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
Scout charts pre-seed funding from Midwest investors at KCRise Fund, eGrowth Ventures
The just-announced pre-seed round for an emerging innovator in veterinary medicine software is expected to help the Kansas City-built startup deepen its product capabilities, further strengthen its core technology, and strategically grow its team to meet rising demand. “Closing this round gives us the resources and momentum to execute on our mission,” said Dr. Gonzalo…
Keystone launching corporate engagement accelerator to boost low-friction startup collabs
Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem gets its fair share of positive press thanks to a decade of momentum, Kevin McGinnis noted, but the region’s ability to scale innovative ideas to their potential remains stalled because corporations and startups lack an easy on-ramp for collaboration. “We have been listening for years to the ecosystem, to the community,…
Just funded: AltCap Your Biz cycles trio of winners from KC’s diverse hospitality scene
Persistence pays off, said Ruben Alonso, celebrating a decade of the AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition and its role as an energy boost for Kansas City small businesses. The latest winning founders walked away with $60,000 in checks Wednesday at Union Station. Two of this year’s top three winners were returning finalists, the AltCap CEO…
Innovation check(s): Angels scout potential KC investments at NXTUS nano-pitch event
A startup showcase Tuesday in the heart of Johnson County’s innovation community put impact on display as NXTUS’ Accelerate Venture Partners organized a nano-pitch event for its network of angel investors amid Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City festivities. The Wichita-based entrepreneurial support organization — which has mobilized over $8.5 million for entrepreneurs in the Heartland since…