Rachel Zietz

At 13, Rachel Zietz launched Gladiator Lacrosse. By 15, it was in Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Rachel was a serious lacrosse player.

Captain material even in middle school.

Coaches told her to play “wall ball” and practice her shot as much as possible.

So she did.

The problem? Every rebounder or goal she bought rusted, tore, or broke after just a few months outdoors. And the ones that could survive a season cost a small fortune.

But instead of complaining, Rachel asked herself: What if I just made my own?

Through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Program (co-sponsored by Florida Atlantic University and the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce), she learned the basics of starting a business.

She sketched out product ideas, researched raw materials, tested designs with other players, and worked with manufacturers to create gear that was 20% stronger than the competition.

In 2012, Gladiator Lacrosse was born.

Rachel was personally involved in every step: concept, materials, production, packaging, even the installation instructions.

She designed for players like herself.

Within a few years, she was generating real sales.

By 15, she walked into Shark Tank Season 7 in a sports jersey, lacrosse stick in hand, asking for $100K in exchange for 15% equity.

She demoed the rebounder right in front of the Sharks.

Her numbers impressed:
- Rebounders cost $66 to make, sold for $249.95
- Goals cost $38.50 to make, sold for $149.95
- More than $300K in sales before the pitch, with a $30K startup loan from her parents already repaid

Her plan: improve distribution, hire a national sales team for tournaments, and launch new products like goggles and sticks.

Every Shark passed, saying she didn’t even need them.

Rachel proved them right.

Shortly after, Dick’s Sporting Goods picked up the line.
She partnered with 2014 MLL MVP Casey Powell on a signature product series.

She was featured in TIME’s 30 Most Influential Teens (2016) alongside the Obama sisters, Shawn Mendes, and Simone Biles.

In 2018, Gladiator did $2M in revenue.

In 2019, she acquired All Ball Pro, a sports equipment brand used by college and pro athletes, allowing Gladiator to expand beyond lacrosse into sports like baseball.

She started selling to Ivy League programs... Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Georgetown among them.

By 2020, revenue hit $7M.

The brand had been featured in TIME, USA Today, and The New York Times, generating $9M in free publicity.

Rachel didn’t stop at the field.

She earned a BA in Economics with a minor in Finance from Princeton University, captained the undefeated club lacrosse team, and learned to apply classroom lessons directly to her business.

And today, she’s an Associate at Lightyear Capital.