Published on July 22nd, 2024 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

Nelo Life Co-Founder and CEO Eric Allen on His Innovative Approach to Relationship Marketing

Eric Allen started his career as a passionate inner-city teacher and collegiate basketball coach who later became a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who is dedicated to a life of purpose and service. As the President and Co-Founder of Nelo Life, Allen has launched over a dozen companies across various sectors in the past two decades, generating billions in revenue and impacting millions of lives, inspiring hope and a brighter future for many.

Together with his wife, Casey, and their four children, Allen’s commitment to serving others and fostering a positive social impact remains steadfast.

In discussing the skills that have been pivotal in his journey, Allen reveals that he has never taken a formal course in interpersonal communication. Instead, he has consistently placed himself in diverse social circles, engaging with people who think differently, particularly in the realms of entrepreneurship and charitable work.

This exposure has broadened his perspectives and honed a ‘new language’ for viewing the world through different lenses. Despite the discomfort and occasional disagreements, these experiences have enriched his ability to communicate effectively across diverse groups. Allen believes in the power of authenticity, emphasizing that “people listen to who you are much louder than anything we say,” a principle that guides his interactions and strengthens his relationships.

Reflecting on the influences in his life, Allen credits his mom, a single mother and full-time teacher, who made a profound impact on his values and approach to life. She taught him and his brother to appreciate life’s experiences over material possessions and instilled in him the courage to do what is right, even if it means standing alone.

Her encouragement and support have been crucial in all of Allen’s entrepreneurial endeavors, reinforcing the importance of strong values and compassion in his personal and professional life.

The Birth of Nelo Life

In early 2024, Allen co-founded Nelo Life, a company dedicated to nurturing excellence and living optimally. “I witnessed firsthand the destruction of many people’s dreams due to poor corporate decisions,” he explained. “My partners and I wanted to create a company that truly supports its members’ goals and interests.”

Nelo Life’s mission is to leverage relationships to uplift humanity. Unlike traditional travel companies, it offers lifestyle membership programs that blend value and innovation, making them accessible to a global audience. “Our membership model is inclusive and affordable, with no contracts, ensuring everyone can benefit from our programs,” Allen stated.

In a recent interview, Eric Allen shared insights into his life and business philosophy, revealing how Nelo Life hopes to be a global force for good. He dug into the company’s future, outlining what members and affiliates can anticipate as Nelo Life gears up for its official launch in October 2024.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Each and every day, we [Nelo Life] are listening to our Affiliates and Members, as we celebrate a co-creation mentality with our community. This reinforces that, as a movement, we are best aligning with our members’ hopes, dreams, and continuous, ever-growing value. Obviously, being in the start-up phase, with such lofty goals and a desire for positive global impact, there are a lot of balls being juggled simultaneously at every minute of every day. By staying well-organized and constantly prioritizing initiatives, we are able to continually meet both internal and external timelines and deliverables. Having tremendous passion and a ‘dream team’ corporate make-up, as well as tremendous servant leaders from all walks of life in our field development, each day feels more like play than work, albeit it’s a lot of fun commitment and tasks that must be adhered to.

How do you stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies?

Many of the corporate leaders come from a direct selling, entrepreneurial background. We are also closely connected with top trends, technologies, organizations, and committees to stay abreast of best practices. We have a motto, that the ‘trends are our friends’ on this journey. Like many industries, the relationship marketing environment is currently going through a radical paradigm shift. Entrepreneurs and members looking for real value in their purchasing decisions are now well-equipped with instant information and past experiences to pull from. We must be willing to not only embrace changes and emerging trends but also not be afraid to step out on faith and constant feedback in being true pioneers and trendsetters. Not only being a part of the next waves of entrepreneurship, but also creating new waves and ripple effects of innovative thinking will set us apart as a true ‘category creator’ in the months and years ahead!

Can you recall a significant challenge or failure you faced and how you overcame it?

