Athlete NIL Interviews: Gabrielle Guenther
Could you share some of the NIL opportunities or partnerships you've been involved in?
I partnered with Better Blends, a health based food store, which aligns with my values of health and wellness.
How did you identify and negotiate these opportunities?
I reached out to companies through LinkedIn, email and marketplaces.
How has NIL impacted your daily life and responsibilities as a student-athlete?
NIL has definitely impacted my daily life and made an impact on my time management skills. It takes time out of my day by emailing companies and planning content weekly.
Are there educational programs/tools/events that have helped you better understand the rules and opportunities related to NIL?
We have had NIL classes throughout this semester that have helped me develop tools. I also meet with our NIL manager about every 2 weeks and he helps me with discovering my core values and what NIL opportunities align with them.
How do you utilize social media platforms to build your personal brand and engage with your audience? Can you share examples of successful social media campaigns or content that helped promote your brand?
At the beginning I struggled with the social media aspect of building my brand. Through these past couple of months I have grown more confident and have been posting more frequently and campaigning my brand through social media.
How have your NIL activities influenced your relationship with fans and supporters?
My teammates have been super supportive of my NIL activities and trying to build my brand. I was very hesitant at first to make and post TikToks and Instagram posts but now after some push from our NIL department it has helped me feel confident about posting my brand.
What advice would you give to other student-athletes seeking to explore NIL opportunities?
In order to build your brand you will need to dig deep and figure out your real core values. NIL deals may take time but just keep working on your brand and continue to post content. You do not want to take deals with just any company. Make sure they align with your core values before you even consider them.
Is there a college athlete whose approach to NIL you admire? If yes, who and why?
Eddie Taylor. He is our Assistant NIL Manager here at UC and was a collegiate and professional power lifter. He has influenced me and my brand making. I admire his brand and how far he has built it up. He had helped me develop my brand by helping me figure out my core values and what brands align with them.
How has engaging in NIL activities contributed to your personal and professional growth? Have you discovered new interests or skills through NIL opportunities?
Through NIL I have discovered that I really enjoy community engagement. I feel it can really involve the community with its local student athletes. I enjoy making an impact on kids while sharing my story and engaging with them.
How do you envision your career evolving after college?
As a freshman I have not thought much about my future after college. I am a sports administration major so I feel NIL will help me advance my career in the future. It will help me make connections with a variety of different people and communities. I hope to establish my personal brand to take me past college.
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