Never Been Promoted Podcast with Thomas Helfrich

Steven Simmons shares his journey as co-founder and COO of NILENT, a platform supporting college athletes by providing financial literacy and mental health resources. With a focus on sustainable education for athletes, Steven’s story highlights the importance of mission-driven entrepreneurship and resilience.

About Steven Simmons:

Steven Simmons is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of NILENT, an organization dedicated to educating college athletes about financial wellness and mental health. With a background in finance, Steven combines his industry expertise with a passion for helping young athletes avoid common pitfalls. His mission is to prepare athletes not only for their sports careers but for the decades beyond.

In this episode, Thomas and Steven discuss:

• Building a Mission-Driven Business
  Steven explains the mission behind NILENT: empowering athletes to succeed on and off the field. He shares the inspiration to address issues such as financial instability and mental health, drawing on statistics that show a high percentage of professional athletes struggle financially after retirement.
• Financial and Mental Health Resources for Athletes
  Recognizing the unique challenges college athletes face, NILENT provides a mix of short, impactful video lessons on essential topics like managing credit, understanding taxes, and recognizing signs of mental health struggles. The platform connects athletes with relatable mentors and corporate sponsors, creating a support system that extends beyond the college years.
• Turning Setbacks into Opportunities
  Steven opens up about his own career setbacks, including past business challenges that tested his resilience. He shares how overcoming personal struggles shaped his approach to NILENT and reinforced his commitment to building a business that makes a positive impact.

Key Takeaways:

• The Value of Education Beyond the Game
  NILENT’s focus is not just on helping athletes navigate college but equipping them with skills for life. By providing free educational content, NILENT aims to bridge gaps in knowledge and empower young athletes to make informed decisions about their futures.
• Resilience and Authenticity in Leadership
  Steven emphasizes the importance of authenticity and resilience as an entrepreneur. He discusses how past experiences taught him to take ownership, stay mission-focused, and build a company with genuine intentions.
• Connecting Brands and Audiences with Purpose
  Through NILENT’s partnerships with corporate sponsors, brands can reach the 18-24 demographic meaningfully. NILENT’s approach creates a unique win-win scenario, offering brands direct access to athletes while supporting their growth and education.

"Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future." — Steven Simmons

CONNECT WITH STEVEN SIMMONS:

Website: https://www.nilent.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-simmons-6633a139/

CONNECT WITH THOMAS:

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/thelfrich | https://twitter.com/nevbeenpromoted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hovienko | https://www.facebook.com/neverbeenpromoted
Website:

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