Dallas-based entrepreneur Waseem Limbada Consultant, Airbnb is calling for stronger business education and transition planning for current and former athletes.

DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Waseem Limbada Consultant, Airbnb is raising awareness about a growing issue that affects thousands of athletes each year: what happens after the game ends.

A former state and national champion basketball player, Limbada understands firsthand how quickly an athletic career can shift. After declining a professional contract overseas just before COVID, he transitioned into finance and later built multiple eight-figure consulting and real estate businesses. Today, he is using his platform to advocate for what he calls a "Plan B" mindset for athletes at every level.

"I've seen too many talented athletes struggle once the season ends," Limbada says. "We train for years to win on the court, but very few people train us to win in business or life after sports."

The Transition Problem Facing Athletes

According to NCAA data, fewer than 2% of college athletes go on to compete at the professional level. Even among those who do, most professional sports careers last only a few years. The average NBA career spans approximately 4 to 5 years. In many sports, it is even shorter.

At the same time, research from the NCAA and independent sports foundations shows that many former athletes report difficulty adjusting to career changes, identity loss, and financial stress after leaving competitive play.

For Limbada, those statistics are not abstract.

"Athletics gives you discipline, structure, and mental toughness," he says. "But if you don't pair that with financial education and business skills, you're leaving your future to chance."

From Athlete to CEO

After stepping away from a potential professional basketball career, Limbada became a Certified Financial Advisor with a Fortune 100 company. By age 23, he had built and led a national organization of more than 15,000 members across 23 countries.

He later launched a six-figure car rental business and scaled a short-term rental portfolio from one unit to 100 properties in under three years. Across his consulting firms, he has helped clients secure more than $20 million in funding and supported over 1,000 Airbnb and short-term rental launches.

But he says the real lesson is not about scale. It is about preparation.

"Championships are won in practice," Limbada explains. "Business is no different. You have to develop skills before you need them."

Why Capital Literacy Matters

Beyond athlete transition, Limbada is also advocating for stronger capital literacy among young entrepreneurs and professionals.

A 2023 Federal Reserve survey found that many small business owners cite access to capital as one of their top challenges. At the same time, financial literacy studies continue to show that a large percentage of Americans lack confidence in understanding credit, lending, and long-term planning.

"Capital is a tool," Limbada says. "If you understand how it works, you can create leverage. If you don't, it controls you."

Through his consulting platforms, Limbada focuses on education around business funding, operational systems, and asset acquisition. He stresses that awareness and preparation are key.

"This isn't about hype," he says. "It's about structure. It's about knowing how money moves and how to deploy it with intention."

A Community Built for Athletes

To address the gap, Limbada has launched a free educational community aimed at helping athletes build business skills while they are still competing.

The initiative provides exposure to entrepreneurship, strategy, and real-world case studies. It encourages athletes to think beyond contracts and endorsements.

"You don't have to wait until your career ends to prepare," Limbada says. "Your Plan B should strengthen your Plan A."

He believes the same principle applies to young entrepreneurs.

"Skill stacking is power," he adds. "The earlier you learn how business works, the more options you create for yourself."

A Call to Action

Limbada is encouraging athletes, parents, coaches, and young professionals to take proactive steps:

• Start learning about business and financial fundamentals early.

• Seek mentors outside of sports.

• Build income skills that are not tied to physical performance.

• Develop systems and discipline that translate beyond competition.

"You don't need to abandon your dream," Limbada says. "You just need to build depth around it."

He emphasizes that long-term stability starts with personal responsibility.

"No one cares about your future more than you do," he says. "If you take ownership early, you change the trajectory of your life."

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About Waseem Limbada Consultant, Airbnb

Waseem Limbada Consultant, Airbnb is a Dallas, Texas-based entrepreneur and CEO focused on capital access, real estate strategy, and business consulting. A former championship basketball player, he transitioned from financial services into entrepreneurship, scaling multiple ventures and supporting over 1,000 short-term rental launches. He is an advocate for athlete transition education and long-term financial literacy.

Contact:

Info@waseem-limbada.com

SOURCE: Waseem Limbada Consultant, Airbnb