Meet Lisa Crossley | Founder, CEO GIRLSTRONG INC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Crossley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The POWER of a GIRLSTRONG Tee! It reminds me of Superwoman’s cape, there is actually a feeling when you put on a GIRLSTRONG Tee. When we feel good as women, the world benefits! I was recently laughing with my husband and friends, telling them, EVERY DAY, I am living outside my comfort zone – lol! I was listening to one of my favorite humans “Sara Blakely” (@Sneex) sharing about how she needed to go outside and walk barefoot in the grass to get grounded, before she went on stage. Risk taking and living outside of our comfort zones, we all have to do it to get to where we are supposed to be in this lifetime, our purpose, while we are on the planet.

As the founder of GIRLSTRONG INC Athletic Apparel, I am accutely aware of the importance of stepping beyond my comfort zone to realize our vision of becoming a global brand. I feel divinely guided. My extensive experience working in the beauty and fashion world, for major designers like Vera Wang, Calvin Klein and LVMH – has equipped me with invaluable insights, but the leap from industry insider to brand leader requires a bold, transformative mindset.

GIRLSTRONG has recently partnered with Girls on the Run Georgia, a nonprofit organization that develops essential social, emotional and physical skills in girls, to successfully navigate life experiences. We talked about our childhoods and wished this was available when we were young girls.

On October 15, 2024, from 1-3 pm, GIRLSTRONG invites the community to a “Healthy Happy Hour” and women’s social event. Holly Firfer, an Emmy nominated correspondent and journalist, will MC the event, which will be held at Stellar Bodies Buckhead Court (3872 Roswell Road, Ste B2, Atlanta). The reception will feature light bites and drinks, a raffle with exciting prizes, guest speakers and networking opportunities. Event tickets are $35 and guests will receive a raffle ticket, and a swag bag, including a classic GIRLSTRONG T-shirt with net proceeds going to benefit Girls on the Run Georgia.

Whitney Reynolds is the executive producer and host of the nationally syndicated PBS talk show, The Whitney Reynolds Show. Reynolds is on the GIRLSTRONG Advisory Board. Reynolds will be a featured guest at the Oct. 15th event. Whitney has said, “GIRLSTRONG ambassadors respond to how different it is to wear a GIRLSTRONG tee than another brand. Activewear is Nike and Reebok. GIRLSTRONG is about empowerment – and the future is female.”

According to Vogue, “It’s hard not to attach meaning and emotional weight to clothing; what you wear not only reflects who you are and how you carry yourself, but also who you want to be. Few people are as attuned to this nuance as women designers, who instill their work with an acknowledgment of a woman’s unique perspective navigating the world.”

THE POWER OF POSITIVE FASHION

Fashion plays a significant role in shaping our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us. It has been a powerful tool for female empowerment throughout history, allowing women to express themselves authentically, challenge stereotypes, and redefine what it means to be both feminine and empowered.

I welcome all women who value a healthy lifestyle and aspire to be role models for the next generation to join the GIRLSTRONG movement. GIRLSTRONG is a community dedicated to your well-being, built by women, for women. Taglines on GIRLSTRONG apparel include: “The Future is Female,” “Girl Boss,” “Who Runs the World?” “Wear the Power, Feel the Power,” “You Can Change the World, Girl!” or simply “GIRLSTRONG.” These messages serve as a reminder to girls of all ages to chase their dreams and reach for the stars.

We are pleased to give back to Girls on the Run and to create a strong community for women-centered agencies.

For more information, visit: https://www.girlstronginc.com/ click on giving back tab and view Invitation to Sign up!

What should our readers know about your business?
It started with a GIRLSTRONG Tee!

My journey to founding GIRLSTRONG was guided by a desire to create clothing with a positive message- clothing that women could wear and feel inspired by every day. With more than 15 years of experience in the beauty and fashion world, I saw an opportunity to make a difference. I envisioned a brand that women could relate to and connect with; a brand that would bridge the gaps that often divide us.

GIRLSTRONG is an e-commerce brand; a community comprised of women and girls, media and influencers, athletes and beauty queens, moms and daughters and sisters– all connected by the same message: Empowered women empower each other.

“When we feel good as WOMEN, the world benefits,“The lifestyle brand, GIRLSTRONG is all about showing up in our best capacity. Fashion can empower women in many ways, including as a tool for activism, a way to express identity, and a way to feel confident. Every woman deserves to feel empowered, strong, sexy and confident in every facet of life.”

I think of the famous “Fearless Girl” statue at the New York Stock Exchange in NYC, she has her hands on her hips and her chin up as sign of strength, she is GIRLSTRONG! If you have vistied NYC, you probably have a photo with her, hands on hips, standing tall; I do!

GIRLSTRONG has everything that Lululemon, Athleta, Alo & all the other Activewear companies have … tees, hoodies, tanks, buttery soft leggings in every color and design, bras, bags and More! We are excited about the new Collegiate Collection, but what really sets us apart is the twist on empowerment.

Be prepared for people to stop and pay a compliment or ask: hey, where did you get that Tee|Hoodie ?

Every single customer has said they feel stronger and more confident when wearing GIRLSTRONG. There is an empowerment vibe and energy in all GIRLSTRONG Activewear. That’s where the tag lines come in – “Wear the Power – Feel the Power” and “You can change the world, girl!” You can feel it!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oooo, we love all the little downtown areas in all the burbs of Atlanta.

I would say my first place to take friends is The Avalon in Alpharetta. Maybe Mexican @Superica – best chips and salsa or a healthy twist would be @True Food, a good staple, I always order the Korean Bowl (they never disappoint). Then if we aren’t too full, over to Jeni’s for some ice cream. We will wait in line for an hour to get Jeni’s non dairy Lemon Bar (it’s the experience)!! From there, we might check out the Avalon Hotel, often walk around and people watch. If we feel like shopping, we might stay longer, walk around and check out all the shops! Everything you love is there. I always run into Chanel to say hello to friends and pick up new lipstick or gloss, last time I treated myself to new sunglasses. Yes, while on the planet, you should own a pair of Chanel sunglasses! There’s a Regal theater there, if you feel like seeing a show, so many big blockbusters coming out this holiday – can’t wait to see Wicked with Ariana Grande! They are saying Wicked-Gladiator is this year’s Barbie-Oppenheimer. AND that’s Avalon!

We also love DT Woodstock, DT Marietta and DT Roswell, all the little shops and restaurants. AND if our friends are really fancy, we might take them to Nobu @Phipps Plaza for the experience…

So many great places or we might also stay in, as we just put in a new chef’s kitchen and we love to entertain!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thank you to my beautiful mother, Gloria Kogel, who was my biggest cheerleader in this lifetime, she is watching over me from above and I know she is very proud. When you see those posts, who would you like to sit on a bench with for an hour, who is no longer here on the planet? It’s never some celebrity, it’s always my Mom. She deserves so much credit for who I am today. She was always the wind beneath my wings and I miss her every single day. I was blessed with THAT MOM!

I am also thankful to my gorgeous husband Stephen Crossley, my honey, my love! Blessed in this lifetime to have met the love of my life and I don’t know that I would have gone for it, without him. As together, we are building an empire. Live for the moments you can’t put into words …

AND to all of the Mentors & WOMEN in my life, supporting eachothers dreams and continue to!! Girls from childhood, from the beauty and fashion world, cinema world, PR world, GIRLSTRONG world… I’m so thankful to each of you. You know who you are!

Website: https://www.girlstronginc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlstrongincorporated/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/girlstronginc

Image Credits
Photos Courtesy of GIRLSTRONG, Inc.