Turning a few one-time courses into a lifetime of coaching and community — a higher-value member, and new markets to grow into.
The NSLS is the nation's largest leadership honor society. Twenty-five years building the brand, the campus relationships, and a recurring membership base — the kind of foundation most companies our age would envy. What's new is the product.
A chaotic job market, falling trust in the diploma, and a generation that wants more than a credential. That gap is the market we're built to serve.
And two-thirds are still stuck a decade later. The damage is permanent, not transitional. — Burning Glass / Strada, 2024
Confidence in colleges is at an all-time low — down 21 points in nine years. 56% say a degree isn't worth the cost. — Gallup, 2024
Students who had a mentor are 2.2x more likely to be engaged at work. Colleges weren't built to deliver this at scale. — Gallup-Purdue Index
For 25 years, membership meant a few courses and an induction — a moment in time. Society turns that moment into a relationship: AI coaching and a community that keep working for members long after graduation.
The same member becomes worth far more over a lifetime — before we expand into a single new market. And we plan to expand the market.
“Being a part of NSLS is more than just being inducted; it's a growth that will continue for years to come.”
— Society member, in a coaching conversation
Allison signed up from an invite she wasn't expecting — and spent two hours with her coach the same day.
Tiered membership with AI coaching and personalized tracks across career, leadership, and community.
Coaches help members discover their path, define milestones, and stay accountable — at scale.
Personalized paths through career readiness, leadership development, and personal growth.
Connects members who can help each other — matching on strengths, goals, and stage of life.
Freemium entry with premium tiers that unlock deeper coaching, exclusive content, and credentials.
We ran a six-month beta with alumni before opening up. The question was simple: do members show up and do the work? They did — and they beat our engagement goals. ~2,760 members logged in over the sprint.
A few one-time courses end at graduation. Lifelong coaching and community keep members engaged, and paying, for years. The same member is worth multiples more.
Then we grow the base: high schools, alumni and young professionals, and institutions that need proof their students succeed — segments well beyond our current reach.
Members come from our own funnel at about $5 to acquire, and AI keeps the cost to serve low. Growth flows to the bottom line.
The $30M base keeps the lights on. Each phase stacks a new revenue line on top of it — deeper LTV now, new markets next: $37M in revenue in 2027.
Twenty-five years and $30M of durable revenue.
A member worth more for life — and new markets to grow into.