No Sweat

No doubt about it: The women's market is proving to be the sporting industry's hottest commodity these days.

That's good news for Girl World Sports Inc., a $3 million Houston apparel design and manufacturing business. Launched in 1996, the company's three founders have their T-shirts, hats and tank tops on shelves nationwide in well-known retail outlets such as Lady Foot Locker.

Their bestsellers include colorful T-shirts sporting sayings such as "Games Real Girls Play" and "Girls Rule the Court," as well as baseball caps imprinted with the words "Go Girl."

"It's all about attitude verbiage," says Bridget Degan, 38, who launched the business with fellow sports lovers Ellen Krantz, 35, and Sasha Milby, 32.

Their timing couldn't have been better. Mega-manufacturer Champion now uses Girl World graphics exclusively on its official Women's National Basketball Association T-shirt line. Looks like their hoop dreams are fast becoming reality.

This article was originally published in the July 1998 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: No Sweat.