has a great future!

04/12/2026

Watermelon Social and Shine by O Portraits Announce Strategic Partnership
to Elevate Personal Branding for Leaders
____________________________________

Research shows people process visuals up to 60,000X faster than text. In today’s digital-first world, leadership brands are formed in seconds. Before a word is read, your image has already spoken.

Recognizing this shift, Watermelon Social — a leader in personal branding and content marketing — has announced a strategic partnership with Shine by O Portraits, a premium studio specializing in branded leadership imagery.

Together, we’re delivering an integrated approach to personal branding — where strategy directly informs visual storytelling — helping senior executives, founders, and professional athletes align their image with their brand promise.

Through this collaboration, clients gain:

🍉Visual Direction
Portraits and supporting imagery guided by a clear personal brand strategy — ensuring visuals communicate leadership positioning, credibility, and values.

🍉Stronger First Impressions
Executive-level visuals designed to instantly signal authority and trust across LinkedIn, media appearances, speaking engagements, and digital platforms.

🍉Greater ROI
A stronger first impression doesn’t just look better — it shortens trust cycles, opens doors faster, and positions leaders for bigger opportunities.
This partnership reflects our shared belief: the most powerful personal brands are not only written — they are seen, felt, and remembered.

Connect with us to start a conversation about elevating your personal brand.

George Stephan -- www.watermelonsocial.com
O Zhang -- www.shinebyoportraits.com

O Zhang, a headshot photographer based in NYC, specializes in business headshots, corporate headshots, actor headshots, and personal branding portraits. With 20 years of professional photography experience in New York City, she is the CEO and founder of Shine by O Portraits. Her work has earned pres...

04/12/2026

I love this quote from Steve Jobs.
This definitely applies to leaders who don't see the power of personal branding in words and pictures until we show them. I want you to DM me to talk about a risk-free branding offer which will benefit you big time from our new partnership between Watermelon Social and Shine by O Portraits.
First six gets it.
Thanks!
www.watermelonsocial.com/contact

04/12/2026

Here's How We Partner with AI to Build Personal Brands
At Watermelon Social, we believe personal branding is an art—not a science.
AI doesn’t replace judgment, taste, or experience. It amplifies them. Here’s how we use AI to make personal brands sharper, faster, and more authentic:

1️⃣ Branding Session
We go deep on your goals, career story, proudest moments, and competitive landscape. AI expands the conversation with added perspective and pattern recognition.

2️⃣ Peer Review
AI helps us analyze your top competitors—so we know exactly where you can stand apart.

3️⃣ Brand Promise and Story
We craft a clear brand promise: what only you can credibly claim—and others can’t.

4️⃣ Brand Ex*****on
AI assists with precise edits and adaptations for LinkedIn, websites, email marketing and other social media—without flattening your voice.

5️⃣ Content Marketing
We lead the strategy.
AI accelerates research and refines drafts—so ideas move faster from insight to impact

That’s how it works.

Human-led strategy. AI-assisted ex*****on. If you’re curious about how this applies to your personal brand, let’s talk.

04/10/2026

This Is What TRUST Looks Like
Meet Kei Matsuyama

I was thinking about trust in the pool this morning, and Kei was the first person who came to mind.
Kei has been my digital partner for more than 10 years. I still remember seeing her in the lobby of my building—she had arrived at least 15 minutes early for our very first meeting. That moment told me a lot.
We had a great conversation, and the rest is history.
Over the years, we’ve become not just strong partners, but close friends. I trust Kei with anything. I know she will always show up for me—and she knows the same is true in return.
For me, trust means reliability, honesty, and ability. It’s integrity in action. It’s expecting good outcomes and knowing—without hesitation—that both the giver and receiver of trust are 100% dependable.
Trust like this isn’t built overnight—it’s earned, kept, and strengthened over time.
I hope you all have a Kei Matsuyama in your life.
Have a good weekend!

04/10/2026

Kind is a four-letter word.

So is time.
So is work.

As a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam, I see that kindness doesn’t just happen. It’s built—quietly and relentlessly—by people who show up every day with limited resources and unlimited commitment.

This winter, we had our BBBS holiday party with over 200 Bigs, Littles, Families, and Supporters attending.

What looks like joy and magic on the surface is the result of months of hard work by the CEO, Ann Ellsworth and her wonderful staff—planning, coordinating, fundraising, and caring—often behind the scenes and without fanfare.

Kindness is consistency.
Kindness is leadership, grit, and heart.
Let's lean into kindness for the holidays.
We need it now more than ever.

It takes little to be big.
Please donate to BBBSWP: https://www.bigswestchester.org/donate-to-our-program
Thank you!

04/10/2026

Postman Lance

I just received this postcard in my mailbox from Postman Lance, our new mail carrier. It was a nice surprise and made me think about how the USPS should do more of this personalized outreach to build their brand from a fuddy, duddy, out of touch agency to a modern and essential service in our digital world.

Looking forward to meeting you Lance!

04/10/2026

Why golf matters to kids

If you love golf or just want to help kids through golf, watch this video of a young golfer in Cape Town learning the game through the Sally Little Golf Trust. We’re proud to lead the way in creating greater access and opportunity for young boys and girls through the game of golf with US nonprofits Golf Like a Girl, Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Sikho shares how being part of the Sally Little Golf Trust has inspired her confidence, focus, and love for the game.