How I Built This with Guy Raz Title Nine: Missy Park
Oct 18, 2021
Missy Park, Founder and CEO of Title Nine, shares her journey of creating a women's athletic apparel brand driven by her passion for sports and the impact of Title IX. She recalls the challenges of launching a mail-order catalog in 1989, emphasizing resilience and personal connections. Missy discusses the importance of sustainable growth over venture capital, navigating the male-dominated industry, and building a loyal customer base. Her insights highlight the ongoing fight for women's empowerment in athletics and the evolution of the athletic wear landscape.
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Debutante to Entrepreneur
- Missy Park, a debutante from South Carolina, played various sports at Yale thanks to Title IX.
- She aimed to create a women's version of Nike with teammates, but became the sole pursuer.
Genesis of Title IX
- Early Title IX implementation involved repurposing men's uniforms for women, highlighting equipment disparities.
- This fueled Missy's desire to create better-fitting women's athletic apparel.
California Dreaming
- Missy moved to California, aiming to work for a bike company or The North Face.
- Her persistence landed her a job at The North Face, exposing her to the apparel industry.