Why did you launch your company?
My WHY was never just about coaches–it’s always been the athletes. Coaches often say, “they don’t care about what you know until they know that you care.” So, it was during the car rides home–especially with my older players–that I realized the athletes needed more from their coaches. Our discussions would often veer into the “tough topics” and conversations on poverty, racism, sexism, and toxic masculinity as we discussed things that were happening in their lives as well as sports headlines about athletes behaving badly. My conversations gave them guidance and assurance. I began to think about how to give more kids access to the kind of coaching experience I was providing and Athleaders 360° was born.

How has your company pivoted from its initial launch?
COVID-19 completely changed the structure of Athleaders 360°. Our original implementation strategy involved the use of in-person cohorts of high school athletes. The pandemic forced us to rethink all our programming and its methods. By going virtual we increased the number of athletes we could serve, as well as expanded to include age ranges that were not originally in our mission. In addition, I created a successful podcast called Wassup Nephew! which allows us to model our work for more people. More importantly, this shift also showed us that while athletes are still the heart of the program, our approach of going directly to athletes was wrong. Athletes spend more time with coaches than their teachers and parents. We realized that while we do it for athletes but do it through coaches.

What does entrepreneurship mean to you?
Entrepreneurship is the freedom to make a difference, impact the world, and have an amplified voice for myself and my community.

Have you always been entrepreneurial? 
I wouldn’t say that I’ve always been entrepreneurial. The desire came from a void that I saw in my community that needed to be addressed.

How has your formal education/experiences at Georgia State played a role in your becoming an entrepreneur?
My time at Georgia State has been amazing. The programs here prepare students to be change agents in their communities. In 2013, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Public Health at the School of Public Health so I could explore how sports can be used to alleviate some of the greatest public health issues of our time. I am currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Sport Administration so I can learn all aspects of sports from top to bottom. I’m also using my time in the program towards the development of a pedagogical toolkit for coaches to use with young athletes.

What is the most challenging aspect of entrepreneurship?
The most challenging aspect of entrepreneurship is loneliness. I do not know any other social entrepreneurs. As a first-generation college graduate, I am traveling in unchartered and unfamiliar waters. My family and community are very supportive of me and my vision.  Unfortunately, not having any peers to lean on has been pretty lonely, and being my own accountability partner is very challenging. This is why I’m so excited to be about of the Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund, I’m able to connect with a community of peers that are currently going through the same challenges or have been in my shoes before.

What advice can you offer to entrepreneurs?
Always remember your “WHY” because entrepreneurship can be hard and overwhelming. A strongly rooted “WHY” that reminds you why you started the journey in the first place can help you work thru and overcome challenges.

Share a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know.
I bake a really good strawberry cheesecake!