In the immortal words of the '80s hip-hop icon Rob Base: "It takes two to make a thing go right. It takes two to make it outta sight."
The same could be said for the careers of many of bass fishing's best anglers. No, they don't share their boats with a teammate that helps them locate fish. No, they don't have an entourage that follows them everywhere to wait on them hand and foot.
However, in the case of many of the top pros in the business, they do have a partner. Most of the Elite pros are businesses unto themselves. They are incorporated, and they deal with everything that occupies any other brick-and-mortar corporation.
While many corporations have people to play designated roles within the day-to-day operations, bass anglers quite frequently don't have the luxury of people to spare. What they do have is a Chief Executive Officer — the angler — and in many cases a Chief Operating Officer — their spouse.
With the amount of planning, communication, negotiation and travel required to be a professional angler, the job is more than a 40-hour-a-week commitment. If it were left to only one person to handle all of the day to day as well as try to compete, the business might be short lived.
In the case of five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Kevin VanDam, his wife Sherry took on the role of C.O.O. before they were married, and the pair has turned the "KVD Corporation" into a very successful venture.
Because they were engaged when VanDam started his pro career, Sherry was involved from the beginning, but it has evolved over the years, and her role has increased. "She handles all of the travel and promotional scheduling, deals with the accountant and the taxes and even communicates with some of the sponsors and our agency. She really allows me to concentrate on fishing and helping my sponsors with product development. Her help makes me more effective as an angler and as a promoter."
Sherry said the key to her success is to try to stay flexible with the schedule. Her day includes not only all of the facets of being her husband's C.O.O., but also the primary caretaker of the house and of the couple's twin sons. "I try to be active in the boy's school and activities, so it really is a juggling act," she said. "I find a way to get it done, but modern tools have made it easier."
In the past, before mobile phones and e-mail, communications was a challenge. Now things are easier. "We talk as many times a day as we need to," related Mrs. VanDam. "It may be as few as three, but could be as many as ten or more, and that's just the business stuff, we still have good morning and good night calls too. The best time to get things done is when he's driving. A lot of business gets done behind the wheel of his Toyota Tundra."
Sherry's day starts at 6:35 a.m. when she arises to get the twins off to school, then to the office for e-mails and follow-ups with sponsors and business partners. It doesn't end until the boys are in bed and she can wind down and go to sleep herself. She also gets some help at home. "Our families are near, and they are very much a part of supporting us in what we do," she said.
As for her husband's fishing career, Mrs. VanDam said she will keep on with her hectic schedule as long as her husband is fulfilled in what he does. "I really love the fact that Kevin gets to do what he wants to do for a living," said VanDam. "There is a certain level of satisfaction for me, knowing that he is doing what he loves, and is very successful at it. Not everyone can say that."
For Kevin, there is comfort in knowing his wife of 18 years is by his side in business as well. "I wouldn't be anywhere near the angler or businessman I am if it weren't for Sherry," said the three-time Bassmaster Classic champion. "She does so much in one day, that I couldn't even begin to tell you everything she does. She is one of the hardest working people I know.'