#spono’d

I’m sponsored! #spono’d What does that mean?? For me, that means a close relationship representing the brands that I love, working with them to spread the good word of how rad they are and how rad their products are, to represent the awesome things they do for the sport, and to help them make their products better. What does that mean in practice? I’m still figuring that out… more mulling on that below.

But the question you’re desperately wondering

By who?

UPT!

I’m so excited! I’ve jumped a handful of different types of rigs over the years, and I’ve settled on Vectors. While I’ve only owned used Vectors at this point, I love them. They’re super comfy and super durable (thus why I have used vectors). I’m excited to rep a brand that is the epitome of quality.

Spoiler alert: I’m midway through designing a second #colorbarf rig! The original #colorbarf rig was insanely colorful. This time though, I’ve got a very colorful yet slightly toned-down concept in mind. I’m working with Leah Levy on it and I can’t wait to see what we end up with.

Option Studios!

This sponsorship came about so organically. While at Chicks Rock, I chatted with Adam Buckner and Camille Ruper at the Option Studios tent. I gushed about how I love their jerseys and we hit it off! I’ve been rocking a rasta-design Option jersey this summer and I just want more of them. I’m obsessed with their unisex jerseys, but I can’t wait to try their ladies cut too. Soon, I’m going to work with them to design a Colorbarf jersey that they’re going to sell in their marketplace! I’m trying to think of what kind of look I’d be excited to wear, a design that highlights all the uniqueness of #colorbarf. Either way, if you’ve seen my team jerseys for Nationals, you know they’re going to be loud. Keep your eyes out 🙂

How did all this even happen?

Well, I got up the nerve to ask! Why did I ask? Because a lot of people told me that I’m good enough, and I’m glad I listened.

I’d been interested in partnering with some sponsors but I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t feel like I was good enough to get sponsored. Why? Because up until somewhat recently, I dated a guy who told me I wasn’t good enough, that sponsors wouldn’t want me. He made it clear that he thought I wasn’t impactful enough in the sport. (He also made it clear that he thought I wasn’t a very good freeflyer and that my belly achievements were not worthy of much respect. Ugh. Boo him.) But unfortunately, I listened to him. I couldn’t see past his opinions to realize that I actually have a lot to bring to the table. Fortunately, I have amazing, encouraging friends (and a new supportive significant other) to see all the things I’ve already done for the sport, and accept that I totally deserve a sponsorship.

Since moving to SoCal, I’ve been welcomed into an awesome girl squad of talented flyers. Not only are they talented, they are kind and fun and accepting. They encourage me to keep stepping out of my comfort zone. They have made me feel at home in CA and at home in freeflying. Also, also, I can’t ever forget to mention my friend Eric Daniel from my team Kombucha Punch. He never misses an opportunity to tell me I’m a badass. He says he wants to be like me when he grows up. When I told him I decided to seek out sponsorship, he immediately responded with hearty, enthusiastic support. I have the very best friends. And while I shouldn’t need them to boost my self-confidence, I appreciate the way they always lift me up.

So why didn’t I have the nerve before?
I spent a lot of time thinking I wasn’t qualified to be sponsored. I thought that you have to have world records, that you have to win Open class medals at Nationals, that you have to run bigway camps and be tunnel coach and have a cult following. I thought that you had to be a big name load organizer. But that’s not the case. You just have to carve out your niche.

And, while I’m still figuring out my niche, I can say I’ve done quite a lot in the sport already. I have load organizing experience at Dropzones and boogies. I have a lot of competition experience, as well as experience on teams, training with teams, building teams. I spent a lot of time and energy running successful tunnel events in Colorado. I work to excel at the disciplines I do. In 7 years, I’ve done 1700 skydives, countless events, and already done a lot in the sport. I’ve done enough know the skydiving gear I like and to start building this relationship with my sponsors, to bring them along for the wild ride that is Everything-Else-I-Am-Going-to-Accomplish.

Mostly, I’m just so glad I’ve surrounded myself with people who support me and see me for who I am; I’m so grateful that my sponsors are excited to work with me.

So what now?!

I am still figuring it out. It’s taken me a couple weeks to even write this post and collect my thoughts here. There is so much opportunity here; I want to make the most of it!

With these sponsorships, I want to figure out how to use them to…

• support women in the sport
• encourage people to dip their toes into competition skydiving
• to share what I’ve learned in the sport
• to maybe get involved in USPA to help improve the association that enables our sport

If you have thoughts about how I can use my new platform to make strides in any of these areas, I want to chat!