Our Team
Mercedes
My name is Mercedes and I am the design manager for GRRRL.
How did you find grrrl?
I found out about grrrl from indeed and also instagram.
What attracts you to be involved with us?
I like working with grrrl because we represent positivity and we help bring out confidence of all different types of women. Also I like the community of women that are helping uplift each other. It’s so cool to see women come together and put smiles on each other’s faces. There’s never any judgement from anyone and I love that.
Dog or cat?
I love my doggies but I feel like cats are kind of like spirit guides. They seem like they have some sort of goddess feline energy so i’m going to go with cats.
Any other message to share with the world?
And my message to share with the world is that a person can have whatever it is that they want, as long as they remember to love themselves and continuously put good thoughts and energy into the universe.
Tiffany
My name is Tiffany and I am the Customer Happiness Engineer for GRRRL.
How did you find grrrl?
I found out about grrrl from indeed.
What attracts you to be involved with us?
I like working with grrrl because we are a community of women who help uplift other women. We try to let women know we are strong and bada$$ no matter what we look like. We are not defined by a number on the scale or size of clothing we wear. I love that we help women to feel empowered no matter what. I love my job and glad to be part of the family.
Dog or cat?
DOGS!! I love their unconditional love. I also love turtles. Seeing my turtle roaming my yard brings me so much happiness and joy.
Fun Fact: I am 70% deaf and taught myself how to “hear” by reading lips.
Lydia
Hey GRRRL army! I’m Lydia and the Community Engagement Advocate for GRRRL. With my BA in Fashion Management and MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology, this role was perfect for me to work with you all, the GRRRL army, as well as all of our sponsored athletes! I am also a massive champion for inclusivity, not just diversity, and so I’m super grateful to be working with a company that has that at its core!
How did you find grrrl?
I was approached via IG to be part of their Fall 2020 badass campaign in Vegas!
What attracts you to be involved with us?
The fight to help women recognise the strength and beauty of their own bodies is a primary personal value of mine, and this is also one of GRRRLS core values. It was a no brainer! Also Dave and Kort are awesome! I love the vision they have for the brand and excited to see where we can go!
Dog or cat?
Dogs all day! Their love gives me healing and joy. But cats that don’t always like people always seem to gravitate towards me. I’m convinced it’s because they know that I don’t eat animals 😀
Any other messages to share with the world?
Yes! As an Asian woman that is not the East Asian standard of beauty, I want to show other Asian women, or anyone else who feels like that they don’t fit the status quo, that they are beautiful, strong, seen and heard.
MAKAYLA
Graphic Designer in Bismarck, North Dakota
Makayla is a graphic designer that has been working in the sign industry in North Dakota for 10 years. Specializing in custom designs, she provides professional design and guidance while working to create a recognizable and successful brand for local companies. She was introduced to GRRRL Clothing through Instagram, as she is always on the lookout for high quality workout clothing. GRRRL ran an open public design contest in 2016 and Makayla decided to submit her design, consequently winning the contest. Since then she has had a great working relationship with the CEO of GRRRL, Kortney Olson, together developing fresh designs for some of the greatest activewear in the industry. Finding her power and confidence through weightlifting, GRRRL’s message resonates strongly with Makayla. Being able to share that message of empowerment through design is why she is grateful to be involved with GRRRL Clothing. Makayla is married, a stepmom of 3 boys, likes to spend her free time weightlifting and hanging with friends, family and her two furry dog children.
JENN
How did you find grrrl?
A few years back, I decided to change careers and work for a start-up. I found GRRRL through a job post on a socmed platform and everything is “her-story” from there.
What attracts you to be involved with us?
From the moment I interviewed, it was a match. I was lucky to find the start-up life I was looking for back then and GRRRL is a brand that represents positivity, inclusivity, and empowerment. And, we don’t just talk about it – our team embodies these values and we pay it forward. How awesome is #grrrlstrong?
Dogs or cats?
Oh, impossible! Dogs and cats are both so wonderful and fluffy in their own ways – love them both 🙂
Any other message to share with the world?
Just keep showing up and try to be your best version! We are all on this beautiful planet for a reason – our individual actions affect others, whether we know it or not, directly or indirectly.
Rachel
Head of Inclusion and Anti Racism Education
How did you find grrrl?
I learned about GRRRL while watching UFC – Holly Holmes was wearing GRRRL gear and I was really intrigued! So I went to Google and saw KO crushing watermelons with her rad thighs as well as looked into the mission of GRRRL. I became an instant fan! It was so refreshing to find a place that catered to ALL athletes that identify as women, including the variety of body sizes we have.
What attracts you to be involved with us?
