{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/5c92c88b5e222bd90980d1fc/5db0fb2a749df0524ea816bb?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Coach AK Ikwuakor, ELETE Styles","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/5c92c88b5e222bd90980d1fc/1571879701569-148604a5521507ff3321950f126dd192.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>AK Ikwuakor, or \"Coach AK\" as he prefers, is a man of many talents. He’s been both a collegiate and Olympic athlete. Motivational speaker. Educator and Social impact entrepreneur. And even dabbled in some standup. In this podcast episode, however, Dan spoke with him as Co-Founder and CEO of ELETE Styles - a startup on a mission to create professional attire with fit, function, and fashion for the athlete build.</p><p><br></p><p>ELETE takes the broadest view of the value it adds. From athletes to first responders to returning war vets who need adaptive apparel. Men, women, casual, formal...and everything in between.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>AK's life journey has included Olympic trials, world travel, and even a stint of being homeless. How does all this connect with an eCommerce startup?</p><p>Listen in and find out!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3><strong>Notable Interview Highlights</strong></h3><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>(04:14)</strong> How ELETE works to bring consumers custom attire&nbsp;</li><li><strong>(09:00)</strong> How AK's love of his mom's homecooking led to ELETE's origin story</li><li><strong>(15:05)</strong> The challenges of making ONLY one piece (vs. 1000) for a custom design</li><li><strong>(16:55)</strong> Complexities of tariffs and currencies for a global business</li><li><strong>(23:35)</strong> Powerful origin story of AK's NGO startup Empower 2 Play</li><li><strong>(33:10)</strong> The 400M race as a metaphor for life&nbsp;</li><li><strong>(41:21)</strong> AK's adventures as an Olympic athlete</li><li><strong>(46:44)</strong> Personal choices, perspectives, and growth</li><li><strong>(50:00)</strong> Sources of influence: mentors, friends, enemies, and books</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3><strong>MORE on ELETE</strong></h3><p>AK's <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/user/askcoachak\" target=\"_blank\">Youtube </a>Channel, <a href=\"https://www.eletestyles.com/\" target=\"_blank\">company </a>site, and <a href=\"linkedin.com/company/eletestyles/\" target=\"_blank\">linkedin</a></p>","author_name":"Daniel Kihanya"}