These shoes are made for girls combat sports; now you can buy a pair down the street
September 1, 2022 | Startland News Staff
A Kansas woman’s mission to bring girls’ athletic gear to traditionally male sports scored a big win this week as Yes! Athletics announced its move from online-only sales to local store shelves.
Furthering its reach beyond the Yes! Athletics website, the shoe brand can be purchased at three Jock’s Nitch Sports stores in Kansas — including in Lenexa and Topeka — starting Sept. 12.
Deb Tomkins North, Yes! Athletics, at the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Small Business Celebration
“I am excited about this partnership to have a retail location where girls can try and purchase the shoes,” said Deb Tomkins North, founder of Yes! Athletics. “Kansas was a trailblazer in women’s wrestling when they officially sanctioned in 2020 and we have seen tremendous growth in the sport.”
Click here to read more about North’s journey with Yes! Athletics.
Jock’s Nitch is owned by Phil Minton and is headquartered in Pittsburg, Kansas — where Minton founded the chain 32 years ago while a freshman at Pittsburg State University. Jock’s Nitch operates six locations across eastern Kansas.
The Pittsburg store is among those carrying North’s brand.
“We are very excited to partner with fellow Kansas Company Yes! Athletics,” Minton said. “Our business with girls and women’s sports continues to grow and are looking for innovative new companies and products like Yes! is producing.”
Can’t wait? Click here to shop Yes! Athletics online.
Shoes like Yes! Athletics’ Defiant 1 line are breathable, lightweight, and eco-friendly options for athletes in wrestling and other combat sports such as MMA. boxing, kickboxing, and powerlifting.
The shoe’s high-top design allows for excellent stability when jumping rope or lifting weights, according to the company.
UFC Fighter Miranda Maverick is expected to join an official Yes! Athletics launch event for autographs and a Q&A on her journey from wrestling to MMA. The meet and greet, along with product launch, is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Lenexa location, 13358 College Blvd.
This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.
For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn
2022 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Cybersecurity startup extends intelligence, from small biz to college (and wartime Ukraine)
A cyber attack at a Kansas City area college pushed serial entrepreneur Conner Hazelrigg and her on-campus colleague — a decorated CIA intelligence officer-turned-cybersecurity professional — into action, the founders of Hilltop Technologies said. “When we started really looking into it, we realized how vulnerable higher education is and how soft of targets they are,” said…
Why this Missouri founder’s auto tech startup accelerated even as the ‘world was ending’
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. SPRINGFIELD, Missouri — With two decades of experience in…
Kauffman’s new grants go live this week; here’s what we know about the revised funding priorities
The announcement of five new grants opportunities from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation brings months of anticipation and potential uncertainty to a head, offering a more clear view into the relaunched grantmaking strategy of the influential Kansas City philanthropic organization. New applications for funding through the Kauffman Foundation open Aug. 29 — about four months…
Digital Health KC debuts Lumi Awards with star-powered roster of tech honorees
Healthcare is a team sport and Kansas City has all the players, said Dick Flanigan, heaping praise on the region’s innovators at the intersection of healthcare and technology. “We have key entries in every sector, allowing us to tap into these companies and individuals to truly form a winning team,” said Flanigan, president of Digital…