Being involved with GRRRL is such good work. There are very few spaces where women identifying people can be seen as their full selves without the pressure of conforming to a specific body type, of which is often unattainable. Moreover, there’s a message behind the movement – we are not just a clothing brand, but rather a reprieve from the clothing industry and the biases that permeate it silently.
Dogs or cats?
I dig dogs and cats. Dogs are super hype to see you and everything is a party for them. But cats are low maintenance and can be affectionate….when they feel like it.
Any other message to share with the world?
Change isn’t on the horizon anymore – it’s here. Welcome to the revolution.
Kyla
How did you find grrrl?
I’d heard about grrrl through my mom when I was younger, in 2018 my mom took me and my sister to GRRRL Live and I absolutely fell in love with everything, Kortney ended up being my role model growing up, I even got a pair of Kush leggings that I adore and have been wearing to roller derby practice ever since! But I was impacted the most by Kortney’s private session with the Next Gen women, that truly created my first impression of GRRRL and what it’s all about. My mom ended up working a bit with Kortney to make a local app, and later on invited us to try on samples of the Goddess Genes. When I got my first car at 16, Kortney had offered me a job in customer service, and the rest from there is history!
What attracts you to be involved with us?
What attracts me the most to GRRRL is the message we spread, what we’re truly about, and the overwhelming positivity that comes with it all. As well as the absolute determination for representation, we truly are here for every grrrrl! Everything about GRRRL resonates with me, GRRRL continues to bring me peace and happiness in my life, talking to/helping women through customer service brings me lots of joy as well! The GRRRL team truly is a family, it’s so magical!
Dogs or cats?
I have 2 goofy huskies, a kitty, and 3 hamsters. I personally prefer dogs over cats just because I never had one growing up (mom’s allergic) and now adore my huskies, but my childhood cats definitely have always been there for me when I needed them growing up and are great support animals! I might have to say I’m a hamster grrrl though, they’re pretty dang cute.
Any other message to share with the world?
I have been playing roller derby since I was 9 years old, stopped only due to covid shutting the sport down in 2020. I love EDM music and raves, and I LOVE animals. I wanted to be a vet before I realized college ain’t for me, now I just collect animals and take care of them like they’re my children lol.
Olga
How did you find grrrl?
I was referred by Gino Payne , videographer
What attracts you to be involved with us?
Kind , inspiring, very welcomed people . Love to be around them, always feel protected and happy.
Dogs or cats?
Dog
Any other message to share with the world?
Love will save the world
Our Team
Mercedes
Tiffany
Lydia
MAKAYLA
JENN
Rachel
Kyla
OLGA
Mercedes
My name is Mercedes and I am the design manager for GRRRL.
How did you find grrrl?
I found out about grrrl from indeed and also instagram.
What attracts you to be involved with us?
I like working with grrrl because we represent positivity and we help bring out confidence of all different types of women. Also I like the community of women that are helping uplift each other. It’s so cool to see women come together and put smiles on each other’s faces. There’s never any judgement from anyone and I love that.
Dog or cat?
I love my doggies but I feel like cats are kind of like spirit guides. They seem like they have some sort of goddess feline energy so i’m going to go with cats.
Any other message to share with the world?
And my message to share with the world is that a person can have whatever it is that they want, as long as they remember to love themselves and continuously put good thoughts and energy into the universe.
Tiffany
My name is Tiffany and I am the Customer Happiness Engineer for GRRRL.
How did you find grrrl?
I found out about grrrl from indeed.
What attracts you to be involved with us?
I like working with grrrl because we are a community of women who help uplift other women. We try to let women know we are strong and bada$$ no matter what we look like. We are not defined by a number on the scale or size of clothing we wear. I love that we help women to feel empowered no matter what. I love my job and glad to be part of the family.
Dog or cat?
DOGS!! I love their unconditional love. I also love turtles. Seeing my turtle roaming my yard brings me so much happiness and joy.
Fun Fact: I am 70% deaf and taught myself how to “hear” by reading lips.
Lydia
Hey GRRRL army! I’m Lydia and the Community Engagement Advocate for GRRRL. With my BA in Fashion Management and MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology, this role was perfect for me to work with you all, the GRRRL army, as well as all of our sponsored athletes! I am also a massive champion for inclusivity, not just diversity, and so I’m super grateful to be working with a company that has that at its core!
How did you find grrrl?
I was approached via IG to be part of their Fall 2020 badass campaign in Vegas!
What attracts you to be involved with us?
The fight to help women recognise the strength and beauty of their own bodies is a primary personal value of mine, and this is also one of GRRRLS core values. It was a no brainer! Also Dave and Kort are awesome! I love the vision they have for the brand and excited to see where we can go!
Dog or cat?
Dogs all day! Their love gives me healing and joy. But cats that don’t always like people always seem to gravitate towards me. I’m convinced it’s because they know that I don’t eat animals 😀
Any other messages to share with the world?
