Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Deonte Holden, Founder of Law of Athlete, located in Hyattsville, MD, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Law of Athlete™ is a multimedia and lifestyle brand for every athlete. Our mission is to educate, entertain, and empower everyone through athlete-driven content, experiences, and products. Our brand includes varied video series, podcasts, and essential products for every athlete. Law of Athlete is set to build the world's largest sports community through content, merchandise, events, partnerships, and educational opportunities.

Tell us about yourself

I am Deonte Holden, son of two athletes, a former basketball player for a mother, and a former football and basketball player for a father. I was born with athleticism running through my veins and was formally introduced to sports as a young boy, picking up basketball and football for myself. Although my athleticism was apparent, I always knew I wanted more.

I was recruited to join the Wolfpack of NC State, where I continued perfecting my craft and remained a strong asset to my team. I also ensured I was maximizing my opportunities off the field, obtaining several degrees in Business Management, a certification as a Financial Education Instructor℠, studying abroad in Paris, France, developing various business ventures, and engaging in philanthropic activities through my brotherhood, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and other non-profit organizations.

Through a severe injury early in my football journey and a global pandemic during crucial months of my post-collegiate football career, my pursuit of finding my purpose beyond my sport allowed me to ensure my setbacks never kept me from coming back. I used my obstacles as fuel to create Law of Athlete, a brand built from 12 laws that serve as pillars to my life and others to maximize their potential.

In addition to launching Law of Athlete, I have been able to develop other entrepreneurship ventures and ideate and execute multiple projects, all aligning with my mission to maximize human potential. Today, I continue to scale Law of Athlete and share my story and varied areas of expertise through public speaking, mentorship programming, and more. I am poised to change the landscape of the sports industry through entertainment, education, and empowerment. I am more than an athlete.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I am so proud of myself for taking a leap of faith and establishing something bigger than me. Providing individuals with the opportunity to maximize their potential to achieve success. Law of Athlete is a product of my story that I created without the assistance of family, friends, or investors, so I know I can really scale it with the proper funding. Law of Athlete has opened more doors than I could have ever imagined, from event and content curation to partnership and investment opportunities. In our first three months, we generated over $15,000 in podcast revenue and $1,000 in merchandise sales and supplied over 144 book bags to students for the new school year. As part of our efforts to expand our brand awareness, we have formed partnerships with companies such as Target, VersusGame, and others. We have built a team of experienced individuals from the WNBA, NBA, NFL, and more.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Starting Law of Athlete as a small start-up media brand was not an easy journey. Along the way, I had to face a number of challenges, such as establishing the right team who were passionate and committed to their work, figuring out an efficient distribution system, setting up a realistic content schedule, monetizing our content, and establishing our tone of voice. Plus, there was the added financial challenge of having to decide when and where to spend funds that weren't necessary for immediate needs. Thankfully all these struggles have paid off.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. The hardest part is starting. Showing up is half the battle.
  2. Embrace the process. Accomplishments are short-lived, but your process will remain constant. Measure your success and your failures.
  3. Always be willing to learn. The moment you stop learning, you stop growing. Always tell yourself, "I never got it; I am always getting it."

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
https://www.lawofathlete.com/
https://www.deonteholden.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honchoholden
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honchoholden/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/honchoholden
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deonteholden/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.