Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Esayian.
Hi Nicholas , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in the Midwest, played a wide range of high schools sports, a little college football, graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, had several corporate jobs and started to race sports cars professionally. Moved to the San Diego area in 1994, working for Execution (Bain Capital) and then started my own entrepreneurial venture in 1998, marketing products for other companies. In 2001 I started to develop, sell, and fulfill my own products concurrently which grew into a fairly large direct to consumer company. During this time I obtained by MBA from the University of Redlands, went through the San Diego Sheriff’s Academy to become a Search and Rescue Member, and continued my racing career in the Pirelli World Challenge Series racing for BMW, Acura, and Aston Martin. In 2018 I sold the marketing company, retired from racing in 2019, and purchased SG Helmets from the founder of SIMPSON Racing, Bill Simpson, and founded LIGHT Helmets.
Fast forward to today and LIGHT has over 450 helmets in the NFL, in over 100 NCAA locker rooms, the #1 football helmets per the independent labs of Virginia Tech as well as the #1 “New” helmets per the NFLPA/NFL for each of the Position Specific Categories they have in 2025. We have helmets at all levels of play from the pros down to youth in football as well as flag football and soccer headgear. Our ownership group includes NFL players (past/present) and business notables; Cam Jordan, Tony Romo, Dennis Pitta, Jordan Palmer, Tyrod Taylor, Fred Smith (Fed Ex, recently deceased), Richard Green (First Trust Bank/Philadelphia Eagles), John Sarkisian (SKLZ), Ted Roth, several Navy SEALs and others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been smooth. My first company, Revenue Solutions eventually because a cash machine but I suffered through growing pains, personal austerity after leaving the corporate world. There have been other endeavors/investments, some successful, others suffered from being “too early” to market. Divorce, being a single father, juggling racing, new companies, philanthropic work, and deaths in the family also created a series of challenges. The football helmet space is capital intensive and we compete against two 100 year old companies that have monopolized the space and controlling the market. The path to this point, with this particular business, is the hardest thing I have ever done.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about LIGHT Helmets?
I am the CEO and founder of LIGHT Helmets. LIGHT Helmets, designs, tests, manufactures, and markets football (NFL through youth), flag football, soccer, and other sports helmets composed of advanced and lightweight materials transitioned from the battlefield, military aviation, and professional auto racing. LIGHT’s Apache varsity helmet is the #1 rated tackle football helmet ever tested by the independent labs of Virginia Tech. The Apache Pro and Gladiator Thunder are at the #1 “NEW” Position Specific categories (QB/OL/DL) per the NFLPA/NFL weighing up to 45% less than competitive helmets.
Products under development include lacrosse, hockey, ski, snowboard, skate, scooter, bike, baseball, women’s lacrosse/field hockey, and construction. LIGHT Helmets are used by players at all levels of play. LIGHT products provide better impact protection, and improved performance for the athlete through their lightweight, as well as other economic benefits to the purchaser. LIGHT has designed the world’s lightest family (3) of Five Star Virginia Tech Rated Football helmets and two soft headgear that received perfect scores/#1 in class rating. LIGHT is also developing a series of accessory camera systems with the intent of utilizing the content for broadcast TV, coaching/training, recruitment, and entertainment/social.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Podcasts – Jocko Wilnik, All In, Shawn Ryan, Liberty Risk
Books – anything related to military history, Rich Dad Poor Dad
News – Wall Street Journal, Economist
Absorbing anything about how to use AI as a business owner/C-Level Exec.
Pricing:
- Apache Pro/Apache Valor/Gladiator Thunder/Gladiator Trident (NFL/D1 NCAA) $1295-$1500
- Apache – $649-$695 (College/HS)
- Apache LIGHTNING $449 (HS)
- Apache Tomahawk $299 (HS/Youth)
- SS1 $79 (flag football/soccer)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lighthelmets.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lighthelmets/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLightHelmets/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/light-helmets
- Twitter: https://x.com/TheLightHelmets
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lighthelmets
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/0DFdGlWf0qKzRWc0LTAPsV?si=db19bf4240214880
