We recently connected with Navro Allen and have shared our conversation below.

Navro, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As an individual that loved the art form of basketball, among other sports, I started working with my young cousin and his friends, teaching them new skills and new ways of preparing for competition. One of the parents suggested I start a business and share my knowledge with others. From this conversation, I started NA2 Athletics to help student-athletes understand, appreciate, and learn the artistic art form displayed within sports. That is our mission: to teach student athletes the natural art of athletics by incorporating innovative, visual, mechanical, and audio techniques within our training session.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Navro Allen; I am a person who fell in love with sports. I love the teamwork, the passion, the hard work, and the willingness that sports teaches you to scarify for others–that sports teaches individuals. As I played a variety of sports growing up, the one sport that consumed me was basketball. I love the artistic aspects that an individual can display within a basketball game. You can find a genuine artistic element displayed in how you pass, dribble, and shoot a basketball. The allure of this artist element compelled me more and more to the sport. I felt it was an outlet to express myself. After my playing time was completed, I wanted to continue participating in the sport of basketball; thus, I started coaching. Coaching is a beautiful outlet that provided me with a new way to show my artistic side by designing offenses and defenses and by creating innovative ways of learning during practice. While coaching, a parent said that I should create a business and train student-athletes. The parent told me my unique teaching style was enlightening to her and her child and that I should share my methods of teaching the art of basketball to others. NA2 Athletics was born. NA2 Athletics, The Natural Art 2 Athletics, provides its client’s skill enhancement training in group, individual, and team lessons, film study classes, and speed and agility training. We provide our clients with a unique aspect of training as we work with coaches, parents, and players to ensure that we teach our student-athletes skills that will support the coach’s view of the player and the player’s ultimate goal. This is accomplished through film study classes. NA2 Athletics also provides speed and agility training with our partners Benswic (New York City) and Revolution Athletics (Long Island).
The speed and agility training helps maximize our client’s athletic abilities while helping to ensure the prevention of injuries. One thing I am proud that NA2 Athletics has accomplished is the role we play within the communities NA2 Athletics inhabits. Through our active role within the community, we have become aware that many of our athletes are encountering mental health, educational, and social issues. Through this awareness, NA2 Athletics has started a non-profit business called ACES (Athletic Committed Enlightened Scholars). This specialized program (launched in November 2022) is designed to aid our student-athletes to better cope with mental health issues, work on diversification of socio-emotional skills, and provide them with educational support. This will supply our clients with additional services to help them become successful both on and off the field of play. NA2 Athletics is more than a training company. NA2 Athletics believes that sports are a way for a student-athlete to express themselves, and like any artists, we provide them with all the support they need to become the most excellent version of themselves.

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

I have never bought a business. However, I have started a new business that supports my current business. That new SBU is called ACES (Athletic Committed Enlightened Scholars). This specialized program (launched in November 2022) is designed to aid our student-athletes to better cope with mental health issues, work on diversification of socio-emotional skills, and provide them with educational support. I started this business to help the student-athletes I was servicing. I saw it as a way to help the community and enhance my student-athletes success on and off the playing field.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Finding the initial capital to start NA2 Athletics took a lot of work. I also worked in the financial world, so I would use the money that I had saved to purchase equipment, storage lockers, and pay for other necessary business expenses. It took me over four years to save the money I needed to start NA2 Athletics. However, that part of the process was priceless as it taught me the art of patience. Most people that want something and can’t have it immediately, quit. I learned that if you want something, you have to understand that it takes time to establish a solid foundation. Only with a solid foundation can anything last the test of time.

Contact Info:

• Website: NA2Ny.com
• Instagram: NA2_Athletics
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/na2athletics/
• Other: NYACES is my twitter. And NYAces.com is coming soon.

Image Credits
All photos were taken by 2M2 Art Photography.