AN INNOVATIVE AND SUCCESSFUL APPROACH IN THE FIELD OF SPORTS: CLASSYE JAMES
Classye James is doing an exemplary job in the field of sports. She is bridging the gap by fulfilling the needs of athletes and supporting the athlete community. James encountered various struggles as an athlete dealing with life after sports and realized there was a gap in the world of competitive athletics. To fill that gap, she established Shakeout LLC.
James’s list of achievements
Classye rose over $500,000 for projects and events. She was the first Cisco employee to lead a project in which an NBA player featured in a WebEx marketing campaign. Her ability to fundraise is a secret to her success. For her first conference, Athletes Unite, she secured the following corporate sponsors: Nike, Marriott, Accenture, Cisco Systems, and has more in her pipeline.
Classye elucidating how she established a name for herself
James states that hosting the first conference dedicated to the athlete transition enabled her to make a name for herself. ‘Along with my co-founder, Krystal Beachum, we will be hosting the Athletes Unite Conference on July 15–16, 2022 in Atlanta, GA.’ adds Classye. Furthermore, she states that the focus of this conference is to help athletes in the following categories: mental health, personal development, and career exploration.
The work profile of Classye
Growing up in the heart of Silicon Valley provided James a unique lens into the technology and entrepreneurial industries at a young age. While Classye always fostered a love for technology, her prime focus was always on sports. Classye was fortunate enough to compete for Division I collegiate level, but her career ended due to an injury. Later, she established Shakeout LLC. Amid the pandemic, Classye created her first app, S-Connect (Shakeout-Connect), an online platform that connects athletes with sports wellness professionals, jobs, resources, and other athletes. Additionally, she created her second business during the pandemic, Sip N’ Slay, a loose leaf tea company that desires to provide quality herbal remedies that can help the body from the inside out.
The reason behind James’s success story
James states that perseverance and self-care have been the keys to her success. She makes sure to place her mental health as her priority. ‘I am not afraid to have uncomfortable conversations or establish healthy boundaries with anyone.’ marks Classye.
A turning point in Classye’s life
The most life-changing moment in James’s career is when she received her first sponsorship check for the Athletes Unite Conference. ‘We all have dreams and aspirations, but to see mine come to fruition is such a surreal moment.’ says Classye. She adds that the first sponsorship check made the entire conference real because a company believed enough in her to invest in this initiative
