When we think of female athletes, we often picture them standing atop podiums, clutching medals, and breaking records. However, many of these athletes are proving that their talents extend far beyond the arena. Transitioning into highly successful careers as business owners and investors, these women are trailblazers in both sports and business. This blog post explores what led to their success and the crucial role that ownership and investment played in their post-athletic careers.

Vision and Planning

Successful transitions from sports to business don’t happen overnight. For athletes like Serena and Venus Williams, their journey began with a clear vision and meticulous planning. These athletes didn’t wait until retirement to think about their futures. They laid the groundwork early by exploring interests, educating themselves about business, and identifying opportunities. This foresight allowed them to transition seamlessly into new ventures.

Leveraging Personal Brand

Athletes like Maria Sharapova and Alex Morgan have masterfully leveraged their personal brands to build successful businesses. Their global fame and marketability have opened doors to lucrative endorsement deals and business ventures. By associating their names with quality products and services, they have been able to maintain and even grow their influence off the field. Sharapova’s Sugarpova candy line and Morgan’s media company, TOGETHXR, are prime examples of how a strong personal brand can drive business success.

Diversification of Investments

Diversifying investments has been a key strategy for athletes like Danica Patrick and Lindsey Vonn. By investing in various sectors, they spread risk and maximize potential returns. Patrick’s ventures into the wine industry with Somnium Wine and Vonn’s investments in wellness brands demonstrate their ability to identify and capitalize on diverse opportunities. This diversification ensures financial stability and opens multiple avenues for growth.

Building Strong Teams

A common trait among these successful female athletes is their ability to build and lead strong teams. Whether it’s running a sports franchise or managing a business venture, having a competent and trustworthy team is crucial. Billie Jean King’s leadership in World TeamTennis and Abby Wambach’s role in Angel City FC highlight the importance of surrounding oneself with experts who complement their skills and drive the business forward.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Transitioning from sports to business requires a different skill set, and athletes like Gabrielle Reece and Jackie Joyner-Kersee have shown a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation. They attend business schools, seek mentorship, and stay updated with market trends to remain competitive. Reece’s fitness training program, XPT, and Joyner-Kersee’s foundation work are testaments to their dedication to personal growth and community impact.

The Importance of Ownership and Investment

Becoming owners and investors has been vital to the success of many retired female athletes. Ownership provides control and long-term benefits that are not possible through endorsements alone. For instance, Serena Williams’ venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, allows her to shape the future of startups she believes in, promoting diversity and innovation. Similarly, Mia Hamm’s co-ownership of Los Angeles FC gives her a significant role in the sports industry even after retirement.

Ownership and investment give these athletes the power to influence decisions, drive innovation, and ensure the sustainability of their ventures. It offers financial security and the opportunity to create lasting legacies. 

Athletes Turned Entrepreneurs

Serena Williams: Her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, focuses on investing in diverse founders and innovative startups. This strategic approach not only grows her wealth but also promotes social change and innovation.

Venus Williams: As the founder of V Starr Interiors and owner of EleVen, she has successfully transitioned into the worlds of interior design and fashion, leveraging her fame and expertise to build reputable brands.

Maria Sharapova: Her candy company, Sugarpova, and investments in wellness brands showcase her business acumen and ability to diversify her portfolio effectively.

Danica Patrick: Patrick’s foray into the wine industry with Somnium Wine and her various endorsements highlight her ability to capitalize on her brand and invest in her passions.

The transition from sports to business is not an easy one, but these female athletes have shown that with vision, planning, and the right strategies, it is possible to achieve tremendous success. Ownership and investment have been critical components of their success, providing control, stability, and growth opportunities. By leveraging their personal brands, building strong teams, and continuously learning, these former athletes have become influential business moguls, proving that their talents extend far beyond the playing field.

Their journeys offer valuable lessons for current and future athletes, highlighting the importance of planning for the future, embracing new challenges, and never underestimating the power of ownership and investment. These women are not just champions in their sports; they are champions in life, blazing trails for the next generation of female athletes and entrepreneurs.