Philip Steen

When Expansion Hits a Wall: How To Navigate the Crossroads – Philip Steen

Philip Steen is the Owner of Nashville Sports Leagues (NSL), an organization that develops sports leagues and events throughout the greater Nashville area. The network manages seven recreational sports leagues with about 25,000 yearly players. Philip is also the Owner and Founder of Urban Flip, a property management and investment company for vacation rentals.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn

[4:02] Philip Steen’s inspiration for starting Nashville Sports Leagues (NSL) and the organization’s impact on its community
[10:57] How NSL adapted and recovered from the pandemic shutdown
[15:53] The impact of the 2010 Nashville flood on NSL
[20:04] Personal anecdotes of sports team dynamics — and how to enforce rules
[26:58] Philip talks about how his health scare reshaped his personal life
[30:31] Philip, Robert Hartline, and Eric Jackson recount memorable EO forum retreats
[35:35] Philip’s upcoming decision to sell his business
[48:10] The decision to embark on a journey of sobriety

In This Episode

Building a niche business that adds value to your community can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Yet personal challenges and situations outside your control can alter your drive and passion for the business. How can you change direction and continue moving forward?

Resilient and versatile entrepreneur Philip Steen developed an organization that brought his community together through recreational sports teams. The business boomed as athletes seized the opportunity to participate in sports not previously available to them, like flag football. However, the pandemic forced Philip to lay off his entire staff, while a historical flood ruined one of his playing fields. Additionally, Philip had a heart attack just before the pandemic, prompting him to reassess his personal life and the company’s place within it. Now contemplating a business sale, Philip vows to overcome fear and uncertainty, welcoming career change and evolution as a growth opportunity.

Welcome back to The Decision, where Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson interview Philip Steen, the Owner of Nashville Sports Leagues, about his company’s evolution and reaching a crossroads in his career. Philip shares how his organization facilitates team dynamics, its impact on his community, and his experience as a new EO member.

Quotable Moments:

“Creating community has been a part of my life since high school; it’s always ingrained in my personality.”
“There’s a desire for something new. I’ve been doing this for 22 years.”
“Refereeing… is a cycle. I don’t think I could beef up the staff enough.”
“Your leagues don’t have coaches… we have to find somebody that can talk to these people.”
“If I found a way to get this particular park renovated to synthetic turf, that would catapult the business.”

Action Steps:

Make the tough decision to pivot or expand your business: Pivoting allows you to address new opportunities or shifts in market dynamics.
Focus on team building within your company: Strong teams foster collaboration, as seen in how sports leagues bring individuals together.
Reevaluate your stress levels and their impact on your work and health: Managing stress is crucial for longevity and performance.
Consider giving up habits that do not serve you well anymore, like drinking: It can lead to increased potential and focus.
Secure your business and personal affairs: Ensuring all aspects of your estate are in order can provide peace of mind and stability.