We were lucky to catch up with Chris Eversley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

It started with my own journey. As a former athlete transitioning out of professional basketball, I felt like I was entering “overtime” in my career. I needed to find new ways to apply my skills and passion, and I knew I wasn’t alone. Many athletes face similar challenges when they hang up their jerseys.

That’s when the idea for Overtime Solutions clicked. It represented the extra effort, the dedication, and the strategic mindset needed to succeed not just in sports, but in any field.

The “Solutions” part reflects my commitment to providing practical, actionable guidance to help individuals and teams reach their full potential. It’s about more than just advice; it’s about equipping people with the tools and strategies they need to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

So, “Overtime Solutions” embodies the drive, resilience, and strategic thinking that are essential for success, both on and off the court. It’s a name that resonates with my personal journey and reflects my dedication to helping others navigate their own “overtime” and achieve extraordinary results.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Chris Eversley, a former professional basketball player turned leadership development coach and DEI advocate. My journey started on the court, where I learned the value of teamwork, resilience, and a winning mindset. After hanging up my jersey, I transitioned into the tech world, gaining experience in DEIB and talent management.

But my passion for leadership and helping others reach their full potential led me to create Overtime Solutions, a company that provides engaging and impactful leadership development programs. We specialize in a unique, sport-themed approach that resonates with teams and individuals seeking a dynamic and unconventional learning experience.

What sets us apart is our ability to bridge the gap between athletics and the professional world. We translate the principles of teamwork, strategy, and mental toughness from the sports arena into practical skills and strategies that leaders can apply in any setting.

I’m most proud of the impact we’ve had on our clients, helping them build stronger teams, improve communication, and achieve their goals. We’ve seen firsthand how our programs can empower individuals and transform organizations.

For potential clients and followers, I want you to know that Overtime Solutions is more than just another leadership development company. We’re passionate about creating a world where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. Whether you’re an athlete transitioning to a new career, a team looking to improve collaboration, or an organization seeking to foster a more inclusive culture, we’re here to help you succeed.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Absolutely! One of the biggest pivots in my career was with Overtime Solutions itself. We initially launched as a B2C company, focusing on helping individual athletes transition to new careers after their playing days were over. While we had some success stories, we quickly realized that this model wasn’t as scalable or profitable as we’d hoped.

We were facing a classic entrepreneurial challenge: a great idea with a limited market. It was tough to reach and serve individual athletes effectively, and the cost of acquiring each customer was high.

So, we took a step back and reassessed. We listened to feedback, analyzed the market, and identified a new opportunity: B2B leadership development. We realized that our basketball-themed approach and focus on teamwork, resilience, and strategy could be incredibly valuable to organizations of all kinds.

That’s when we pivoted to Overtime Solutions 2.0. We shifted our focus to providing leadership development workshops and programs for companies, teams, and organizations. This new model allowed us to reach a larger audience, leverage our expertise more effectively, and create a more sustainable business.

This pivot was a crucial turning point for Overtime Solutions. It taught me the importance of:

Adaptability: Being willing to adjust your strategy based on market feedback and changing circumstances.

Customer focus: Listening to your customers and understanding their needs.

Strategic thinking: Identifying new opportunities and pivoting to capitalize on them.

The pivot to Overtime Solutions 2.0 not only saved the company but also allowed us to make a greater impact by helping organizations build stronger, more effective teams. It was a valuable lesson in the importance of staying agile and adapting to the ever-changing business landscape.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant has been a profound influence on my thinking as both a manager and an entrepreneur. It’s not your typical business book; it’s more of a philosophical guide to building wealth and happiness. Naval’s insights, drawn from his own experiences as a successful entrepreneur and investor, have resonated deeply with me and shaped my approach to leadership and business.  

Here are a few key takeaways from the Almanack that have impacted my philosophy:

Building Specific Knowledge: Naval emphasizes the importance of developing unique skills and expertise that are valuable and difficult to replicate. This resonated with me as I built Overtime Solutions, focusing on my unique blend of athletic experience and business acumen to create a differentiated offering in the leadership development space.  
Judgment and Decision-Making: The Almanack stresses the importance of cultivating good judgment and making sound decisions. This has influenced my approach to leadership, where I prioritize clear thinking, thoughtful analysis, and considering long-term consequences.
 
Leveraging Specific Knowledge: Naval highlights the importance of using your unique skills to create value and build wealth. This inspired me to leverage my athletic background and leadership experience to develop engaging and impactful programs for Overtime Solutions.

Building Leverage: The Almanack emphasizes the power of leverage, using tools and systems to amplify your efforts and achieve greater results. This has guided my approach to scaling Overtime Solutions, utilizing technology and strategic partnerships to reach a wider audience.  

Importance of Mindset: Naval stresses the importance of cultivating a positive mindset, focusing on personal growth, and embracing lifelong learning. This has reinforced my belief in the power of continuous improvement and the importance of fostering a growth mindset within myself and the teams I work with.  

Overall, The Almanack of Naval Ravikant has provided me with a valuable framework for thinking about business, leadership, and personal growth. It’s a resource I return to often for inspiration and guidance as I continue to develop my skills and build a meaningful career.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriseversley/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriseversley/

Image Credits

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