As you all know, because I wrote about it here, I launched my own athletic clothing brand this past week called XX-XY Athletics. It is the only athletic brand standing up for female athletes and women’s sports. And the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
I’ll admit, I was nervous. I had a few nightmares leading up to the launch. I wasn’t afraid of the name calling. I’m used to that. It doesn’t much phase me anymore. Nazi, racist, able-ist, eugenicist, murderer, trans-phobe, anti-LGBTQ++++++, alt-right, QAnon, did I mention murderer? I’ve heard it all. Doesn’t bother me.
The gist of these nightmares was that we only sold 2 t-shirts in a year. That would be really bad.
That didn’t happen.
In fact, we sold out of a bunch of stuff (we’ll be back in stock soon!) and actually ended up doing about 3 weeks worth of sales in the first 5 days. So we’re off to a solid start. We sold way more than 2 t-shirts.
Here’s some of the press and social media buzz from the past week!
Oooo actually — before I get to that, I would like to note that despite being accused of Nazism (again) because our logo which has X’s in it apparently looks a lot like swastikas (if you’re insane) . . .
. . . I’ve gotten so much amazing support from athletes, coaches and former athletes and gymnasts. The general tenor of those emails/DMs has been Thank goodness. We need this. THAT means everything.
Ok back to press.
Forbes kicked things off Monday morning.
Then WWD (fashion trade publication).
Controversial executive? I’ll take it!
A little Q&A in The Free Press (scroll down if you click on the link).
Then Clay and Buck.
Lots more 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 I’ve been busy. Here’s some of it.
Dr. Drew (second half)
Outkick with Dan Dakich (it’s at about 1:05)
Where Have All the Women Gone with my friend Meghan Murphy whose Substack I love and you should subscribe to it if you don’t already.
Of course these tweets from Tulsi Gabbard, Megyn Kelly and Sage Steele didn’t hurt!
As I’ve said a gazillion times this past week, I’d never had any interest in starting my own brand or business. I liked working in established companies. I was a company gal.
But as I interviewed at quite a few established companies in the past 2 years, I came to realize I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t have my words and actions micro-managed by HR. I realized that I’m tired of being told that I’m doing it wrong. Talking too fast. Moving too fast. Generally going too fast. I’m done. I’m 55. I’m doing it my way. And I’m having a blast and I hope my small and mighty team is too. I think they are.
I love being IN IT. I love being 100% IN every aspect of making a brand from scratch — from writing SEO copy to choosing zipper pulls and PMS colors. It’s so much better than doing endless Power Points for board meetings.
Probably the best part of the past week was when my mom called to tell me she bought 11 t-shirts — enough for her, my dad and all of his pickle ball friends. That’s some pretty awesome parental support. Thanks mom.
There was a lot less vitriol than I expected. Here’s the mean you’re a trans-phobe “articles.” Not so many. More to come, I suspect.
The Mary Sue — whatever that is. I love the title. “Former Levi’s Exec and COVID Denier Launches First Transphobic Clothing Line.” I’m officially requesting COVID DENIER on my headstone.
Thanks Ben Appel for the slap back on this one . . .
More to come. And I promise I’ll be sharing thoughts on more than my little business endeavor.
Happy Easter! And if you bought something, I hope you like it. If you don’t like it, tell me why and we’ll make it better. I want to hear!
If you didn’t get anything, stay tuned. I may just have a special offer just for y’all soon!
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