Yes! As an Asian woman that is not the East Asian standard of beauty, I want to show other Asian women, or anyone else who feels like that they don’t fit the status quo, that they are beautiful, strong, seen and heard.
MAKAYLA
Graphic Designer in Bismarck, North Dakota
Makayla is a graphic designer that has been working in the sign industry in North Dakota for 10 years. Specializing in custom designs, she provides professional design and guidance while working to create a recognizable and successful brand for local companies. She was introduced to GRRRL Clothing through Instagram, as she is always on the lookout for high quality workout clothing. GRRRL ran an open public design contest in 2016 and Makayla decided to submit her design, consequently winning the contest. Since then she has had a great working relationship with the CEO of GRRRL, Kortney Olson, together developing fresh designs for some of the greatest activewear in the industry. Finding her power and confidence through weightlifting, GRRRL’s message resonates strongly with Makayla. Being able to share that message of empowerment through design is why she is grateful to be involved with GRRRL Clothing. Makayla is married, a stepmom of 3 boys, likes to spend her free time weightlifting and hanging with friends, family and her two furry dog children.
JENN
How did you find grrrl?
A few years back, I decided to change careers and work for a start-up. I found GRRRL through a job post on a socmed platform and everything is “her-story” from there.
What attracts you to be involved with us?
From the moment I interviewed, it was a match. I was lucky to find the start-up life I was looking for back then and GRRRL is a brand that represents positivity, inclusivity, and empowerment. And, we don’t just talk about it – our team embodies these values and we pay it forward. How awesome is #grrrlstrong?
Dogs or cats?
Oh, impossible! Dogs and cats are both so wonderful and fluffy in their own ways – love them both 🙂
Any other message to share with the world?
Just keep showing up and try to be your best version! We are all on this beautiful planet for a reason – our individual actions affect others, whether we know it or not, directly or indirectly.
Rachel
Head of Inclusion and Anti Racism Education
How did you find grrrl?
I learned about GRRRL while watching UFC – Holly Holmes was wearing GRRRL gear and I was really intrigued! So I went to Google and saw KO crushing watermelons with her rad thighs as well as looked into the mission of GRRRL. I became an instant fan! It was so refreshing to find a place that catered to ALL athletes that identify as women, including the variety of body sizes we have.
What attracts you to be involved with us?
Being involved with GRRRL is such good work. There are very few spaces where women identifying people can be seen as their full selves without the pressure of conforming to a specific body type, of which is often unattainable. Moreover, there’s a message behind the movement – we are not just a clothing brand, but rather a reprieve from the clothing industry and the biases that permeate it silently.
Dogs or cats?
I dig dogs and cats. Dogs are super hype to see you and everything is a party for them. But cats are low maintenance and can be affectionate….when they feel like it.
Any other message to share with the world?
Change isn’t on the horizon anymore – it’s here. Welcome to the revolution.
Kyla
How did you find grrrl?
I’d heard about grrrl through my mom when I was younger, in 2018 my mom took me and my sister to GRRRL Live and I absolutely fell in love with everything, Kortney ended up being my role model growing up, I even got a pair of Kush leggings that I adore and have been wearing to roller derby practice ever since! But I was impacted the most by Kortney’s private session with the Next Gen women, that truly created my first impression of GRRRL and what it’s all about. My mom ended up working a bit with Kortney to make a local app, and later on invited us to try on samples of the Goddess Genes. When I got my first car at 16, Kortney had offered me a job in customer service, and the rest from there is history!
What attracts you to be involved with us?
What attracts me the most to GRRRL is the message we spread, what we’re truly about, and the overwhelming positivity that comes with it all. As well as the absolute determination for representation, we truly are here for every grrrrl! Everything about GRRRL resonates with me, GRRRL continues to bring me peace and happiness in my life, talking to/helping women through customer service brings me lots of joy as well! The GRRRL team truly is a family, it’s so magical!
Dogs or cats?
I have 2 goofy huskies, a kitty, and 3 hamsters. I personally prefer dogs over cats just because I never had one growing up (mom’s allergic) and now adore my huskies, but my childhood cats definitely have always been there for me when I needed them growing up and are great support animals! I might have to say I’m a hamster grrrl though, they’re pretty dang cute.
Any other message to share with the world?
I have been playing roller derby since I was 9 years old, stopped only due to covid shutting the sport down in 2020. I love EDM music and raves, and I LOVE animals. I wanted to be a vet before I realized college ain’t for me, now I just collect animals and take care of them like they’re my children lol.
Olga
How did you find grrrl?
I was referred by Gino Payne , videographer
What attracts you to be involved with us?
Kind , inspiring, very welcomed people . Love to be around them, always feel protected and happy.
Dogs or cats?
Dog
Any other message to share with the world?
Love will save the world
