Dragonwing Blog
Dragonwing® girlgear Selected for Startup Mentoring Program
We're proud and excited to announce that Soar Triangle, a Google for Entrepreneurs-backed initiative to prepare female entrepreneurs in the Triangle region for success, has selected Dragonwing girlgear and MaryAnne Gucciardi, founder and CEO, for its active mentoring program.
Soar supports promising female entrepreneurs, providing the resources needed to reach their next milestone and secure investment funding. Launched early in 2014, Soar was awarded funds and program support from Google for Entrepreneur as a part of the #40Forward challenge to increase participation in startups by women by 25% this year.
Dragonwing girlgear, a manufacturer of sports undergarments and base-layer designed for pre-teen and teen girls, was one of four promising women-owned businesses selected for active mentoring via Soar’s highly competitive process.
Dragonwing makes high performance, superior fitting, age and sport-specific sports undergarments for girls ages 8-17. Our mission is to give girls an advantage on and off the playing field (or court or track) by providing clothing -- sports bras, compression shorts, sports camis, and base layers -- that gives them the freedom to move and play with confidence. Instead of worrying about their changing bodies or being distracted by poorly fitting clothes, they can enjoy playing and competing. Dragonwing girlgear is a member of the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network and was a finalist in the 2013 Urban Rebound Raleigh Durham small business pitch competition for women.
Corie Barry: From Rugby Field to CEO
There's no arguing the fitness benefits for girls playing sports -- but does it really increase their likelihood of success later in life? Athletics teach values that go far beyond the court or field: cooperation, determination, discipline, and how to succeed under pressure.
As more women enter the C-Suite, it's notable how many laid the foundation for their success playing competitive sports early in life.
Corie Barry spent much of her career with Best Buy, having served as Chief Financial Officer before being named CEO. Before that, she played college rugby and considered a career in dance. For her, an impressive title and resume must include her husband and two kids, youth baseball games, gymnastics with her daughter, and active time spent together with her family.
"My point of view is there is no perfect balance," says Barry. "All you can do is figure out what works for you. I laugh because I'm always the mom who shows up at the baseball game in my heels, and that's OK."
Whether it's business or sports, Barry has advice we can all use. "I've always felt it's important to demand a return on your investment. If you're going to put your time in, where you put it in and the return you get is incredibly important because there are only so many hours in a day."
Corie's is an inspiring success story for athletic girls in every sport.
Read "Boardrooms And Ballfields: Best Buy CFO Corie Barry Talks Motherhood"