Lynn Le - Founder of Society Nine
Lynn Le - Founder of Society Nine
Lynn Le is the founder and CEO of Society Nine, a modern femme boxing brand providing boxing gear and sportswear to empower you and your fight. She was named to Forbes' 30under30 in Retail/E-Commerce for the Class of 2018 and Portland Business Journal's 40under40 for 2017. Society Nine was also an award recipient at the 2020 Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Awards. She is very passionate about doing everything in her power to encourage all self-identified women to own their strength and energy to unlock their fullest potential.
Lynn sat down with us to talk about why it was so essential to found Society Nine and the passion behind it that keeps her going.
LWL: Most founders have a thread of events throughout their life that actualizes in their work. Society Nine is very purpose-driven. Do you think there were through-lines in your life that lead to you founding the business?
LL: My heritage as a Vietnamese American woman and daughter of war refugees established a foundation of morals, values, and ethics that have driven every decision I’ve ever made in my personal and professional career. Growing up with no established generational wealth or inherited social and capital networks meant that my main resource was my parents’ work ethic and sacrifice. Watching them do everything they could to build up and provide a middle-class comfort and life and seeing them survive additional hardships such as my mother’s 2x bout with cancer were fundamental life lessons that few people inherit at such a young age.
Additionally, combat sports fundamentally changed my life; my first punch was a spiritual awakening. It changed the way I viewed what is possible within my body, mind, and spirit. It taught me that I was truly capable of so much more than what society and media tell me as a woman. I felt like training in various combat sports was a physical manifestation of really showing and expressing the power I truly possess inside. That energy translates to all parts of my life, and especially in business.
LWL: Tell us a bit about the process of naming the company.
LL: The name "Society Nine" is an important one - it's actually the first product we created. Looking back in American history, there's no greater historical event in women's sports than when Title IX was passed. For those who need a quick history lesson, Title IX states: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
The passing of Title IX was a catalyst for female fighters everywhere - across all sports. That's what OUR society honors. It pays homage to the fighters before us and the fighters now amongst us. It speaks to what the future holds for the modern female fighter - she is capable of doing absolutely anything.
We're celebrating the new society of women who will continue to carry that torch forward.
LWL: As a company that exists to promote equity for women in boxing and fitness through the products you sell, how else do you seek to do this through your business?
LL: We feel the wellness industry takes for granted the fact that it largely caters to the wealthy and the privileged and inherently is not diverse in who it represents and the stories it tells. Access and ability to do any sort of sport or fitness activity is difficult to come by for so many marginalized communities. Still, the physical and mental benefits can be life-changing.
At Society Nine, since our inception, we’ve donated and supported non-profit organizations and groups that specifically work to serve communities through free access to coaching for boxing, self-defense, and various combat sports by providing product donations on a regular basis. Having the tools and access to be able to participate in something like boxing can be out of reach for many, so we are humbled and honored that these organizations trust our brand to be the right partner for these efforts.
LWL: Tell us about who you are following the work of in the pay equity space right now?
LL: Along with the USWNT, the WNBA has been at the forefront of racial and gender equity activism, and we deeply admire their efforts and take their lead. We also follow communities like Fit For Us, which was started by Black fitness and wellness professionals to specifically talk about equity issues in brand partnerships and sponsorships, among other things. It has evolved into a collective agency, and the industry owes them for their emotional and intellectual labor in all they do to educate us. There are also nonprofits like Camber Outdoors which is an organization that equips partner organizations in the outdoor recreation economy to implement best practices in Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Workplace DEI). There are so many important organizations and groups to follow; we could keep going!
How do you hope that your company can create a better world?
I didn't start Society Nine just to make women's boxing gloves. I started Society Nine because, at the root of it, women were not given options for tools that enable them to get stronger mentally, emotionally and physically, in martial arts and combat fitness. The oversized, low-quality pink glove symbolizes everything that is wrong with not just boxing but women's sports and fitness in general - that we are made to feel secondary in these environments. My goal, as a person, is to show that a woman of color who came from no capital or social networks could identify a problem in a market, serve that market, continue to grow that community into a valuable business. As a company, our mission is to continue to enable and inspire women to uncover their greatest potential. Everything we do, from our products to our marketing and storytelling, to the nonprofit organizations and programs we support, has that mission fully in mind.
Favorite motto or quote that keeps you inspired?
"Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women." — Maya Angelou
Who or what was the biggest motivator for you when you started your business?
My family, especially my mom and grandma. They taught me everything I could ever possibly need to know and learn about what it means to be a strong woman. In the case of my grandma, she was a successful entrepreneur in Vietnam before the war took everything away, war refugee, and survivor; my mom was a war refugee and a 2x cancer survivor who self-taught herself accounting and finance and built us a middle-class life.
What is one piece of advice you would give to early-stage founders?
You are more than your business. Don't allow the business to take over your entire identity - remember who you are and remember what makes life worth living. The business is just one part of that. You are no good to the business, your team, or anyone in your life if you don't take care of yourself first.
What is one daily practice or habit you have to keep you centered and grounded in your personal life?
I shut off from my phone, computer, and social media for at least 1-2 hours a day. I allow for certain kinds of TV because I love documentaries, storytelling, and visual narratives in general. I especially love being outside and engaging in anything active during that time. I also love to cook and bake.
What has been the biggest highlight in running your own company?
The collaboration and teamwork with everyone on my team. I am humbled every time we have a team meeting. As a founder and business owner, it should never be something you take for granted - that these people have chosen to TRUST you, BELIEVE in you and your vision, and are WILLING to work for and with you. That's an honor you have to hold close each and every day and take seriously.
Your favorite other women-led businesses we should know about?
Book(s) that inspire you/your company:
Start With Why - Simon Sinek. This book started everything for me.
Favorite business tools that your company uses?
Shopify, Shipstation, Google Drive, Asana, Slack
What are your top three goals for your company this year? AND! How can the LWL Community support you in accomplishing them?
1 - Grow in revenue from 2020!
2 - Stay healthy and safe
3 - Have a gangbusters holiday season.
The best way the LWL community can support us is if you've recently picked up boxing, thought about starting but have been intimidated, check us and our community out. We would love to join you in your journey. If you have any questions about training, resources, as well as product fit, our team has got you!