While some consider missed goals and pursuits as ‘failure,’ I consider them powerful learning lessons. Truly, by worldly standards, I have ‘failed’ more than I’ve succeeded! However, the massive successes that have transformed my life were all the culmination of learning through trial and error, highs and lows personally and professionally. Winners in life just have a habit of getting back up more often than most when life decisions knock them down. Failing forward quickly has brought all of us to Nelo Life, pivoting quickly with superior technology infrastructure will allow us to maximize our truly unlimited potential to uplift lives and communities around the world together!

What is your approach to starting a new project?

The first question that must be answered at this season of my life revolves around, “Will this project leave a lasting legacy that uplifts the world?” Second, is there a viable market to sustain such lofty goals and dreams? If the answer is YES, then the key is to surround yourself with a talented, proactive team of others that share in the collective vision. If we want to go slow, if at all, go alone; if we want to go far and fast, align with talented winners who are liberated to spread their wings and help the movement soar.

What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months? What was the outcome? Would you do anything differently today?

By far, the toughest decision is learning quickly which people are true partners and advocates, and which are ‘dimmers’ and timewasters. While we are all God’s children, not everyone at specific points in time when action and execution are needed is the right fit. With a finite number of minutes in a day, finding the right partnerships and leadership who inspire through action, competency, and heart-driven decisions is paramount in taking an initial thought and quickly manifesting it into real, inspiring substance in which dreams are made of!

What was the worst job you ever had, and what did you learn from it?

This is a tricky one! Really, any job I’ve had where I was at the mercy of others’ decisions and limited in income potential by the number of hours in a workday have taught me a lot. More importantly, it taught me that if we really desire global positive impact, we have to find platforms and vehicles that allow us to serve more. Nelo Life is an idea whose time has come, where people from all over the world and all walks of life can participate in any manner they desire, the least of which is simply enjoying the everyday value they receive for their entire household as members of our community.

Tell us about a skill you taught yourself. How did you go about learning?

I’ve never really taken a formalized course in interpersonal communication; however, I have made an effort to always immerse myself in social circles, big or small, to be around people who think differently, especially in entrepreneurship and charitable work. This expands our own horizons and creates a ‘new language’ in which to look from a different lens. These situations are not always comfortable, nor do I always align with the thoughts and ideas, but it does ‘force’ me to interact and communicate with a diverse group of people. I also believe that people listen to WHO you are much louder than anything we say. Staying true to our values and convictions goes a long way in delivering information to others in a meaningful way.

What people in your life or career have had the greatest impact on you? How?

My mom has had a profound impact on me. As a single mother and full-time teacher, my brother and I never felt like we had less than others. She always used her creativity to teach us valuable life lessons and to treasure memories and experiences over things. She always taught me to do what is right, not what is popular, even if it means walking alone at times. She also taught me to think for myself and that while I am not better than anyone else, no one else is better than me! My mom is always the first person to support me in all my entrepreneurial endeavors. I feel very blessed to have a parent who instilled strong values and compassion in my life and I’m incredibly grateful!

What do you think it is that makes you successful?

I just don’t give up…ever! The more people tell me something cannot be done, within reason, I will do everything I can to prove it can! Successful people tend to stay excited and committed longer than most when the moment of original decisions is made. They know it can be lonely at times, and they also recognize that great success is often achieved in obscurity. It is the things we are doing day in and day out when no one is looking—all the ‘little,’ mundane things—that ultimately determine our outcomes. So many want instant gratification and success. It’s understandable in today’s microwave mindset society, but the most successful people I know and emulate stay committed, dedicated, and have a burning desire to achieve their dreams.

What is the one book that you recommend everyone should read and why?

The Bible…no doubt the greatest ‘personal development book’ of all time.

The Future of Nelo Life

Looking ahead, Allen and his partners aim to expand Nelo Life’s global reach, develop innovative programs, and strengthen their community. “The essence of Nelo Life is to uplift and transform people and communities by aligning with proven charitable organizations,” Allen emphasized. “This is a key part of our strategy, ensuring that our efforts have the greatest impact. My wife and I also started our own charity to give 100% of donations to vetted partners. I’ve been active in my local church, Boys and Girls Club, and various organizations, all striving to uplift humanity.”

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.