Rachel Zietz was only 13 when she began her entrepreneurship journey. Rachel was a lacrosse player who was not settling for the expensive and the nondurable equipment. She had an idea of creating her own products using more durable materials but at a cheaper price. She pitched her idea at a Young Entrepreneurs Academy after she had attended and she was awarded $2,700 for the start up of her company. Rachel was involved with the decisions of the concepts and the selection of the raw materials. She was very detailed in her decisions and it reflects upon her passion for the game. In the first two years o the company, they made $200,000 in sales and then they were up to one million dollars in revenue just two years later. They still continue to sell high quality practice equipment that include back yard rebounders, goals, clothing and accessories.
Rachel’s products are unique because on average they are 20% stronger than the competitors and they are able to withstand mother nature. Her company seemed to bloom very well. Rachel saw there was a need for these items and it shows in her sales from even the first two years. Her brand also has an ambassador who is a major league lacrosse player named Casey Powell which is very great for her business to be promoted to that scene of people. Rachel’s passions for taking charge and making a change lead to great opportunities.
This is a super cool idea. Sports equipment expenses prohibit tons of kids from playing different sports or exploring their athletic capabilities. It is so crazy that she started at the age of thirteen and she had one million in revenue. I love how her passion for the sport lead her to find the gaps in the market.
I’m so glad she found a need and decided to do something here in the sports equipment world. We could use someone like her to take on the sport of volleyball with durable knee-pads and shoes. Way to go Rachel.
I like that she didn’t settle for less durable equipment. She saw an opportunity to improve the quality of products and has obviously has succeeded in surpassing the leading brands.
This is a cool idea that makes sports more affordable and accessible to more groups of people. The success is definitely reflective in the amount of sales they have had.
As a lacrosse player the idea is great. Goals and backstops take a beating from the weather so the extra durability is very needed. The price to play lacrosse also keeps many kids from playing so the fact that these products are cheaper is great for the entire sport to help get more kids involved.
It is crazy that she was so cost conscious at that age. For me, I wasn’t thinking about money at that time. We all should be thinking in this way.