Achievement Unlocked

Alumnus Nima Asgari Brings Together Video Gaming and Community with Launch of Area Esports Lounge

For Nima Asgari, gaming as a young boy wasn’t just a pastime—it was a lifeline. From the arcades of Iran to after-school meetups in suburban America, he found connection through competitive play. Now, the University of Louisville College of Business alumnus is channeling that same sense of belonging into the Olympus Gaming Lounge–a space where esports meets community and everyone’s invited. Asgari shared with us how his UofL experience, entrepreneurial spirit and love for gaming are reshaping Louisville’s social scene—one controller at a time.

College of Business: Please share with us more about your background and what your life was like growing up.

Nima Asgari: I was born in Tehran, Iran, and growing up, I had the unique opportunity to witness both ends of the spectrum—what it means to struggle and what it looks like to live lavishly. That contrast shaped me early on. At age nine, my family and I moved to the United States, where we lived a lower-middle-class lifestyle. Even then, I knew I wanted to experience life on the other side, not just financially, but in terms of freedom and opportunity. That desire has fueled everything I’ve done since.

College of Business: How did your interests in biology and business first develop, and what made the University of Louisville the right place to pursue those academic goals?

Nima Asgari: Like many Middle Eastern kids, my interest in biology wasn’t entirely my own—it was influenced by my parents. Culturally, becoming a doctor or a lawyer is often the expectation, and I didn’t yet have the courage to go against the grain. So I majored in biology, hoping to eventually pivot. At the same time, I picked up business management as a second major—something that actually excited me. I structured my schedule so that biology filled my Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while Tuesdays and Thursdays were my “business days” which was something to look forward to and balance out my week. UofL offered me the perfect opportunity to explore both paths and ultimately find the one that truly aligned with who I am.

College of Business: What sparked your desire to focus on franchising and real estate while studying business management?

Nima Asgari: For franchising, the answer is simple: Dr. Gosser. Her passion and knowledge were contagious, and she opened my eyes to the power of franchising in a way I hadn’t considered. Real estate, on the other hand, has always been in my blood. In Iran, it was my uncles, cousins and especially my dad. After moving to the US, I’d see older Iranian men—50s, 60s even 70s talking about real estate at gatherings. They got into it after long careers in other fields. I kept thinking, “Why wait?,” so I decided to start early and see where it could take me.

College of Business: What was the most impactful moment you experienced as a student in the College of Business, and what effect has that event had on your career?

Nima Asgari: I can’t point to just one moment. My entire experience was transformative. Each professor brought something unique, and the concepts I learned became tools I still use daily. I often say my education didn’t just give me knowledge–it sparked my curiosity. That curiosity led to action, and that action turned into success. The College of Business laid the foundation that helped me build everything I’ve done since.

College of Business: What were some challenges you faced as a student, and how did you work to overcome those obstacles?

Nima Asgari: Balancing it all was tough. I took on three semesters of 21 credit hours, and worked two jobs. One as a program coordinator for LSAMP and another as an academic coach at REACH. I remember hardly sleeping. I treated school as an investment, not an obligation. I knew it was temporary and that the payoff would come later. When things got hard, I reminded myself of the life I was working toward, and that future vision kept me going.

College of Business: How did you develop an interest in becoming an entrepreneur, and how did that evolve into the launch of Asgari Enterprise?

Nima Asgari: I’ve always had this want for more. Whether it’s for myself, for my family or for my community. In 2020, I launched Asgari Enterprise with the idea of flipping houses to pay my way through dental school. After that dream perished, I landed a high-paying job after college, but it felt empty. Something was missing. One random February morning, I woke up and said, “I’m done settling.” By then, I had 2.5 years of real estate experience. I wasn’t particularly passionate about the transactional side, but I loved the research and financial analysis. That’s when it clicked. I should be consulting. So I pivoted Asgari into a real estate consulting firm. Fast forward a year, and I had advised on over $10 million worth of projects. Then I took a chance on an opportunity a past investor passed on. That opportunity became Olympus.

