By: Bethany Myers

Runway Athletics is proud to be another budding business born during the pandemic.

Jennifer Spector, Shari Schneider, and Mary Lindenberg are a trio of tennis aficionados who have bonded over their love of playing the sport for many years. Tennis is a frequent topic of conversation for them, and most notably, their frustration over the poor fashion choices available to women who play tennis. Tennis clothes are notoriously bland, have minimal personality, and can make a woman feel quite frumpy when wearing them. To remedy this fashion faux pas, during the COVID closures, the three friends brainstormed ideas about creating their own tennis clothing line. Their children all flying the coop, it was the perfect time to accept the challenge.

After several phone meetings to share ideas, in November 2020, they claimed their business name, Runway Athletics, and began creating their line. Jennifer, Shari, and Mary had a goal to create fun and fashionable court wear that could also be worn after practice to run errands, pick up kids, or just relax. Every stitch and seam was curated with the hope that the women wearing the brand would feel confident and equally cozy.

But good things don’t come without challenges. When planning to "come to market" with a cute, comfortable, and flattering tennis dress, their vision was more tricky than anticipated. As they learned the ins and outs of manufacturing and creating samples in the United States, the ladies discovered that achieving a proper fit for every woman with so many body types out there is nearly impossible. So they pivoted and went in a new direction, envisioning what they deemed the "NOLA" court skirt manufactured in Texas. The NOLA has since become the anchor for their entire line and has been a top seller since its creation. The NOLA has been shipped to people nationwide in solids and prints and is highly rated for its simplicity, comfort, and high-quality under-short.

The Runway Athletics pioneers took their first online order in March 2021 and have been going strong and growing ever since. Their line now includes items that work for both tennis and pickleball. The three friends quickly realized the need to include both court sports, given how fast pickleball is growing across the U.S. They now offer skirts, dresses, jackets, tanks, shirts, hats, slides, and bags. Just two years later, they are amazed at what they have accomplished.

"Three women in their 50s starting a business during the Covid pandemic was no easy feat, but we did it, and here we are."

As a female-owned company, Runway Athletics recognizes the importance of helping other female entrepreneurs in any way possible. They often feature these companies on their Runway Athletic social media pages and realize that working together can benefit everyone. Networking has been a significant key to their success. Growing their business and meeting so many amazing women in the Tennis and Pickleball communities have been one of the best parts of their adventure.

Since its inception, the philosophy at Runway Athletics has always been the same - LOOK GOOD - PLAY HARD! They recognize the confidence provided by a great-looking outfit. They also proudly offer a "buy local and support a small business" alternative to the big warehouse-type brands.

Proud Moment:

Dropshot Series chose Runway Athletics as the only women's clothing vendor at the inaugural ATX Open, Austin’s only professional tour-level tennis tournament and the city's largest women's professional sporting event. The ladies are ecstatic for Runway Athletics to be a vendor at future national events.

Local Love:

Jennifer Spector, a native of southern California, spent her formative years attending Louisville, an all-girls Catholic school, where she emerged as the top singles varsity tennis player in her senior year. An early love for fashion and design sparked a passion project creating 80's vintage t-shirts and cut-offs for her high school friends. After graduating, Jennifer attended college in Atherton, California, and later joined Nordstrom Inc., where she gained expertise in buying, merchandising, and product development.

Jennifer's career flourished, and she went on to work in design and development with various retailers such as Idealabs, Petco, and Bristol Farms. Soon thereafter, she decided to take a break from corporate work when she met her husband and started a family. They decided to settle in Austin, Texas, drawn to the city's vibrant and family-friendly atmosphere. While raising her kids, Jennifer missed the creative aspects of her former career and launched an online handbag business, which proved to be a great success. When her second child was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, she knew it was time to pivot and leave the corporate world for good.

Throughout the years, Jennifer has continued to pursue her entrepreneurial spirit, building small businesses that kept her creative juices flowing. These experiences ultimately prepared her for her latest venture, Runway Athletics.

About Shari and Mary:

Shari Schneider's roots stem from the lively city of New Orleans where she completed her education with a degree in Business Administration. Initially, she had set her sights on running her family's POS systems business, catering to the hospitality industry. However, life had other plans for her when she met and fell in love with a Texan. This led her to move to Corpus Christi after tying the knot, only to eventually settle down in Austin, Texas.

Mary Lindenberg is a true-blue Texan, hailing from San Antonio and growing up in Houston. Her love for Austin has kept her rooted in the city for over three decades. Mary has dabbled in various fields such as the airline industry, property management, and real estate, all after completing her college education.

When it comes to their hobbies, Jennifer, Shari, and Mary are quite the trio. They share a deep passion for tennis, travel, and family time. It's no surprise that they all live within a mile of each other in Austin, as their shared interests and proximity make it easy for them to connect and indulge in their favorite activities.

"We are three best friends who get to spend time growing and promoting a business we started together. We could not ask for a better job!”

Charity Involvement:

With a heart of compassion, Jennifer, Shari and Mary made a beautiful tribute to those battling breast cancer when they designed and created the 'Hope, Strength, Love' court skirt. They generously donate 20% of the net profits from each skirt to the Susan G Komen Foundation, enabling them to support the fight against breast cancer. They also actively participate in events for Head for the Cure and the JDRF Foundation, while donating auction items to several local schools and charities, including the Center for Child Protective Services. Additionally, Runway Athletics proudly sponsors both the Women's Texas Tennis Association and the Capital Area Tennis Association, underscoring their commitment to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. It's evident that these ladies have a deep sense of purpose and a genuine desire to make the world a better place.