David Wiley’s Journey from Athlete to Business Innovator
- Brainz Magazine
- Aug 31
- 3 min read
David Wiley has spent his life turning ideas into impact. From the football field to the boardroom, he has built a career on focus, persistence, and timing. His story shows how clear thinking and steady action can lead to lasting results.
“I didn’t set out to be a business owner,” Wiley says. “I just saw opportunities that others weren’t looking at and decided to act on them.”
Early Life and Lessons in Leadership
Wiley was born in Roanoke, Virginia, while his father was serving as a Marine officer in Vietnam. His family moved to Atlanta in 1972, and he has called Metro Atlanta home ever since.
Sports became his first classroom in leadership. At Wofford College, Wiley studied Business Economics, graduated with a 3.4 GPA, and played football at a high level. He was a two-time All-American in 1989 and 1990 and captain of his team his senior year.
“Football taught me to stay calm under pressure,” he recalls. “When you’re leading on the field, every decision matters. That same skill applies directly in business.”
Building His First Business
In 1998, Wiley launched his first company, selling HP toner cartridges. It may have seemed like a small idea, but the execution mattered. Large companies—including Coca-Cola, Bayer, Lockheed Martin, and even the NFL—needed reliable supplies to run payroll in-house. Wiley’s business filled that gap.
“It wasn’t about what I was selling,” he explains. “It was about understanding who needed it and making sure they could trust me to deliver.”
Founding Belief Marketing
By 2014, Wiley wanted a new challenge. He founded Belief Marketing Services, focusing first on verticals like personal lending, home warranty, and wireless services. Over time, the company honed in on legal marketing.
“Legal marketing is competitive,” Wiley says. “We set ourselves apart by focusing on precision. We generate claimants whose dates of incident are extremely close to the accident. That detail makes a big difference for attorneys.”
This approach—focusing on accuracy over volume—has helped Belief Marketing carve out a reputation for reliability in an industry where timing is critical.
Service Beyond Business
Wiley believes success means more than business growth. He founded Cash In Time Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families in urgent need.
“Sometimes it’s rent, sometimes groceries, sometimes a power bill,” he says. “These are small things, but for someone in crisis, they make all the difference.”
He also coached girls’ football for eight years, leading a recreational team from age nine to a Top 10 state ranking by age thirteen. For Wiley, the lessons from coaching mirror those in business.
“It’s not about quick wins,” he reflects. “It’s about steady growth, step by step. Those teams took on my DNA and learned to Believe 100% in themselves and eventually became Champions.”
A Philosophy of Success
Wiley doesn’t chase trends or seek attention. He measures success by the impact he creates, both in business and in the community.
“I ask myself two things: did I help my clients meet their goals, and did I make a difference for someone who needed it?” he says. “If I can say yes to both, then I know I’m on the right track.”
Conclusion
David Wiley’s story is one of consistency and clarity. From supplying toner cartridges to building a specialised marketing firm, he has brought big ideas to life by focusing on execution, precision, and people.
“I’ve learned that success isn’t flashy,” Wiley says. “It’s about doing the work, day after day, and finding ways to serve others along the way.”
