Christian Ross-Francis specializes in branding and marketing, event management, and social media training. Her branding and marketing skills have provided clients such as Nikki Burnett, Kyree Walker, Unique Thompson, and former WNBA player Ashley Shields with the best exposure for their brand by getting them brand Influencer deals, getting them to understand their brand, and how to market themselves as an athlete. With her multiple years of basketball experience as a stand-out player on and off the court and working with different local organizations helping them with their branding and marketing, she now owns her own non-profit.
Christian is the Founder of Life Above the Rim, an organization thats dedicated to educating student-athletes on how to balance being a student and an athlete, the importance of education, how to get scouted by using social media, educating students on how to use social media as a branding tool, how highlight and film should look, teaching them the importance of having a backup plan and knowing their brand.
Christian’s portfolio also includes serving as a General Manager and Game Day Operational Manager for a professional basketball team in Dallas Texas called the Dallas Skyline. She also coached AAU, did basketball training, and coached at Prince of Peace High School.
Christian’s passion is to prepare and train athletes on and off the court while giving back to her community.
What inspired the start of “Life above the Rim”?
What inspired me to start “Life Beyond the Rim” was growing up as an athlete it was a lot I didn’t know about being an athlete off the court or life after playing basketball. So I wanted to come up with something that taught female athletes not only how to be on the court but how to be off the court and beyond the court as well. So that’s why I started Life Beyond the Rim to teach athletes about balancing being a student and an athlete, the importance of education, learning about branding yourself on and off the court, and the importance of having a backup plan. The knowledge that I’m giving these young athletes is very much needed because all we are taught is to shut up and play.
What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like “Life above the Rim”?
The biggest struggle for me has been getting young athletes to understand the importance of marketing and branding. As an athletes we are never taught to think beyond our sports. We are just thought to play. That’s why I push my brand so hard because I want all athletes to succeed on and off the court.
How does “Life above the Rim” impact the community?
Life Beyond the Rim impacts the community by giving athletes options. Being a former athlete I was never taught about having a backup plan. As an athletes we go through life thinking we are going to play sports forever and that’s not the case. Eventually the ball stop dribbling and the checks from playing will stop rolling in. So what is your next game plan?
Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
In the next 3-5 years I see myself impacting athletes across the world and being a great mentor.
What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?
My advice is go for your dreams, have a plan, and have faith in your plan. If you stick with it the universe will reward you no matter what!
What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you?
Pretty and Black-owned means to me is that every day you are determined to finish your goals while looking good doing it!
Connect on Social Media:
Instagram: consultwithcris
LinkedIn: Christian Ross-Francis
