Coffee Break: Kim Michelson, co-founder and CEO of Honest Game
Kim Michelson
Co-Founder/CEO
Honest Game
(800) 917-9040
www.honestgame.com
Industry: Ed Tech
Annual revenue: $1,000,000
Number of employees: 12
Q: Describe your company.
A: Honest Game is the only comprehensive system that empowers school staff and student-athlete's families to navigate and unlock college athletic opportunities like experts. Our comprehensive system blends educational resources with cutting-edge software and support to manage each school's NCAA Eligibility Center Portal.
Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
A: Yes, we are finalizing a bridge round and plan to raise a growth round in the next 12-18 months.
Q: What will your company's main challenges be in the next year?
A: Scaling for growth - solidifying core processes and resources needed.
Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?
A: Artificial Intelligence
Q: If you had one tip to give to a rookie executive, what would it be?
A: Failure is an inevitable part of the entrepreneurial journey. Be brave and embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Q: Do you have a business mantra?
A: Good, Better, Best. Perfection is the biggest enemy for startup entrepreneurs.
Q: From a business outlook, whom do you look up to?
A: Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx.
Q: What is one interesting fact about you or your company that most people may not know?
A: Honest Game is female-founded and a Public Benefit Corporation. We're also certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council.
Q: Was there a moment in your career that didn't go as you had planned? What lesson did you learn from it?
A: I have worked my entire career to drive educational equity and access to college. Early in my career, I mentored a student whom I deeply believed in. He had tremendous ability and a bright future. After much investment, I came to realize I cared more about his success than he did. This was the moment in my career when I learned that I can't care more about someone's success more than they do.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I like to spend time with family and my dog Tucker. I like to be outside in nature.
Q: What book is on your nightstand?
A: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: The fear that my goals are not big enough to become someone worth becoming.
Q: If you were not doing this job, what do you think you would be doing?
A: I would be a trial attorney and then a judge.
Q: What was your first paying job?
A: I worked at hot dog on a stick stand when I was 15.
Q: If you could put your company name on a sports venue, which one would you choose?
A: The United Center because we love Chicago.
Q: Two people to follow on Twitter and why. (besides your company)
A: Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports Katie Fang, CEO of School Links.