We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Awkward recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? We’d love to hear the backstory the illustrates how you grew the firm
This isn’t necessarily an expression of success as of yet, but I can give insight on the provisions I’m making now to “scale up”.
She Got Game League is not a profitable organization as of date so the first thing I had to do was scale back on staff’s pay. My wife and I amongst a couple other members of our family volunteer to cut costs. The league currently has 6 cities and I just came on board as the commissioner for Nashville Spring 2024. We need to grow the fan base and increase our number of participants so young ladies looking to further their basketball career have a competitive, legitimate platform to showcase their talents.
Athletes Unlimited and the WNBA have both shown interest in bringing their organizations to Nashville. (We naturally share the same fan base) We just want to do our part in growing women’s basketball and participate in helping build a foundation for professional women’s basketball in Nashville.
Ashley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’ve played basketball since the 6th grade. That’s a little late for some but my first sport was actually gymnastics. I played Varsity 7th & 8th grade at Colonial Middle School where we won back to back City Championships losing only 1 game between both seasons.
High School wasn’t the best experience. I transferred from Northside HS in Memphis TN but was ruled ineligible to play my junior year at White Station HS.
However, my mom started a AAU Team and we went to Nationals so I was able to get my exposure there. I was recruited by major universities such as Duke, UConn and Tennessee.
I have more of an underdog personality so I’d rather beat the best team than to play for them. That’s really the only way I can truly measure who I am so signed with the worst team in the SEC: Ole Miss.
Fast forward Ole Miss went to the Elite 8 in 2007 first the first time since 1992 and we haven’t returned since my class graduated. I assisted in recruiting our starting 5. I knew I had to help build a team. I felt like it was my responsibility so that lost to Candace Parker and the Tennessee Lady Vols coached by Pat Summit, was valuable is so many ways for me. I look back at like hey, if we’re going to lose, at least it was to one of the greatest players and coaches of all time. What that loss taught me was, I was pretty good a team building. I may not be the best, but from the worst team in the SEC as freshman to 1 game away from the Final Four my senior ain’t bad.
The same mentality applies to She Got Game Nashville. I need to put the right players, videographers & photographers, and marketing concepts together to grow this league. This is going to come down to team building and I’m confident in my ability to do so.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I’m black, I’m a lesbian and I’m a woman. It always felt like 3 strikes I’m out. If anyone was getting discriminated in the room, it was definitely me so I always had to make sure all of my ducks were in a row but sometimes you can do everything right and still be wrong. The wrong time, the wrong place, the wrong people…Timing should never discourage you. This doesn’t mean your idea isn’t good. Some things we may have to shelve for a little while until the world is ready.
I always wanted to be acknowledged for what I did. Allowing trophies, medals and certificates to define how good I was. Constantly placing myself on various platforms to be judged by others. Once I started doing things for God and NOT for my own satisfaction, life became more meaningful and rewarding which is why I don’t mind giving my time to She Got Game Nashville. I believe in what this league can become.
Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.
As I stated earlier, She Got Game League isn’t profitable but it has all the tools to be successful. Each city just needs to be restructured and we are have started the journey with Nashville. Once Nashville reaches our goal, we’ll move to Memphis which was the first city founded by She Got Game League.
As of September 2024, I’ve established full ownership of She Got Game Nashville founded by She Got Game League and will work diligently with organizations like the Nashville Sports Council, Athletes Unlimited and the WNBA to help grow women’s sports.
Our main focus is securing sponsorships and partnerships to help expand the growth of women’s basketball so that women have better opportunities to further their professional careers.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sggnashville @thewolfofmemphis
Image Credits
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