The global licensing community is powered by an incredible group of professionals whose diverse backgrounds and creative energy drive innovation and excellence. Each week we profile one of these professionals in this ongoing series.

How did you get into licensing (or how did licensing find you)?
Licensing found me! While working at Foot Locker, I managed the co-branded Coca-Cola/NFL merch pop-up shop at the Super Bowl, which I did not know was a licensing deal. After working with the Coca-Cola execs and achieving 100% sell-through, they offered me a job in Atlanta to build the co-branded licensed merchandise program for Coca-Cola Olympic City during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. I asked them what licensing was and they said they would teach me what I needed to know, and that they did!

What’s a “typical” day in your current position?
As a founder of a new start-up, I wear many hats, so every day brings new ideas, wins, and challenges. Since recently landing our first partnership with the National Women’s Soccer League Players’ Association, the most important daily tasks are working with our designers and manufacturers to develop our first collection for our partners athletes with the NWSLPA. Also, creating marketing materials, social media content, and press releases to announce this partnership.

What’s your biggest personal or professional accomplishment?
Personally, I’m so proud of my tenacity and bravery to believe in my vision and launch FanGirl Fashionista. My biggest professional accomplishment is FanGirl Fashionista recently landing NWSLPA as our first licensing partner.

What are the most significant trends or changes that you’ve seen in the business in recent years?
Most recently, the biggest trends would be the growing demand for sports licensing, the growth in fashion licensing, and an increase in licensing as a revenue stream for nonprofit organizations.

What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest challenge these days?
The biggest challenge since the launch of FanGirl Fashionista has been obtaining financing to bring our licensed products to market. Last night I woke up worried about how to pay for what I need to make our first licensing partnership a huge success. But then I fell back to sleep knowing I always figure it out.

In your opinion, what is the top skill every licensing executive should have in order to succeed?
To understand your own business, the market gaps you are filling, and your customers’ needs so you can strategically align with the partners who will naturally help you grow your business and theirs.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received or what is your favorite quote?
“Well-behaved women seldom make history.”

What is your favorite licensing deal of all time? (It doesn’t have to be one that was signed by you.)
The Coca-Cola Polar Bear and Summer Olympics partnership. The artwork was based on the Polar Bear in a winter environment participating in summer Olympic sports like balance beam and tennis with the Olympic mascot.

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing now?
Teaching.