How I Built This with Guy Raz: Missy Park (October 2021)

Release Date: April 7, 2025

In this compelling episode of How I Built This, Guy Raz delves into the inspiring journey of Missy Park, the founder and CEO of Title IX, one of the pioneering brands dedicated to women's sports apparel. Missy's story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and unwavering passion for empowering female athletes through well-designed gear.

Early Life and Influences

Missy Park hails from Greenville, South Carolina, where she grew up in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains during the transformative 1960s and 1970s. Her upbringing was significantly influenced by her parents—her father, a World War II veteran turned entrepreneur, and her mother, a forward-thinking homemaker who championed financial independence for women.

Quote:
"I remember my mom fighting to get her credit card in her own name rather than in Mrs. Russell Hunter Park."
— Missy Park [07:25]

This environment fostered Missy's entrepreneurial spirit and her commitment to gender equality, laying the foundation for her future endeavors.

College Years and Athletic Identity

Missy's academic journey took her to Yale University, where she excelled as a Division 1 basketball player. Title IX, a U.S. civil rights law passed in 1972, played a pivotal role in her athletic opportunities, mandating equal sport participation for women in federally funded educational programs.

Quote:
"Title IX was required to take effect in schools. 1976, Missy Park joined her high school basketball team in Greenville, South Carolina."
— Guy Raz [04:22]

Despite the increased opportunities, Missy and her teammates faced challenges such as ill-fitting sports gear and limited resources, which fueled her desire to create better athletic apparel for women.

Founding Title IX: The Early Struggles

In 1989, at the age of 26, Missy Park founded Title IX, naming it after the legislation that had so profoundly impacted her athletic career. Operating out of her garage in Berkeley, California, with a modest investment of $30,000, Missy embarked on her entrepreneurial journey by launching a mail-order catalog for women's sportswear.

Quote:
"I was super flat chested. We're gonna say double A on a good day, so that's an afterthought for me."
— Missy Park [43:06]

The initial launch was fraught with difficulties. Missy mailed out 15,000 catalogs but received only 15 orders, highlighting the steep challenges of breaking into a nascent market.

Quote:
"And I think we got a whopping maybe 15 orders. Maybe seven of them were from someone that I did not know."
— Missy Park [45:58]

Overcoming Financial Hardships

The early years were marked by significant financial strain, including earning $200,000 in debt. Missy contemplates quitting multiple times but finds solace and encouragement through support from her partner, Dana, and her father.

Quote:
"My solution then was to call my dad, because he was. Whenever I talked with him, he always just had, like, the one good piece of advice that I needed to hold on to."
— Missy Park [51:28]

Missy's perseverance eventually led Title IX to profitability around 1993, underscoring the importance of resilience and continuous improvement.

Strategic Growth and Brand Philosophy

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Title IX focused on direct-to-consumer marketing, leveraging mail-order catalogs and participating in sporting events to build a loyal customer base. Missy's approach emphasized hitting singles—making incremental progress without relying on external investors, thus maintaining complete control over the company's vision and operations.

Quote:
"One of the hardest parts about B2B marketing is reaching the right audience... You have to make sure you're hitting singles, because no one's going to be that patient."
— Missy Park [54:55]

Missy's leadership philosophy centers on hiring for passion rather than mere qualifications, fostering a supportive and authentic company culture.

Navigating Downturns and Leadership Transitions

In 2014-2015, Title IX faced a significant downturn due to Missy's delayed shift from a print-focused model to a digital one. This strategic misstep led to inventory surpluses and financial losses, prompting Missy to bring in a new president, Johnny Lin, to steer the company back on course.

Quote:
"If Title IX were a publicly traded company, someone should fire me right now."
— Missy Park [70:54]

Missy's acknowledgment of her leadership flaws illustrates her commitment to the company's long-term sustainability over personal accolades.

Embracing Digital Transformation and Sustained Growth

As the digital landscape evolved, Title IX adapted by enhancing its online presence and balancing e-commerce with brick-and-mortar stores. The company maintained steady growth, reaching approximately $100 million in revenue, while remaining committed to its original mission of supporting female athletes.

Quote:
"The sole purpose of a publicly traded company or a private equity backed company is to maximize shareholder value in purely financial terms. And plain and simple, I haven't done that."
— Missy Park [72:18]

Missy's focus remained on value creation beyond financial metrics, emphasizing mentorship, community support, and sustainable business practices.

Legacy and Future Aspirations

Reflecting on her 30-plus-year journey, Missy Park attributes her success to a combination of luck and hard work, with an emphasis on the latter. She envisions Title IX continuing to thrive under new leadership, ensuring its legacy of empowering women through sports apparel endures.

Quote:
"I had to be a young woman growing up in the 70s and 80s, not in the 40s and 50s. That's luck."
— Missy Park [84:30]

Missy's story is not just about building a successful business but also about fostering a movement that champions gender equality in sports. Her dedication serves as an inspiration for aspiring female entrepreneurs aiming to make a meaningful impact.

Conclusion

Missy Park's journey with Title IX embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship—overcoming adversity, staying true to core values, and continuously evolving to meet market demands. Her unwavering commitment to creating quality athletic apparel for women has not only built a successful brand but also empowered countless female athletes to perform at their best.

Final Quote:
"If you want to do something really great, whether that's being a great mom or being a great entrepreneur, you're really going to have to dig in and have a lot of imbalance for a while."
— Missy Park [66:48]

Missy Park's story is a masterclass in innovation, leadership, and resilience, providing invaluable lessons for anyone looking to build something meaningful from the ground up.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of resilience and persistence in overcoming early business struggles.
• The value of hiring passionate individuals who align with the company's mission.
• Balancing incremental growth with strategic pivots to adapt to changing markets.
• Fostering a company culture that prioritizes value creation over mere financial gains.
• The significance of mentorship and community support in sustaining long-term business success.

This summary encapsulates the essence of Missy Park's entrepreneurial journey as detailed in her interview on "How I Built This." For a deeper dive into her story, listening to the full episode is highly recommended.