Title Nine
Missy Park grew up during the early era of Title IX, the landmark 1972 law that opened athletic opportunities for young women. As a college basketball player, she witnessed firsthand how women's sports were finally gaining recognition—but activewear for women hadn't caught up. In the late 1980s, female athletes had to choose between ill-fitting or non-existent options. With little experience in apparel or retail, Missy decided to create the solution herself, launching Title Nine in 1989 as a female-focused alternative to Nike.
Missy's first move was direct and scrappy: a mail-order catalog. She filled it with essentials—running shorts, tights, and, added at the last minute, sports bras. The product line was modest but purposeful, designed specifically for women athletes who had been overlooked by the mainstream sportswear industry. Naming the company after the law that had given her the opportunity to compete was both a tribute and a mission statement.
Over the decades, Title Nine kept "hitting singles"—steady, consistent growth driven by loyal customers who appreciated products finally made for them. Without ever accepting outside investment, the company grew to a $100 million business. Missy Park remains the sole owner, maintaining complete control over a company built on the belief that women deserved better athletic wear. Her bootstrapped approach and long-term vision proved that sustainable growth didn't require venture capital.
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