College of Business: What have been some of the most surprising lessons entrepreneurship has taught you, about others or yourself?

Nima Asgari: Your IQ is not the most important part of your life–it is your EQ. I highly believe that success isn’t about intelligence–it’s about emotional intelligence. The people who win aren’t the smartest, they’re the best at managing relationships. They know how to add value, build trust and bring others along for the ride. Also, I’ve learned that the brain can only handle so much—burnout is real, and balance is key.

College of Business: What have been the most rewarding parts of being an entrepreneur, and what advice would you offer someone just getting started?

Nima Asgari: Knowing everything I’ve built came from love, trust and action—the core of my brand, LTD (Love, Trust, Do). Love what you do. Love people. Trust the process. Trust yourself. Then go do. Whether it’s answering one email or knocking out ten appointments and a dinner meeting, it all counts. The wins, the lulls and the chaos—it’s all part of the journey.

College of Business: What led to the launch of Olympus Gaming Lounge, and what excites you most about today’s esports experience?

Nima Asgari: The concept of Olympus was brought over from Iran. I had one growing up. It was great. We went there after school, played, ate and we all turned out okay. It was a good, safe environment that my friends and I enjoyed going to. When I was studying Dixie Market reports, I couldn’t believe there was nothing like it, so I had to do it. The most exciting part of the esports experience is seeing the opportunity it gives everyone. Anybody could pickup a controller and play–that is what I love most about it.

College of Business: How do you envision Olympus shaping the social gaming experience in Louisville?

Nima Asgari: I envision Olympus being the pioneering establishment for anything esports related–not just in Louisville, but in the region. That is why I built it the way I did. I want this to be the Slugger Field of esports–for the community, for Louisville and for Kentucky.

College of Business: Why would you encourage prospective students to choose UofL for their business management, entrepreneurship or real estate education?

Nima Asgari: UofL doesn’t just teach you business. It surrounds you with people who care. The support system, the faculty and the resources are unmatched. Whether you’re exploring franchising, real estate or launching your own business, the College of Business gives you the knowledge and the space to grow into who you want to be.

College of Business: What is on the horizon for Asgari Enterprise and the Olympus Gaming Lounge, and do you have any additional projects in development?

Nima Asgari: Asgari Enterprise is doing great things. We have helped with numerous projects that are already up and running and are working on more. While I can’t mention all of them, some include a brand new unique café, a science company, a media studio, a new concept restaurant and many more. Soon enough, Asgari Consulting will help Louisville become the destination to have new cool experiences like you get in Los Angeles and New York.

As Olympus grows, I plan on doing wonderful things with it when it comes to the community and the esport space. I envision Olympus as the hub for not only gaming, but a hub for technology to flourish–somewhere that has it all for the community that it is destined to serve. From day one, Olympus was built and has everything it needs to be a competitive regional player in the esport and tech world scene and it is just a matter of time when that comes to fruition.

College of Business: Is there anything you’d like to leave our readers with about your journey?

Nima Asgari: My journey has had sacrifices and lows that I don’t wish on my worst enemy. Obviously, when you talk about your journey, those aren’t often shared because they are just part of the process of doing something big. The cliché stuff is cliché because it has truth behind it–so remember that next time you are faced with a hardship. You have a 100% chance of getting through it because you have done it until now, so keep pushing, and try to find that golden balance.

To learn more about the Olympus Gaming Lounge, visit their website and social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, X and YouTube. Interested in consulting with Asgari about your real estate goals? Visit the Asgari Enterprise website.

Are you ready to level up your career? Our real estate minor equips you with the foundation you need to turn bold ideas into a community legacy. Begin your academic quest at https://business.louisville.edu/academics-programs/undergraduate-programs/business-minors/#real-estate

About the UofL College of Business:

Founded in 1953, the UofL College of Business fosters intellectual and economic vitality in our city, region and the global business landscape. Our academic programs, research, community outreach initiatives and commitment to student success inspire lives and businesses to flourish through entrepreneurship, innovation, critical thinking, diversity and the power of people.

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